What’s up guys, welcome back to Morimoto Lighting. I’m Bear, and in this guide we are walking through two different Morimoto 4Banger installs on a Toyota Tacoma. We tested and installed the fog light replacements first, then moved up to the A-pillar ditch light setup. If you have been researching a Morimoto 4Banger fog light install Tacoma owners can actually do in the driveway, this is the walkthrough for you. Before we get our hands dirty, let’s break down exactly what the 4Bangers are all about, then get straight into the install.
What the Morimoto 4Banger Is All About
The Morimoto 4Banger fog light replacements fit the 2012-2015 Toyota Tacoma, while the A-pillar brackets fit 2005-2015 Toyota Tacomas. That is an important distinction because the fog light housings changed on newer trucks, so double-check your year before ordering. For the fog location, the kit we used is the 12-15 Toyota Tacoma 4Banger LED Fog Lights, and for the ditch light setup we used the 4Banger A-Pillar Ditch Light System for the 05-15 Tacoma.
With the 4Banger there are two different levels. The entry level uses a Nichia chip, and we call this the NCS version. The second level is for the premium users, the off-roading crowd, the top dog of pod lights. That application uses the Osram chip, and we call it the HXB or HX Boost. Once you decide what level you want, you move on to the beam pattern.
Beam Patterns and Colors
There are three different patterns to choose from: spot, wide, or a combo driving pattern. All three patterns come in either amber or white. The wide pattern is the one most people are drawn to because it helps increase night visibility and works as a fog light replacement. No matter if you choose the NCS or the HX Boost, you will experience the same driving beam pattern for a given pattern choice.
The combo beam pattern is a cool spot beam with a little bit more fill, and it stacks up to the competition very well. The spot beam pattern is still an incredibly bright, tight beam that looks like a square, and that shape is on purpose because at Morimoto we know a thing or two about beam patterns. If you want to see the exact NCS wide option we like for fog use, check out the 4Banger NCS Wide Beam LED Pods.
White Versus Amber and the Yellow Lens Tradeoff
One thing to note is your light output will be a little bit less with the yellow lenses. On the higher end, the HXB uses the Osram chip, but it does not come in yellow. The white light has to pass through the yellow lens, losing about 30 percent of its brightness, so Morimoto chose not to offer that combination. Something neat about the entry level is that those Nichia chips do come in a yellow option. Having a yellow light source pass through a yellow lens does not lose as much, so the light output is closely matched to that of the white counterpart. If you specifically want an amber pod, the NCS is the way to go. Prefer the premium Osram output in white? You can grab the HXB Wide Beam pods at The Retrofit Source.
Footprint, Fitment, and Street Legality
The overall footprint of the 4Banger is approximately 30 percent smaller than alternatives that offer comparable performance. That smaller size allows for an unbeatable OEM-plus fitment when paired with Morimoto’s fog light or A-pillar mounting kits. With a standard and negative 3 degree aim, the beam pattern produced by the NCS wide beam model is designed to be compliant with the latest SAE F3 regulations for use as a street legal fog light. The HXB wide beam has a very similar beam pattern but too much intensity to be considered a street legal fog light. And lastly, the Morimoto 4Bangers are backed by a limited lifetime warranty. If you happen to have a newer truck, there is also a Headlight Revolution’s 16-22 Tacoma fog light kit that covers that generation.
Fog Light Replacement Install
Assembling the Adjustment Bracket
First things first, we added the adjustment bracket to the 4Banger. You will remove the two bottom screws, then replace them with the longer screws that are included in the kit. When placing your adjustment bracket, it only goes on one way. There are grooves on the very front side that line up with your 4Banger perfectly. Be careful not to over-tighten these screws.
Once assembled, put the 4Banger into your bracket. It dives in slightly, and you will hear a slight click so you know it is seated. Next, take the two screws from the kit and place them in the side holes. Then install the adjustment screw, which lets you adjust your 4Banger vertically once it is mounted. Finally, use the accessory harness that came in the kit and plug it into your 4Banger. This harness makes the pod a full plug-and-play replacement for your fog lights.
Removing the OEM Fog Light
Now down by the fog light, we removed the factory unit. Start by removing a 10 mil bolt and the fastener next to it. This truck has an aftermarket bumper, so it does not have every fastener an OEM bumper would, but keep that in mind if yours is stock. Next, remove the plastic push pin using a wedge tool to pop it up and out. Then tuck the black plastic piece up and out of the way to give yourself clearance to the OEM fog light.
With the OEM fog light visible, disconnect the factory harness, then take out the two side screws. Once those are removed, wedge the OEM fog light up and out.
Installing the 4Banger in the Fog Location
When installing your 4Banger, there is an indication of whether it is a left or right bracket. Look on the side and check for an L or R, then continue with your install. The 4Banger installs just like the OEM unit. Slide it into place, tighten down those two OEM screws, and plug in your OEM harness. That is it for that side.
A-Pillar Ditch Light Install
Mounting the Relay and Harness
With the fog light replacements done, we moved up to the A-pillars. Start with the harness. First, mount the relay, and make sure you mount it vertically so there is no water intrusion later on. We used the factory holes for our relay, but you can mount it wherever you like using zip ties or your preferred method.
