2nd Gen Tundra Daytime Running Lights Removal Mod
Jason Lancaster | Sep 01, 2010 | Comments 34
Do you own a 2007+ Tundra? Does it have daytime running lights? Do you wish that it didn’t?
If so, this is the post for you. Here is how you go about removing the daytime running lights feature from your 2007+ Toyota Tundra.
Parts and Tools You Need
First, you’ll need a flasher module without daytime running lights. For a 2010, the part number is 81980-0C020. Danny managed to order that part from his local Toyota dealer for $55.
Next, you’ll need the following tools:
- 10mm deep-well socket, socket wrench, and extension
- Toyota plastic panel prying tools (optional, but will make the job a little easier)
Step-by-Step Process
1. Disconnect negative battery post.
NOTE: Once you disconnect power, your vehicle’s electronic accessories may lose their memory or codes. This means that you may only lose your programmed radio stations if your truck is mostly stock, or you may lose all your fancy stereo settings, alarm system settings, etc. Be sure to check your owner’s manual and any accessory manuals before you get started, and remember that TundraHeadquarters.com isn’t responsible for you and your truck if you make this mod.
2. Remove the plastic door sill. It’s simply clipped into wire loom clips. Pull it up gently and it will pop lose. See image #1 below.
Image #1
3. Remove the driver side left kick panel. There is one thumb screw and 2 internal clips. Please note the locations of the internal clips to prevent damage when removing. See image #1 above and #2 below.
Image #2
4. Remove the lower dash panel. There are 2 -10mm bolts and a bunch of plastic clips. Be careful not to break any clips or damage any wires connected to accessories. See image #3 below.
Image #3 - note the red arrow
5. Once the lower dash panel has been moved, you can see the flasher module on the far left directly underneath the mirror controls and held in place with a single 10mm nut. This is where you will need a 10mm deep well socket wrench with an extension. See image #4 below.
Image #4 - There is a slightly yellow circle surrounding the flasher module
6. Pull the old flasher module out, unplug and replace with the new one. See image #5 below.
Image #5
7. Re-install the flasher module, re-assemble the dash, check for lose and/or remaining parts, re-connect the battery, and it’s done.
NOTE: Click on any of the images above to get a better view.
*Special thanks to Danny for taking the time to send these photos in, not to mention all the comments and other contributions he makes here.
Filed Under: Maintenance Tips
Why would you want to remove the DR lights anyways? To go shining for deer at night? They are just the yellow lights and not actual headlights like on GM vehicles I have driven and are not that bright or useful anyways, but kinda look cool on being yellow vs. white like a headlight.
The current draw from the DRL will inhibit the use of HID lights do to the additional current necessary for ballasts. That’s why.
mk – Sorry, but the only answer I have is “why not?” Supposedly there is a safety benefit in DRL, but I’m not convinced.
mk, the reason we did it, is because as part of our neighborhood watch, we alternate driving around at night real slow and no headlights looking for things out of the ordinary. it’s kinda hard to do that when you glow like a Christmas tree. many of us are also active duty or reserve sherriff’s office deputies. when you’re looking for someone at night creeping between houses, those lights tend to give your position away.
i’m sure there are other legal reasons for doing this and not everybody poached or spotlights deer. besides, deer hunting is too easy.
Interesting read, but i agree with mk. For the average citizen, there is no reason to remove the drl’s. Once you’re in the truck you don’t notice they are on and whether it helps with accident avoidance or not is debatable, but as the saying goes it’s better safe then sorry. I just love my truck too much to risk it.
I agree with MK also. I do the same for the neighborhood watch. The truth driving around at night without lights is just as illegal while you are trying to catch the individuals. DRL were designed as a safety issue for others to see you for a reason. Personally I rather have the yellow lights vice the white.
on 2007 5.7 cant you disable the DRL on the control panel? (turn them on or off). i read that in the owner manual once.
i read in the owner manual that you can turn the DRL on or off. i try that on the 4.7 but it missing some control so i think it for thr 5.7.
not sure on disabling the DRL’s on the tundras personally since I could not care one way or the other. Danny, time to move to a safer neighborhood? If DRL’s are an item that is going to stay which they are, why can’t all mfgs. make a switch to disable them since once in a great while drivers’ may need to shut them off. Seems like common sense to me but then again, I am not making 100K as an engineer at a car mfg. who at times do not have common sense.
Bruce – I don’t think you can turn them on and off – some models have them included at the factory…I’ll try to figure out which ones and why.
I’m sure you have to use the techstream to do this.
