Did the DRL disable Switch Mod (1 Viewer)

[RobRed]

It was very easy. Thank you to pequiod and 5 Cruiser for their photos in this thread https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/43660-drl-question-lc-2.html#post5924976

Here is the switch set up I used


I opted for a 3 position switch - Mainly because it's what I had in the drawer.

position 1 - down = DRL on as normal
position 2 - mid = DRL disabled
position 3 - up = [Momentary] DRL on as normal or "flash" mode. returns to position 2 when released

Like 5Cruiser I Dremeled out the back of the mirror switch plate to make room for the switch. I soldered wires to the switch and used 3M bullets on the connection to the toyota wire harness. I left enough room to reconnect the DRL back to factory If I ever wanted to.

All told 35 minutes to make the mod. Very slick.

 

[fish2live]

I did the same mod and love it when I need it, which isn't too often though..

I already had that space taken up by my Dual Battery control switch so I added two toggle switches in the blank to the right...
one is DRL
the other one is passenger eject - comes in handy but I hate it when I hit the wrong one...

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Is this not illegal here in the US?

 

[bamachem]

Does AZ have a law that says you cannot disable DRL's? No federal law applies to individuals in this case. Manufacturers have to abide by DOT mandates, but individuals can bypass them. There are plenty of vehicles on the road that don't have them anyway.

 

[Topoguide]

Does AZ have a law that says you cannot disable DRL's? No federal law applies to individuals in this case. Manufacturers have to abide by DOT mandates, but individuals can bypass them. There are plenty of vehicles on the road that don't have them anyway.

Even if there is a law in AZ, or if the DOT laws do apply you could probably put a little sticker that says for off-road use only and be just fine.

I think my question here is what would your insurance say if you should get into an accident and you have a DRL discount, especially if the switch is in the off position. Yes I understand they probably wouldn't notice, however, if there was a fraud investigation or something was mentioned and they found out your DRL's were intentionally turned off they might take issue. Personally something I wouldn't want to deal with... so I would only use off-road, or maybe snow/fog with other lights on so there is a good [safety] reason why they would be off. Just my .02

 

[RobRed]

Lets not get off the rails here guys...

USDOT does not require any vehicle to have DRL. It is a voluntary industry practice by auto makers for the USA, likely because they don't have to change things from the foreign market. I'm in California but I did look into AZ law out of curiosity and cannot find any DRL law there (or here).

I have never seen a "DRL Discount" on insurance.

Now I have the option of not blinding people unnecessarily in situations where DRL is a nuisance.

 

[LCHardriver_02]

USAA has a discount for DRLs, but it is not a mandatory item, just a discount.

 

[RobRed]

USAA has a discount for DRLs, but it is not a mandatory item, just a discount.

Statefarm never mentioned it to me... how big of a discount?

 

[1loudLX]

Statefarm never mentioned it to me... how big of a discount?

State Farm has it as well. 15-25$/6mo depending on how much your premiums are.

 

[LCHardriver_02]

Yeah, I think USAA is about the same.

 

[RobRed]

I just checked with Statefarm and they don't off a DRL discount in California.

I did check with Geico and it's "up to" 3%... but on the other hand they quoted me about 34% higher overall premiums! haha

 

[RobRed]

State Farm has it as well. 15-25$/6mo depending on how much your premiums are.

Not here sir.

Auto Insurance Discounts in California

 

[1loudLX]

sorry?

 

[RobRed]

sorry?

I wouldn't be. For $3 a month I'll go ahead and keep my optional DRL.

 

[SupraTuRD]

RobRed, that's a clean install. What brand switch is that? It's a good looking switch... almost looks factory.

 

[RobRed]

I used a switch from my pile of electronic misfits... its a Accele. I got it from a car stereo shop a million years ago. They use them for low-profile secret location types of applications. Back in the day (before my AVIC) it was used to defeat the NAV nanny in my Alpine system.

 

[pman]

Is this not illegal here in the US?

No its legal.

FWIW all the newer (2010/2011) Lexus loaner cars that we have gotten recently all come with a DRL kill switch stock......

 

[Mxndrnks]

Help me out. I don't understand why some one would "want" to disable them. If they are blinding people... adjust them correctly... what am I missing?

 

[2000UZJ]

Help me out. I don't understand why some one would "want" to disable them. If they are blinding people... adjust them correctly... what am I missing?

I prefer being able to sit in a area with my 100 on and not broadcast my location. I prefer to lay low on the highway when I want to make up time and not have screaming DRL's for them to target easy in the early evening. When pulling up to camp sites I can kill all external lights and not wake up local campers or disrupt them. Looks better. It I want DRL's or to be seen I turn on a set of 55W HID and can't be missed.

 

[RobRed]

What 2000UZJ Said.

A few weeks ago I pulled up to a restaurant and got a sweet up front parking space. I was first to arrive so I wanted to sit in the rig with the heater on while I waited for my friends. With the DRLs on they were shining on the patrons with window seats. The only way to previously turn them off was to turn off the truck and refire so I could wait with the heater on. Now I have a handy switch so I can choose how my vehicle displays it's lighting.

So Mxn help me out... Why exactly wouldn't someone want to disable of toggle ?