Installing puddle lights on factory SR5 mirrors

I searched and couldn’t find a thread that covers this helpful and inexpensive mod. I have an SR5 with heated mirrors but no puddle lights.

@VTYOTA has a GREAT tutorial thread on installing VLED universal puddle lights to a set of tow mirrors that includes product links and very good install tips:
https://www.tundras.com/threads/diy-tow-mirror-puddle-lights.42359/

This one is specifically about fitting the lights to a factory mirror.

Once removed, the mirror has a couple of items that make install easier.

Near the hinge joint of the mirror, there is an access panel that snaps out using a small flat blade. In the middle of the mirror bottom there is a positioning mark for the puddle light.

You’ll need to remove the mirror from the housing. There is a YouTube video, but you just angle the mirror as if looking down at the ground; the top of the mirror will be projecting out of the housing, the bottom of the mirror will be recessed in to the housing as far as possible. Using a wide plastic trim tool, get under the mirror and lever it up while holding the housing stationary. It’ll take several tries, but it will eventually pop up. I marked one defroster terminal and the corresponding wire with a sharpie. Then unplug the defrost wire. Set the mirror aside so it’s safe. At this point, I wiped the whole mirror housing clean with microfiber and cleaner. Now, pop the bottom access cover off.


Turn the housing over and with a lamp, look into the housing where the wires for the defrost wires head. You’ll want to run your wire along the defrost wires. At this point, I used steel wire and electrical tape to fish the new wire through the housing. It was not hard.



As you bring the wire out of the mirror mount, you’ll see the defrost wires emerging from a grommet. Using some needle nose pliers, pull that grommet out. Pop a small hole in that grommet and run your wire through. Then press the grommet back in.


Time for the commitment- the 1.5” hole needed to mount the VLED puddle light.
Drill a small pilot hole in the center of the positioning mark (the cast circle) on the bottom of the mirror. Follow that with a 1.5” hole saw. Sand and debur.


Use the alcohol wipe to really clean around this new hole. Remove the 3M tape backing and mount the light.

Replace the mirror in the reverse of removal; plug the defrost wires back in, line the clips on the housing mount up with the receiver castings on the back of the mirror, and then use the wide plastic trim tool to lever the mirror down. You’ll feel it click into place. Your mirror should be ready to reinstall.

VTYOTA’s tutorial does a great job describing how to route the wires so I won’t recreate it. The VLEDS are quite bright, and the positioning mark on the factory mirror takes the guesswork out of the install. Hope this helps!

 

Nice write up. Going to have to put this on my list of mods to do this summer.

 

Looks great! Good job!

 

Good write up! @T-Rex266 maybe a new DIY thread?

 

@panicman do you happen to have link to Vtyota that shows the wire running?

@1UPPER thanks for sharing this with me

 

Here’s the link again:
https://www.tundras.com/threads/diy-tow-mirror-puddle-lights.42359/
Step 17 in his procedural starts the routing of the wire.

It looks complicated, but really it just requires some patience. The first side took me 2 hours, the second side took me about :40 total, plus soldering on some extension wire to make it all the way to the drivers footwell.

I had no idea the door panels came off so easy....

 

I’d also like to recommend Posi taps, as used by VTYOTA. The duo t-taps that VLEDS sends may work, but they feel cheap and temporary. I have them on the truck, but I ordered Posi taps and will be replacing them.

 

I'm curious if I can just use the tap I already did to wire up my truck beds? I think if so, it's pretty easy for me.

As discussed here, because for 2018 the wiring color is different! It's the pink one.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/2018-cargo-light-wire.21253/

 

I am confident you could, you’d just need to decide where to ground.If you do it, post a pic- it would be a good update, as the wire now is not brown as in the linked thread.

 

Great job!

 

The cargo light wire is pink in my 2018, but there are 4 pink wires that appear identical. I used a posi tap to locate mine, and routed my power wire under the driver door sill.

 

Sub’d I need to do this. So the lights will dim when turning on and off?

Now if I can only find a way to get the blinking turn signal arrow on my side mirror glass

 

The puddle lights will work like your interior/cargo lights. On when unlocking, door opened, switching on cargo light. Off when locking, closing the door, switching off cargo lights.

 

Great job!

 

Just did this mod on my 2016, same wire to tap. But No, the lights don't dim. They come straight on and off. I'll be testing more in the dark.

 

https://shop.muthco.com/tundra-signal-mirror-2007-2019

 

What type of puddle lights you want.

 

looks great ! nice write up OP !

 

Great info in write up. Made install a breeze.

 

Thanks @panicman for the write up. Well done.

 

Will this work for a 2019?

 

It should

 

I emailed the guys at vleds and they said nothing for the 2019..but I think it should work..just don't like to waste money..and headache of sending back things..imma busy man..haha..not really

 

The main thing is finding the right wire. On my 2016, the wire color was different, but in the same spot as I followed a different how to on here. The wire was behind the switch panel. Works perfectly

 

Should work fine if they haven’t changed the mirror/housing.

You’ll really like having puddle lights.

 

Cool..thanks guys

 

Next mod ✅

 

I still have some rock lights to install, however, it looks like putting in some puddle lights is a more practical mod

 

The other practical function that hasn’t been spoken of is that tapping into the bed light wire also now allows you to manually turn on the puddle lights using the dash switch.

....not that you’d want to drive around that way, but hey...