3rd Gen Tail Light Comparison Video

Hey yall, this forum has been an incredible resource with my build, so I wanted to take the opportunity to make my contribution:

I recently changed up my tail lights and took the chance to film a comparison between:

• Stock
• Cali Raised LED Raptor-Style
• Alpharex LUXX-Series

Video linked here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0Vf33QfxrM

I've been using the Cali Raised LEDs for about a year and have had my concerns with their visibility- even having multiple drivers and police officers stopping me to tell me that it's hard to see the brake lights. So even though they're DOT-approved, ultimately it made me start doubting their safety.

I loved the black styling though, so when Alpharex came out with the LUXX series with brighter LEDS and amber turn indications, I jumped on it. Though they're pricier, not having to worry about my brakes & signals being visible was worth a premium to me.

Hoping somebody finds this helpful in their planning!

 

Nice. Great point on bright daylight test. Not good result for Cali Raised - it's actually bad, imho.

 

Nice comparison. My vote is still for the '20+ OE Pro tails + the Meso Total Tail. Insane bright + amber turns. So trick.

 

X2

Nice video OP

 

Very noice!

No doubt the Cali-raised are fairly useless. Too many people choose form over function. I am doing everything I can to get the attention of that knucklehead behind me off their phone and on me stopping. Insurance money isn't worth the insurance hassle.

I would be interested to add in how each assembly illuminates with the turn indicator and brake activated at the same time.

 

For those who just don't like the chrome (TRD Off Road stock) but prefer OEM brightness/styling , these have been good for me - also USR's have an unbroken vertical black thick line (like '21 Pros), unlike some aftermarket OEM styles I've seen.
https://***************/2021/02/03/...eplica-trd-pro-taillights-for-3rd-gen-tacoma/

 

Not a fan of any aftermarket ones other than the newer Meso ones. I opted for USR TRD Pro style tails. Threw in the Meso stage 2 led pack with it. Cant beat OEM+ sometimes.

 

Roger that, Casey. Goldilocks moments for me when looking at 3rd party - some too "cold", but most too "hot" (over the the top busy design, etc.). Sometimes OEM like is "hand in glove" even when modifying

 

I mainly ended up with the USR ones since I was trying to get rid of all the chrome. I would have gone with the complete Meso taillight... Buuuut im only on week 2 of owning my truck and the PO had purchased everything from Meso Customs including stage 2 leds for the oem lights.

So I ended up saving a ton of money in the end.