One reason to disable the DRL is so one can use the V-LEDs replacement bulbs. Currently, they can’t be used with DRLs
Mickey – I think there are some models that allow it – still haven’t looked. Bruce did send me a note from an owner’s manual, however, the described the process, so it’s definitely possible.
Stick – Good point.
I bought the new flasher control took 10 minutes to put in and no more driving lights but was very disappointed when I saw my dash light were still on, know how do you disable them so they only come on when you turn them on , and please don’t say use the dash knob there must be another way 2009 tundra double cab 5.7
Searl,
you cant turn off your dash light by the flasher unit. the tundra was designed to have them on all the time due to the deep recessed tube designed gauges. without the lights, you cant see the face of the smaller gauges in most daylight conditions. i personally dont like the gauge design, especially since the gauges dont tell real temperture and the gas gauge is always wrong.
thanks for the reply danny, that helped and yes my gas gage is always off.
Another website said the DRL could be disabled by simply unplugging the gray wire that plugs into the the flasher module hard shell connector. Of course you would have to unplug the connector from the module and then use a terminal end tool to extract the wire. Is this gray wire actually what jumps the circuit for DRL?
Darius – No idea…maybe Danny knows and will comment soon.
Darius,
i read that about the gray wire but i thought that was generation 1 tundra. if you wanted to you could always disconnect wires right at the bulb plug-in but i was trying to show a way to do it without cutting wires or leaving things disconnected. i’m also not sure if you disconnect wires, if the system will show a malfunction. kinda like my old GMC would keep the turn indicators lit on the dash if a bulb was burned out or missing. i never looked into that option. i kinda thought 70 bucks for a different drl switch was a small price to pay to keep from cutting up my new tundra. just my 2 cent and good luck with your choice of options. please update us with your progress.
Danny – Thanks man!
just installed on a 2010 toyota tundra sr5. 4.7l took me 15min to install. the dealer wanted $150 to install. i am very happy and satisfied that i got this done. helps me a lot. i bought the part on line. i paid $62 for the part. dealer wanted 20 dollars more. dealerships are crazy.
Santa – awesome. Where did you buy the part?
Hey guys thanks for the tips, and for you other guys who disagree with disconnecting them, piss off and post somewhere else.
What do you care. I live in the country and there are times when I want my truck dark. Don’t worry about what I want to do with my truck.
Ok, whats the old flasher part number? I want DRLs!
I also want my Tundra to have DRLs !! I hate all the idiots who don’t turn on their lights on when they should..ALL vehicles should have them. I turn on my running lights even during nice sunny days. I’ll pay for your old DRL parts!! 07 Tundra 5.7, Reg.Cab 4×4 Shortbox 4×4 with Magnaflow and Air Raid.
A few thousand people drive tundrsa for ranching which includes not being seen by theives, poachers. predators. also while looking for livestock or above varmints. Dash lights kills your vision at hard dark and dawn as does the stupid drls while looking at things at a distance.
If I lived in town like you I agree it would be “Cute”.
Out here your life could depend on being able to turn them off.
See before I read a few post I thought that the headlights being on meant that you had DRL but yes it is the yellow lights. For the people that want to dim or turn off your guage lights why not use your dim controler for your guages. I turned that thing way down when I drove through Texas deffinitely gets annoying after being in pitch black area and the guages hurt your eyes. From what I read that flasher box is just to shut off the outside DRL not your guage cluster lights.
[…] Running Lights? What year Tundra? if it is a 2011-2012 – go here: 2nd Gen Tundra Daytime Running Lights Removal Mod | Tundra Headquarters Took less than 10 mins – I didn't remove the side panel – just moved it to the side…. If it is […]
Thanks for the photos and description. Took me about
20 min start to finish and killed the amber drl. 2010 a
Platinum edition.
[…] DRL Module 2nd Gen Tundra Daytime Running Lights Removal Mod | Tundra Headquarters this is for disabling the DRL…..in which i bought the non-drl flasher module so that i can […]
I am trying to remove the DRL from my 2007 Tundra (second generation) because the bulb has heated the connector of the wiring harness and I have added L.E.D. DRL to run cool and in an inclosed headlight housing…
I think the head problem is a good reason to remove the existing DRL system…
I have still not finished getting everything to work right
so any help or ideas are very needed…
thanks ….
Martin
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We do wild game surveys from a half hour before sunrise to an hour after, and from an hour before sunset to half an hour after. So, it’s dark (but legal hunting light) with long shadows.
We have found that audits with DRLs result in significantly lower game counts, that those without. Our theory is that the moving lights are visible from a distance, and sufficient to spook the game (more so than the noise of the vehicle).
If I want DRL, I can leave the stalk switch in parking light, or headlights full time, and therefore I have all the safety benefits without the loss of control.