How to Install the NSV LED Light Bar for the Toyota Tundra
Even to this day, the NSV Light Bar for the 2014-2021 Toyota Tundra is a popular upgrade for the capable Japanese off-roader. That being said, the NSV light bar is also a product we often get questions about how to install this product and other trouble-shooting errors with the Tundra’s electrical system.
If you already have the NSV light bar installed, check out this blog post for some common issues. You can also refer to our customer service team at sales@headlightrevolution.com and ask for our NSV LED light bar expert. With this install, we have also included common issues you may encounter on an install.
ABOUT THE NSV LED LIGHT BAR
While a lengthy installation is needed, the NSV LED light bar is entirely plug-and-play. It has mounts specifically made for the Tundra and is meant to be controlled within the Tundra’s button switches.
You will also find a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty and the use of tooled photo-metric lenses that give unrivaled performance and a diamond-like glimmer. The NSV light bar is equipped with three modes: daytime running light, off-road high-intensity light, and swipe open and close.
Before getting into the installation, make sure you have the most up-to-date install. NSV is currently on the third generation of the light bar and the most recent instructions can be found on the Headlight Revolution listing here.
INSTALL
Tools Needed for the Job:
10mm Bit
12mm Bit
Wire Fish
Pry Tool
Flathead Screwdriver
Phillips Screwdriver
Needle Nose Pliers
Impact/Ratcheting Wrench
Disconnect Battery
Open the hood, and with a 10mm socket, disconnect your negative battery terminal.
Hood Vent Removal
There are three 10mm bolts along the edge of the hood that need to be removed. Doing so will reveal three plastic clips. Press on those with a pair of pliers to free up the edge piece of the hood.
You can lift the hood panel upwards. This will cause it to pop off. Be sure to hold onto the main portion of your hood to prevent it from closing on you.
Install Light Bar into Hood Vent
There are six Philips screws on the underside of the hood vent piece. Five are along the bottom and one on top.
You can now remove the plastic vent.
Note: On our 2019 Tundra, the hood vent was plastic welded to the hood piece. In our prior tests, the vent was not as difficult to remove as it was here.
Take your NSV LED light bar and lightly set it over the top of the screws where the OEM vent once was. Reinstall the original screws. Do not tighten them evenly to ensure the light bar fits appropriately.
Install the plastic brackets to brace the top of the light bar. There are four plastic brackets and four accompanying screws. Each bracket is labeled as such: L1 and L2, R1 and R2. Place those under the plastic clips we pushed out. L1 and L2 go on the left, and R1 and R2 go on the right. Then screw in the four screws that come with the clips.
Running the Wire Harness
Beginning on the interior of the truck, grab onto your door sill panel and pop it open. Then, remove the kick panel. Thread the plastic nut to remove it
Just beyond the kick panel, you will find a factory wiring harness with a rubber grommet. You can cut a small slit into this grommet and use a wire fish to fetch your NSV wiring.
The NSV instructions will have a 6-Pin harness, turn signal switch connector, and the switch panel we are installing.
With the NSV kit, they give you a supplied 6-Pin connector. It is numbered 1-6 for you to insert the SAME numbered wire into.
Note: We stress that this is done correctly to avoid having to de-pin these wires. It is extremely difficult.
With all of them clicked in, install the red plastic container, and set it to the side.
Before connecting the other connectors, you will need to run the 12-pin connector through the hood with a wire fish. We used the hole closest to the A-Pillar and hood mount. This step is a little tricky, but you should be able to route the wire through the driver-side channel to the front of the hood.
Note: When it comes to pin the 12-pin connector, pins 1-4 go along the outer left side, and 5-8 go in the middle, and 9-12 go on the right side. THERE IS NO PIN #3. Leave pin three disconnected. Your last pin to connect should be #12.
Installing Lightbar onto the Tundra
Connect the outer two connectors on the light bar to one another. This makes sure the exterior segments of the light bar can be activated.
Bring the hood piece to the truck and plug in the 12-pin connectors. Stuff the wires into the hood and reinstall the hood piece. You should hear a click.
Reinstall the three push pins and 10mm bolts to finish with this portion of the install.
Connecting Harness to the Battery
Loosen the 12mm bolt on the positive terminal of the battery. Then place the red end of the harness on the positive terminal. Reinstall the bolt.
Repeat for the negative terminal, but do not install the negative terminal on the battery.
Then, connect the 6-pin connector to the NSV harness.
