What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

I installed some LED backup lights. Because the ones on my AlphaRex taillights suck! I was gonna go with the hitch mount, but I decided just to weld my own brackets on the frame. I like the placement better. but what I really like is the results!

 

Installed a Homelink used mirror from Bobs Automotive Mirrors.
https://www.bobsmirrors.com/Gentex-Auto-Dim-Mirror-wHomelink®V5-Blue-Compass-Blue-Backlit-Buttons-Plug-Play-For-2016-2023-Toyota-Tacoma-TacomaWorld-Only-Pricing_p_1746.html

No more remotes falling off the sun visor.
There are 3 wires on the mirror plug, the blue is supposed to be always hot but its not.
Got the adapter from Bob's so Homelink is always on.
Ran a hot from the fuse box, works great.
Opens the gate and both garage doors.
The lights are blue except for the auto dim which is green.

 

Bearded SR AC .. love it

 

You should really read this. I was thinking about going the LED route at first but I didn't know what to get.... Had I not read through this I would have worse light output, and spent more money... H9 Phillips German is the ticket..

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-hid-vs-led-vs-halogen-h11-projector-headlights.589465/

 

4 exhaust systems? How many miles you put on your rig, or are you changing exhaust systems like underwear?

 

Since I just recently replaced my Phillips German H9 bulbs I actually read up on this a week ago. The HELLA H9 has slightly less output than the German Phillips H9...

I ordered the Phillips H9 and luckily received the German made (some are made in China). You could probably just grab the Hellas and rest easy for $20

 

Oh I like this a lot. If I could do this and figure out a way to cut the license plate light at the same time when in reverse I would be very happy indeed.

 

I replaced the backup/turn/brake lights in the back with VLED, but left the license plate lights alone. Backup camera view is not affected because the backup lights direct beam full-backwards. License plate lights will remain the halogen because all I am required to do for authorities is maintain what Toyota provided.

 

I hear you, so I cancelled those other 2 items, then ordered 2 of these, because the details mentioned made in Germany. Fingers crossed.

 

Again .. there was some useful information on this from crash a while ago.

I grabbed these lights and made the modifications... Super bright... Wide 180 degree pattern.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/baller-on-a-budget-under-30k-build.775717/page-2#post-27728498

 

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

 

I doubt that I will make a switch to a fifth exhaust. If I don’t like the AWE setup I will revert back to the Pro exhaust. I don’t do heavy off-roading so the high clearance exhaust won’t give me any benefit. When I first look into aftermarket exhaust, I read that the Magnaflow exhaust has drone sound and that steer me to the Borla. I had that setup for a while and then switch to Pro for mainly the polished black tip.

 

My truck is not a daily driver. I would guesstimate switching exhaust every 15k miles. This will likely be my last setup. I had the choice to go with Corsa or AWE. Opted to go with AWE as the Corsa will probably be too loud for my wife. Plus I like the dual tips setup. With the AWE exhaust I can remove the tips to make it high clearance if needed.

Plus it’s cheaper to switch exhaust vs buying a new truck. Maybe in a year or two when Toyota fix all the reliability issues on the 4th gen Pro

 

The Hella H9 2.0s are good, they have a very light coating which reduces output slightly over that of the Philips H9 but will also be slightly whiter/have a higher color temp. The HID H9 will not be pnp, it will require a ballast. Running HIDs in halogen housings is not advisable, the uplight allowance is not calibrated for HID output and will result in excessive glare to oncoming drivers. There are also no legitimate HID bulbs for halogen housings, just cheap Chinese junk, meaning their UV output will burn your projector bowls and ruin your headlights over time. There is also issues with rf and electrical interference from many cheap ballasts. If you want to do HID you need a full retrofit and should use OEM HID projectors at a minimum, best to use OEM ballasts as well and OEM grade bulbs from Osram and Philips. A reasonable HID setup will have costs approaching the OEM LED headlights, which then makes the $20 spent on Philips H9s to double your headlight out look pretty good.

 

Someone else posted here ... seriously did post ... "well, the HIDs I put in the halogen reeeeaaaally are brighter, but I cannot use my head unit to listen to anything when the HIDs are on ... oh well".

 

Don’t doubt it. Pretty common, especially when trying to listen to the FM radio. If using an OEM ballast you don’t have that problem and the HID headlights also ignite much quicker. Quality costs more.

https://youtu.be/BJNjxF7BWOA?si=KAAF4AmsiMds6Ycp

 

You must be biting your tongue at the number of posts today and yesterday about "no one has flashed me yet on the road and I AM HAPPY so ...".

 

I’ve got an extra harness for you when you need it.

 

...everytime I see another silver Tacoma, I get all fuzzy inside

 

Had mine installed about a year now. They are brighter.