1 gen back up light bulb upgrade/other options?

What options do I have for back up lights, or installing flush mount rigid light, ect.

 

Pretty much whatever you want .

Since my mornings always start in the dark I use additional reverse lights to see.

Over the years I have mounted them in several different ways .

It comes down to your driving use I have torn a few off over the years

I was toying with the idea of a LED light bar mounted on my rear window protection rack just never installed anything.

 

$16 Antline 3157 3156 3057 4157 3056 3157LL LED Bulbs White, 12-24V Super Bright 1000 Lumens Replacement for Backup Reverse Lights, Tail Brake Lights, Turn Signal Lights (Pack of 4)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079HR11N...olid=2S9OY1IN85WK5&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

I put some led pods under my rear bumper and wired them in line with the reverse bulbs. They worked fine till I ripped them off while wheeling

I put some auxbeam led reverse bulbs in and they don't do much for me

 

Good info here.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-921-led-reverse-light-bulb-study.490137/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/gy6-35-hir-921-reverse-light-upgrade-vs-high-power-leds.474996/

 

I installed some LED bulbs because I have a camper shell with a tinted rear hatch which makes it hard to see while backing up in the dark. It did make a noticeable difference, and I'm happy with the results for the $15 they cost.

$15 JDM ASTAR Extremely Bright 2000 Lumens 360-Degree Shine 921 912 90-EX Chipsets LED Bulbs For Backup Reverse Lights, Xenon White

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GGK6QDW

 

I got some plug in LEDs to replace my backup lights. They are pretty damn bright (1000 lumens each). Really, if I wanted to go brighter, I'd have to go with some pods or something. Not quite the same as what was posted above, but same deal.

$18 JDM ASTAR Super Bright Error Free 921 912 3035 Chips White LED Bulbs For Backup Reverse Lights

https://www.amazon.com/JDM-ASTAR-Extremely-Bright-Reverse/dp/B01CRGU91Y/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2P38MUI1YQZIB&keywords=jdm+astar+921+led+reverse+light&qid=1570549887&s=automotive&sprefix=JDM+ASTAR+921+%2Cautomotive%2C204&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFMWFAwSlJFRlA3MUEmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA3NDY5MDEySkJXMlZRWkdOMTM2JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA5MjE2NjM5UzIzMzRTUE5aSjgmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl


For taking 3 minutes to install and zero wiring, by far the best $15 I ever spent.

 

I'd recommend starting out by replacing your reverse lights with some LEDs. I did this a few years ago and it made a world of difference. Got them from superbrightleds for pretty cheap.

 

And you really believe what Amazon description says . 1000 lumens in my fat a$$. I have them, they are 350lm max. Same with the other Amazon bulb from post #6: "Lumen: 1000LM/bulb; Wide Operating Voltage: 12V-24V DC; Current: 310MA; Wattage: 3.7W/Bulb; Length: 1.63", Diameter: 0.83"." - they are close to 350 lm too.

But, the truth is this is the best you can get from bulb that size. 350lm is close to what stock output is (actually incandescent P21W made by Osram is better with 420lm), it just the color makes it look "brighter". The only benefit of using LED replacement in stock socket is reducing the current running through wires - for 20 years old truck is it good thing.

By the way I have tested a bulb that size advertised as 2000 lm but the design was a bit different - it does have heat sink to keep LED chips in operating condition and mounts "through hole" (exposing heat sing on the back side of reflector).



It started at quite promising at 1.2A (over 1200 lm) but within two minutes the bulb get to hot and the internal circuit limited the current o 0.5A - that is 6W (about 600 lm). Still better than 350lm but that design will not fit into our reverse lamp housing anyway.

 

First, that 1000 lumens is likely for the pair, so 500 each is much closer to your 350 "max".

Second, I couldn't care less what the actual lumen output is, what it is rated at, or what the seller claims it to be. 4, or elevendy billion lumens.

What matters is that these things light up my neighbor's house when I back out. Stock lights I could barely see my own fence.

The seller could claim they are powered by unicorn farts for all I care.

 

From that Amazon link:




I'm just pointing out that most of e-bay and Amazon "description" is not even close to the truth. It is simple bullshit and should not be repeated on such nobble place like TW .

By the way do not trust pictures either - high K light looks brighter through camera chip than it is. This is why all pictures with 6K bulbs look "Oh my God, they are so bright"

By the way, I have exactly the same Amazon bulbs for reverse in my 4Runner. Yes, they are frigen bright and I light the whole neighborhood when I'm backing up, at least this is my perception . But the truth is they are the same as my old bulb I replaced them with. Just the color is "cool". And what is the most important for me (new car or old) they take less power, less current is running through all contacts and switches, less chance of heat damage. And the same goes for my Tacoma bulbs (Yes, I have LED everywhere there except headlights)

 

I did the same, bought some 921s from SBL and they work great.

 

Thanks for all the intel folks! Im going with the jdm astar 1200, I read all your posts, like the quick fix!

 

I've been happy with my Sylvania Zevos reverse light led's though its in my daily driver car. Expensive, but worth it and isn't like the other cheap junky led's that put the diodes all over the place using junky components.

If sellers only show pictures at night it is for a reason. The biggest struggle of led's are to match the light output and clarity as incandescents during the day. Night time is easy and cameras exaggerate the light.

 

These bulbs listed below do not fit 2000 tacoma

 

Just for clarification to anybody who is reading this thread and is confused like I was: as far as first gens go 1998 to 2000 uses 1156 and 1157 (dual filament) bulbs for all three tail light applications (1157-brake/ running lights, 1156-directional, and 1156-reverse) whereas in 2001 it appears they switched to a t-15/921 style bulb...at least for the reverse light as far as I can tell I'm not sure about the directional and brake lights but I would assume that those would also have undergone the switch. Maybe someone with a 2001-on could confirm this.
Also not sure what style bulb was used in the 95-97 models but I assume it's the same style as the 98-00 models.

 

still 1156 (turn) and 1157 (run/brake)

 

I tried the 1156 type LED backup bulbs in my '97 Taco when they first came out many years ago but they were literally melting the lenses. Don't remember the brand. What is currently about the brightest backup LED for the older Tacos like mine with the 1156 type bulb? The 1156 LED Landscape Light Bulb or what? 1156 LED Landscape Light Bulb - (18) SMD LED Tower - BA15S Retrofit Base - 325 Lumens - Natural White (superbrightleds.com)

 

So they just changed the reverse light then. I stand corrected. I guess that makes sense to switch to a bulb that's capable of higher light output for reversing only this way you're not blinding the driver behind you everytime you come to a stop or make a turn.
Anyways I use the 1156/1141/7506 bulbs that some AutoZones sell.... Sylvania zevo I believe.. they're decent definitely brighter than the stock bulbs but I also have quite a few options for lighting up the road behind me if: it's super dark and the sylvania's aren't cutting it, when I'm using the reverse camera, Or if someone behind me is blasting me with their brights
Those work lights on top of the cap put out some lumens too.

 

I have these bulbs coming now and will post feedback once installed.