License plate light Disable while In Reverse (DIR)

Spawned from @Puppypunter's original thread, this will be the ongoing channel for those who desire relief from license plate light camera glare while their Tundra is in reverse.

Order Links:
2014-2021
2007-2013
2000-2006

Installation Instructions
2013-2021
2007-2013
2000-2006

 

This was the first one I built. I'll add more photos as I build more. I do them a tiny bit differently than Johnny does, I like a shorter T at the license plate intercept, though I may go a bit longer than what is pictured here. I also use vinyl tubing for both leads rather than braided for the T to the reverse light trigger because I prefer the look and symmetry of the tubing.

 

I’ll take one.

 

Order form is linked in the first post with instructions for payment.

I was holding off a little bit because @jordm21 had some trouble with his and it was my first one. Now he is all set and I put one in my buddy’s ‘16 so I have good confidence it all works as described. I don’t own a newer Tundra so I can’t test stuff myself.

I’m also making one for first gen, starting with @shifty` as the pioneer.

These are made to order at this point due to low volume but if that changes I could build in batches. So expect one to two weeks of lead time.

 

Still love mine. Sunset was 4:40 yesterday and this was taken at 5:51 when the last light was fading.

 

Ordered mine! Guess I will be the test dummy for the 2021..

 

Thanks everyone for the interest / recent orders. I'm not 100% certain I get these done tonight. Tomorrow is going to be crazy busy. So the most likely best case scenario is I build them on Thursday and ship Friday. Just wanted to be up front on timeline.

Cheers

 

Ummm, hello? I’m a 50yo man child and want it NOW! Get ‘em out when you can dude, quality takes time.

 

Ordered. Payment sent via Venmo.

 

OK, to the two who have paid, thanks for your patience. I intend to build tonight. Yesterday was off kilter nuts due to the holiday and Wednesday got away from me.

I'm also going to re-order parts right now so I have enough for the future, I'm running low on the big 8 position connectors.

 

Simple solution if the license plate lights cause issues with camera when backing up is to just turn headlights off. You don't need headlights in reverse.

 

Take your time and do it right. I think we'd all prefer a well made product vs having it a few days earlier.

 

True, but if I do this every night, 5 days a week wouldn’t it make sense to circumvent the issue with a permanent solution?

 

I’d like to buy one but could you we do 99.99? I have to clear every $100+ discretionary purchase with my wife…

 

I can live without the penny but I'm mid-flight on building 3 right now and out of town on a horse haul Sun-Tue so it may be a wait for yours.

 

Agreed and mentioned in the Tacoma DIY thread.

For full disclosure, there's also a fine dude selling stick on shrouds which block the upper half of the light. Solutions abound for the reasonable, cost-conscious consumer. This thread is entirely about the unreasonable overkill solution to a not-so-significant problem.

I mean, you can get an unsealed relay and T taps and cut-and-crimp-with-butt-connectors job done for $10 I suspect.

 

I'll give you the $1 if he can't do it. Gotta support our local builders while making sure the wife has no idea what you are doing..

 

The real problem is that my wife knows what I'm doing and why I'm not putting the kids to bed tonight

 

Done deal my dude! I'm in no hurry whatsoever they look like great quality and don't mind the wait. I'll fill out the form later tonight! I did the turn off lights thing to get a better view but that gets old very quick especially backing up a trailer at night all the time.

 

Slight variation this round, longer T’s and bigger heat shrink, what do you think, @Puppypunter ?

 

I like a longer tee. Makes it easier to deal with wire lengths being a couple millimeters different, and also give a little more play for mounting the new bundle. Still has Dave's signature stripes. I approve

 

Who want's reasonable? I think DIR V2 should include actuators to turn the whole bumper 90 degrees, so the license plate lights act as additional reverse lights....

 

And switchbacks for turns?

 

My back up camera is of no use backing a trailer at night. My boat blocks the camera. I guess the only time this is not the case is with an unloaded utility trailer. I really only use the camera to position my ball under the trailer coupler. I added pods on my bumper and they offset any glare from license plate lights. I also put spot/floods on the back of my boat trailer. I would think camera glare is worse with LEDs in the license plate lights. I don't have LEDs in mine.

 

Another simple option is to replace the license plate bolts with a pair of illuminated ones like these:

https://www.autozone.com/gaskets-an...led-license-plate-fastener-2-piece/124701_0_0

Then remove the original upward facing plate bulbs. I bet you could even get the connectors so it’s a plug and play arrangement.

Seriously, though, the oem bulbs never bothered me at all while using the reverse camera at night. Don’t change them to LEDs?

 

This is genius! Does it work on 2021?

 

@Bentarm13 will advise on that. Fingers crossed.

 

Please report back. The plate lights have always pissed me off on both my Tacoma and now on this new Tundra.

 

For 3rd gen Tacoma, this.
For confirmation on 2021 Tundra, based on this, perhaps @IgotSR5onit as well.

 

First Comment ever. I actually made an account just for this.
I went to fill out the order form, and it didn't have 2012 listed as an option.
Are they just made to fit the 2014 and newer?

I think you just need to batch about a hundred of them and put them on Amazon. They will sell.