LED turn signal bulbs in the 2005 Tacoma - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

Johnny Law · #1 (**permalink**) 12-13-2005, 04:03 PM

OK, because I can't leave well enough alone on my truck, and because I wanted a clear look in my turn signal area instead of amber when the bulb wasn't lit, I searched for some good LED bulbs to replace the 4157 bulb in there.

I tried the Silverstar turn signal bulbs, but since the turn signal on our trucks is almost fully enclosed vs. say a Tundra that is open on most of its sides, the turn signal area still filled with an amber color when the bulb was off.

I did a search here, everyone raves about superbrightleds.com, but I went a different route. I went to www.autolumination.com and got the Power Tower II bulbs. The 3157 will fit as a direct replacement to the 4157 in the truck now. This bulb will fit, it is tight going in, but some gentle persuasion gets it in there. It almost touches the lens in there, but it doesn't. To prevent the rapid flash problem, since LED's draw a lot less current than standard incandescents, I also got some 6ohm load equalizers to correct that. Just tap into the two turn signal wires with the two wires from the L.E. and it fixes that problem.

Now I can have a clear look when off and amber when lit. All those LED's fill in the reflector area nicely. I do have to say that the standard incandescents are slightly brighter, so this is a trade off. I wanted the clear look to complement my recently done black headlight treatment that sl3000gt posted last month. I will take pics and post, hopefully tonight.

TEFye · #2 (**permalink**) 12-13-2005, 05:29 PM

OK, Johnnie, you have too much free time on your hands!! Seriously, looks like something I might try. I am still extremely happy with my Taco and all my mods. I'm going to check out that web site you posted

StockFactory · #3 (**permalink**) 12-13-2005, 05:55 PM

Those LED lamps look like a scene from the Matrix where humans are grown in giant fields.

Johnny Law · #4 (**permalink**) 12-13-2005, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEFye

OK, Johnnie, you have too much free time on your hands!! Seriously, looks like something I might try. I am still extremely happy with my Taco and all my mods. I'm going to check out that web site you posted

LOL, once a mod junkie, always a mod junkie! I emailed the guy that owns that website, Chris, a bunch of times. He always answered my questions and recommended these bulbs highly. According to him, they are currently the most advanced LED bulbs out there now.

Johnny Law · #5 (**permalink**) 12-13-2005, 08:57 PM

**EDIT** Link fixed in first post

42GAMI · #6 (**permalink**) 12-14-2005, 06:17 AM

sweet, post some pics in actions.

Johnny Law · #7 (**permalink**) 12-14-2005, 09:19 PM

OK, pics posted as promised

george60 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-15-2005, 01:39 AM

************* FINALLY ******************

a. I now understand what "blackout headlights" are. Thank you.

b. I find out that a whole "cube" of LED's are not as bright as the original incandescent bulb. I'm not going to persue the idea of LED replacements so much now. The newer cars with their LED brakelights really are bright ...
must be using a lot of LEDs per light.

TacomaOffRoadGrl · #9 (**permalink**) 12-15-2005, 08:00 AM

Yes the "blacked" headlights look good. I see a project in my future.

Johnny Law · #10 (**permalink**) 12-15-2005, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by george60

I find out that a whole "cube" of LED's are not as bright as the original incandescent bulb. I'm not going to persue the idea of LED replacements so much now. The newer cars with their LED brakelights really are bright ...
must be using a lot of LEDs per light.

I agree George, it is a trade off. I wanted a clear look in the turn signal area when "off", and I wanted it to light amber when "on", so I had a purpose in converting to these for this specific area. I would not make a complete conversion as I don't see any benefit to it, in relation to cost or light output.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TacomaOffRoadGrl

Yes the "blacked" out headlights look good. I see a project in my future.

Do it! While time consuming, it looks great once it's done.

lelandstanford · #11 (**permalink**) 12-15-2005, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Law

LOL, once a mod junkie, always a mod junkie!

Not to hijack this thread but how about a DEF mod for the fellow Tacoma members?

Johnny Law · #12 (**permalink**) 12-15-2005, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lelandstanford

Not to hijack this thread but how about a DEF mod for the fellow Tacoma members?

I'm missing something, what is a DEF mod?

lelandstanford · #13 (**permalink**) 12-15-2005, 01:01 PM

Disable A/C always on and REC always off when select DEF or DEF/Floor.

Example from Tundra (does not apply to '05+ Tacoma):

http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forum...automatically/