Lighting the Trail: My Complete Off-Road Lighting Setup on the 3rd Gen Tundra

[TRDLEGACY]

When the sun goes down, that’s when the real fun begins—and having the right lighting setup can make or break your off-road experience. Whether you’re ripping through the desert, crawling through tight trails, or navigating dusty mountain roads, visibility is key. For my 3rd Gen Army Green Tundra, I put a lot of thought into building a lighting system that not only looks aggressive, but more importantly, works flawlessly. Here’s a breakdown of my complete off-road lighting setup, why I chose each component, and some lessons I learned along the way.

1. Baja Designs LP4 Front Bumper Lights
Let’s start with the heavy hitters. I mounted a pair of Baja Designs LP4s to the front bumper, and they absolutely transformed my night runs. Each light pushes over 8,700 lumens and features a combination beam pattern, so I get both distance and wide-angle coverage. These are small but mighty, and they throw serious light without overwhelming the bumper space or airflow.
The amber backlighting is another reason I chose them—it ties in beautifully with the Army Green color of my truck and helps cut through dust or fog. Wired into an auxiliary switch panel (more on that below), I have full control over when and how I use them.

2. Diode Dynamics Stealth Light Bar Behind the Grille
This is one of the cleanest and most underrated lighting mods on my truck. The Diode Dynamics Stealth Light Bar mounts behind the grille and delivers an incredibly sleek, low-profile look with surprisingly powerful output. It’s almost invisible when off, which keeps the front end looking OEM+—but the moment you flip the switch, it lights up the entire trail ahead.
I went with the combo beam pattern for a solid mix of flood and spot. It’s perfect for daily use and nighttime runs where I want solid illumination without mounting a giant light bar on the roof or bumper. This bar tucks in perfectly behind the TRD Pro-style grille and is a great option if you want power without bulk.

3. Chase Lights from Yotabeast
Rear visibility is just as important as front lighting, especially when you’re running with a convoy. I installed a Yotabeast triple chase light bar tucked neatly beneath the tailgate. This light features selectable patterns, from solid to strobe, and integrates perfectly with my auxiliary switch panel.
Not only does it improve safety on the trail, but it also helps during reverse maneuvers in pitch-black environments. People behind me can keep a safe distance, and it looks slick lit up in amber when I’m running solo.

4. Rave Off Road Amber TRD Pro Grille Light Bar
If you’re running a TRD Pro-style grille (like I am), this one’s a must-have. The Rave Off Road amber grille light bar integrates seamlessly behind the “TOYOTA” cutout in the grille and gives you that iconic, aggressive glow that’s both stylish and functional. It’s low-profile, weatherproof, and easy to install.
I wired it into my Rave Off Road switch panel so I can run it independently or with my LP4s. This light bar is great for being seen in dusty conditions and adds that signature off-road look to the truck—especially when paired with the amber backlighting on my other lights. It gets compliments everywhere I go.

5. Rave Off Road Auxiliary Switch Panel
To control everything cleanly, I’m running the Rave Off Road auxiliary switch system. It mounts cleanly inside the cabin, is waterproof, and offers 6 programmable switches for full control over each lighting zone. No messy wiring, no clunky rocker switches—just a sleek, intuitive setup that matches the truck’s OEM feel.
Each circuit is protected, and the entire install was plug-and-play. I even added custom switch labels for LP4s, Stealth Bar, Grille Amber, and Rear Chase. This system makes managing my lighting system effortless and future-proof.

Lessons Learned

• Overbuild your wiring: Use the right gauge and connectors. Don’t skimp on relays or fuses. Bad wiring = bad time.
• Aim your lights properly: Misaligned lights can blind others or be totally useless. Take the time to dial it in.
• Match your zones: I use white for functional trail lighting, and amber for visibility and support—that balance works great in real-world trail conditions.
• Plan your power needs: The more lights you add, the more important proper switch control and fuse protection become.

Final Thoughts
Lighting is one of the most rewarding mods you can do on a 3rd Gen Tundra. It’s not just about aesthetics—it’s about visibility, safety, and trail readiness. My current setup has served me well across SoCal trails and Baja runs, and I’m only getting started.

Got questions about mounting, wiring, or which beam pattern to go with? Drop a comment or DM—happy to help out fellow builders.

#ToyotaTundra #3rdGenTundra #DiodeDynamics #BajaDesigns #RaveOffRoad #Yotabeast #OffRoadLighting #AmberGlow #TrailReady #BuiltNotBought