Aftermarket LED headlights

I recently decided to install LED bulbs in a '00 AC V8. I just ordered a set of 9003 LED bulbs from eBay. The brand is Auxito. I went cheap in case they don't work out. Worst case, I'm out $24! Has anyone installed plug and play LED bulbs in their 1st gen? If so, has anyone installed super cheap LEDs? How did it work for you?

Thanks for any feedback.

 

Several people have installed LEDs from Auxito, Katana, and similar less-expensive units. Common side effects to LED lights in general, even the good ones, are:

• Hyperflash -> Can be solved with Diode Dynamics flasher update
• Fogs no longer work -> Can be solved with wiring hackery and/or resistors
• Odd behaviors with dash lights, like blue high beam indicator always on, dimly
• Misc other lighting issues
• Blinding oncoming drivers
• Bulbs burning out really fast from heat
• Melted lighting fixtures

There's a plethora of threads in this subforum about the topic w/first gens with problems and solutions some have found. It seems like - IMO - the problems are worse with the earlier trucks than the later, but I may be biased.

 

These style seem to work well for a cheap solution, they have a cutoff so you don’t blind other drivers.
I’ve had mine in for a while now with no problems. Biggest downside is you have to remove the shield in the headlight which is a permanent modification so there’s no going back.
I didn’t use this brand, but something similar from eBay, look for 5000k. The only side effect I’ve had is they interfere with my radio reception (for those of us who still use FM).
They’re far from the best headlight out there, but way better than stock.

 

If your truck doesn't have daytime running lights you'll wanna get one of these to make your fog lights/high beams work properly.
https://fbchs.square.site/product/t...true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=5

After @daveeasa gets moved into his new place and starts making harnesses again anyway.

 

I think I may need to do some diodes in these things to make then non destructive for trucks like mine. But first I need to know if replacing the integration relay fixed the problem. Hope to get to that on Friday.

 

You thinking an inline diode might solve your issue?

 

I think @Mr.bee and I fried our integration relays.

I think a diode splitter might protect against that.

I also happen to have many such diode crimped splitters already from a botched order. So redoing those for 090IIU wouldn’t be hard at all. And that’s probably my plan no matter what, though the colors are pink and green as they are for 3rd gen Tacoma Parking Light and DRL. But that’s close to red and green anyway.

 

I have the older Katanas -- which are a budget brand from Amazon. I've run them for a few years and I actually got them for free from @FirstGenVol because he bought them and didn't like them.
I don't know if it's that my fixtures are different from his (I have inexpensive aftermarket TYC fixtures from Rock Auto) or if it's just a personal preference thing, but I'm really happy with how this combination works. It's a huge improvement over stock.

 

Not an inexpensive option but I’m running the Morimoto 2stroke 3.0 bulbs and have been super impressed with them.

https://www.bulbfacts.com/led-kits/chart/

I used the above link when I was hunting headlights.

 

Did you have any problems? It sounds like I may need some additional parts (diodes) to pull this off. I just received the new bulbs this weekend and haven't had a chance to install yet.

 

"fried integration relays"? What does that mean? Now i'm a little concerned about installing these! Am I likely to burn something up by installed LED bulbs in this current setup with existing wiring?

 

Did I make you a module for this? If so you want to be absolutely certain your truck does not have DRL.

I’m close to just killing this item given the potential risk. I thought my problems were isolated but since @Mr.bee had the same symptoms I’m pretty sure the harness as designed causes the trouble.

I have the circuit diagrams and the trucks with DRL are different from those without. Some inline diodes probably make this safer and for sure would be worth adding regardless.

But if anyone has purchased and wants a refund, I’m happy to do so. I don’t know how much I trust this design.

 

No, sir. You didn't build a module for me. This is my first attempt at LED conversion for exterior lights. And I do not have DRLs on this Tundra.

 

Cool. If I do make the fog anytime harness in the future for people I will definitely use diodes. Based on Nick’s experience, it should be fine for non DRL trucks. But I’m also nervous because that integration relay isn’t cheap. And I’m not sure replacing it will solve our problems.

I’d like to come up with a cool harness to steal the signals at the stalk for all of us. So we can make a custom power harness for DRL, low, high and fog. Without limitations / issues but with the factory timeout logic. Just a ways away from that solution right now. First is the plug and play t4R led harness which is confirmed and just needs a listing.

 

no trouble out of mine, been in for a little over 6 months now. A few things worth noting my truck has drl’s but I unplugged them beside the battery. My stock fogs have also been replaced with Baja designs squadrons wired to the oem wiring and switch. Mine kick out just like oem when the high beams are turned on. Everything else on the truck is also led inside and out. The only supporting mod I did was the diode dynamics relay flasher for the turn signals. Have regulars in the rear and switchbacks up front

 

Did the LEDs affect your the turn signal operation? What caused the need for the upgraded relay flasher? I also have a 2002 that does have DRLs. If these lights work on my 2000, I'm thinking of trying them on the '02.

