Suggestion for product: Plug-n-Play Harness for Hyperflash Resistors

Hello! I installed the license plate light disable in reverse mod a little while back and I was very happy with the quality of the mod. I recently decided to upgrade my tail lights to LEDs and now suffer from the dreaded hyperflash issue.

The solution for this has been well known for a long time: just splice in some 50W resistors for each turn signal and you're good to go. Problem is this always involves using Scotchlok quick splice connectors, which are just plain terrible. The other option involves cutting up the factory harness and doing a tradtitional splice; doable, but I don't really want to cut up the factory harness.

I want to create a harness that would allow you to drop in between the tail light turn signal and the factory wiring harness and have spare conductors coming off the two wires needed, then those can be connected to the resistor in whatever way the user sees fit.

I spent some time digging around to find the correct Toyota connectors to do this, though I am unsure about finding the right pins/sockets and I worry that my crimp tool may not be good enough for the job. Is this something FBC might consider developing?

P.S. I am local to you, if the ship-from address was correct anyway. Happy to collaborate and make a solution that would help all 3rd gen owners!

 

https://fbchs.square.site/product/tacoma-2016-2023-rear-turn-t-harness-pair/14

But I run VLED tails w switchbacks myself. No extra resistance needed.

 

https://www.vleds.com/3g-tacoma-vt-tail-light-conversion.html

 

Well shoot, somehow I missed that on the website. Thank you! That is exactly what I was thinking.

I also appreciate the link to the VLED conversion, that seems like a good option... I just spent $220 on Diode Dynamics LEDs and I find it a little absurd that their parts don't include a resistor built in. I still have time to return those so I may go the VLED route.

Have a great day!

 

Resistors built in are no good, bulbs with those get too hot and end up having to use safety cutoffs when the bulb gets hot beyond a certain level. Happens when you leave them on for 5 or so minutes, like using the hazards. Ends up to where you no longer have a useful hazard function on the vehicle because of using those bulbs. So, be glad the DDs and other brands aren't the type with resistors built in. But VLEDS is a better option than DD for sure, since DD offers free returns I'd do that and get the VLEDS conversion.

 

@BLtheP and I really like the VLED stage 1 kit I linked. I’m actually currently running the triton stage 2 brake bulbs but someday plan to swap back to halogen like @BLtheP runs. I just need to build the harness. Maybe today is the day.

 

Awesome, thanks! I checked specs on the Triton setup versus the DD setup, seems that the VLED conversion will be roughly the same price all in but offers better output for reverse. I have requested an RMA for DD and I ordered the VLED kit.

 

I wouldn't recommend the Triton version...not that the reds are bad, they're super bright but the switchback they provide in the Triton kit (in my opinion) is not good. The amber while advertised as the same, is worse than the normal switchback in the normal kit. The white may be better, I didn't really test that but the amber in the Triton was bad enough that I didn't want to run that one. Just my opinion and observations.

 

And I'm going off @BLtheP 's analysis since it's more extensive than my own. I care a bit less, just happy to have amber turns. I'm currently running old MESO switchbacks from @Puppypunter (thanks Johnny) or perhaps they are vled made but unbranded/rebranded? I forget. Anyway, they are pretty similar to my MESO tails only no delay with turns (I should probably double-check that).

To me, the big gain is amber switchback turn / reverse making use of the clear bucket and a nice big C for brake, not necessarily the switch from halogen to led. The halogen bulbs seem like a perfectly fine option, are cheap and easy to replace, and make use of the reflector bucket to give a nice uniform light distribution which may be more important for brake than peak intensity. There's no getting around the need for LED's in a switchback bulb. I'm a bit on the fence about the parking light signal, on the one hand it's nice to have LED for that since it can stay on for extended periods and efficiency is good on the parking light circuit, on the other hand it's a delicate balance of intensity with parking lights, too much is annoying, too little is a safety concern. Also the larger LED bulb or the triton bulb doesn't employ the reflector properly like a halogen filament does, putting it at a disadvantage and sort of ruining whatever R&D went into designing that reflector bucket in the first place.

 

Don't discount the LED illuminating faster than an incandescent can. at Highway speeds, that fraction of a second equates to about 20 ft or so. I am in camp LED myself, but I do agree on the parking lights. Even the stock bulbs don't offer enough contrast in my opinion, especially when only half the "C" lights up for brakes. I also don't like the LEDs with resistors built in. Makes it harder to do absurd things with them

 

I do wish the incandescents were faster at illuminating, but I think the incandescents are more visible behind the red lens. The LEDs are such a darker tone that with the sun shining on the lamp, it's hard to see the LEDs when they're lit up (to me anyways). So I settled on incandescents. At least the light that alerts people the most (the 3rd brake), is LED and instant. Unless access cab.

 

Johnny and I run LEER shells so we're stuck with that crappy option unless/until Johnny gets off his ass and makes us replacement chmsl w the mini spots for chase, reverse, brake (morimoto? vled? I forget who makes those ones).

He has like 352 prototypes of the metal, just can't make it to approved, standards too high

 

I installed the VLED kit and I am much happier now, thank you all for the suggestions and thank you to FBC for pointing me to the ideal solution rather than just pushing a sale.

Overall I would say the kit delivers what I wanted, which is a MUCH better reverse light and LEDs that help match my OEM LED front headlights. I always thought it was really strange that Toyota built the truck with LEDs in the front but not in the rear.

Also the interior lights good lord don't even get me started... I found myself trying to read some mail in the truck and I was pulling out my flashlight so I could see it properly, and I realized the interior lights were on but they are just so pathetic. Highly recommend upgrading those if you haven't already.

 

Toyota actually did partial LED taillights on 2.5 gen Tacomas and I think a fair number had emitters fail. I run them in my ‘05. They aren’t super bright.

So, it’s not all that crazy that they didn’t do an LED taillight in 2020. It could have been a nice option, for sure. But Halogen bulbs are cheap and reliable so I get it.