Yakima Off Road Light Help

[PaulSula]

I was wondering if there is anyone in the Wichita, KS area who has any electrical experience who could help me wire a set of off road lights with the old OEM fog light switch? Also just real quick, do you think I should mount the KC 26 lights on top of my loadwarrior basket, or "hide" them behind the fairing?

 

[MW 4Runner]

I was wondering if there is anyone in the Wichita, KS area who has any electrical experience who could help me wire a set of off road lights with the old OEM fog light switch? Also just real quick, do you think I should mount the KC 26 lights on top of my loadwarrior basket, or "hide" them behind the fairing?

If I was in your area I would help you, from all the write ups on here it doesnt look too difficult at all. You will probably have to run the wiring to the rear cargo area, I've seen pics on Yotatech showing where they ran the wiring under the black molding strip behind the factory roof rails to the back of the vehicle.

As far as mounting location, I've been pondering that since I installed my basket months ago. Ive got the light mounting brackets installed already, just cant decide on which lights to get. I'm probably going to mount something small on top, though I do like the idea of hiding them behind the faring. I'm leaning toward a Hella FF50 or something similar. Cabelas has a PIAA Xtreme position lamp that would fit perfectly behind the faring.

 

[PaulSula]

MW,

It's not really the routing of the wires that will cause me trouble, but I am really nervous about doing anything electrical myself. I have already downloaded all the wiring diagrams and things like that from this forum. I was just wondering if I could find anyone that would look over my shoulder as I did the work.

The reason that I chose the KC's is because money is a little tight and they have what I would consider a great deal on the 26 series lights. I found a package for $90.00 that included two lights, the wiring kit, a set of black "KC" covers, a set of amber lenses, and two sets of clear lenses. All of which is made of lexan. I couldn't find a deal that good on anything else.

Oh and one last thing, I think I will have to put the lights behind the fairing, b/c if I go any taller, I can kiss parking in any garadge goodbye. (I barely fit now)

 

[MW 4Runner]

I found a package for $90.00 that included two lights, the wiring kit, a set of black "KC" covers, a set of amber lenses, and two sets of clear lenses. All of which is made of lexan. I couldn't find a deal that good on anything else.

Oh and one last thing, I think I will have to put the lights behind the fairing, b/c if I go any taller, I can kiss parking in any garadge goodbye. (I barely fit now)

That is a great deal for all the stuff that comes with those lights. I know what you mean about barely fitting in the garage!!! I know I will be parking outside if I put lights on top of mine. I'm thinking of also getting those small PIAA lights to go on the back of my rack for backup lights too.

 

[PaulSula]

Ok, so I found someone locally who can help with the lights. And they are going on top. Because my truck already won't fit in most parking garages. Also I want to be able to drive with them at speed on the highway which would suck with the fairing laid down.

 

[MW 4Runner]

Ok, so I found someone locally who can help with the lights. And they are going on top. Because my truck already won't fit in most parking garages. Also I want to be able to drive with them at speed on the highway which would suck with the fairing laid down.

Be sure an post some pics when they get installed. You said you got the "old OEM fog light switch" which one is that? The one from the older gen 4Runners? I havent wired in my lights yet and was thinking of getting the new tacoma fog switches I've seen on here.


Here is that picture I was thinking of showing running wiring under the black strip on the roof... Looks like they ran it to the front of the vehicle on the drivers side instead of taking it out the back, which would make more sense especially if it could be concealed all the way to the engine compartment.

 

[PaulSula]

Well I got the mounting brackets last night from my wife for Christmas. (I know it's early) When I say the old switch I mean the square one, I suppose it's from the old 4Runners. I just didn't really care to spend the extra money for the Taco switch. Also it seems that the newer switch might be harder to wire. I like the way that pic shows for the wire routing. I was a little apprehensive about running the wires all the way to the back and then all the way to the engine compartment. I already have my Roady antenna run through the rain stripping on the driver side so I don't know if adding another set of electrical wiring would cause interference. I will attach a pic of the XM wiring when I get home today. PS- do you have your Hella 500's attached to the bull bar in the front? I was thinking about in the future using the bracket idea that some users have done with round lights in the front.

