1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Anyone ever upgrade to LED reverse lights?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by jeg0005, Apr 7, 2021.

  1. Apr 7, 2021 at 3:52 PM
    #1
    jeg0005

    jeg0005 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2019
    Member:
    #280139
    Messages:
    678
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jon
    BHM, AL
    Vehicle:
    2001 Tacoma SR5 double cab
    Full OME 883s, SPC UCAs, 33" STT Pros
  2. Apr 7, 2021 at 4:02 PM
    #2
    Kairide

    Kairide Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 20, 2020
    Member:
    #328694
    Messages:
    1,179
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 White SR5
    I use Meso's total tail stage 1 which has VLEDS LED switchback reverse lights, they work great. It's easy to just replace your OEM halogen reverse lights with Meso's total tail stage 1. Another option if you want just LED reverse lights is VLEDs V6 extreme reverse light LEDs. The V6 VLEDs are plenty bright and a solid product.
    Those Diesel LEDs look like your standard made in China junk.
     
    jeg0005[OP] likes this.
  3. Apr 7, 2021 at 4:07 PM
    #3
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2011
    Member:
    #51038
    Messages:
    17,612
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Justin
    El Dorado, CA (NOT El Dorado Hills)
    Vehicle:
    '04 TRD Tacoma 4x4 DC
    Kings, J59's Total Chaos UCAs Custom skids Sticker mod
    These are just plug in replacements for the OEM ones. No real need for external pods, IMO.

    I got them from Amazon, but superbrightLEDs has basically the same ones.

     
  4. Apr 7, 2021 at 4:14 PM
    #4
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,563
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    Those are cheap generic brand LEDs, you can find the same ones on ebay or others for way less. Obviously the output is greatly exaggerated and not to be believed.
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/AUXITO-T15...LM-White-for-Toyota-Honda-CSP-EA/303313419262

    Light output is initially high but will rapidly decrease. More reputable sellers will also warn you that the product isn't intended to stay on for long and risks overheating and early product failure, so might be great for a parking lot, but not if you need to reverse down long portions of a trail.

    You might consider this instead. One member ran both the lights you linked above and this HIR upgrade, and said the HIR upgrade was significantly better.
    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/gy6-35-hir-921-reverse-light-upgrade-vs-high-power-leds.474996/
     
    This site contains affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
    #4
    jeg0005[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  5. Apr 7, 2021 at 4:36 PM
    #5
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2011
    Member:
    #51038
    Messages:
    17,612
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Justin
    El Dorado, CA (NOT El Dorado Hills)
    Vehicle:
    '04 TRD Tacoma 4x4 DC
    Kings, J59's Total Chaos UCAs Custom skids Sticker mod
    Also:

    Any "ad that pops up" is generally about as trustworthy as those ads that tell you there are girls nearby who want to meet you.

    In other words: just. don't.
     
  6. Apr 7, 2021 at 5:01 PM
    #6
    OpeCity

    OpeCity Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2021
    Member:
    #357705
    Messages:
    2,304
    Long Beach, CA
    I got Phillips LEDs thinking they’d be brighter but they’re not much better than stock. Really looking for a better solution that isn’t $55 like the dieselleds
     
  7. Apr 7, 2021 at 5:45 PM
    #7
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,563
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    The Philips LEDs were tested here:
    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-921-led-reverse-light-bulb-study.490137/

    I’d recommend checking out the HIR upgrade I linked earlier. If really wanting LED you might consider Diode Dynamics XPR LEDs, they are $90 though and their stable output is lower than the HIRs.
     
    jeg0005[OP] likes this.
  8. Apr 7, 2021 at 6:18 PM
    #8
    OpeCity

    OpeCity Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2021
    Member:
    #357705
    Messages:
    2,304
    Long Beach, CA
    Thanks, but I have an 1156 bulb truck so I think my options are more limited than 921 trucks :(
     
  9. Apr 7, 2021 at 6:40 PM
    #9
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,563
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    That is a much more difficult challenge.
     
  10. Apr 7, 2021 at 8:38 PM
    #10
    DashMaple

    DashMaple Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2018
    Member:
    #244129
    Messages:
    980
    Gender:
    Male
    Louisiana
    Vehicle:
    01 V6 4wd PreRunner DCSB OME lift
    I second the HIR mod, i had some cheap LEDs and i could not see a thing when reversing at night. I can see everything with the HIR bulbs now
     
    jeg0005[OP] and crashnburn80 like this.
  11. Apr 10, 2021 at 4:56 AM
    #11
    jeg0005

    jeg0005 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2019
    Member:
    #280139
    Messages:
    678
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jon
    BHM, AL
    Vehicle:
    2001 Tacoma SR5 double cab
    Full OME 883s, SPC UCAs, 33" STT Pros
    Did you do the wiring upgrade he mentioned as well?
     
