LED Front Turn Signal conversion

I recently swapped out my original headlights for another set of OEM headlights. I used same turn signal bulbs and I swear that they are starting to discolor my new headlights already.
I did some digging into this and realized fogged headlights plague our trucks and some people speculate that the turn signal bulbs heats the housing. Anyone else have any information on this? Moreover anyone swap LEDs into turn signals without the computer telling you a lights out?

 

If you mean fog as in the the plastic on the outside is getting faded, that has nothing to do with the any of the bulbs.

 

You can swap to leds but will have to add a resistor so you don’t get the hyper blinker.

 

On the inside of the headlight there's a seperate lens for the turn signal. Mine is starting to look discolored like my old headlights.

 

Any idea where to solder the resistor in or how many ohm? I have a basic understanding of electrical but I'm quite terrible at it lol

 

Unfortunately no. I didn’t do the blinkers for just that reason. Didn’t feel like adding a resistor plus the resistors get very hot and need to be placed very carefully. When I did look into it, at the local auto parts store they actually carried the resistors right next to the bulbs.

 

There’s a relay that you can swap out on the fuse block under the dash that will fix the hyper blinker, can be had on eBay.

 

Nobody makes a flasher for Tacos with DRL. Since the OP mentions melting turn signals, that's a clue that he has DRL. I did away with my DRL, installed LED turnsignals and a Smart tap flasher, and I'm happy with how it works.

 

Any links for the parts you used? Yes you are right my turn signals are wired to my DRL and I would be happy to change that to your set up

 

This thread has the part number for the grey plastic jumper block.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/disable-dtrls.600706/#post-20188878

Here's the Smart tap flasher.

https://www.diodedynamics.com/smarttap-cf18-led-flasher-module.html

Here is a thread that goes into very good detail on how to install DRL. That's not what you want to do, but the disassembly instructions are there.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/05-drl-daytime-running-lights-install-oem.1475/

The front LED turn signals MUST be CK. If the description doesn't say CK, they're not CK. The rear turnsignal sockets only have 2 contacts so they don't matter if they're CK or not.

I bought most of my LEDs from jdmastar on ebay.

For a LED flasher in other vehicles not supported by Diode Dynamics, this is the place to go. I have 1 of their flashers in my RX8 and it does the same functions as the Smart tap flasher, plus it also does arrival lighting. (The Smart tap flasher lists arrival lighting as an option, but it doesn't work on Tacoma's. The departure lighting does work very well with the Smart tap flasher.)

http://www.autowindow.com/

 

I installed LEDs from Jumpers LEDs. They work perfectly, and maintain both DRL and turn signal functionality.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/jumpers-leds.176932/

 

I also did the Smart Tap flasher and LEDs, love it, especially the several blinks by tapping the stalk for lane changes. FYI, you'll also need a jumper block for the non-DRL trucks, it's under $10 from the dealer, but they'll probably have to order it. Your flasher is plugged into a harness that at the other end plugs into the socket for the normal flasher, as well as the socket you'll plug the jumper into.

A lot of writeups say you have to disassemble the dash to get at all this stuff that's on the backside of the fuse block. After you're done with all that you'll definitely have better access, but IMO it's easier to suck it up and do it in place... it can be done. I did it blindly, laying upside down under the dash, but none of the plugs have retainer clips or anything, just have to feel along the harness and wiggle the plugs out.

I personally advise against resistors unless there's just no other plausible solution... they just take the higher current draw, heat, and ability to burn out from the bulbs, and move it somewhere else, eliminating most of the benefits of LEDs.

 

Thanks everyone for the help! I'm new to these forums and am happy to see how helpful everyone is. Cheers

 

Got a link on how to do it? I just installed new headlight housings and don't want to melt the lenses again.

 

All the links are in my post above.

 

Hey fb40dash5, I have questions for you. I'm not sure I'm following some things you said.

"FYI, you'll also need a jumper block for the non-DRL trucks, it's under $10 from the dealer, but they'll probably have to order it. Your flasher is plugged into a harness that at the other end plugs into the socket for the normal flasher, as well as the socket you'll plug the jumper into."

I removed my fuse box so I know my flasher is plugs into the back of my fuse box. Is yours the same? My truck is also non-DRL, but i don't know what you are referring to here, could you please explain. Am I missing something here?

 

Thanks for the great info. On the website for the Smart Tap Flasher, it states a number of functions can be activated (i.e. Tap-to-Signal, Unique Hazard Functions and Arrival and Departure Modes) but that they are only compatible with certain vehicles.

Were you able to activate these or use any of these additional features? Sounds interesting for on $60.

 

Since your truck does not have DRL, all you need to do is pluck out the flasher and pop in the Smart Tap flasher.

 

The only function that doesn't work on Tacos is the arrival lighting. My favorite features are departure lighting and alternating hazard flashers. People really do slow down more for alternating lights.

 

6 ohm resistors