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Brighter Reverse Lights?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by ThunderOne, Jan 20, 2017.

  1. Jan 20, 2017 at 1:15 PM
    #1
    ThunderOne

    ThunderOne [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Does anyone know if you can get a higher wattage reverse bulb in 1156?

    I have tried using a couple of "high wattage" LEDs but they end up being garbage and get dim after less than a year of use. I'm almost to the point where I'm going to have to slap some extra aux lights under the bumper somewhere.

    Any suggestions for me? I don't care if the bulb is halogen or whatever, just needs to be bright.

    Thanks
     
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  2. Jan 20, 2017 at 1:19 PM
    #2
    kgw

    kgw Well-Known Member

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    IMG_0007e_170da746df9310c7972a388aa5a2444efee2541b.jpg

    Inexpensive incandescents hooked into reverse lights: way brighter! Been on for a few years, no problems. Kit came from auto parts store.
     
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  3. Jan 20, 2017 at 1:22 PM
    #3
    Yota31

    Yota31 Well-Known Member

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    If you have a hitch laying around they make a add on piece on ebay that goes on the hitch and has to led pods on eachside. Just a suggestion
     
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  4. Jan 20, 2017 at 1:34 PM
    #4
    Sicyota04

    Sicyota04 Slowly but surely.

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    I just got done buying some 1156 LED Reverse lights from @csjumper2003 so far they're pretty bright. They have 10-5 watt Cree LED chips for a total of 900 lumens for each bulb. If you want anything brighter, you'll have to mount some flush mount pods or regular pods. I have these 4D optic 2500 lumen pods that I was going to mount below the rear bumper but I'm going to see how the bulbs work out first for a little while. I already have a set of those pods on my front TG bumper.

    IMG_5845.jpg
    IMG_4532.jpg
    IMG_1695.jpg
     
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  5. Jan 20, 2017 at 1:34 PM
    #5
    Yota31

    Yota31 Well-Known Member

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    Heres a few examples. And to correct a spelling error. It was supposed to say two led pods Screenshot_20170120-152545.jpg Screenshot_20170120-152448.jpg
     
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  6. Jan 20, 2017 at 1:42 PM
    #6
    ThunderOne

    ThunderOne [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I saw that in my search, I am thinking about getting those Kawell lights from Amazon and bolting them to the bumper, ebay has them too (for less money... it all looks like the same light just with a different "brand name" on it anyways)
     
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  7. Jan 20, 2017 at 1:46 PM
    #7
    ThunderOne

    ThunderOne [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I have these now, and they're so dim at this point that they're useless. I just analyzed the Amazon reviews with fakespot and the product got an F... 77% fake or questionable reviews

    JDM ASTAR Extremely Bright Max 50W High Power 1156 1141 1073 7506 LED Bulbs ,Xenon White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MC6799K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_rsOGybX6JE8PX


    These are the eBay aux lights I'll probably get if I can't find a good reverse 1156 bulb
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/291725438245

    They look exactly the same as the "Kawell" ones on amazon, probably because they are
     
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  8. Jan 20, 2017 at 1:50 PM
    #8
    Yota31

    Yota31 Well-Known Member

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    Another idea if you get aux. Lights. A guy around my town cut circle holes out on eachside of the grille and put like 2 inch circle led that the lip covered the circle up and looked professionally done. They were very bright
     
  9. Jan 20, 2017 at 1:57 PM
    #9
    ThunderOne

    ThunderOne [OP] Well-Known Member

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    do you have output pics of those 1156s?
     
  10. Jan 20, 2017 at 2:24 PM
    #10
    Sicyota04

    Sicyota04 Slowly but surely.

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    Not yet. Plus where I park, is under a lit car port. So I'll have to go somewhere dark and have my 7 year old daughter push on the brakes while I check out the output and take pictures. But nothing compares to auxiliary lighting
     
  11. Jan 20, 2017 at 2:26 PM
    #11
    ThunderOne

    ThunderOne [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I think if the truck is off but on 'acc' you can put it in reverse and it'll light up, but not sure about automatics
     
  12. Jan 20, 2017 at 5:20 PM
    #12
    Clay_916

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    Do you have a build thread? Your truck looks damn good :thumbsup:
     
  13. Jan 20, 2017 at 5:21 PM
    #13
    devinzz1

    devinzz1 Well-Known Member

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    Yes it will. Could also put your transfer case in neutral with park brake on.
     
  14. Jan 20, 2017 at 5:26 PM
    #14
    devinzz1

    devinzz1 Well-Known Member

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    I have ones similar to the jdm ones post above. Note: they aren't actually that blue irl

    DSC_0008.jpg
    DSC_0021.jpg
     
  15. Jan 21, 2017 at 10:09 AM
    #15
    skeezix

    skeezix Well-Known Member

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    I went through the "brighter backup light" thing in the 1990s. First I bought some brighter bulbs that I could swap in for my standard backup bulbs. They were brighter when I looked at them from behind, but useless for backing up when I was in the driver's seat. Next, I mounted some Hella 150 mm rectangular lights underneath the bumper. They lit up the area nicely but not enough to be really useful when I was backing up. I actually backed into a bush and bent one of them. If you do mount some, you could turn them to the outside about 15 degrees to give you a nice view of the area when it's blacker than a well-digger's ......

    You could mount one bright lamp on top of your shell and point it down, but the best solution (for me, anyway) is to just stop driving about an hour before it gets dark and make camp while it is still light enough to see where you are going ;) .
     
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  16. Jan 21, 2017 at 1:07 PM
    #16
    Sicyota04

    Sicyota04 Slowly but surely.

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    Thanks! No build thread. But I've done a ton of mods.
     
  17. Jan 22, 2017 at 6:04 PM
    #17
    Cowboycq

    Cowboycq Active Member

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    Could do flush mount led cubes in the bumper.
     
  18. Jan 22, 2017 at 6:18 PM
    #18
    98ToyoTaco

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    Maybe use some reflective foil in around the bulb? in the space the plastic piece that separates the lights?
     
  19. Jan 22, 2017 at 9:15 PM
    #19
    757yotas

    757yotas Well-Known Member

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    If you want a hitch, step, and lights for reversing then id look into a company called HitchWorks. They make some pretty cool hitch light combos.
     
  20. Jan 22, 2017 at 9:22 PM
    #20
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 Vehicle Design Engineer

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