Amber / Amber Switchback LED Option

This is for everyone who's considering converting their turn signals / DRLs to LEDs. After some experimentation I ended up with running single 3ohm resistor is the taillight cavity and haven't had an issue yet. For those trying to mess around with a new flasher or don't want to run resistors front and back this is a really good alternative. I like running my DRLs and having the resistors in the back don't come into play therefore nothing heats up unless the blinkers are actuated. the hazards run off a different relay so being stranded and having them on for an extended period of time isn't an issue either. My truck is a 2015 so YMMV with other applications.

 

And FWIW this is basically like getting a V3 Triton kit for 75% OFF and installs in less than 30 minutes using a single 10mm ratchet.

 

More detailed instruction please. Did you just swap LEDs and put resistor in rear only? Do your parking lights play into this? I did the switchback mod and dislike my parking lights being in, returning to amber only. So you have my attention...thanks in advance.

 

Correct. I did I direct swap of both the front and rear turn signals to 4157CK LED front and 3157 LED rear. Fronts are as easy as popping the hood and twisting a connector. The rear unscrews with two 10mm bolts. Once out pop the turn signal and replace. Once back in you tap both turn signal leads and jump them with a 3ohm resistor. Double stick tape the resistor to wall in the cavity next to the tailgate. It doesn't need to be screwed in as one might think because the resistor doesn't generate any heat unless the blinker is left on constantly. The DRLs function properly with full brightness and the LEDs will dim when your selector is switched to the parking or headlight position.

 

If you do this conversion please post your results your results here as well. Thanks!

 

Will do. Planning on tackling this tomorrow.

 

in for results

 

So I will post more on this later; however did change some things back today, but I don't have the ck bulbs. Who knew it mattered? A smart guy would have, not this guy. New bulbs in the mail. Will post results at finished product.

 

Which results?

 

so are your front DLR lights led amber and not switchback? I am interested in turning my DRL lights into the white/amber switchbacks and cannot find a DIY and if it is as simple as your set up I will just go ahead and upgrade my rear turn bulbs to amber leds as well. thanks.

 

just a heads up and I don't know if it matters but my parking lights do not blink at all. I have a sport and have turn signals in the mirrors so therefore my DLR lights turn into my turn signal. I have already upgraded my so called side marker/parking lights to leds and they stay white all the time when they are turned on.

 

Yes my lights are amber as I prefer to have my DRL's that color. I've never been fond of whites as the sole DRL's.

 

I have a Limited with lights in the mirrors as well. My DRL's are my turn signals and my parking lights have never blinked pre or post conversion.

 

ok just curious if your set up would work with the switchbacks but im guessing you have to have a different set up to have the switchbacks to work? sorry for all of the questions but for some reason with switchbacks its like a secret and you have to buy them before you can get any installation details for them.

 

Yeah I believe the switchbacks use a separate trigger for the blinkers. It makes sense as there's a different relay for the blinkers vs. the hazards. For example 6ohm resistors won't hyper flash hazards but will the turn signals.

I was just posting to alert everyone who chooses an amber/amber which technically isn't considered a switchback a MUCH cheaper alternative. Oddly enough it seems to have not gotten much attention so I still see people splicing up and tapping the fronts and rear blinkers or paying a fortune for the name brand VLED kit.

 

So I got the CK socket amber/amber bulbs. Installed with 3 ohm resistor (on each taillight). The DRL amber lights are dim without headlights on and function as turn signals; however, when I turn on the headlights the DRL ambers brighten (to full strength), and then do not flash with turn signal activated. Filament bulbs work as they should. Any thoughts? I'm thinking LED is internally wire backwards?

 

LED are actually directional, most times they won't work if placed backwards. Not sure about the CK bulbs but it wouldn't hurt to invert them. Do you have the same problems on both the left and the right side?

 

Tried that. CK bulbs won't work at all if they are installed backwards. Yeah same problem from side to side. The company I bought the LEDs from gave me a work around, but it appears as it does not pertain to my situation. I'm pretty electrical savvy, especially on 12V, but their workaround they provided me does not make any sense to me. http://v-ledsblog.com/2010/11/19/wh...-lights-dim-or-my-parking-lights-turn-on-why/ (And I don't feel like cutting wires to put in inline diodes for something that doesn't seem like it pertains) Especially considering your method is plug and play, with addition of 3 ohm resistor in rear taillights. Can you please provide me with link to your CK amber/amber lights? Gonna try a different set before I go cutting.

 

I don't have a link as I just buy them off of my friend. I'll look up some of the other packages I may have old packages around and I'll see if I can identify the manufacturer.