Lighting Electrical Help

[Transient]

2020 Trail Boss LT.  About a year ago I installed the Rough Country dual 10" led lights in the grille.  Since day 1 I've hated them because they are no better than the OE high beams.  I do use my offroad lights a lot, and these aren't the only ones on my truck.  I prefer Baja Designs.  I plan on replacing the 10" light bars from Rough Country with 10" S8 light bars from Baja Designs.  However, Rough Country uses Deutsche connectors and Baja Designs uses weatherpack connectors.  That's not a problem.  I can do the conversion.  The issue is the Rough Country leds are 2 pin, whereas the Baja Designs are 3 pin.  The reason for the 3 pin setup is because Baja Designs has amber leds in the middle of the light bar between a few of the main leds.  Imo, this would provide a unique perspective on the Ford Raptor/Ram TRX amber leds in the grille/scoop that seem to have been duplicated by half the Toyota Tacomas on the road, and even aftermarket parts manufacturers like AVS with their hood deflectors.  I would like to leave the amber lights on full time when driving the truck.  What is a good wire to splice into near/at the headlights to accomplish this objective?  I will have the white leds tied to GM Upfitter switch #3, which is where the Rough Country lights are already connected.  I've anyway checked and the electrical draw is too low to create complications. 

 

Your help is greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance. 

[jashaw]

I wonder if the BD and RC have the same mounting points?

 

Fuse 40 in the underhood fuse box. Misc ignition. Not exactly the location you're after, but will work. I do not know if they will be on with remote start. I tried it a while ago but dont remember the results. Went back to my original wiring setup.

 

I have most of my accessory lighting on the parking light circuit, which is used during remote start. I also have some LED's that I want on all the time on fuse 4. Fuse 4 has power more often than fuse 40.

 

I also have the RC grille lights, and many others installed. The description says it's a flood beam pattern. I too expected them to be more. Chalk it up to their good marketing I guess.

 

They are hooked to a relay, triggered by the hi-beam fuse.

[Transient]

On 3/9/2023 at 11:18 AM, jashaw said:

I wonder if the BD and RC have the same mounting points?

 

Fuse 40 in the underhood fuse box. Misc ignition. Not exactly the location you're after, but will work. I do not know if they will be on with remote start. I tried it a while ago but dont remember the results. Went back to my original wiring setup.

 

I have most of my accessory lighting on the parking light circuit, which is used during remote start. I also have some LED's that I want on all the time on fuse 4. Fuse 4 has power more often than fuse 40.

 

I also have the RC grille lights, and many others installed. The description says it's a flood beam pattern. I too expected them to be more. Chalk it up to their good marketing I guess.

 

They are hooked to a relay, triggered by the hi-beam fuse.

Yes, it'll fit.  I have an Offroad Warehouse near my home that has a Baja Designs display (Baja Designs is only about 30 minutes from me, too).  The display has a 10" S8 lightbar.  I was able to take measurements.  It's good to go.  And, employees at Offroad Warehouse told me they've done it before.  I also have the 40" S8 lightbar you can purchase through GM Accessories on top of the sportbar.  Same method of mounting (however it doesn't have the 3 amber leds in each 10" section and the wiring harnesses are 2 pin weatherpack connectors).

 

Thanks for the info on fuses 4 and 40.  I'll look into those.  Might be a cleaner looking install that way too, if done right.  These lights are powered via switch #3 on the GM Upfitter switches that I installed.  That switch if for the white lights.  I figure the amber lights in these light bars will be a different perspective on the 3 amber led lights in the grille that started with the Ford Raptor, is now on the TRX, and seems to have found its way onto every Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner I come across.  I'm trying to be a little bit different on this one.

[slj2008]

Any Photo's ??

[jashaw]

18 hours ago, Transient said:

Yes, it'll fit.  I have an Offroad Warehouse near my home that has a Baja Designs display (Baja Designs is only about 30 minutes from me, too).  The display has a 10" S8 lightbar.  I was able to take measurements.  It's good to go.  And, employees at Offroad Warehouse told me they've done it before.  I also have the 40" S8 lightbar you can purchase through GM Accessories on top of the sportbar.  Same method of mounting (however it doesn't have the 3 amber leds in each 10" section and the wiring harnesses are 2 pin weatherpack connectors).

 

Thanks for the info on fuses 4 and 40.  I'll look into those.  Might be a cleaner looking install that way too, if done right.  These lights are powered via switch #3 on the GM Upfitter switches that I installed.  That switch if for the white lights.  I figure the amber lights in these light bars will be a different perspective on the 3 amber led lights in the grille that started with the Ford Raptor, is now on the TRX, and seems to have found its way onto every Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner I come across.  I'm trying to be a little bit different on this one.

 

 

Cool! I did not know about the BD lightbar being able to fit in the RC grille location. You can directly tap them, or use the fuse to trigger a relay, and power the lights with the battery. I just directly tapped the fuse. The backlights don't use much power.

[Transient]

On 3/12/2023 at 11:16 AM, slj2008 said:

Any Photo's ??

Nope.  Just looking into right now.  Finishing up other projects right now.  Moving from Southern California to Florida this summer and don't want things getting lost or damaged in the move. 

[Transient]

On 3/13/2023 at 5:07 AM, jashaw said:

 

 

Cool! I did not know about the BD lightbar being able to fit in the RC grille location. You can directly tap them, or use the fuse to trigger a relay, and power the lights with the battery. I just directly tapped the fuse. The backlights don't use much power.

Having taken measurements myself, the S8 lightbar is about 3/4" taller than the opening in the bracket from Rough Country.  However, it also appears the Baja Designs light bar will sit back behind the bracket and not make contact.  I don't think there will be any loss of light because the bezel on the light is of good thickness that the lights fill the gap whereas the bezel will be hidden behind the bracket.  I only want the amber lights on when the truck is on, and off when the truck is off.  The ignition is the only switch I want for that.

[richard wysong]

Where in Fla are you relocating?

[jashaw]

On 3/19/2023 at 3:36 AM, Transient said:

Having taken measurements myself, the S8 lightbar is about 3/4" taller than the opening in the bracket from Rough Country.  However, it also appears the Baja Designs light bar will sit back behind the bracket and not make contact.  I don't think there will be any loss of light because the bezel on the light is of good thickness that the lights fill the gap whereas the bezel will be hidden behind the bracket.  I only want the amber lights on when the truck is on, and off when the truck is off.  The ignition is the only switch I want for that.

Fuse 4 will be on during remote starts too. Fuse 40 will not be. 

 

Both will be on when you press the ignition button though. Both sound like they'll do what you're after.

[Transient]

On 3/19/2023 at 12:43 AM, richard wysong said:

Where in Fla are you relocating?

Pensacola

[Transient]

19 hours ago, jashaw said:

Fuse 4 will be on during remote starts too. Fuse 40 will not be. 

 

Both will be on when you press the ignition button though. Both sound like they'll do what you're after.

Thank you for that info.  That made it a lot easier.  I don't use remote start 99.9% of the time.  Kids take too long to load into the truck, and I hate wasting the gas/money.