  12. Apr 10, 2021 at 8:38 AM
    #12
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,563
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
  13. Apr 10, 2021 at 5:31 PM
    #13
    1997tacomav6

    1997tacomav6 V6 5sp,RegCab,TRD Supercharger,Haltech,meth, 750k

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2013
    Member:
    #113940
    Messages:
    10,235
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Denver
    Vehicle:
    97 reg cab, v6 5sp 300hp supercharged, Methonal Injection, 750,001 plus miles, Original Owner
    V6 5sp,RegCab,TRD Supercharger, 1.9” pulley, methanol injected Haltech ECU, AC TRD supercharger,(MUST DO) TRD supercharger ported, every 125,000- 150,000 needs rebuild Projector headlights HID 5 speed manual Amsoil for all drive train Smaller 2” pulley, (MUST DO) 2004 DESNO fuel injectors, zero ping ping, 2004 side door mirrors Dick Cepek Rims, Michelin tires LTX, ( that last 100,000 miles) Now running Dynopro ATM mud and snow tires KN cold air intake Cat back exhaust with ss exhaust tip, Raised exhaust tail pipe to 2" below body line Optima*dry cell battery,red top Alpine sirius radio, 200 watt amp, focal is165 split door pod speakers Focal door speakers Subwoffer behind seat Viper alarm, Electric Locks Dark tinted windows, bucket seats corbeau lg1 Tacoma Rubber floor mats TRD fender extenders, Bilstien shocks, King shocks nerf bars, add a leaf for rear springs trailer iv hitch, electric brake control, Drilled slotted brakes, High carbon steel (MUST DO) EBS green stuff 7000 series pads(MUST DO) TRD engine oil cap TRD stick shift, Marlin crawl shift kit. Rear sliding window 2002 4Runner functional hood scoop cut into Tacoma hood, 4Runner dual overhead map light Gentex Auto dim + Compass + Temp, garage,rearview mirror Snow Methonal kit stage 2 Custom 3 core aluminum radiator Linex bed liner Haltech stand alone ECU, Intake supercharger gauge. Stainless steel brake lines, Custom leather wrapped steering wheel,
    These work well

    20210410_173711.jpg
     
  14. Apr 10, 2021 at 6:11 PM
    #14
    1997tacomav6

    1997tacomav6 V6 5sp,RegCab,TRD Supercharger,Haltech,meth, 750k

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2013
    Member:
    #113940
    Messages:
    10,235
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Denver
    Vehicle:
    97 reg cab, v6 5sp 300hp supercharged, Methonal Injection, 750,001 plus miles, Original Owner
    V6 5sp,RegCab,TRD Supercharger, 1.9” pulley, methanol injected Haltech ECU, AC TRD supercharger,(MUST DO) TRD supercharger ported, every 125,000- 150,000 needs rebuild Projector headlights HID 5 speed manual Amsoil for all drive train Smaller 2” pulley, (MUST DO) 2004 DESNO fuel injectors, zero ping ping, 2004 side door mirrors Dick Cepek Rims, Michelin tires LTX, ( that last 100,000 miles) Now running Dynopro ATM mud and snow tires KN cold air intake Cat back exhaust with ss exhaust tip, Raised exhaust tail pipe to 2" below body line Optima*dry cell battery,red top Alpine sirius radio, 200 watt amp, focal is165 split door pod speakers Focal door speakers Subwoffer behind seat Viper alarm, Electric Locks Dark tinted windows, bucket seats corbeau lg1 Tacoma Rubber floor mats TRD fender extenders, Bilstien shocks, King shocks nerf bars, add a leaf for rear springs trailer iv hitch, electric brake control, Drilled slotted brakes, High carbon steel (MUST DO) EBS green stuff 7000 series pads(MUST DO) TRD engine oil cap TRD stick shift, Marlin crawl shift kit. Rear sliding window 2002 4Runner functional hood scoop cut into Tacoma hood, 4Runner dual overhead map light Gentex Auto dim + Compass + Temp, garage,rearview mirror Snow Methonal kit stage 2 Custom 3 core aluminum radiator Linex bed liner Haltech stand alone ECU, Intake supercharger gauge. Stainless steel brake lines, Custom leather wrapped steering wheel,
    The gy6.65 halogens ended up being less bright than the LEDS I had in there.

    I switched back to the LEDS I had before
     
    Last edited: Apr 10, 2021
  15. Apr 10, 2021 at 6:41 PM
    #15
    bagleboy

    bagleboy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2017
    Member:
    #226018
    Messages:
    6,794
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Scott
    Norcal, Santa Rosa
    Vehicle:
    2014 5-lug AC 2.7L VVTI
    Snug top Rebel, Thule tracks, ditch tracks, Bagged rear suspension, F/R anytime camera, intermittent wiper switch...
    In your shoes I’d give these a shot. https://www.amazon.com/JDM-ASTAR-Ex...0c2e1bd9cff&pd_rd_wg=DJHZV&pd_rd_i=B00MC6799K
    Mainly due to the lack of plastic. All aluminum with steel cups.
     
    jeg0005[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  16. Apr 10, 2021 at 8:47 PM
    #16
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,563
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    Are you sure you ran HIRs and not the gy6.35 halogens that look the same? Which LEDs are you running, because I’m not aware of any plug and play units without massive external heat sinks that have higher stable output than the HIRs.

