Morimoto XB Amber DRL mod

It turns out it is possible to change the DRL on the XB’s from white to amber. Looking at the available (12v +) wires, we have:

Stock DRL (Green)
Headlight on (Pink)
Turn signal (brown)

XB blue (DRL bright)
XB white (DRL low + side marker)
XB yellow (Amber)

If you add a diode to keep current from flowing (as precaution) up the green, pink and brown wires you can then connect the green, pink and brown wires to the yellow wire. 12v to the yellow + white turns the white DRL off, Amber on and side marker on. The blue wire stays disconnected.

The problem now is there would be no discernible difference when the turn signal is on, so by adding a buck converter to drop the voltage we can dim the Amber DRL to create a turn signal effect for both a day/night DRL effect. The only downfall is we lose the sequential turn. To add the sequential turn back, we need to add an off delay relay to remove 12v from the pink or green wires for a tad over the duration of one turn signal sequence (since 12v is present on either wire during a turn signal). I also disconnected the resistor (small white wire connector) to keep the buck converters cool. No issues.

This is what it looks like with 10v (from 12v from pink wire) to the yellow/white wire and 12v (from 12v green wire) to the yellow wire. The Amber can be dimmed to around 9v. The brown wire supplies over 12v when the truck is on. I’ll be adding a timer relay next.

https://vimeo.com/487955451

A bit confusing if you haven’t messed with this kind of stuff, but not too bad. Total parts cost is less than $10 bucks + whatever is spent to house the parts. Heat shrink works fine too. To keep the sequential would be another $20 or less. That’s if you modify the XB harness.

 

Fully functional sequential turn + Amber DRL.

https://vimeo.com/489241616

 

I thought running the amber LEDs on the XBs was not advised due to the built in resistors overheating and failing prematurely. I believe SR owners could get the amber LEDs since they don't have the DRL off option on their stalk.

 

That is true. I’ve disconnected the resistor though. Also, I’m under driving them so they run cooler (Amber LEDs).

 

Hate to revive this - but is it possible to disable the DRL while still maintaining the sequental signal?

 

If you can disable the DRL in the head unit, this should achieve what you're looking to do....I believe. I don't have the XBs, so I could be wrong. I also don't understand why anyone wants to disable DRLs, they do help with making yourself more visible.

 

I agree. Its just im customizing a set for the tundra, using demons, and was curious to see if it was doable....

 

True, they still turn on when set to parking and headlights at the lower dim setting. Not sure how they effect the XB's though

 

Yes, don’t connect the DRL signal wire and that should do it.

 

so the signal and ground will activate when signals are on?

 

Yes, the green DRL signal wire turns the daylight DRL on when 12v is present. If the headlights are on and DRL is on, it dims the DRL. Just try it first so it makes sense before you make it permanent.

 

@rj_taco was this amber drl mod successful? I just picked up some white DRL morimotos and am interested in modding them to amber drl but also concerned about overheating resistors.

 

Could you possibly post a picture of how you modified the harness or is it all behind shrink wrap? Looking to do this on mine but i dont want to start cutting wires until i have a 100% plan of what im doing lol