Next, take the rest of your harness. There are two sides, light one and light two. We ran light one up to the driver’s side 4Banger, and light two comes with an extension harness so it reaches the passenger side pod. Route it over to the other side and tuck it in however you like. Our recommendation is zip tying it to the body harness to keep everything clean and out of the way.
Routing the Morimoto Switch
Morimoto came in clutch with the Morimoto switch already connected to your harness. There are two ways to run it. You can use a step bit to drill into the firewall and use the provided grommet, or you can route it alongside the OEM cab harness, which is what we did. The switch is on a barrel connector, so you can disconnect it and run it through a small hole, then reconnect it on the inside.
When installing your switch, you can place it anywhere in the cab you like, but make sure there is no metal or plastic interfering with the actual switch. Take off the locking nut, feed it off the harness, drill a 3/4 inch hole with a step bit or drill bit, route the harness up through that area, pull the switch through, then feed the lock nut back down and cinch it tight. Reconnect the barrel connector, tuck the harness deep, and you are good.
Installing the A-Pillar Bracket
Now it is time to install the A-pillar bracket, and you might need an extra hand for this. First, use tape to line up your hood so you do not get weird gaps on the side when you reinstall the bolts. Put the tape on the side, mark a line near the screw holes with a permanent marker, then cut down the center with a razor blade so you can line everything up at the end.
Before installing the full A-pillar onto the truck, mount the U-bracket onto your A-pillar bracket. Make sure the C-part is facing forward, drop the bolt in place, add the washer underneath, and screw it in. Tighten the nut with a 17 millimeter, but do not tighten it all the way just yet so you can adjust your 4Banger aim later. There is also a plastic piece included that lets you tuck the harness against the A-pillar for a clean look.
For this part, grab a friend to hold the hood so it does not fall onto the windshield. Remove the very front bolt and the back one. Be very careful, because this bracket is metal and will get damaged if you do not install it properly. Run the A-pillar in between the windshield and hood, seat it on the bottom side, and tighten it back down with the OEM bolts. Start with the front one, and use your tape guidelines to make sure the hood lines up just like before. If you want even more detail on this generation, here is our A-Pillar install walkthrough for the 2012-2015 Tacoma.
Mounting the Pods and Final Wiring
When installing your 4Bangers into the A-pillar bracket, use the two screws provided in the kit. Place the 4Banger and screw it on the side, which lets you adjust the vertical aim. Then take your door connectors and plug them into the 4Banger on both the driver and passenger side.
Finally, connect to the battery. Remove the bolt on the negative terminal, place your ground on it, and tighten it down. Then take the screw off the positive terminal and do the same. Test out your 4Bangers and tidy up any loose wiring, and you are finished.
Final Thoughts
That is a wrap on the Morimoto 4Bangers for the Toyota Tacoma. Between the fog light replacements and the A-pillar ditch lights, you get a big upgrade in night visibility with clean, OEM-plus fitment thanks to that smaller 30 percent footprint. If you want a street legal fog light, go with the NCS wide beam and keep that standard or negative 3 degree aim. If you are chasing maximum off-road output, the HXB wide beam brings the intensity. Either way, you are covered by that limited lifetime warranty. Head to our website, plug in your year, make, and model, and see everything else we build for your truck.
Frequently Asked Questions
What years does the Morimoto 4Banger fog light kit fit on the Tacoma?
The Morimoto 4Banger fog light replacements fit the 2012-2015 Toyota Tacoma, while the A-pillar mounting brackets fit 2005-2015 Tacomas.
What is the difference between the NCS and HXB 4Banger versions?
The NCS is the entry level pod light using a Nichia chip, while the HXB (HX Boost) is the premium version using an Osram chip and is described as the top tier off-road pod light.
What beam patterns and colors are available for the 4Banger?
You can choose from spot, wide, or combo beam patterns, each available in white or amber. The wide pattern is most popular for fog light replacement and improved night visibility.
Is the amber 4Banger available in both NCS and HXB versions?
The NCS entry-level version comes in a yellow (amber) option with light output closely matched to white, but the HXB does not come in yellow since its white LED must pass through a yellow lens, losing about 30 percent brightness.
Are the Morimoto 4Bangers street legal as fog lights?
The NCS wide beam pattern with standard or negative 3 degree aim is designed to meet SAE F3 fog light regulations, but the HXB wide beam has too much intensity to be considered street legal for fog light use.
Meet the Experts Behind Morimoto
Jimmy Nguyen – Engineering Manager
Jimmy leads engineering at Morimoto, bringing experience across customer support, supplier management, design engineering, and validation testing. His work ensures Morimoto lighting systems are engineered for real-world reliability and long-term performance.
Mike Hicks – Quality Control Manager
Mike oversees quality assurance at Morimoto, with a background spanning returns testing, RMA analysis, vendor quality control, and manufacturer scorecards. His focus is continuous improvement and accountability across the product lifecycle.