    There is the very common misunderstanding when people judge output by looking at the lights facing the truck rather than what look at what they illuminate facing away from the truck. Even cheap poor performing LEDs will hurt you eyes looking at the truck because human eyes are sensitive to high color temp/short wavelength light (which LEDs produce), and not low color temp long wavelength light (which halogens produce). Aka, looking at a given light source humans will rate LEDs as brighter because it hurts their eyes more, even though the halogens are actually higher in output.
     
    Last edited: Apr 10, 2021
    1997tacomav6[QUOTED] likes this.
  17. Apr 10, 2021 at 10:03 PM
    #17
    1997tacomav6

    1997tacomav6 V6 5sp,RegCab,TRD Supercharger,Haltech,meth, 750k

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2013
    Member:
    #113940
    Messages:
    10,235
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Denver
    Vehicle:
    97 reg cab, v6 5sp 300hp supercharged, Methonal Injection, 750,001 plus miles, Original Owner
    V6 5sp,RegCab,TRD Supercharger, 1.9” pulley, methanol injected Haltech ECU, AC TRD supercharger,(MUST DO) TRD supercharger ported, every 125,000- 150,000 needs rebuild Projector headlights HID 5 speed manual Amsoil for all drive train Smaller 2” pulley, (MUST DO) 2004 DESNO fuel injectors, zero ping ping, 2004 side door mirrors Dick Cepek Rims, Michelin tires LTX, ( that last 100,000 miles) Now running Dynopro ATM mud and snow tires KN cold air intake Cat back exhaust with ss exhaust tip, Raised exhaust tail pipe to 2" below body line Optima*dry cell battery,red top Alpine sirius radio, 200 watt amp, focal is165 split door pod speakers Focal door speakers Subwoffer behind seat Viper alarm, Electric Locks Dark tinted windows, bucket seats corbeau lg1 Tacoma Rubber floor mats TRD fender extenders, Bilstien shocks, King shocks nerf bars, add a leaf for rear springs trailer iv hitch, electric brake control, Drilled slotted brakes, High carbon steel (MUST DO) EBS green stuff 7000 series pads(MUST DO) TRD engine oil cap TRD stick shift, Marlin crawl shift kit. Rear sliding window 2002 4Runner functional hood scoop cut into Tacoma hood, 4Runner dual overhead map light Gentex Auto dim + Compass + Temp, garage,rearview mirror Snow Methonal kit stage 2 Custom 3 core aluminum radiator Linex bed liner Haltech stand alone ECU, Intake supercharger gauge. Stainless steel brake lines, Custom leather wrapped steering wheel,
    My mistake, the gy6.65 halogens are not a bright as the LEDS I have looking at the light output on the wall not looking at the light bulbs.

    I don’t remember the maker on the LEDS I bought them two years ago

    Resized_Resized_20210219_172602(1).jpg
     
  18. Apr 11, 2021 at 8:57 AM
    #18
    bagleboy

    bagleboy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2017
    Member:
    #226018
    Messages:
    6,794
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Scott
    Norcal, Santa Rosa
    Vehicle:
    2014 5-lug AC 2.7L VVTI
    Snug top Rebel, Thule tracks, ditch tracks, Bagged rear suspension, F/R anytime camera, intermittent wiper switch...
    I use the Auxito ones in my second gen but being 921 they can accommodate a larger base for heat sinking. I would weigh whether trying to rival 921 output is worth it using lamps with much smaller bases. If you find some that are really bright down the road you might find your sockets have been cooked. This won’t be a problem if you only use them briefly while in reverse but that’s different from lights designed to be left on for longer like pods etc. Fwiw differences in lumen output are easier to measure than see so I personally choose based on what looks like well thought out construction rather than posted absolute numbers.
     
  19. Apr 11, 2021 at 11:45 AM
    #19
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,563
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    Hmm, unsure what to tell you here. It is exceptionally that those LEDs would outperform the HIRs. LEDs (especially those from 2 years ago) need massive external heat sinks that sit outside of the tail light assembly to run high enough power to compete with the HIRs or in the very latest highest tech expensive LEDs they briefly exceed the output with very high power draw but then quickly drop off as heat becomes an issue and output drops to levels lower than the HIRs. The LEDs you posted are definitely not either of the above exceptions.

    Id speculate one of the following:
    A) A very short range door test was misleading due to color temperature.
    B) The wrong gy6.35 bulb was used, either non-IR bulb or a lower wattage bulb.
    C) Something is wrong with your trucks reverse wiring such as corroded connectors that cause reduced voltage to the reverse lights, which will substantially hurt halogen performance but not LED performance.

    This thread might be interesting for context, and this is using the lower performing 30w Philips HIR for comparison, not the newer higher output 35w Osram HIR.
    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-921-led-reverse-light-bulb-study.490137/
     
    1997tacomav6[QUOTED] likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top