Gy6.35 HIR 921 reverse light upgrade (vs high power LEDs)

I broke one too. The other one is solidly installed.

Be careful when modifying the bulbs. Two pairs of needle nose pliers are required. One to keep pressure/stress off of the glass and the other to make the bends.

Good luck!!

 

I've had luck with gy6-35 bulbs by not risking modding the bulb, but by closing the prongs/little metal clip thingys in which they seat with a small screwdriver. Just bend each together and I found you can make them grab the bulb base very tightly. No wiggling loose from 2 different installs. Push each side in, the metal is malleable and soft and you can actually make them too tight, I had to lube the bulb ends to stuff them between the bent prongs.




From @hour thread
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2012-backup-bulb-hack-auxiliary-light-install-write-up.258384/

 

Awesome, glad they are good! USPS is jerking me around with my delivery so I've ordered another pair!

 

Great find and great first post!

I’m not quite happy with the disjointed thread update. I’m going to move all the updated material to it’s own section and retake the lux readings with my other meter so there is a more consistent apples to apples comparison throughout the thread.

 

Are these the bulbs we need? > https://www.bulbamerica.com/search?type=product&stq=12v+gy6.35#?currentPage=1&tags=451-800lm

 

I don't think any of those are ir

 

Those are 35w standard halogen 420 lumen bulbs.

These are the 35w IR Osram 860 lumen bulbs:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007X41XY8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_gJAgAbR1CCSYZ

Correct.

 

Kool, BUT.... why are there so many but's in life.... the Amazon link only had 1 bulb left ;-{

So I got it anyway (free shipping, what the hay) but I assume that the load wire is single and splits at the fixture, so I shouldn't have any issue while I wait to get the 2nd bulb.

If I what the bulb to light the passenger side, I put the higher watt bulb in the driver's side fixture?

Have you tried Iron Peaks socket mod?

 

So i got my bulbs and installed them in.


First of, patience is key to bend the prongs for it to fit snug. TAKE YOUR TIME!

The first set of pictures are the stock bulbs.





The second set is the Osram

The mod overall was easy and quick. Thanks OP for the detailed instructions.
Looking at it with my naked eye, it is brighter, but not 2x brighter to me (the numbers say otherwise).
Maybe its the 3rd gen housing? Ill go somewhere darker maybe next week and update with more detailed pictures.

-Dags

 

I think a bunch of people in this thread made a run on that link. I'm sure there will be more.

You can install just one and run the stock light in the other without issues.

I have not tried the socket bending mod. I was going to add that to the original thread too, after I retake some lux readings with my other lux meter so the numbers are consistent throughout.

Before and after pictures with lighting is always difficult to judge, as the camera adjusts the aperture so you are not comparing apples to apples, which is why I always do my pictures side-by-side. But compare the shadow cast by the electrical box to the left with the stock bulbs vs the HIRs. Stock there is barely a shadow. HIRs cast a shadow into the neighbors yard across the street. In general it can be difficult to tell though in areas with lots of light pollution like those pictured. Get the truck somewhere dark and try it out.

 

I completely agree. It is brighter. Im suspecting my eyes were catching my neigbors outside lights. I will do a comparison and some more pics somewhere darker and update with what i find.

 

I used the socket bending method. It took 2 seconds and the bulbs slipped in with good retention.

 

35w HIR lux reading with other meter:


Starved
With the 35w Osram HIR and the 30w Philips HIR installed at the same time, the max lux reading was 460 from the 35w Osram HIR, which was less than the 486 I had previously measured the 30w Philips HIRs at. The Osram should come in about 15% higher than the Philips based on the specs. Something was off. I initially used a newer professional grade light meter for the updated comparison reading, but went back to my hobbiest light meter to eliminate the variable with no better results. After thinking it through I realized the lights are choking on overloading the small gauge reverse wiring. Removing the 30w Philips bulb the 35w Osram shot up to 529 lux, a 15% improvement. This places measured readings of the Osrams about 10% brighter than Philips, which is approximately inline with the specs.

If you've read my other lighting threads about installing a standalone harness, this is proof of the benefit. Stock wiring hinders performance when turning up the wattage by restricting power. In this case an 860 lumen bulb is failing to provide performance of even a 750 lumen bulb due to inadequate wiring. A relayed standalone harness for the reverse lights would provide at least 15% benefit and likely more by going to a heavy gauge wire. This would also alleviate the load on the tow circuit while providing even brighter reverse lights. Note for future mod.

Thread updated accordingly, as I like to keep all relevant info in the OP.

 

Thanks for the information. Greatly appreciated! So, is it safe to run the 35w bulbs? They seem to be way brighter than stock. It would be nice if the 30w bulbs were available here in the States.

 

Yes the bulbs are safe and are significantly brighter than stock even on stock wiring. Their performance is just limited by the thin gauge OEM wiring, based on my testing it is at least 15% drop in output. Running a stand-alone harness would bring out their true potential.

 

Woohoo! I’m in for a 1st gen. Plug N Play stand alone harness. PayPalin’ you right now!

 

Ha! All my mods are DIY. I don’t sell anything.

 

That would be an act to get switched power back there to take full advantage for reverse lights

 

I already have power back there, I added a 12VDC outlet sometime ago. Just need to use factory wiring to operate a relay and short run of wire to the lights. May even be heaver gauge wire to trailer plug with 12VDC on it.

 

So would the stock wiring be the reason why I'm not seeing at least double the light output of the osram over stock bulbs?