CarTrim Sequential Dynamic LED Amber Turn Signal Lights — Easy Install Guide For the 5th Gen 4Runner
I love my 4Runner with a passion.
There is absolutely no question about it. What I don’t love—how Toyota neglected us when it comes to ‘cool’ lighting upgrades directly from the factory.
Why they still provide us with those hideous yellow OEM bulbs is beyond me. Lucky for us, there are a ton of companies out there who have stepped up to fill that void.
One company, CarTrim, recently introduced a cheap, but very cool mod, for our side mirrors.
CarTrim is also the same company who produced a variety of products for our rigs—from TRD Pro replica grills, to door handle overlays, to the Android head unit, and more recently their LED sequential dynamic turn signal lights.
Where to buy
- LED Side Mirror Turn Signal Kit: Check Today’s Price
At less than $75, this 30-minute mod was a no-brainer for me.
Now on to the install.
CartTrim’s Sequential Dynamic Turn Signal Kit
Turn Signal Step-By-Step Install on 4Runner
Parts Used For Install:
Tools For Install Included with LED Sequential Kit:
- 2 LED Replacements
- 1 Plastic Trim Tool
- 1 Phillips Screwdriver
Step 1. Remove Side Mirror from Housing
Grab the mirror from the side furthest from the vehicle and slowly pull towards you.
Don’t be alarmed—you should hear lots of unsnapping as it separates from the housing.
You should see a connection for the heating element on the opposite side of the mirror. Gently pull the connector straight out and set the mirror out of the way.
Step 2. Remove the Plastic Housing on Back of Mirror
The upper plastic cover is held on by 3 clips.
Using the plastic pry tool that came with the unit, push on the tabs to release them and pull the cover straight back and away.
Step 3. Remove Screws, Plastic Clips + Power Connection
First, using a Philips screwdriver, remove the two screws and set them aside.
Don’t lose them – you’ll use them again later.
Then using the plastic trim tool, push the two clips out of the way to release the bottom portion of the mirror backing.
You will need to wiggle back and forth to get it to pop off. I found it easy to first unsnap the inner portion of the bottom closest to the vehicle, and then wiggle the rest off. Caution: There is a connection along the top middle that needs to remain in place.
Note: Carefully rotate the bottom portion of the plastic housing and rest it on top of the mirror housing to keep it out of the way. You do not want any of the wiring to get pinched or break.
Facing the front of the housing, push down on the two tabs to release the OEM light assembly.
Then, unclip the connection.
STEP 4. Connect sequential LEDs and reinstall plastic backing
Connect the power connection to the new LEDs—this is where I recommend testing the new unit to be sure it’s working.
After I connected the power, I just let the new LEDs hang down while I confirmed that they were functional.
Grab your key FOB and lock/unlock the doors OR start your rig and turn on the emergency hazards. You should see the new sequential LEDs in action—aren’t they a thing of beauty?!
Once you verified they work, you can start putting everything back together.
Begin by snapping in the inner portion of the bottom closest to the vehicle and then the portion furthest away from the vehicle—work from the inside out.
Be sure that the new LED unit is flush with the exterior of the assembly.
When it is, firmly press along the side and bottoms until you hear the clips snap back into place.
At this point, the bottom should be secure.
Next, using the Philips screwdriver, screw in the two screws.
Reinstall the upper plastic cover by first lining up the clips at the top and firmly pressing everything into place. Wiggle it back and forth to be sure it’s secure.
Step 5. Reconnect Power For Heating Element To Mirror
Reconnect the power for the heating element back to the mirror, then line up the mirror backing so it sits flush with the large white plastic piece.
You’ll need to firmly press down on it until you hear multiple clicks.
Step 6. Repeat Process On Other Side. And Done!
All done!
Repeat the same process on the other side. What a rad little mod, eh?
What size tires are those in the pic at the top of the page?
My 2016 sr5 does not have mirror lights. Is the harness already there? Could i add the sequencing lights without removing the door panel and running g wires? May be a dumb question, but for me worth asking….
I had posted earlier that these did not fit because of the plug was different on the 2020 TRD OFR Premium. They will work. My Bad
You RHS photo under step 3. The left red circle is not drawn on correct clip. it is little bit more on the left.
I just did the install. One big problem the light they provide does not have a clip like the OEM unit which makes it tricky to position it and trying to attach the lower part of the mirror at the same time. Passenger side light I got working fine. The driver side seems to be having loose connection issue. Will have to debug.
Do you know if they have these for the 2010-2013 models?
Your title is a bit misleading, as the two most popular models (4Runner SR5 and TRD Off-Road) are not compatible as they do not include mirror lights and cannot be retrofit.
SR5 premium and TRD Off-Road premium do in fact have mirror turn signals.
Do you see ‘Premium’ mentioned in my post? Your reading skills suck.
Ur write
I wanna know where can I get a new lower cover trim because mines crack and I need a new one don’t feel like buying the whole thing with the turn signal?
Great Writeup, I appreciate the pictures! I just completed this install and it was crazy easy. Definitely recommend.
Awesome. Glad it was helpful!
Why is your shipping so expensive and so long to get the item I was planning on ordering these but after I saw your shipping time and charges I cancel
I just retrieved my lights and installed them also add LED puddle lights the lights look awesome they fit great it took about two hours to install but made my 4Runnner look Awesome awesome Thank you Atul.
Glad you like it! It’s a simple And relatively cheap mod that updates the rig, for sure.
I don’t work for CarTrim so I can’t speak to their shipping charges. I can tell you what they list on the website is an estimate and often times you get your product in less than 10 days. They stock some items in the US now which helps speed up delivery times. Also keep in mind the Coronavirus is causing a ruckus across the world so delays now a days may be attributed to that.
Does this mod allow you to see it flashing from the drivers seat? Not having that feature is why I don’t like the stock version.
I don’t think so because the LED is on the back of the mirror which is difficult to see from inside the cabin in the driver’s seat.
Atul is there anyway to install side mirrors with blind spot monitors. Toyota has them in highlander, tacoma etc but not in 4runner.
Thanks
Here’s what atul is referencing I’m pretty sure: https://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/223739-oem-rav4-blind-spot-mirror-retrofit.html
I want to say that maybe I remember reading about someone doing a retrofit of the Rav4 mirrors on the 4R for that functionality, but I could be totally wrong. I’d search Google to see what comes back.
Hey there. My understanding is this can be installed on any trim that has the existing lower LED bulbs on the mirror.
The website shows specifically ’14 to ’19 models. I have a ’13 Limited with the mirror lights. Any idea if they will work?
I would not think so if the website states 14 to 19. You can reach out to the company to confirm.
Mirror turn signal lights mod
Mirror signal lights – will these work on a 2017 TRD PRO
As long as the mirror already has the lower LED signals, then you can. If not, I don’t think you can make it work.
can you do this mod on the standard SR5 ? the SR5 does not have lights on the mirrors.
Unfortunately, I don’t think you can. The mirror needs to have the existing LED bulbs along the lower mirror in order to power the sequential ones.
No. You need to have the lights already for these to plug into the existing wiring.
Hey different subject but what brand is the hood deflector on this white 4runner?
AVS
Different subject but what brand is the hood deflector?
Its the AVS low profile deflector.