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How To Install Switchback LEDs

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by SlimDigg, Apr 7, 2011.

  1. Apr 7, 2011 at 9:14 PM
    #1
    SlimDigg

    SlimDigg [OP] We Back!!

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    First off, huge thank you to mtucker and jblaze805. I couldn't have done it without you.

    I followed mtucker's write-up here:

    http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1s...gnals-running-lights-switchback-leds-how.html

    Please use it to fill in the blanks.

    Here we go:

    Materials:

    18 AWG wire (I would use thinner wire if I had to do it again)

    Quick Splice connector

    cf13 gl-02 LED Flasher (http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-...tion=DispPage&Page2Disp=/specs/CF13GL-02.html)

    Switchback LED bulbs (http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED/Turn-Signal-LED/White-LED/CK-TYPE-2-DUAL-COLOR-p7431626-1-2.html)

    Philip head screwdriver

    10mm socket

    mtuckers guide :D

    [​IMG]

    After buying the wrong LED flasher, the first thing I wanted to do was test out the one new one. You'll need your screwdriver and socket here.

    [​IMG]

    I guess I missed a photo here but you should be able to figure it out.

    Remove the screw and 4 10mm bolts holding in the piece under the steering wheel.

    The ones above and below the ebrake:
    [​IMG]

    I didn't disconnect the hood release, mostly because I didn't know how to too and also because you don't need to.

    [​IMG]

    On the backside of the fusebox, the stock flasher it at the top:

    The grey thing:
    [​IMG]

    Reach your hand up there and wiggle it out. Mine was in there tight, wiggle and it will come out. Replace with LED flasher unit. Test your signals to make sure everything is still working. It should be all normal.

    Put your dash back together.

    Now the bulb swap.

    Drivers side stock:

    [​IMG]

    Turn the socket counter clockwise:

    [​IMG]

    Gently wiggle out:

    [​IMG]

    Clean the dirt around where the socket came out.

    Gently remove the stock bulb with a tug and wiggle:

    [​IMG]

    I then inserted the new led bulb and tested it. It should work normally if you don't add the new wire in:

    New LED bulb:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    This was the most time consuming part. Once I figured it out and it was easy.

    Following mtucker's guide to take the socket apart, I stuck my flathead screwdriver in to push down the tab connecting the socket to the wiring. I couldn't pull it apart with my hands. I used my flathead to gently push each side until the socket came free.

    Please refer to mtuckers guide to take apart the socket and add the wire:

    http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1s...gnals-running-lights-switchback-leds-how.html

    His pictures are great I didn't feel the need to make my own.

    The wire I had was too think so I had to cut the smaller rubber plugs in half. I ended up losing the passenger side one, So I stuffed a small piece of foam in with the wire.

    I then installed the extra wire and ran into a problem. All my stock wiring was still intact, nicely pinned and wrapped. I didn't want to disturb any of the that and all the spaces were really tight to work in. This is where the add a fuse comes into play.

    I opened my fuse box and investigated:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    My original choice was to use the empty 15amp Fog fuse. I got to the auto parts store looking for my add a fuse and they didn't carry and couldn't get any 15mp ones. So I took the 10amp add a fuse and decided i'll jsut figure it out.

    I ended up using the LH headlight fuse.

    Remove that fuse and put in the AAF:

    [​IMG]

    I stuck the original 10amp fuse back in the AAF. Then I took the wire I added to the driver signal and ran it into the AAF (the blue connection at the bottom of the picture above. The 18 gauge wire didn't fit really good inside the 16 gauge AAF I bought, but it did fit so I tested:

    [​IMG]

    Success!!!!!

    Since my wire didn't sit really nice or crimp correctly, I just wrapped it all up in electricians tape.

    Repeat the stock bulb removal and add a wire to the passenger side. I ran my wire around the firewall and over to the fusebox.

    I then used the quick splice connector to hook the passenger side wire into the driver side wire before the add a fuse:

    It's the blue thing at the bottom of the picture:

    [​IMG]

    Once everything was tested I wrapped up sockets with electrical tape because I felt the rubber plug I cut in half (and the foam) weren't going to do a great job :

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    DONE

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8xNORBsh8s

    One other note, my headlights used to come on automatically. I never had to turn the lights on, they were full power always. After installing the leds, the passenger lamp only half lit up and now I have to actually turn the lights on. No big deal.
     
    linoidfinish and mtucker like this.
  2. Apr 7, 2011 at 9:55 PM
    #2
    kyle39

    kyle39 Reppin' BC

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    Deck plate mod, rhino lined, A.r.e. flush glass shell, 265/75/16 Duratrac's, MB72 rims, Full OME lift, Dakars in the rear, Tint allround
    Noice write up:thumbsup:
     
  3. Feb 22, 2012 at 9:08 PM
    #3
    rnijjar17

    rnijjar17 Well-Known Member

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    hey what is the led flasher for is that to prevent hyperblinking or soemthing?
     
