Toyota Tundra Ditch Lights: Mounts, Kits and Wiring by Generation

Ditch lights fill the dark edges a Tundra's headlights leave alone: the shoulder, the inside of a corner, the trail edge just past the fender. Adding them comes down to three decisions: where the bracket bolts on, whether you buy brackets or a complete kit, and how power gets from the battery to the pods. All three change with the generation of your truck.

A-pillar or hood mount: what the names mean

Vendors use "A-pillar", "ditch" and "hood" for brackets that sit in much the same place: the corner where the hood, windshield and pillar meet. The name tells you less than the fastening point, and the fastening point decides whether you trim or drill anything. The parts we carry fall into three groups.

• Hood hinge mounts. Rago Fabrication's 2000-2006 and 2022+ brackets attach at the hood hinge, and its listings say the brackets do not interfere with the hood. No drilling is called for, but some trimming can be, as the generation table shows.
• A-pillar mounts. Morimoto's 2007-2013 and 2014-2021 brackets use existing mounting points with no drilling. RIGID and Baja Designs also sell their kits for the A-pillar location.
• Factory points above the hood. Diode Dynamics uses factory mounting points above the hood, and KC HiLiTES describes its bracket as made for the OE Toyota ditch locations. Both state no drilling.

Height is the other practical difference. Cali Raised LED says its low-profile design keeps lights protected without blocking your view. A larger pod mounted higher catches more branches and wind, while a pod low behind the hood edge can throw light back off the paint, so test the aim at night.

If you want more than two lights, Rago's 2022+ dual brackets hold two pods per side. Rago suggests turning the second pair outward for side coverage, or running clear lights and amber lights on the same bracket for dust.

Bracket only or complete kit

A bracket-only purchase makes sense when you already own pods, want to mix brands, or plan to move lights from another truck. The tradeoff is that you do the matching yourself, including the pod's mounting pattern and the wiring.

A complete kit removes the matching work. Baja Designs, RIGID, KC HiLiTES, Morimoto and Diode Dynamics all sell this way for at least one Tundra generation. Diode Dynamics offers both routes on one listing, with a Bracket Only option for owners of compatible Stage Series pods and complete kits with pods in several power levels.

Read the listing, not only the title. Cali Raised LED's 2014-2021 brackets kit is described only as a bracket and mount system, so confirm what the kit option contains on the product page. Its bracket listing states that it is brackets only, sold as a pair with installation hardware.

Ditch light options by Tundra generation

Toyota's Tundra generations are 2000-2006, 2007-2021 and 2022 onward. The 2007-2021 run splits at the 2014 refresh, and brackets split there too, so owners often call the later trucks a 2.5 gen. Rago's own titles still call 2014-2021 trucks 2nd gen.

2000-2006

Plan on brackets and your own pods. Rago's are sold in pairs and powder coated black. The CBI Offroad Fab listing gives the years but not the mounting point or hardware, so ask before ordering.

2007-2013

Rago says its brackets bolt on with no trimming or drilling, and it sells extensions for adding a pod or a camera mount. Morimoto's 2Banger system pairs pods on adjustable pedestal mounts with laser-cut stainless steel A-pillar brackets.

2014-2021

Check the last year on the title. Rago, Morimoto and Cali Raised LED parts are titled through 2021, while the RIGID A-pillar mount and its kits, including the D-SS flood kit, are titled 2014-2020. Treat a 2021 truck as not covered by the RIGID parts unless the product page or our staff confirm otherwise.

2022 and newer

This is the deepest group, and the one with the most year conflicts. KC lists its bracket for 2022-2024 on the bracket listing, while the kit listing also refers to the same bracket as fitting through 2026. RIGID titles say 2022-2026, but the listing text says designed for 2022-2023. Treat those parts as 2022-2024 and 2022-2023 until you confirm on the product page. Baja Designs says its brackets are designed to avoid vibration on washboard roads, and its kits also come with replacement lenses for changing the pattern.

Wiring ditch lights on a Tundra

The kit decides how much of this work is already done, so check the box contents first.

"Not listed" and "not itemized" mean the listing does not say. They do not prove a part is missing, so ask before you assume either way. If you are building from brackets, Cali Raised LED says a wiring harness comes with its 2014-2021 brackets when they are bought with its pods.

1. Add up the load. Diode Dynamics lists 15 W per pod for the C2 2.0 Sport and 90 W per pod for the SS5 Pro. At about 14 volts, a pair of the small pods draws roughly 2 amps and a pair of the large pods roughly 13 amps. That gap sets your wire gauge and fuse size.
2. Use a fused, relay-switched circuit. Put the fuse close to the power source and let the switch trigger a relay, so full current never runs through the dash. Follow the kit or pod maker's fuse rating.
3. Choose a switched power source. An ignition-switched trigger keeps the lights from being left on with the truck parked. Avoid splicing factory headlight wiring. Tapping the wrong circuit on a newer truck can cause warning lights or other faults, so check your owner's manual or ask an installer.
4. Route for hood travel and heat. Run the wires along the cowl and away from the wiper linkage, exhaust heat and sharp edges. Open and close the hood with the wires loosely in place before you zip tie anything.
5. Seal the connections. Use the connectors supplied with the lights where you can, and weatherproof connectors for any extensions.

If you are also changing headlights, read our Toyota Tundra headlights guide before you route new wiring.

Pods, aiming and road use

For beam choice, read our ditch lights spot vs flood guide. For pod types and sizes in general, see the LED pod lights buying guide. A few fit limits are specific to the Tundra parts here.

