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Adding a rear fog lamp; adding a relay holder

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by vthoky, Oct 22, 2024.

  1. Oct 22, 2024 at 10:50 AM
    #1
    vthoky

    vthoky [OP] New Member

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    Good afternoon, everyone.

    I've added a rear-facing fog lamp to my 2024, and the project has stalled with the wiring.

    I'm not unfamiliar with the circuit necessary, but I'm having trouble finding the right place to get switch power. Engineer-head: "I've got power (wires from the engine box to the light), but I'm struggling a bit with control wiring."

    As I understand the local law, a rear-facing fog has to be tied to the taillight circuit. That is, the rear fog can't be on without the standard taillights being on. I understand that. Given that, I could tap the taillight fuse to power the switch, to power the relay, to power the lights. No sweat.

    What I'd prefer to do, though, is to make it such that the rear fog comes on when the front fogs are turned on. I'm not sure how to go about that without cutting/tapping into a wire, and I'm just not going to do that. I've found the fuse for the front fogs, but it's energized all the time, so that's not as helpful as I had expected. I need to get into the circuit after the relay, or to tap the relay, and I just don't see a convenient way to do that.

    Anyone done this?

    - - - - - - -

    Second topic: the Caliraisedled relay holder.

    I bought one. I like it. I know where I want to attach it, but I don't see two threaded holes readily available.

    There's a pic on CR's web site of one installed -- but I can't tell enough from it. Maybe that pic isn't even of a T4R installation, I don't know. For now, it's attached to the inner fender panel, ahead of the hood strut mount (and rearward of the big fuse box), but with only one bolt. I can make that work, but it's unprofessional.

    Who's installed one in their 5th gen, and where did you install it? Share a pic or two?

    Thanks, all.


    - - - - -
    ETA: I may have just found the answer to the second topic. CR's web site states, "2020+ 4Runner will need to relocate accessory fuse box." In that case, I've got some more work to do.
     
  2. Oct 22, 2024 at 1:01 PM
    #2
    Captain Spalding

    Captain Spalding . . .

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    Hi. In your situation I would do one of the following (in order of preference.)

    1. Ignore the legal aspects and put the rear fog light on its own switch. That way there is the possibility of using the light anytime at your convenience. Plus you can run power from wherever you want and leave the fuse panels alone.

    2. I wouldn’t be afraid to cut/splice/tap into wiring. I’ve always felt that fuse taps were a dodgier solution than a Positap™ or crimp connectors. If your worry is causing confusion amongst the various modules and getting trouble lights on the display, plenty of folks get those using fuse taps. The modules don’t care how you’ve molested the wiring. The key is to tread lightly. I think if you just tap into the wires powering the fog lights and use them to power the signal side of a relay it will be fine.
     
  3. Oct 22, 2024 at 1:07 PM
    #3
    Emmantik

    Emmantik New Member

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    Curious to see what your rear fog lights look like. Care to post some pics? Thanks!
     
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  4. Oct 22, 2024 at 1:25 PM
    #4
    PJSnow

    PJSnow New Member

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  5. Oct 22, 2024 at 2:56 PM
    #5
    Acesandeights

    Acesandeights #34

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    I'd really like to see this, your rear facing fog light. It sounds like a terrible idea to have it come on with other lights, and not independent. Is this like a "chase light"?
     
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  6. Oct 22, 2024 at 3:37 PM
    #6
    salvojimmy

    salvojimmy New Member

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    I live in Virginia also. I use one in the trailer hitch similar to this. It was wired as a tail / brake light. I spliced the brake leads on it to the tail leads so the brighter brake light is on when the tail lights are on. Plugged into the trailer light plug on the T4R. No need to touch any T4R wires.

    https://www.amazon.com/Nilight-Trai...ts_id=15737381&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY
     
  7. Oct 22, 2024 at 4:37 PM
    #7
    vthoky

    vthoky [OP] New Member

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    I like that idea. Thank you. I'd want to find the mating connector, so as to connect to the "split off" connector, to finish the setup. I'll surf on that momentarily. The review on that one in particular is not good, wow.

    Not a chase light at all, really. Here's an article on rear fogs: https://specialtyperformanceparts.com/blogs/news/rear-fog-lights
    Fairly common in Europe, not so much here in the States. I know Oldsmobile (RIP) put them on the Aurora a good long while ago, and you'll see them on some US-market VW/Audi/Volvo products. Here in the valley, we get some serious fog, well worthy of a rear-facing lamp.