  4. Feb 23, 2012 at 5:28 AM
    #4
    clarkie152

    clarkie152 Well-Known Member

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    Yes. It eliminates the hyper blink. LED use less power and therefore cause the hyperblink. This will eliminate that.
     
  5. Mar 5, 2012 at 12:41 PM
    #5
    rnijjar17

    rnijjar17 Well-Known Member

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    hey so i installed the switchback leds exactly ass you showed me to and they look awesome but the only problem is the driver side keep flickering and sometitmes both of them turn off when i press the break how do i fix this issue?
     
  6. Jun 9, 2012 at 8:41 PM
    #6
    J88logue

    J88logue NorthWest Member

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    Im having the same brake issue...
    I have resistors to install that should take care of the hyper blink -
    But when i hit the brake the left side goes out and same with when i brake to shift in reverse both sides go out. .... kinda bull shit if you ask me.
    I may try to send this all back.
     
  7. Jun 10, 2012 at 3:17 PM
    #7
    Tacomagirl64

    Tacomagirl64 Well-Known Member

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  8. Oct 28, 2012 at 7:24 PM
    #8
    MatthewMay1

    MatthewMay1 I'm an amateur professional.

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    Just did this to my truck. It's awesome!
     
  9. Jan 2, 2013 at 9:33 PM
    #9
    DHwreckage

    DHwreckage Well-Known Member

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    kinda late but do the new switchback lights actually provide usable light or do they just look cool? kinda considering this to brighten up the road for driving to the mountains if they produce noticeably bright light.
     
  10. Jan 3, 2013 at 9:01 AM
    #10
    J88logue

    J88logue NorthWest Member

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    nope, they are more of a running light, you will barely notice them on the road even at night time.
     
  11. Jun 11, 2013 at 6:18 AM
    #11
    smill24v

    smill24v New Member

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    35's 4" lift, switchback leds soon to come!
    I'm real beginner level with wiring so bear with me...If I install the LED flasher and run a wire from the 3rd hole in the socket (without the contact) and tap into the positive wire on my corner light, these lights will be on when I turn my corner lights on correct? Also, can someone tell me if this wiring set up is correct? I've read through most of the threads on this that I could find and it seems right but if anyone has any input please let me know, any help is appreciated! thanks! :thumbsup:
     
  12. Jun 11, 2013 at 7:07 AM
    #12
    taco terror

    taco terror 1st gen = best gen

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    Wow, this is really cool. Nice write up :thumbsup:
     
  13. Jun 12, 2013 at 7:43 PM
    #13
    bellassaiw10

    bellassaiw10 Formally afroman5015

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    I might do this but have my parking lights on my 00 also as my turn signals
     
  14. Jun 13, 2013 at 3:51 AM
    #14
    smill24v

    smill24v New Member

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    35's 4" lift, switchback leds soon to come!
    I got everything wired fine but now when I put my blinkers on, the white color blinks...it doesn't switch back to amber. any ideas on what might be wrong?
     
  15. May 16, 2015 at 8:53 PM
    #15
    Rebel Taco Man

    Rebel Taco Man Well-Known Member

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  16. May 31, 2016 at 4:29 PM
    #16
    Myfirsttacoma00

    Myfirsttacoma00 Member

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    So does this make both the parking (corner) lights and turn signal (fog) lights blink at the same time like if they are both turn signals?
     
  17. Jun 2, 2016 at 1:08 PM
    #17
    PrerunnerVsix

    PrerunnerVsix Well-Known Member

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    anyone done this on a pre 2001 tacoma?
     
  18. Feb 18, 2019 at 8:40 AM
    #18
    Backinblack03

    Backinblack03 Well-Known Member

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    ABS sucks.
    If anyone doesn't want to just stick copper wire through the back of the connector, the Toyota 3-way connector is P/N 90980-11020, and the pins are the 6mm pitch type low insertion force P/N 82998-24400 or 82998-24410 (not sure why 2 part numbers). The blank sealing plug is P/N 90980-09152. I had some salty water get into one of my turn signal housings and it caught fire before the fuse blew, so I've been doing the research to replace the pigtail connector. The bulb socket came with the new turn signal housing, so that was a bonus...
     
  19. Feb 18, 2019 at 8:41 AM
    #19
    Backinblack03

    Backinblack03 Well-Known Member

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    ABS sucks.
    Bad ground.
     
  20. May 4, 2019 at 6:06 PM
    #20
    LaTaco03

    LaTaco03 Member

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    If you don’t mind me asking what led bulbs did you use?
     

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