Meso Customs Brings A Custom Housing With Integrated VLED Puddle Lights For The 5th Gen 4Runner – Detailed Review and More
Have you ever come off the trail in the evening or even just approached your vehicle at night and wanted more visibility before hopping in? Well, look no further. The Meso Customs 4Runner Puddle Light is your solution. It’s an easy install with a high return rate on satisfaction.
Everyone loves an LED swap, but after installing only a cheap amazon LED puddle light I was left wanting. I came across the VLED puddle light, but they didn’t have a 4Runner quick connect and I didn’t want to take a chance on the universal kit only to have the light not sit flush with the housing.
Enter the Meso Customs 4Runner LED Puddle Light.
Find it online:
- Meso Customs 5th Gen 4Runner Puddle Lights: Check Price
Product Overview
Utilizing a VLED puddle light transforms the factory incandescent output (about 25 lumens) to an incredible 400 lumens at a 5500K color temperature! Even compared to an aftermarket LED light, the Meso Customs (with VLED) easily outshines anything else. Needless to say, I am very pleased with not only how these turned out, but also the light output, distribution, and color.
Let’s dig into the installation!
Installation
Tools and Materials:
- Car Trim Removal Tools (can use a flat head screwdriver as well, just be mindful of scratching)
- Phillips Screwdriver
Step 1. Remove Side Mirror
First, move the mirror as far as it can go to one side. Grab the mirror from the side and gently begin to pull it back away from the housing. It is attached by four plastic tabs. Don’t worry, this is always unnerving with the pressure needed to pop off, but it will be just fine.
Step 2. Remove The Back Cover
Once the mirror is removed, pop the tabs that hold the back cover on. There should be a couple of grey tabs located around the top and sides of the mirror. You’ll want to pry with the trim tool as well as gently pull back with some pressure (no need to go Incredible Hulk here). Be mindful this can be under a little pressure and will want to go flying.
Remove the lower housing by unscrewing the two locations at the lower rear housing (this is where your puddle light is) and push on the two black tabs that are to the right of the mirror housing.
Step 3. Remove Factory Puddle Light Housing
Begin by unplugging the factory incandescent bulb. You’ll want to do this first as it will make the housing removal easier and prevent an inerrant tug that could cause a loose wire down the road.
To remove the factory puddle light housing, simply unscrew at the two locations on each side of the housing.
Step 4. Install new Meso Customs Puddle Light
Take the new Meso customs housing, drop it into where the factory puddle light was, and screw it into place.
A few other folks online talked about this not being exactly flush. I didn’t have any issues with these sitting flush (or nearly close to it). I haven’t experienced any issues or even noticed after having these in for a while.
Next, attach the VLED adapter to where the factory 194 bulb was installed.
Be sure to test your bulbs at this time, before putting everything back together. One of the most frustrating things about lighting installations is getting everything put together and when you go to hit the switch for the first time, they don’t turn on. You then begrudgingly have to go and tear everything apart again. Don’t do that. Test beforehand.
In the event that they don’t turn on, it may be a simple polarity issue and the bulbs just need to be flipped around. If that doesn’t work, make sure you have a good connection. If that still doesn’t work, you may want to reach out to the manufacturer and ensure you do not have a bad batch.
Step 5. Reinstall Parts And Enjoy!
Be sure when screwing back in the lower housing that the outside edges do not get stuck outside the light. This can be an easy miss and will cause you to have to reassemble.
Also, don’t forget to adjust your side mirrors for driving once you snap back in the mirror.
Final Thoughts
I have been absolutely thrilled with these lights. Drawing so little power but gaining such a high return of lumens, they light up everything I need when approaching my vehicle and more. My wife even comments how she loves using them when hopping in the car at night.
Yes, VLED does sell a universal kit. However, this requires you to have some additional electrical knowledge to tap into existing lighting and still leaves you with the issue of the housing. When installed, the housing would not be flush and would most likely require you to do some extensive work with a Dremel tool.
With the Meso Customs puddle light, you have everything you need for a simple plug-and-play install that leaves you with a clean look and superb lighting.
Not sure these are compatible with 5th gen ‘23 models that have cameras under the mirrors. I have a 2023 TRD Off-road and the puddle light seems to be integrated with the same plastic piece as the camera. The cameras are used for the 360 view on the new models, so I’m interested to see if the make something that accommodates that camera.
had the same issue when I went to install mine today. Risked it and had the install guy drill a hole to see if we could somehow get the camera to work but it ended up not being exactly well positioned so discarded the whole part and need to figure out a plan B. Let me know if you get an answer on this, would really appreciate it.
I just got mine in the mail and I don’t see how they will work with the camera. I sent MESO an email so hopefully they respond.
Just saw these will re-stock on May 2, 2022. I think they go live at 9:00 AM PDT, but don’t quote me on that. Good luck!
They’re great and during the light install is a good time to do the RAV-4 side view mirror conversion for a factory blind spot addition, which is also worth the effort.
I saw Mesos IG story and they will be back in stock on 05/02/22, they are already on my list to go and buy them as soon as I receive the email!
I’ve had these lights for a couple years now, and I can tell you that they are incredibly bright and one of my favorite mods. Paired with the Meso puddle lights switch so you can turn them on whenever you need, they are definitely awesome
Do they still work when you open the door or approach? Or only with the switch?
Does it fit earlier 5th gen?
I have the same lights for about 1year now. They work perfectly no complaints, but for the price I kind of wish I had just found a way to use some KC rock lights or given the morimoto lights a try. For anyone who can’t get a pair I would try one of these options.
“Great ideas, never in-stock” should be Meso’s slogan.
Nice! Also you can get a direct fit Morimoto Puddle lights for about 40$ a set ,not sure which one performs better tho
I swapped 3 different LED bulbs into my mirror lights before the Meso/VLED pods and the Meso/VLED pods blow any other LED bulb I tried away
Meso strikes again with another innovative product. If I hadn’t already swapped-out the OEM lights, I’d be all over this.
How did you even get a set? These have been out of stock for idk how long
May 2, 2022 re-stock.
Teddy, I was fortunate to be able to snag a set of these a year or two ago before they got pretty popular. Needless to say they’ve been holding up great. Hope you can get a hold of them soon!
I’ve been waiting for them for about 6 months now. :/
Wow! Those pics are incredible with the amount of added light they provide to the surrounding area. $100 is a pretty price tag; are they really worth it? Build quality, function and fitment, etc.? Put myself on the “notify when available” list sooooo….. we’ll see.
Mark, definitely a higher price tag for sure, but IMO it’s been totally worth it. I’ve had them in for close to 2 years now and they’ve held up great. Super streamlined and the light output is fantastic. Hope they can get them in stock for you soon!