I'll have to see if I can't get the wiring diagram. What I am thinking is to wire into the switch for the dome light, that way the lights will only come on with the dome light. I have pretty good electrical knowledge, but haven't messed with a dome light before. Unfortunately, I have little to no time to be messing around with my Runner since I have a 10 week old baby. But the basic idea is to use the domelight switch to control everything. I'm sure it can be done, it just will require a little trial and error.

Congrats on the baby man! that's awesome. That would be cool if you could get it figured out with a relay. it sounds complicated but if it works, I'm gonna do some more lights in the back.

Yeah I'm sure I could get it figured out. There's really nothing to wiring a relay. All you need to do is find the wire that is "on" when the dome light is on, and I could easily walk you through setting up a relay. Based on the picture I posted, hook up the wire that is "on" or "hot" only when the dome light is on to 86. 30 goes to the + side of your new lights. 85 goes to ground, and 87 goes to the battery or your power source. Let me know if you have any other questions.

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i did that same thing in my 87' only i also put them under the doors so when you opened them not only would the foot area be lit up but also the rock sliders i made. that way i wouldnt keep hitting my leg on them when i stepped in. it was pretty awesome when i stepped out of the rig and dropped something.

my 87' also had a role bar in back and i ran an LED strip on the underside of that and wired it to the tail gate so when i dropped the tail gate (and a switch in the front was turned on) it would light up.

im thinking about doing this same thing with my new 97' only tap into the rear dome light and run the strip on the top of the rear hatch so when it opens it will illuminate the cargo area. i am more than likely going to end up putting the lights in front to!

ALSO!!!! if you get a 16 foot strand from amazon for like $10 bucks you will end up with extra!!! SOOOOOO....... what i did on my 87' was run the few remaining feet on the underside of my hood along the supports and wired them to a toggle switch that was hidden right by the fuse box so when i wanted to work on my truck in the dark... or i broke down (only happened ONCE!!!) i could just flick the switch and the whole engine compartment was lit up. it was wonderful not having to hold a flashlight in my mouth!!!

also you dont need a relay. all you need to do is run a constant power to the power side of the lights and then wire the ground in with the door switch (that grounds it out creating a circuit) allowing the lights to work.... its much easier and cheaper than a relay..... id use a relay on hard wiring a GPS or an extra set of outlets or something. the lights dont require much draw so you would be just fine hard wiring it in without one.

HI,

Thanks for the write up and this is very helpful. I have been looking for this solution for so long.
Have you tried looking J.A.'s mod (Toyota 4Runner Footwell Led Lighting Mod) but his was a 2007 and I have a 1999. I wanted to do exactly the same as J.A.'s, specifically the 3 mode switch (ON-DOOR-OFF). I wan wondering where to get the continuous power for the "ON" mode to connect to the switch.

I'm glad you found it, and yes this is an easy way to get some courtesy lights. That wire that I used is a continuous power wire but like i stated earlier, it will leave your lights on all the time weather your truck is on or off. I think i simple switch could turn it off, i'm not really sure though.

I also did this mod but i tapped into my key ring light. i forget where i got the idea from but it was somewhere on yotatech. its easy but the only downside is the lights only come on when the drivers side door opens.

Where are the lights physically mounted? Are they different on each side?

Thanks!

Did you find a way to do the same?