Getting Started

Note: The following guide is intended solely as an example of a typical installation and does not constitute a complete technical manual. Customers should alter these steps as necessary to fit their specific vehicle, equipment, and preferences

​1. Wiring Diagram
Since the light comes with short pigtails, you will be creating a wiring harness to run from the tailgate to the truck's tail light wiring.
 Marker Light Wire Map (Typical):

• WHITE Wire = Ground (-)
• RED Wire = Red LED Mode (Connect to Brake)
• YELLOW Wire = White LED Mode (Connect to Reverse)
  • Note: Wire colors on the light may vary. Always test with a 12V battery before installing: One wire will be Ground, one will trigger Red, one will trigger White.

2. Required Tools & Materials
​Note: This light does not include the necessary length of wire or connectors to reach your truck's harness. You must purchase these separately.
Tools:

• Drill & Drill Bits: For creating a pass-through in the plastic tailgate cap.
• Wire Strippers & Crimpers.
• Digital Multimeter or Test Light: Essential for identifying the correct wires in the 2024 Tacoma tail light plug.
• Fish Tape or Wire Coat Hanger: To pull wires through the inside of the tailgate.
• Socket Wrench (10mm): To remove the vehicle tail light assembly.
• Zip Ties: To secure wires along the factory bundle.

Materials Needed:

• Extension Wire (20-18 AWG): You will need 3 separate colors (Red, Black, White recommended) approx. 10-12 feet each.
• Weatherproof Butt Connectors: To join the light pigtails to your extension wire.
• T-Taps or Posi-Taps: To tap into the factory tail light wiring.
• Wire Loom/Tape: To protect the wires running under the bed.

3. Step-by-Step InstallationPhase 1: Bench Prep & ExtensionBecause the wires on the light are short, add your extensions before mounting.

1. Identify Functions: Briefly touch the light's wires to a 12V battery to confirm which color controls Red and which controls White.
2. Extend Wires: Using butt connectors, attach your 10-12 ft extension wires to the light's pigtails.
   • Tip: Write down which color extension wire corresponds to Ground, Brake (Red), and Reverse (White).
3. Protect: Wrap the connection point in electrical tape or heat shrink to seal it from moisture.

Phase 2: Mounting & Routing

1. Drill Access Hole: Drill a small hole in the plastic cap on top of the tailgate, directly below where the wire exits the applique.
2. Fish the Wire:
   • Remove the Tailgate Access Panel (on the inside face of the tailgate).
   • Insert your fish tape/coat hanger from the access panel area UP towards the hole you drilled in the cap.
   • Tape your extension wires to the fish tape and pull them down into the center of the tailgate.
3. Mount the Light: Peel the 3M tape backing (and install brackets if desired) and secure the light to the applique, feeding the slack wire into the hole.
4. Route to Bed:
   • Locate the thick factory wire bundle entering the tailgate at the bottom (near the passenger side hinge).
   • Run your wires alongside this factory bundle, following it out of the bottom of the tailgate and into the gap between the tailgate and the truck bed.
   • CRITICAL: Leave a "Service Loop" (slack) at the hinge point so the wires don't snap when you open/close the tailgate. Zip tie your wires to the factory harness for support.

Phase 3: Connection

1. Access Tail Light Wiring:
   • Open the tailgate. Remove the two bolts holding the Passenger Side tail light housing.
   • Pull the tail light housing straight back to release it.
   • Unplug the main wiring harness.
2. Identify Signals: Using your Multimeter/Test Light and a helper:
   • Find Reverse: Have the helper put the truck in Reverse (engine off, parking brake on). Probe the plug to find the wire carrying +12V.
   • Find Brake: Have the helper press the brake pedal. Probe the plug to find the wire carrying +12V.
   • Note: 2024 Tacoma wire colors vary by trim level (SR5 vs TRD vs Limited). Testing is safer than guessing colors.
3. Tap the Wires:
   • Use T-Taps or Posi-Taps to connect your extension wires to the corresponding factory wires you identified.
   • Ground: You can tap the factory Ground wire (usually heavy White/Black) or connect your Ground extension ring terminal to a clean metal bolt on the chassis frame behind the light.
4. Reinstall: Plug the tail light back in, tuck the wires away, and reinstall the housing.

Phase 4: Final Test

1. Brake Test: Press the brake. The Glow Strip should light up RED.
2. Reverse Test: Shift into Reverse. The Glow Strip should light up WHITE.
3. Tailgate Test: Open and close the tailgate 2-3 times to ensure the wire at the hinge is moving freely and not getting pinched.

Troubleshooting:

• Light stays White when braking? You may have the Reverse and Brake wires swapped.
• Light doesn't turn on? Check your Ground connection. A bad ground on the chassis is the most common issue.

Phase 5: Tailgate Spoiler Applique mounting

• Follow the instructions in the installation video, or return to the previous page for written instructions

Care for your BumperShellz™

Most BumperShellz colors will function much like paint.  They can be buffed, polished, taken through automated car washes, and whatever else you would normally do.  Some ABS colors can be sanded down and re-painted if ever you decide you want to change colors.  The only color that cannot be polished, and re-painted is the Textured Black TPO.