Strobe / Flashing Turn Signal Lights

I’ve been wanting to add strobes/flashers to my truck for a while, mainly just for fun as off road chase lights but also as construction warning lights (for work). Not looking to bolt more stuff to the outside of my truck, and I really wasn’t comfortable installing hide-aways in my light housings. Then I found this thread: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/hidden-strobes-3rd-gen.712014/#post-25320758 from @5nahalf and I was sold! @caribe makaira added a cool diagram https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/hidden-strobes-3rd-gen.712014/#post-25359113 and so off I went down the rabbit hole…

Over the past few weekends I’ve been acquiring materials to attempt to build this. I’m an electrical novice when it comes to a project that involves this much thinking and learning. The Strobe module was about $35, the relay module was $10, so I figured I’d give it a try. Well, ~$300 later, this is what I ended up with:



I’m definitely not qualified nor knowledgeable to do a step by step write-up, but I thought I’d share some photos of what I did.

First, I needed to figure out where in the cab I can hide the strobe controller and relay module, which are not small by any means. I ultimately decided to put it in the qi charging cubby, which I use as a cubby anyways.


I removed the qi charger and replaced it with a plywood bottom and then built a removable box for all the components and wiring:


I installed my strobe switch in the overhead console with a 2-switch plate from Etsy. It would’ve been nice to have my strobe switch next to my pattern select switch, but I saw the cutting involved with a 3-switch plate and said “no thank you”

*Flux Capacitor*

Harness behind the instrument cluster:


My mess of wires (please don’t judge). I also swapped the qi switch spot for my pattern select switch:

*Passenger Eject*

Finally finished:


Initially I followed the diagram in the thread referenced above. Somehow that didn’t work out…once I activated the strobes and then turned them off, the relays wouldn’t switch back to normally closed and my turn signals wouldn’t work. I think it was because the relay module was getting constant power from the Tow Tap wire from the harness. Also, having the momentary switch at the relay wasn’t changing the patterns.

After much learning and testing, I finally got it work. The strobe controller gets its own power and ground. The relay module and “activate flasher mode” is wired to the same relay to turn on and off with the strobe switch, which lets my turn signals work normally. I wired the momentary switch to the strobe controller’s blue wire. Here is my modified diagram that I did to get it to work for me:

*edit- power source for Strobe Controller changed to "10A WASHER"


Enjoy!!
*disclaimer...I just followed pictures on the internet and my truck hasn't burned down yet .
Play at your own risk

 

Nice job

 

Great work!

 

Thanks!

Thank YOU...your post inspired it all!

 

Always glad to see people use my ideas and make them better!

 

The towing fuse 20A is always hot, why did you source different circuits for the switches?

 

Do you mean why I have two different sources of power going to the switches? (sorry I'm really a novice so I don't understand all the electrical terms ) Mainly for location of the switches. The overhead switch wire ran down the a-pillar and was close to the fuse panel, and the other switch is located in the center so I just tapped that power from the qi switch.

I didn't know if 20A was too much power for the strobe module which only required 10A or if I needed a fuse. Again,

I do appreciate feedback and solutions! I'm sure there's a more efficient way.

 

Since the harness needs to be assemble (C10) an added smaller gauge wire with an inline fuse holder (10A) would've completed the job.

 

Gotcha

 

What rear lights are those?

 

MESO Total Tails Stage one, but replaced the switchbacks with vled V6 triton 921's
https://www.vleds.com/featured-vehi...ota-tacoma-meso-total-tail-v6-triton-921.html

 

Must be very bright at night...

 

Did you compare the VLEDS V6 with the Meso switchbacks? I bought the VLEDS and mine were way worse than Meso, which was a disappointment because VLEDS products are usually awesome. I believe VLEDS designed the switchback for Meso anyways so it’s no surprise the Mesos are so good in my opinion.

Curious how yours compared.

I also ended up choosing incandescents for my tail/brake bulbs. I tried the Meso and the VLEDS bulbs and during the day the darker cherry red just doesn’t stand out much in the sun. The more orangy red of the stock bulbs works better in my eyes.

 

The VLEDS switchbacks I purchased are the same that MESO includes in the Stage 2 Tails which are supposed to be wayyy brighter. They are noticeably brighter, but I only see them when I lock and unlock my truck.
As far as the brake light bulbs, I never see them, but I do like the full horseshoe pattern.

 

Yeah it’s weird, I don’t know what the deal is but the VLEDS I received were much worse than the Mesos. Who knows. I only see the brakes by sticking a piece of wood on the brake pedal and going out back to see how it looks. Just wanted to make sure I was using the brightest option I could within reason.

 

You could be right. Now thinking about it, sometimes I do think the amber rear signals are not so noticeable. But the white reverse lights...huge difference...almost like headlights for the rear .

My front turn signals are these: GTR Carbide Canbus LED's https://www.gtrlighting.com/gtr-lighting-carbide-2-led-bulbs-7440-7443?quantity=1
Super bright!!

 

So may battery died yesterday . Coincidence maybe? It was 4 years old, AAA battery. Though I'm sure having my Strobe Controller connected to an always hot source didn't help.

I moved the source to the 10A WASHER fuse, so it only powers on with the ignition. Turns out the Strobe Controller still remembers the last setting, so it didn't need to be always hot after all

 

ON switch is DPST type - provides fused power to relay board and strobe module.
Momentary switch to select pattern is downstream of On-Off switch.

 

Much simpler

So the Tow Tap provides power to everything (board, strobe module, activate flash, and pattern select). Nice! That eliminates the two add-a-fuses I did. I may try to rework this next time I can take apart my dash.

 

I purchased those same bulbs in 2020 and love them! However, one of them gave up the ghost about two weeks ago and now the website is having issues so I can't seem to order new ones. This is even more disappointing considering I don't use them in the winter so they have probably the equivalent of one to one and a half years of use on them.

The only other issues I've had with them is that after first installing them, they hyperflash but then it's like the computer adjusts because they work like normal after that. Also, they don't like being used as hazard lights for a long period of time (20 minutes or so). Although I suspect that has more to do with heat than anything. I shut off my hazards and let them cool for a few minutes and they worked like normal again after.

All 5 of the other bulbs are still working though. (One front and 4 red, rear).