Reverse Lighting

[Kev42]

I love my Highlander, but have one gripe about it, the backup or reverse lighting. As in, there is almost none. The most light comes from the brake lights when your on the pedal. Even with that, I can never see behind my when backing up at night. Anyone out there know of anyway to easily add on a light to the back for backing up? Thanks.

[nhparrot]

You should check your backup light bulb type. For some types ther are 50w halogen replacements. To add additional backup lights, you can have a SPDT relay triggered from the backup light circuit and powered off the battery.

[TMS2U]

Originally posted by nhparrot
To add additional backup lights, you can have a SPDT relay triggered from the backup light circuit and powered off the battery.

This is a great mod to do- easily tripled the light output for reversing. Pretty easy to set up as well!!

[Kev42]

Thanks, I'll have to give it a shot.

I was originally thinking about adding on another light to the back, say under the bumper, but this would be MUCH easier and certainly much more attractive. I'll have to go see if I can find a bulb that would fit, the switch part should be pretty simple.

[Vansolo]

If you do do this give some step by step infos and pictures if you could. I would like to do this to my Highlander also.

[Kev42]

Vansolo,

I found these over at the JC Whitney site. They are for the Highlander, apparently there are a few different bulb types (4), so you just have to match up the numbers. They are the 50 watt "super-bright" halogen bulbs for the backups. According to their site, no wiring is needed. I'll probably order a set and drop them in next-weekend (insanely busy at the moment). Hopefully there is no problem with a fuse blowing, but, 50 watt reallly isnt all that much power to draw.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/product.jht...163273&BQ=jcw2

I'll let you know how they workout as soon as I get them in. It sure would be nice to able to see what I'm driving over at night when I'm backing up!

[nhparrot]

What type bulb does th Highlander use? The Sequoia and Tundra use a 921 type. There are not high-wattage equivalents of the 921 type.

[edwardh1]

mine seem really dim compared to other cars. both are working.
anyone else?

bigger/stronger bulbs available??

[Kzang]

You can always add a light under your rear bumper.

Maybe some slim designed fogs or driving lights?

[drmonkey1313]

Another option would be to go to www.superbrightleds.com and order replacement LED bulbs to put in there. I replaced every rear light on my Infiniti I30 with these and they look cool, react faster, use much less energy, last a lot longer, and are much brighter!

Check out their site and let me know what your thoughts are.

The two things you need to know before you buy are
1)what is your bulb number
2)How big is the hole your bulb needs to go though to get to the socket (the hole in the light housing)

If you know that, you can go buy these!

[edwardh1]

the back up lights are dim on my 04.
Lot of little things like that on my 04 -key fob buttons are very sensitive (no range of motion ) and they go off in your pocket - Toyota is missing some of the details

[edwardh1]

the superbrite site says:

LED bulbs are generally not as bright as standard incandescent bulbs,


stock Hl lights are really dim

[edwardh1]

are a 7440 wedge base clear bulb

21 watts

[Presto]

Originally Posted by Kev42

I love my Highlander, but have one gripe about it, the backup or reverse lighting. As in, there is almost none. The most light comes from the brake lights when your on the pedal. Even with that, I can never see behind my when backing up at night. Anyone out there know of anyway to easily add on a light to the back for backing up? Thanks.

I must be crazy, but I've have never relied on the backup lights to "light my way" when backing up. I thought they were to let other people know you're backing up. Am I crazy?

[edwardh1]

my 99 infiniti has strong back up lights
its has a 1156 bulb (I looked it up 27 watts)
highlander also has a 27 watt bulb - I think the lens / taillight assembly that the HL bulb sits in, must deflect the light.

privacy glass also hurts too