• Morimoto brackets: the 2007-2013 listing names Morimoto, Baja Designs, KC HiLiTES, Rigid Industries and Diode Dynamics pods. The 2014-2021 listing names Baja Designs, KC HiLiTES and Rigid Industries.
• RIGID 2014-2020 mount: takes 4 in. 360-Series, D-Series, D-SS, SR-M, SR-Q and Radiance pods. The 3rd gen bracket pair is described for RIGID pods.
• KC HiLiTES kit: the listing gives a maximum light size of 6 inches, with FLEX ERA or SlimLite options.
• Cali Raised LED 2014-2021 brackets: the listing says they work with most pods, but also that fit is only guaranteed with its 2X2 20W and 3X2 18W pods.

Cali Raised LED says ditch light mounts sit roughly 45 degrees away from the truck to light the sides of the road. Treat that as a starting point, and adjust on level ground at night until the beam covers the edge you care about.

Road use depends on your state. Morimoto describes its NCS Wide Beam on the 2014-2021 2Banger as road-compliant, but that is the vendor's claim, so assume off-road use only until you have checked. For a wider build, see our Toyota Tundra accessories guide.

What NVMOS carries

• 2000-2006 1st Gen Toyota Tundra & Sequoia Ditch Light Brackets: Rago Fabrication hood hinge brackets sold in pairs; wiper cowl trimming required.
• Toyota Tundra Ditch Light Brackets, 2000-2006: CBI Offroad Fab brackets for auxiliary pods.
• 2007-2013 2nd Gen Toyota Tundra Ditch Light Brackets: Rago Fabrication bolt-on pair with no trimming or drilling stated.
• Morimoto Toyota Tundra (07-13) Ditch Light Brackets: powder coated 304 stainless A-pillar brackets, lights not included.
• Morimoto Toyota Tundra (07-13) 2Banger LED Ditch Light System: pods and A-pillar brackets, in wide, combo or spot.
• 2014-2021 2nd Gen Toyota Tundra Low-Pro Ditch Light Brackets: Rago Fabrication bolt-on pair; minimal trimming has been reported.
• Morimoto Toyota Tundra (14-21) Ditch Light Brackets: 304 stainless, powder coated, no modification, brackets only.
• Low Profile Ditch Light Mounting Brackets For 2014-2021 Toyota Tundra: Cali Raised LED pair with hardware, brackets only.
• Morimoto Toyota Tundra (14-21) 2Banger LED Ditch Light System: two-pod kit made for this truck with four beam options.
• RIGID A-Pillar Light Kit with 4 in. 360-Series Drive Lights for Toyota Tundra (2014-2020): brackets, lights, covers, harness and switch.
• 2022+ Toyota Tundra Ditch Light Brackets: Rago Fabrication one pod per side, no drilling, minimal wiper cowl trimming.
• Baja Designs Toyota XL Sport A-Pillar Light Kit: 2022-2026 Tundra, with brackets, harness, hardware and extra lenses.
• Diode Dynamics Stage Series Backlit Ditch Light Kit for 2022-2026 Toyota Tundra: Bracket Only or complete kits, white or yellow.
• KC HiLiTES A-Pillar / Ditch Light Kit for Toyota Tundra: bracket plus a choice of lights; KC lists the bracket for 2022-2024, so confirm your year.
• RIGID A-Pillar Lighting Kit with D-SS Series Drive Lights for Toyota Tundra: title says 2022-2026, listing text says designed for 2022-2023, so confirm your year.

Browse by category: Toyota Tundra parts, fog and ditch lights, fog and ditch light mounts, pod light mounts, pod and cube lights. You can also shop by vehicle, check current lead times and read vendor warranty policies.

Frequently asked questions

Do ditch lights on a Tundra require drilling?

Usually not, but it depends on the part. Rago Fabrication, KC HiLiTES and Diode Dynamics state no drilling, as do Morimoto's bracket listings and its 2007-2013 2Banger listing. The RIGID, Baja Designs and other listings do not address drilling either way, so check the install instructions before you order.

Will I have to trim anything?

Possibly. Rago Fabrication requires wiper cowl trimming on the 2000-2006 brackets and calls for minimal trimming on the 2022+ brackets. Its 2014-2021 listing says minimal trimming has been reported, and its 2007-2013 listing says no trimming is needed.

What is the difference between A-pillar and hood ditch light brackets?

They often sit in nearly the same corner, where the hood meets the windshield and pillar. The useful difference is what the bracket bolts to, such as a hood hinge point or an existing A-pillar mounting point, so read the mounting line on the listing instead of relying on the name.

Do complete ditch light kits include a wiring harness and switch?

Not always. Baja Designs and RIGID kits list a harness, but only the RIGID 2014-2020 kits also list a switch. The Morimoto, KC HiLiTES and Diode Dynamics listings do not itemize a harness, so confirm that before you plan the install.

Will a RIGID 2014-2020 ditch light kit fit a 2021 Tundra?

Treat it as not covered. The RIGID listings stop at 2020 even though the 2021 truck belongs to the same body style. Owners of a 2021 should look at the Rago Fabrication, Morimoto or Cali Raised LED parts titled for 2014-2021, or call us to confirm.

Can I put any LED pod on a ditch light bracket?

Many brackets take a wide range of pods, but check the listing. Morimoto names several brands its brackets accept, while the Diode Dynamics bracket option is for compatible Stage Series pods and RIGID lists specific series. Cali Raised LED says only certain pods are guaranteed to fit its 2014-2021 brackets.

Are ditch lights legal to use on the road?

It depends on the state and on how the lights are used. Many auxiliary lights are meant for off-road use only, and rules on mounting height, aiming and covers vary. Check your state and local rules, and keep ditch lights switched off around other traffic unless you know they are allowed.

Not sure what fits your truck? Call a real person at (920) 249-7744 or send us a message, and we will help you sort it out.