VTAILS (Turn/Reverse Switchback)

I didn't maybe I should...

 

Probably okay if you don’t. I just have a habit of doing it. One little bottle will last years

 

On backorder now.

 

Everything is in stock

 

Edit: End up buying Meso stage one from TacomaBeast since they had them in stock.

Red bulb says oos

 

Wow! That's insanely bright. Thank you.

 

Dang it. Just tried to order and it’s not in stock .

 

Again no luv for the 2nd Gen's...

 

Wanted to order as well. Red bulbs are not in stock.

 

ETA next week. Everything else is there — just waiting on more 50/50 reds (they are inbound).

 

Just saw my first Meso/ Vtails upgrade in the wild, on Rt 1 in So Brunswick on a Quicksand Pro with a snorkel/ raptors. Also saw a taco with heavy front end damage after a mishap on the same highway in the rain...

 

Glad to see this thread. I had the Meso Stage 1 when it was the only kit available, but I switched to VLEDS as soon as it was available (back in October or so last year).

I don’t mean for this to be a complete dig on Meso, but I feel it’s valuable to share….I really was not impressed with the quality or lack-of from the Meso kit:

1) switchbacks blinked with a noticeable delay compared to the mirrors
2) switchback construction was cheap plastic with diodes installed crooked and sloppily
3) brake bulbs were cheap plastic and too bright on tail mode vs not much brighter on brake mode
4) brake bulbs had quite a few failures and people needing warranty claims
5) replacement parts were never available (and still aren’t)

Right off the bat when I installed Meso, I bought 4 7443 red brake bulbs from VLEDS to use instead of the kit product. MUCH better. Later, when the VTAIL kits came out, I transitioned over fully by buying the harnesses and switchbacks (plus 2 spares), then sold the Meso kit in full. The switchbacks were a nicer construction and all the diodes were very nice and straight. High quality product for sure.

The VLEDS kit improves upon every Meso shortcoming and is the way the Meso kit should have come to begin with. And it would have, but the parts designed by VLEDS for Meso were not used. Anywho, I don’t want to sit here and just rip on Meso, but I feel the shortcomings are very real and should be made known to those deciding on a kit. No one wants to waste money, after all.

VLEDS is run by good folks also. When I was buying my switchbacks over the phone, I got to talking with Jake for probably 30 minutes after hours just getting into discussions about why they do things the way they do, their company and product history, etc. You can tell they genuinely care about the quality of their products; it shows.

Here’s a crappy screenshot I took of a video I shot back when I installed the VLEDS stuff. I think the complete C shaped brake lights look perfect. The factory setup looks so….half-assed.

Only thing I wish I had now was a brighter stock looking third brake lamp.

 

Maybe this for 3rd brake light?
https://hotshotoffroad.com/collecti...oducts/x3b-led-third-brake-light-16-23-tacoma

 

Eh, not really my style. I just want the stock lamp to be brighter. Would also be cool if it was red instead of clear. Someday I may buy a spare and try to swap in brighter diodes.

 

I just ordered the vled kit for the brake light bulbs since its cheaper to order the whole kit then 4 separate bulbs. I have the meso tt but i switched out the amber/reverse with vleds when i got it. I will have the meso tt for sale.

 

Thanks for the review! Glad you're liking the kit.

The red bulbs should be in stock this week; backorders will go out when they come in. Thanks for your patience.

 

VLED Stage 1 is the only mod I have done to my 2023 SR5 [other than seat covers] The kit was simple to install The kit Doubles the brake and tail light surface area The bulbs are brighter Blinker and reverse lamps also improved I am old lazy and now my truck is perfect......... maybe..... i think..to be continued

 

Just got tracking number from vleds today. Says should be here the 30th

 

So the consensus is that these are still a pretty significant upgrade over the MESO stage 1?

 

Yes. Just overall a better kit. Brightness is about the same but one has quirks and one doesn’t.