Connect the Bar to the Headlights
In the NSV kit, you will receive a patch harness. It allows us to connect the OEM connector NSV light bar. One connector goes to the factory turn signal plug and the other to the power-adjusting headlight motor.
First, remove the OEM power-adjusting headlight motor connector on the rear of your headlight (black), and install the corresponding NSV connector. Then connect the OEM motor connector to the harness.
Unplug the turn signal connector and plug it into the patch harness. Bring the harness connected to the light bar and plug one connector into the turn signal connector and the other into the remaining patch connector.
Note: If you have the ORGINAL, FACTORY LED HEADLIGHTS, cut the blue wire at the headlight connector. Place a piece of tape over it to prevent it from touching anything else.
Driver Side Panel Wiring
Moving to the interior of the truck, there will be two 10mm bolts beneath the steering wheel, near the footwell. One on either side. This will allow you to pull down the button panel beneath the steering wheel.
You can now remove the steering column panel with a Phillips screwdriver. There is one screw on both sides of the column, facing the driver. This will allow you to remove the plastic shroud.
| Left Side of Steering Column | Right Side of Steering Column |
Take the T-Harness from earlier and route it along the steering column area along the other wires. Remove the white turn signal switch and plug it into the white T-Harness connector. Then plug in the remaining connector to the turn signal connector.
Use a zip tie to tidy up the wiring. We recommend using a little slack to make uninstalling easier.
At this point, you can reinstall the steering column shroud. Leave the panel beneath the steering wheel open.
Center Console
Using a pry tool, unclip the console area where the USB/AUX is located and gently pry the piece from the center console.
Unplug all four connectors and bring the switch panel to a workbench or table.
Switch Panel Setup
With the NSV LED light bar kit, you will get a tailored switch panel that will allow you to change the mode that your light bar is in. On the panel, you will see three orange switches. Each switch can be pressed for the DRL, sideswipe, and off-road high-intensity modes accordingly.
Before installing the NSV switch panel, you first need to fill in the empty slots. The 12V, USB/AUX, and the Toyota Security module (you may have a blank plate here). To do so, use a flathead screwdriver or pry tool to push the plastic components out. Some of these will have tabs that need to be separated for you to remove them. Once out, push them into the NSV panel.
Next, take the four yellow and three white clips on the rear of the OEM switch panel and transfer them to the NSV switch panel using a flathead screwdriver.
Note: These clips like to projectile themselves across the garage. We recommend holding a hand over them or using something to prevent them from disappearing like a 10mm socket.
The remaining harness needs to then be run to the switch panel. Route them behind the dash through the exposed panel we opened earlier, and to the switch panel opening.
We will begin with the switch taps first. Use the T-Taps to connect the 12V plugs we unplugged earlier. Clamp it down using pliers to ensure it is secure. Repeat for the other red wire.
Everything needed to connect the light bar functions will be labeled. The first switch will be the Off-Road high-intensity mode, the second will be the swipe mode, and the last will be the DRL mode.
Reconnect the Battery
Before buttoning up your interior and cleaning up your wiring, reconnect your battery and test the lights to ensure they work.
Final Touches
Once you have made sure it works, you can tidy up your wires and reassemble your driver-side panel and switch control.
If you encounter any issues with the light bar, review the steps again to ensure you wired everything properly. There are a lot of connections to establish in this install so it can be tricky.
We have an FAQ blog post that goes into a few common questions we have received. If you encounter other issues that we have not covered, drop us a comment or you can email our customer support team at sales@headlightrevolution.com.
CONCLUSION
Have not gotten your own NSV LED light bar? You can pick up your own here!
If you are more of a visual learner, be sure to check out our video on the NSV LED light bar. We take you step-by-step on how to install the light bar onto your 2014-2021 Toyota Tundra. While you are there, make sure to like and subscribe to our channel for the latest lighting upgrades for your vehicle.
Have any questions about one of the products we mentioned? Contact us today, and our customer service team would be happy to help.
Meet the Experts Behind Headlight Revolution
Chris Nelson – Founder
Before founding Headlight Revolution in 2011, Chris worked as an automotive install technician specializing in lighting, sound systems, and engine performance parts. He has personally tested thousands of lighting products and works directly with lighting engineers to evaluate the technical performance behind every recommendation.
Josh Beberg – Content Production Manager
Josh leads hands-on testing and content production at Headlight Revolution. From beam pattern comparisons to real-world installations, he works directly with lighting engineers to ensure every review is grounded in measured results, not marketing specs.
