Introducing The Meso Customs Puddle Lights on the 5th Gen 4Runner – Install and Review

Meso Customs Brings A Custom Housing With Integrated VLED Puddle Lights For The 5^th 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 5^th 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.