So I got this and put in everything exept the reverse lights?

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...age+Interior+++Tag+++Reverse+Lights+(9+pieces
I saw a few negative reviews on the reverse lights. Did a Google search and didn't find much. Any of you folks have ideas?

 

If you want a decent LED reverse light on Amazon, get these. Most of the LED reverse bulbs out there suck. Also, people have good things to say about jumpers LEDs. He's a vendor on TW.

 

Some good bulbs discussed here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/philips-led-dome-light-upgrade.394496/

 

It happens that I was researching upgraded reverse lights last night so will share what I havelearned so far. The first thing I came across was the 886 bulb mod. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/886-backup-light-mod.209578/. That looked good and it looked even better after reading a couple of posts where people said they didn't actually need to cut off the connector. All they did was narrow the female connectors and the bulbs worked fine. Then I looked into LED replacements. I know from previous personal and professional experience that almost all LED light sellers overstate the actual output of their devices by providing the theoretical output of the chipsets instead of actual tested results. Plus, the light output is generally very uneven and may not throw very far. I also know that cheap LEDs are prone to early failure. It looks like the folks at Diode Dynamics make aa high quality replacement and they the truth about actual output. $20 for a pair with slightly less lumens than OEM, $40 for a little brighter than OEM, and $90 for a pair over twice as bright as OEM.
http://www.diodedynamics.com/store/...ta/tacoma/2001-2013-toyota-tacoma-backup-leds
Then I started searching at Candlepower Forums to see what they say since they are the science geek experts when it comes to LED tech. Seems the Candlepower consensus is to go with the Phillips 12841B2 that harpolith posted. They are identical in every way to the Phillips 12832X1 that is more money. I think the 12841B2/12832X1 will put out 200 lumens and I believe that's a little more than the OEM 921 and similar to the $40 Diode Dynamics option. For both replacements, even though the lumen increase over OEM isnt huge (unless you go the $90 route), the light quality should be much better so we should be able to see what's behind us a lot easier. The 886 bulb mod may be much brighter but I haven't looked up the lumen output yet.

Edit - looks like the 886 is over 1,000 lumens at 3,100 K

 

@steelhd - thanks for sharing this. I was researching LED reverse lights last night too. For the light output and price of the Phillips, they seem like a good choice. I'll be adding bumper-mounted LED pod lights on a 3-way switch soon, so I don't need taillight reverse lights that are insanely brighter than OEM, they'll be plenty bright together.

 

Well then, lets hear what he has to say. Paging @csjumper2003.

 

After several weeks with the Philips, my observations are as follows. I'm torn. The incandescents light the area directly behind the bumper much better and more effectively (~6 feet). But the Philips LEDs have much more reach (impressive if you get out and look behind the truck). As far as brightness goes, the two bulbs are similar. It's not at all a case of "wow, these LEDs are awesome". There are times I like the longer reach. But other times I wish I had the better lighting closer to the truck. Another note on the longer reaching LEDs, they're effectiveness in the reverse camera seems to be affected by surrounding lights (street lights, etc). They are great when it's pitch black outside. But the on screen image seems a little washed out when there are other lights around. In that case, I think I might actually prefer the incandescents. It's a toss up I my mind. Just don't expect to be wowed.

The incandescent silverstars are a marginal improvement over stocks, albeit an improvement. And a super cheap and easy mod, so why not, if you're not doing anything else. Again, you won't be wowed.

 

I agree, it's great to support members. But I went with the Philips simply because they were $23 and free returns if I didn't like them. And I wanted them in two days. Sometimes Money/time is tight. Cheaper than jumper's but not as good as jumpers (pretty sure his were more $$). People need to find what works for them. I just didn't wanna gamble on something I wasn't sure about. But yeah, TONS of people really happy with jumpers lights.

 

I think one of the risks with the 886 mod was heat and possibly melting the lens. They do burn hotter. Most have no problem and say the lights aren't on long enough to melt anything. Probably true. I didn't want to risk it.

 

I installed these S2's led lights from Baja Designs. These lights are great for backing up and they do not wash out the backup camera. http://www.bajadesigns.com/products/offroad-lighting/offroad-led-lighting/s2-pro-led-lights

 

Here's another option...more reviews than the Phillips, slightly better rating, same price...Prime shipping just disappeared Not sure how actual lumens/light output compare.
JSM Astar 800 lumens for $23

GBAuto GBAuto-w5dxw T10 car led

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...rue&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_1&smid=A126Q4T86JLNL

 

If anyone tries these, please come back with a review. Looks like they are bright ones. I've read that these throw codes in some vehicles. I trusted the brand name in the Philips. Was a little worried the JDMs might be just like the cheapo Chinese stuff (don't get the cheapo Chinese stuff! FYI).

 

What did you use to cut out your bumper?

 

@harpolith I might as well be the guinea pig here and try the JDMs. If I get them I'll be sure to post a review.
As for not being "wowed" by the Philips...this JDM reviewer had the opposite reaction...

If you want BRIGHT, this is the LED lights for you
By James Fabin on January 3, 2015
Verified Purchase
Only one word can really describe these bulbs - WOW. I had purchased a set of JDM ASTAR LED backup lights and really liked the color, but wanted more brightness. These lights (800 lumen version) live up to their description of "EXTREMELY BRIGHT".

 

By looking only at the price one would think that these JDMs are better than the ones you are considering.

$35 JDM ASTAR Super Bright Max 50W High Power 912 921 White LED Bulb For Backup Reverse Lights

http://www.amazon.com/JDM-ASTAR-Extremely-Reverse-Parking/dp/B00MUF1APW/ And in the reviews everyone is impressed, mostly 5 stars, except one guy who actually knows what he is talking about.

"By David R Horne on December 12, 2014
Verified Purchase
Is the $30 / pair JDM ASTAR bulb worth buying ? Well, maybe. I installed these JDM ASTAR bulbs in my two day old Nissan Frontier. My testing shows that the actual light output across the human visible spectrum is lower than a stock 921 bulb by a full f-stop. However, the spectrum of the ASTAR light is weighted toward wavelengths in which humans see more clearly. The most important advantage is that the ASTAR draws considerably less current allowing you to add accessory lights without fear of damaging your backup light switch. I measured the JDM ASTAR at 3½W as opposed to the stock 921 bulb at 17W. You should not allow the total draw to exceed the stock rated 36W if you expect the switch to last as the manufacturer intended. The higher the load, the shorter the life of the switch.
.
About the tests and the tester ( me ) : I was a radar metrologist ( science of measurement ) for 30 years and hold the appropriate college certificates. Current tests were performed using a two wire measurement method. I did not see the need for four wire methods while reporting margins were as high as 14%. Light value tests were performed both emitted and reflected multiple times with the same result. Reflected values from 50% gray are shown in the graphic."

Those lights put out significantly less light than the OEM bulbs but it's weighed toward the spectrum we see best. So everyone thinks they have a super bright light and thats okay. What's not okay is JDM's less than truthful advertising.

Would really like jumpers leds to post here with his opinion and details about his 700 lumen light.