    Here's the setup, along with the work lights added early. (Mighty handy for loading or backing up to a trailer at night.)
    [​IMG]
     
  8. Oct 22, 2024 at 4:43 PM
    #8
    vthoky

    vthoky [OP] New Member

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    This, honestly, may end up being the course of action.

    I do understand what you're saying. I guess I'm just way reluctant to cut/tap into wiring on a vehicle this new. (I've never had one this new before!). With my older SUV, I wouldn't be so scared at all. Truly, I hadn't even thought about the modules getting all choked up about it. (Again, never had a vehicle this new before. :D )

    Not a bad idea at all!
     
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  9. Oct 22, 2024 at 9:50 PM
    #9
    scottiezilla

    scottiezilla New Member

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    If you ARE legally allowed to have it in Virginia then it’s own switch is 100% no brainer

    like @Acesandeights said…having those come on with reverse lights or taillights or etc would/could be “problemsome”
    ie. Do you really want them on during the day, in front of a cop, where it’s already suitably bright…

    I have a button for rear lights that yet to exist…possible “chase” more so rear lighting
    Also the idea of extra back up came into mind but I know that requires an isolator/doohickie thing to prevent backpower

    at your command is the plan

    side note:
    I get that you’d be adding peace of mind safety for other drivers behind you, but their lights will probably be on too…you’ll be towing the sun
     
  10. Oct 23, 2024 at 4:23 AM
    #10
    vthoky

    vthoky [OP] New Member

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    Not exactly. Ideally, I want the rear fog to come on when I turn on the front fogs.

    Driving a gray(ish) vehicle in some of the fog we get around here... I'm fine with the idea of towing the sun. (I like that phrase, btw.)
    Years ago, I nearly crushed a gray Saturn in this thick fog. Dude was running his DRLs so I saw him coming up behind me, but after he passed me and slowed down he was darn near invisible [because he hadn't bothered to turn on any other lights].
     
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  11. Oct 23, 2024 at 4:44 AM
    #11
    Kezin

    Kezin New Member I guess?

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    I’ve got rear fogs wired up two different ways on ours. One has them on a separate switch that’s powered when the vehicle is on.

    IMG_0864.jpg IMG_0865.jpg

    The other I tapped the driver’s side fog light and ran the wire back through the firewall, under the kick plates, through the interior cargo area panel, and down through the rear grommet. I haven’t installed an aux fuse panel in that one yet and am hoping to avoid it so this was the easiest way to install.

    IMG_0863.jpg

    Both sets are also on DD C1R 7 pin dual output trailer wiring harness so they serve as reverse lights, running lights, and brake lights. When they are turned on via independent switch or fog light stalk, that overrides the brake light functionality.
     
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  12. Oct 23, 2024 at 6:03 AM
    #12
    vthoky

    vthoky [OP] New Member

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    Kezin, when I can get to a real keyboard (instead of just my phone) I'll have more questions for you.
     
  13. Oct 23, 2024 at 7:44 AM
    #13
    Emmantik

    Emmantik New Member

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    I integrated mine into the tail lights. They took place over the factory reverse light location. I have the Diode Dynamics Tail as Turn harness which gives you 2 reverse lights. Instead of having 2 reverse lights I turned the factory reverse light location into rear fog lights.

    rearfog1.jpg

    rearfog2.jpg

    rearfogswitch.jpg
     
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  14. Oct 23, 2024 at 8:32 AM
    #14
    fiddy5000

    fiddy5000 New Member

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    Is that a Toyota switch?
     
  15. Oct 23, 2024 at 8:57 AM
    #15
    Emmantik

    Emmantik New Member

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    No, it is aftermarket.
     
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  16. Oct 23, 2024 at 9:21 AM
    #16
    salvojimmy

    salvojimmy New Member

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    I lived in England for about 3 1/2 years in mid 90s. We had my GMC Jimmy and wife’s Honda Accord with us. Both had to have fog lights installed. When we returned, I left the fogs installed. When I traded the Jimmy for my first T4R in 2000 is when I figured out the trailer hitch fog mod. Have used it on all since.
     
