Any tips on removing the map & dome light covers ??? Trying not to break anything.

Really enjoy my 3rd Gen Tacoma, however the interior overhead lights could be improved a great deal.


My LED replacements came in and I'm going to swap them out later today.


Was wondering if you had any tips to offer on the removal of the dome & map covers.

Looks like it's just a straightforward deal, going to use some plastic trim tools I bought for when I swapped out the tweeters.

Just don't want to break off a clip.



Any tips are appreciated.

 

The covers should pop right off if you put the trim tool in the little slot on the side.

 

I used a tweaker and it popped off with minimal effort.

 

Thanks @boogie3478 & @JW87


I tend to get heavy-handed with stuff at times and want to be very careful. Gonna finish off this cup of coffee and go knock 'em out. Looking forward to the brighter conditions.

The map lights are supposedly 400 lumens each. Not sure how accurate such claims are...but they have to be significantly brighter than what's already in there. I can't see a way that I can easily add some type of puddle lights on my own...maybe these will light up the exterior some when I hit the unlock remote.


Also swapping out the reverse lights with LED bulbs advertising 1,000 lumen each. Again, not sure how accurate this will be....but I'm hoping brightness is enhanced.

 

Don't forget to swap your vanity lights too! Here's what I'm running in my 2nd gen but I would imagine the bulbs are the same for 3rd gens: http://amzn.to/2tw457e

 

I have the complete led kit in mine. Way brighter and the white light looks so much better.

 

You have to remove the entire console from the roof for the map lights and they are replaced from the backside. Just pull down, it is only held in by clips. Very easy.

 

Dangitman......I forgot all about ordering the vanity lights.

I might as well get those done, too. Thanks for the idea and the link.

 

Anytime brother!

 

Hopped in there and got the maps, dome & reverse lights done.

Comparison pics not the greatest.....especially since it's daylight, but the difference is readily apparent. I can't wait to see them tonight.













Map light comparison old vs new showed significant difference in brightness & color.








I had a bitch of time pulling the map bulbs......then I pulled up some youtube videos on my iPhone. One of them suggest putting tape around the bulb and it would simply pull right out. Right about that time my son came out to see what I was up to.....asked him to get the tape. Worked like a charm. Simply stick the tape to the bulb and use the pick/pry tool to stick the tape to the back side of the bulb as much as possible and then simply pull on the tape. Came out with ease. Genius tip from the youtube video.












Dome light was even easier....just had to ensure the new bulb seated in the right spot on passenger side before locking it into the clip located on the driver side.




















Finished up with the reverse bulbs.


Comparison pic not the greatest but you can see the brighter new driver side reverse bulb vs the factory passenger side.




Looking forward to this evening......like a kid waiting on Halloween.

 

Nowhere near dark and I could already see the improvements.....















So....darkness came. Thankfully. Truck is parked in the same spot as before.


Went out and checked my new dome & map LED's.

Was worried that I'd wear out my key fob battery playing with it as darkness ensued.

Fun stuff....this low cost upgrade may have just saved me mucho dinero vs. having some other puddle light workaround done on my truck.













Hit the key remote unlock button and the world around me lights up much better.......






Now....is it as bright as the Rigid Ignite pair I was considering having installed into my side mirrors ???? Nope......but it works right now for me. Will have to check it in the woods and see.





The reverse bulb swap was mighty noticeable, too.










Periphery light on the driver's rear was much appreciated !!!









Hell, same could be said for the passenger's rear.....











Wife made it home from work and parked her 2018 RAV4 Limited next to my 2017 Tacoma SR5.


I stepped out and hit both remotes and snapped this pic.

While I love the leather of her car and see the way the warm light hits her seats....I prefer the clinical brightness that my functional lighting brings.

Truth be told....workdays and hunting alone has me seeing way more darkness than she ever will.

 

That looks annoyingly bright. Like a cop light to the face.

 

It's exactly what I was wanting.

If a situation needs lights then I want real light.....not a suggestion of light.

 

Can you provide a link to the LEDs you purchased,please.

 

Sure thing......I’ll do so once I’m back home in the morning and have access to my laptop.

 

SEALIGHT 3175 Fog Bulb 6000K White

DE3175 LED Interior Dome Light Map Bulb For Car - SEALIGHT 4014 Chipset Canbus Error Free DE3021 DE3022 Festoon 31mm 1.25'' bulbs 6000K Xenon White

SIRIUSLED Extremely Bright 400 Lumens 3020 Chipset Canbus Error Free LED Bulbs for Interior Car Lights License Plate Dome Map Side Marker Courtesy T10 168 194 2825 W5W 6000K Xenon White

SiriusLED Extremely Bright 400 Lumens 3020 Chipset Canbus Error Free LED Bulbs for Interior Car Lights License Plate Dome Map Side Marker Courtesy T10 168 194 2825 W5W 6000K Xenon White

$11 Alla Lighting 912 921 LED Bulbs for Back-up Reverse Lights, 6000K Xenon White CAN-BUS 4014 30-SMD T10 T15 906 W16W 921K 922, 360° Light Backup, Cargo Lights Replacement, Extremely Super Bright

Alla Lighting 2pcs Extremely Super Bright 1000 Lumens 921 912 T15 W16W LED Bulb High Power 4014 30-SMD LED Lights Bulbs for Back-Up Reverse Light Lamps Replacement

 

Thank you. Appreciate it!

 

No problem.

I'm sure there are better or cheaper stuff out there....I was in a hurry and simply went with some that were recommended by another TW member. If I'd known about them at the time....I'd have tried to get some from @mesojdm

You owe it to yourself to check in on his designs. He takes lighting to a whole new level and his gear looks clean, uncluttered and compliments every application I've seen. I wish I'd known then, lol. These will hold me, though....until I do go with the Me-So goodness one day.

My brightened reverse lights have already saved me in a dark parking lot scenario. That was the main impetus of my desire to swap out the bulbs. The interiors were more of an afterthought, yet they are welcome when walking up to a darkened car. Not the puddle lighting that I'd like....but certainly better than what it was. Would be cool if I had rock lights beneath the truck in strategic locations that would fire up when the key fob remote was used. Super useful when hunting.

 

Yep, bought some back up LEDs years ago but still not satisfied. Will look into the others before I purchase (added to AMAZON wishlist for now).

 

Hey guys, I see people struggling with light removal, here is a little tool I use on my pinball machine.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pinball-Ju...OOL-Redemption-Arcade-Slot-Game-/192063619746