Clean VLED Install on 2010-2013 4Runners

[6XGate]

Part One: Introduction

So, if you are like me and prefer the pre-facelifted taillights on your 5th gen, but still want LED taillights, then this should be right up your alley. You can easily solder wires to the existing twist sockets, but that just looks unprofessional and fragile.

So my thought was to borrow something from the 2014 and up 5th gens, the LED taillights wiring pigtail to make the installation look cleaner and more professional.

Warning: This post is very photo heavy.

Here are the parts you will need for this:

• Two 2014 and up taillight harness pigtail, part number 81555-35400. You can pick this up online or at your local Toyota dealer.
• A set of VLED V3 TRITON RED (controller and bulb).
• A set of VLED V3 TRITON AMBER (controller, bulb, and hyper-flash fix resistor).
• Optionally, for back-up lights, a set VLED 5K WHITE PLATINUM 15 LED 921.

Note, you will not need any VLED base adapters for this, but be certain the kit includes the V3: HARDWIRE PIGTAIL ADAPTER.

These are the tools you will need:

• Fence/electrical tape.
• Wire cutters.
• Wire strippers.
• Soldering iron or gun and rosin core solder.
• Channel lock pliers.
• A towel.
• 10mm deep socket and socket ratchet.

Optional stuff:

• A label maker, to label the new pig tail plugs.

Part Two: Pigtail

First let's make the pigtail. These steps will be repeated for each harness. Please note that the colors of the V3 pigtails may differ so you will need to determine the high, low, and ground by the numbers on the plug itself. See the product page for a diagram. My V3 pigtails had the following colors:

• Ground as black.
• Low as blue.
• High as red.

Step 1: Plug-in and you soldering iron, let it heat up.

Step 2: Take off the black rubber loom of each V3 PIGTAIL ADAPTER and snip a small portion off the end, this will make handling the wires easier. Don't forget to put the loom back on the pigtail.

Step 3: We will start with the brake lights.

Step 3.A: First snip off the brake light plug as close to the connector as you can.

Step 3.B: Strip each of the wires, they are between 20-22 gauge.

Step 3.C: Now, solder each of the wires to the V3 pigtail as follows:

Step 3.C.1: Ground to white with a black stripe.

Step 3.C.2: Low to green.

Step 3.C.31: High to green with a white stripe.

Step 3.D: Be sure and wrap each solder in fence tape.

Step 3.E: Finally wrap the whole tail in fence tape starting at the rubber loom on the V3 pigtail.

Step 4: Now, let's do the turn signal.

Step 4.A: Remove the blue fence tape that was already on factory pigtail.

Step 4.A: Now, snip off the factory tail at the end of its rubber loom.

Step 4.C: Now strip each of the wires. Again same gauge.

Step 4.D: Next, solder each of the wires to the V3 pigtail as follows:

Step 4.D.1: Ground to black.

Step 4.D.2: High and low to green with a yellow stripe.

Step 4.E: Be sure and wrap each solder in fence tape.

Step 4.F: Finally wrap the whole tail in fence tape starting at the rubber loom on the V3 pigtail.​

Optional Step 5: Create labels for the turn and brake tails so that you can identify which is which.

Step 6: Now repeat for the other pigtail. Once complete you will have two new pigtails that will plug into the factory connector and the VLED V3 TRITON controllers.

 

[6XGate]

Part 3 and More

Part Three: Assemblies

Step 1: Remove the insert that covers the taillights from the inside storage area at the far back of your truck. Best if you use a trip tool for this but a flat-head or fingernails do just fine.

Step 2: Twist and remove the turn signal from the taillight assembly, this is the one connected to the factory wiring harness. Sorry I don't have an image for it, but had already done the VLED using a different method before this.

Step 3: Unplug the factory wiring harness from the socket and put this socket and bulb in a safe place for storage, you won't need this anymore.

Step 4: Remove the nuts on the top and bottom of the assembly:

Step 5: Remove the taillights, this will require a hard tug, but they will come out without any breakage.

Step 6: Remove the black foam seal to expose the wiring attached to the assembly. Then remove all the remaining lights by twisting them.

Step 7: Remove all the black wires and store them for safe keeping. They can be removed by simple wiggling each contact and wire loose from the assembly, but don't yank on them.

Step 8: You will need to modify the backup light opening accept the socket from the 2014 and up pigtail.

Step 8.A: Enlarge the already largest tab opening on its clockwise side.

Step 8.B: Cut new tab opening in the original contact groove on the exact opposite side of the opening you just enlarged. It should be the same size as the groove.

Don't worry if some plastic falls into the light assemblies, you can simply face the openings downward and shake it out.
​

Step 9: Install the V3 Bulbs:

Step 9.A: Place the thinner rubber gasket around the bulbs' collar.

Step 9.B: Adjust the lens of the bulb so that they are as far out as possible while still allowing the colored part of the heatsink to remain on.

Step 9.C: Install the screws in the V3 collar to match the tab opening in the assembly.

Step 9.D: Now push the neck of the bulb entirely into the assemblies' openings.

Step 9.E: Using a towel to protect the heatsink and some channel lock pliers, twist the bulb slightly to lock it into place.

Step 10: Replace the rubber seal over the back of the assembly, it is recommend to buy a new one, but I've had no issues reusing the original.

Step 11: Now, reinstall the taillight assemblies being careful not to pinch the VLED wires. Also be sure the mountings are all lined up on the body and assembly. This should be a simple push it in and it clicks.

Step 12: Put the nuts back on the assemblies' bolts and tighten it all down.

Step 13: Install your chosen backup light bulbs into the 2014 and up pigtails' sockets. Do not twist them completely or the smaller tab will fall into one of the original openings, just twist them slightly and ensure they are snug.

Step 14: Connect the 2014 and up pigtail to the body harness using the original connector.

Step 15: Using double-sided tape, attach the VLED controllers and resistors to the body inside the cavity in front of the taillights.

Step 16: Using the installation guide from VLED; connect the resistors to the controllers (only for the turn signals), the new pigtails to the controllers, and finally the bulbs to the controllers.

Be sure to test every function before going out on the road and enjoying your new LED taillights.

 

[philsey]

Nice tutorial. Also good choice on the retrofit.

 

[6XGate]

Nice tutorial. Also good choice on the retrofit

Thanks, looks like from your signature your SR5 has the same paint color as my Limited. The headlights do look good like that, I'll have to post a picture soon.

Now if I could just find someone who sales the 2010-2013 taillights with completely clear lenses, I think it would really sharpen things up. Since the VLED bulbs emit red, the lenses could be nice and clear.

 

[sandcrawler]

BRAKE b

 

[6XGate]

BRAKE b

I brake for no one ; either way, fixed in text, too late for the picture.

 

[5ontheFloor]

Did I miss the final pic of lights? Great job btw

 

[6XGate]

Did I miss the final pic of lights? Great job btw

Thanks!

I haven't made one, but won't be able to post one till I get a new phone. They still look stock though, but a little brighter and have that nice instant on/off look to them.

 

[barryhiram]

Nice write-up and mod [MENTION=142017]6XGate[/MENTION].

 

[Dropzone]

nice detailed write up and good to see some solder.
I prefer a quality heat shrink vs. tape for connections, from my experience it seems to hold better over time

 

[6XGate]

Thanks guys.