Backroads through the California desert get dark at night! I needed some additional light, but wasn't ready to install a full lightbar. I read a couple people’s descriptions of installing PIAA 510 lights in the factory fog light holes which seemed like a good solution, however, Toyota changed the size of the fog lights in 2012 and the larger 510s won’t fit the newer trucks. After some research, I found that PIAA makes a VSK (vehicle specific kit) to install their PIAA 530 LED lights into the 2012 and later Tacomas. Tacoma VSK for PIAA 530
I purchased the Tacoma VSK with the driving light pattern. The kit was well packaged; the standard PIAA 530 kit with the lights, mounting brackets, and wiring harness came in one box. It was inside a larger box which had replacement brackets and hardware for the Tacoma VSK. The installation instructions that came with the kit were clear, easy to follow, and included detailed pictures of each step.
General installation (not repeating the PIAA directions):
Prep the new lights by replacing the standard mount with the bracket from the Toyota VSK and cutting off the PIAA wiring harness connectors (if you're going to use the OEM wiring harness).
Turn the wheels to the side you’re removing to open up space to work. Unbolt the rubber wheel well liner and tuck it out of the way.
Then unplug the stock fog light. Unscrew the two machine screws holding the lamp housing in place. Pull the lamp housing out from the back. Open up the wire shield and cut the OEM fog light plug off leaving a 4” tail on the wire.
Slide the lamp assembly in from the back and attach with the two outside (short) screws using the old screw holes in the bumper. The inside (long) screws go into new holes in the bumper. There isn’t a lot of plastic to hold the screw, so I measured the center (1cm down/up) and errored to the inside (where there is more plastic to hold) (2mm from the inside edge). It helped to make a pilot hole (I used a safety pin/tack) so the screw had someplace to start.
The plastic didn’t show a tendency to crack, but did “bulge” on the screw that I set too close to the outside edge.
Once the light is mounted in the bumper you’ve got to wire it up. I wanted to use the stock wiring harness/relay/switch, so I connected directly to the wires from the OEM lights. Strip the wires, solder the connection, coat with hot glue, cover with heat shrink, and replace the wire shield. Replace the wheel well liner and you're done!
Since mine are driving lights I did the “Fog Lights Anytime” mod to allow me to use them with both high and low beams. Lights work great and have significantly more output and throw, perfect for lighting up tracks through the desert.
I purchased the Tacoma VSK with the driving light pattern. The kit was well packaged; the standard PIAA 530 kit with the lights, mounting brackets, and wiring harness came in one box. It was inside a larger box which had replacement brackets and hardware for the Tacoma VSK. The installation instructions that came with the kit were clear, easy to follow, and included detailed pictures of each step.
General installation (not repeating the PIAA directions):
Prep the new lights by replacing the standard mount with the bracket from the Toyota VSK and cutting off the PIAA wiring harness connectors (if you're going to use the OEM wiring harness).
Turn the wheels to the side you’re removing to open up space to work. Unbolt the rubber wheel well liner and tuck it out of the way.
Then unplug the stock fog light. Unscrew the two machine screws holding the lamp housing in place. Pull the lamp housing out from the back. Open up the wire shield and cut the OEM fog light plug off leaving a 4” tail on the wire.
Slide the lamp assembly in from the back and attach with the two outside (short) screws using the old screw holes in the bumper. The inside (long) screws go into new holes in the bumper. There isn’t a lot of plastic to hold the screw, so I measured the center (1cm down/up) and errored to the inside (where there is more plastic to hold) (2mm from the inside edge). It helped to make a pilot hole (I used a safety pin/tack) so the screw had someplace to start.
The plastic didn’t show a tendency to crack, but did “bulge” on the screw that I set too close to the outside edge.
Once the light is mounted in the bumper you’ve got to wire it up. I wanted to use the stock wiring harness/relay/switch, so I connected directly to the wires from the OEM lights. Strip the wires, solder the connection, coat with hot glue, cover with heat shrink, and replace the wire shield. Replace the wheel well liner and you're done!
Since mine are driving lights I did the “Fog Lights Anytime” mod to allow me to use them with both high and low beams. Lights work great and have significantly more output and throw, perfect for lighting up tracks through the desert.
