Improving The 3rd Generation Tail Lights

I've always thought the 3rd generation brake lights and turn signals were lackluster. Those small little 'L' shaped dealies are thin, dim, and just not very vivid. They should've made 'em with bigger brighter lights that light up the whole panel. Too many times I'm behind a Tacoma and barely notice they're signaling a turn. And I've always preferred yellow turn signals like on the older generations.

So what are some good options to improve this? One thing I've seen out on the road a couple times are these strips of LEDs that go along the bottom of the tailgate, like these:

$45 OPT7 48" Redline Parlux Standard LED Tailgate Light Bar w/Red Turn Signal - IP67 Weatherproof Rigid Aluminum Frame Light Strip for Ranger Colorado Canyon - Full Function Reverse Brake Running

https://www.amazon.com/OPT7-Redline-LED-Tailgate-Light/dp/B00Z8TGYR6?th=1

They work in sync with the turn signals and reverse lights and are a real improvement. Any other ideas? And am I the only one who thinks the stock tail lights are just plain dismal?

 

Check out meso customs total tail kits.

 

That's interesting. They're sold out and can't see the price, but an earlier thread shows they're $150.

 

They sell quick. Follow the total tail for sale thread. The guy that makes them is active on the forums. Super cool dude. Products are top notch and customer service is even better. I have the stage 1 kit. It's a vast improvement over stock. If I had to, I would buy this product over and over.

 

Welcome to the forum from Eastern North Carolina.

Use your imagination.

https://youtu.be/isuOE3UoI4k

 

Good demo video, there. Definitely some ideas that look good...

 

stage 1 runs $150
Stage 2 runs $220 if I remember correctly (what I have)
stage 3 will probably run somewhere under $400 but somewhere in the $300-400 range. It released yet, just upgraded output leds. Just speculating for the price as pricing from VLED pricing for extreme brake lights ($175 a pair)
The last run of stage 1’s were in stock for weeks though

 

Toyota should have made oem led tail lights from the start. 4th gen T4R have them why not us

 

Every truck I’ve seen with a thin light strip below the tailgate has a bunch of burnt out LEDs and it looks like crap. When you have hundreds of individual emitters your chance of failures goes way up. Better to replace your factory bulbs with some good LED bulbs. You can wire up your tail and turn so that both segments light up together. I used a “Turn As Tail” module.