  17. Oct 23, 2024 at 5:44 PM
    #17
    vthoky

    vthoky [OP] New Member

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    How did you do that tap? Wire tap? I like PJSnow's splitter idea... I'm competent at at making wiring harnesses (it's an occasional part of my job), and would make my own if I knew more about the OE connectors. Are those Deutsch, or something else? Do we know?
     
  18. Oct 23, 2024 at 6:00 PM
    #18
    Kezin

    Kezin New Member I guess?

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    So I have DD backlit SS3 Maxs out front. They came with the adapters to go from H11 (OEM) to DT. I pulled the main beam positive DT connector, cut it off, and crimped a new one on with a secondary positive wire for the rear fogs (also shortened the other wires to match). It’s run to the fuse box area with a single wire waterproof connector where it connects to the long run all the way back to the rear fogs. If you’re not going the DD SSC1R route, a splitter would be a good route. H11 to H11+DT and run it back. I would highly recommend the C1R though

    As far as wire taps and fuse taps go, I refuse to use them. I think the fuse taps can be dangerous and wire taps can cause wiring issues down the road. I’d prefer crimped connections everywhere but will settle for soldered connections with long enough heat shrink to act as stress relief.
     
  19. Oct 23, 2024 at 6:06 PM
    #19
    vthoky

    vthoky [OP] New Member

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    Thank you. I think I'm seeing how to pull this off now.
    A little custom-harness work (build/buy/cobble together) and I'm off to the races.
    I'm not familiar with the DT abbreviation though -- is that Deutsch, or another standard?
     
  20. Oct 23, 2024 at 6:08 PM
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    Kezin

    Kezin New Member I guess?

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    DT= Deutsch for someone who can’t spell well
     
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  21. Oct 23, 2024 at 6:10 PM
    #21
    vthoky

    vthoky [OP] New Member

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    :D
    Thank you! I think I'm on the path now....

    The H11 mates to the existing (OE) fog lamp, right?
     
  22. Oct 23, 2024 at 8:32 PM
    #22
    Kezin

    Kezin New Member I guess?

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    Should. The 2014-2020 used H11 halogens and the 2021-2024 have the same connector on the LED fog lights
     
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  23. Oct 24, 2024 at 2:32 AM
    #23
    vthoky

    vthoky [OP] New Member

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    We’ll find out on Saturday, assuming the parts I’ve ordered arrive on Friday as quoted…
     
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  24. Oct 24, 2024 at 5:01 AM
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    salvojimmy

    salvojimmy New Member

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    Even when I had my rear cargo rack on, I still had the hitch fog light

    IMG_2742.jpg
     
  25. Oct 24, 2024 at 5:17 AM
    #25
    vthoky

    vthoky [OP] New Member

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    I'd like to know more about that warning sign, Jimmy. :D
     
  26. Oct 24, 2024 at 5:32 AM
    #26
    Agent_Outside

    Agent_Outside A Guy A Girl and A Trail

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    With my rear bumper I used an extra reverse light on the right and a rear fog on the left. My aftermarket front fogs are off a switch panel so I wired the rear fog to be controlled by the original front foglight switch.
     
  27. Oct 24, 2024 at 10:20 AM
    #27
    salvojimmy

    salvojimmy New Member

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    I will neither confirm nor deny its intention LOL
     
  28. Oct 24, 2024 at 11:30 AM
    #28
    vthoky

    vthoky [OP] New Member

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    That's fair. ;)
    Can you share a bigger pic? I can't read the small text.

    (Oh, fudge! Maybe I'm getting old!)
     
  29. Oct 24, 2024 at 12:58 PM
    #29
    salvojimmy

    salvojimmy New Member

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    can’t do, I sold that rack sign and all.

    edit. I zoomed in and it says something like

    All PC persons entering will encounter gravely offensive behavior and opinions

    really fine print cites the ministry of PC act authorizing the behavior
     
    Last edited: Oct 24, 2024
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  30. Oct 29, 2024 at 8:07 PM
    #30
    vthoky

    vthoky [OP] New Member

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    After about a half-dozen false starts, I finally found a well-built adapter at the nearby NAPA store. Then I cut it in two, tapped the leads, and put it back together. I'm now using the existing fog light circuit to trigger a relay which allows current to flow to the rear lamp.

    It's a crummy nighttime cell phone pic, but it shows just what scottiezilla said: it's like towing the sun!

    I can detail the cable-and-relay setup later, if anyone's interested.

    Thanks for the input, all.

    [​IMG]
     
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