 

I swapped the relay flasher out at the same time I added leds so I can’t vouch for sure I would’ve gotten hyper flash . A lot of trucks on here have had issues with hyper flash after adding leds to the turn signals though . I figured I’d avoid the issue all together. I’m pretty sure I unhooked my drl’s to run switchbacks up front. Their just such a cleaner look imo.

 

Mine works great no complaints. Not sure how the DRLs make such a difference in the way everything works but evidently it does. Hope this gets solved soon. This product is such a good way to eliminate having to run headlight resistors and have a nuclear temp box under your hood and keeping you from cutting up stock wiring like the guy that I found that did it originally that gave me the idea.

 

Since the stalk itself is reasonably easy to source, if I can get a stalk T harness going I think that’s the ideal solution. Because most people I assume want all of DRL, low, high, fog at the stalk for ground switching with auto shutoff on the power side via timer or ECU. The fog switch really isn’t special and it takes up space which could be better used for something else. For me personally, ignition switched power for all lighting is all I want, though I can see value in keeping the stock logic so you can have headlights on with ignition off but it auto shuts off when ignition stops. That part is kinda nice.

so a combo of in cab T at the stalk connector plus an engine bay 48 position GEP for the relays, fuses and bus bars. Just four wires through the firewall for the signal grounds of low, high, DRL, fog.

indicator-wise, I think the only light on the combination meter is the blue high beam. Which I think would still work.

once I’m fully done moving, though, I’ll send a prototype of the simple fog button harness with diodes to Nick to confirm it works the same as before. Then that will be my design for the future as it should protect from the problems I think exist for DRL trucks.

The DD flasher modules are great and easy to install for supporting LED turn signals. I’m full halogen for now though, vleds all in boxes waiting for me to get that stuff done.

It might be even better if I could do extra work and still leverage the stock relays for DRL and fog, but it’s a lot cleaner to just have one design which works for any vehicle.

 

First I've heard of this but that sounds good to me lol.

Another idea is make each harness and just have a selection box for whether your truck has DRL's or not and make whichever harness they need but I'm not sure if that would be better for pricing/labor.

Everything else about using the stalk to source inputs and such, that's all you. I have nothing to offer but what you're saying seems like it makes sense.

 

You mentioned "switchbacks" a couple times. Are those the color changing bulbs?

 

So, you didn't have to add any diodes or harnesses to your setup? Just true plug and play, basically. With the exception of the relay flasher. I'm kind of on the fence about even installing these new bulbs based on some of the other guys replies relating to "plug and play" LED bulbs.

 

I don't have a design which works for the DRL vehicles. But the risk of the current design messing one up is significant if indeed a new integration relay solves the problem, meaning the harness does permanent damage to the integration relay.

It's really smart of me to offer an item for sale at $20-$30 which has the potential to cause 10x that amount in damage if the user picks the wrong box.

 

Yes, a switchback can be used for white and amber, we use them in the 3rd gen Tacoma reverse location for reverse and turn, allowing the red bulbs to serve as brake and parking light together, instead of the stock behavior which uses one for brake and the other for turn.

I think most switchbacks are white/amber but a white/red combo could be fun for certain things, just haven't seen it. Specifically for cargo light bulbs where you might want a clear lens on your CHMSL and have all bulbs serve as brake lights but also be able to work as cargo lights since it's not very common that you need to alert someone that you are stopping while the cargo light needs to be on.

 

@daveeasa

.

Ya man all I did was swap bulbs besides my turn signals. Majority of the bulbs I used are from diode dynamics, with the exception of the headlights, reverse lights, license plate and fog lights. My wife’s 07 sequoia has all the interior bulbs swapped to diode dynamics also with no issues.

*Headlights: morimoto 2stroke 3.0’s
*Reverse lights: vleds v6 extremes
*License plate: morimoto
*Fog lights: Baja designs squadrons, spliced into the oem harness

 

Man, I appreciate all this information!

 

I need to find my harness @daveeasa made for me. Think I'll steal the button from the V6 for crackie. Put in the harness, and then figure out what I want to use for fogs.

Probably won't be an OEM look. Probably a pod of some sort. I don't know. Spit balling.

 

Good hear the Morimoto is also recommended here. We'll do the headlights and bumper mods next after installing the suspension and tires from 4Wheelonline this week.

 

Didn't realize that was a thing. I assume you make a harness for that?

I thought the diodes may make it work properly but it seems you're saying that the diodes would prevent damage but still wouldn't work right.