 

[MW 4Runner]

The Hella 500 lights are on the safari bar. They are not wired yet, just sitting there. I havent done any wiring yet, plan to do that this saturday maybe. The safari bar comes with free lights that I may mount to the front of the basket when they arrive, dont know yet. I'm kind of liking parking in the garage for right now.

I ran my roady wiring out the back as well but mine is on the passenger side. I think I'm going to wire the rear lights on the basket to come on with the reverse lights so I may not have to penetrate the weather stripping to get inside the vehicle, and just tie into the rear tail light wiring instead. I'll just figure something out when I get to wiring. If I switch the rear lights it will be ALOT more work, so I will prob just have them on with the reverse lights.

Will you still be able to store your mtn bikes on your rack with lights installed? I know what you mean about early Christmas presents, my cornfed lift is my present. I got it like a month early so I could have it installed by Christmas.

 

[PaulSula]

yeah the mounting of the lights is the best part. wiring seems like it will suck. I have my bike mounts on the outside of the basket on some regular bars. I did this so I could have the bikes and extra gear on top at the same time. also I can fit a canoe or kaiyaks on the top with the bikes.

 

[MW 4Runner]

Ahh, I see... Lowriders and cross bars with loadwarrior mounted on them. Mine sits on the factory cross bars. I will post pics of everything once the wiring is done.

 

[Colemanfu]

Here is where I put the switch for the front Lightforce lights (inner switch). The outside is for the "alley lights" mounted on the side of the frame. Just a simpe $9 pep boys tractor light. I like to have them in an easy to reach place. I use the factory location to the left of the wheel for the back up light. Don't need that one as much.

 

[Colemanfu]

Here is the switch and location for the back up light.

 

[PaulSula]

Looking good man. Hopefully I get the lights for Christmas. And then I can get them wired and post pics. I think I will definately use the spots on the left of the steering wheel.

 

[MW 4Runner]

Wired up the Hella lights today. Wasn't too bad. I'm using the hella switch temporarily until the Tacoma switch arrives. From using the write ups on here and especially the wiring diagram "Iron Clad Lou" posted it's pretty simple. PIAA rear lights are next.

 

[MW 4Runner]

Looking good man. Hopefully I get the lights for Christmas. And then I can get them wired and post pics. I think I will definately use the spots on the left of the steering wheel.

You wire up your lights yet? I just installed the tacoma fog light switch to complete the install. I installed mine in the blanks by the gear shifter. When I had the hella switch installed on the left of the steering wheel it was ackward to switch them quickly off when I met oncoming traffic.

 

[PaulSula]

:worthless

Yeah, I ordered my lights on the 24th. Hopefully I will get them soon. Can't wait to wire them. How did you run the wires through the firewall? Also could you attach a link to a page explaining how to get to those shifter switches? I can't find anything with the search tool.

 

[MW 4Runner]

[BHow did you run the wires through the firewall? Also could you attach a link to a page explaining how to get to those shifter switches? I can't find anything with the search tool. [/B]

Here is a quick pic I already had uploaded...

On the drivers side to the left of the parking brake you will see the hole in the firewall. It has a protective rubber boot/seal that you will see other wires have penetrated. Just do the same. I just stabbed a screwdriver thru it and taped the end of the wire I needed and pulled it thru.

HERE IS A LINK to a good write up by Iron Clad Lou. His wiring diagram is perfect. He even shows a 3rd Gen switch like you said you were installing. At the end of that thread you will see the pic of the tacoma fog light switch, mine looks exactly like that.

Here is a link to get to the switches by the shifter: http://www.castulucci.com/projects/carpc/oemnaviaccess/

Just open the arm rest and pull up on the panel. Very simple.


Feel free to PM me if you need any help

 

[PaulSula]

Thanks man. According to the package tracking the lights should show up tomorrow. Hopefully I will be able to get them installed and get pictures online.

 

[PaulSula]

Finally got my lights wired today. Had to go buy some more wire and connectors first as the wiring harness supplied with the kit was WAY to short. Pictures to follow. I am very happy with the results.

 

[PaulSula]

well at first I was a little confused because I had wired everything correctly but did not get any light, but after calling KC they told me I did not have a good enough ground, and now they work great. Thanks for all your help MW.