Not illegal at all.

However, understand that LED lights appear differently behind colored lenses so conventional logic goes out the window. You cannot put a white LED behind a colored lens and expect it will be fine like that.

Red turn signal gets a red bulb. Period. Whether in a clear or red housing.

Amber turn signal gets an amber bulb. Period. Whether in a clear or amber housing.

The pure (bluish) light of a “white” LED will wash out colored lenses and give you pink brake lights and white turn signals.

Now THAT will get you pulled over. Anything other than DOT red for tails and amber or DOT red for turns is an infraction and WILL get you pulled.


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Just because it "works" and the beam pattern looks right... doesn't make it legal or DOT approved.

Many aftermarket don’t specifically state they’re DOT approved. It’s more a liability claiming such than benefits the manufacturer going through the hassle of obtaining it. This is not unique to the automotive market. (Oakley sunglasses are almost all Z.87 rated, you’d think the manufacturer would like to advertise this, but for some reason they are not interested in putting the designation on their lenses.)

What’s important is the driver be aware of any implications of installing a non-halogen bulb. Maybe headlight lenses are fogged over and HID blind drivers because the output is 100% glare. (Remedy: clear lenses or replace with euro style clear lenses or projectors).

Fortunately OP is talking about a turn signal. The only two options for turn signal bulbs are reflector (halogen or LED) and direct-firing LED such as in narrow installations like spoilers with a single row of bulbs or modern OEM taillights that are sealed and do not allow for individual bulb replacement.

OP will be fine. Test extensively in your driveway. Make sure there are no weird issues with flashing speed with either turn signal or hazards, and that the proper, strong color appears.


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Well 'everyone' else is Happy too (no high beam flashes) yet....

Reflector? check out the 4th pic, check out the front design. Same as a halogen, except its not a power hog, further reaching yet not blinding or BLUE, hate that, it is just simply white light.
Amazon.com: AUXITO H4 9003 LED Headlight Bulbs, 12000LM Per Set 6500K Xenon White for High and Low Beam Hi/Lo Plug and Play, Pack of 2: Automotive

Hey its just my opinion, stick with halogens if that suits better...

Speaking of science, have you checked out the top of the line lighting from europe? 84 LEDS that use cameras to automatically locate oncoming traffic and shut down/dim appropriate LEDS to avoid blinding them then return to full brightness, its like driving with high beams on all the time until the system dims them to be nice to other drivers.

Now This is science: Why Is America Stuck with Bad Headlights?

Yes we tend to disallow any advancing headlight technology for a “either they can see or I can see... but not both” paradox.

As for headlights, halogens are fine in any housing, reflector or projector.

LED have to be indexed depending on WHICH type of housing they are installed. This is done with either a set screw or the bulb is able to rotate past “locking in” to reach proper alignment.

HID tend to be right at home in projectors, but require a shield when used in reflector housings. Toyota is a great example of a manufacturer that has pulled this off. 2000s Prius, Avalon, Sienna all had xenon HID in reflector housings and did just fine. Bulb type was special “D2R” with a shield for glare instead of “D2S” which was manufactured without one.




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I just wish we had square headlights so we can have badass set ups like the 2nd and 1st gen guys

I'll give you credit there. I hadn't seen those particular bulbs. (I did get a giggle at the supposed Lumen output.) But yes, there is an attempt at reflecting some of the light output to better replicate the "360 degree orb of light" produced by the filament in a halogen bulb. I'm still highly skeptical that they replicate it 100%. The only way to prove that would be a truly independent test, not something like one sees at Headlight Revolution.

I would note that they're still claiming to replicate the filament placement of a halogen bulb (as most LED manufacturers do these days) by showing the LEDs in relation to a halogen filament in one axis. Nice try that will fool most folks, but it doesn't replicate all axis as you well know.

In summary, drop in LED bulbs are getting better, but they still haven't achieved true "drop in improved performance" and they're still illegal.

now that you cleared up that this is NOT for headlights, I can say that putting in LED's in my backup, turnsignals, parking lights, dome lights were very good investments, is legal, are brighter

LED have gone a long way from needing active cooling like high speed fans, or ridiculous passive cooling like those metal mesh streamers coming from the back.

These are the ones I bought for one of my other vehicles, and I combined the job with replacing the headlight housings themselves with brand new, clear lenses (still reflector, just clear corners).

BEAMTECH H4 LED Bulb, CSP Chips Conversion Kit Fanless Cool White All In One Plug N Play Halogen Replacement Pack of 2 Amazon.com: BEAMTECH H4 LED Bulb, CSP Chips Conversion Kit Fanless Cool White All In One Plug N Play Halogen Replacement Pack of 2: Automotive

This is the exact make/model just a 9003. They’re cheap, produce TONS of light, crisp cutoff (no oncoming flashing), and a satisfying true white.

There is a hidden benefit for using this color and intensity. These will LIGHT UP WET PAVEMENT unlike many other styles or colors of bulb. You can see that black piece of metal on the asphalt in the rain, with notice, so you can avoid it.


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Sealed beam LED drop ins are awesome looking


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I want to shoot every S10 truck and blazer and jeep cherokee with them installed.


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Awesome looking, possibly. Performance? Um, not so much.

BTW, lots of folks confuse lights (of any type) that "look brighter" when you're looking at them as actually putting more useful light where you need it. Sadly, this is not always true. More often than not, what your eyes tell your brain is "brighter" is actually just useless glare. The best automotive headlights put light only where you need it and not into oncoming drivers eyes.

As further proof, I offer a simple test. Take any of the cheap LED flashlights you can buy at the dollar store and look directly into one. Yup, you'll be temporarily blinded. Does that make them bight? I think not.

I just want to make sure we are not comparing a cheap LED we bought “that one time in 2014” with no reviews... against what is available today.

At this point they’re all Chinese, good and bad. So that’s not a factor any longer. I am installing a new set in a non-Toyota vehicle and I will reply with pics.


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No, I'm talking about a lot of the eBay and Amazon stuff available today. There are a few decent ones (Hikari, Morimto 2 Stroke 3.0) but all of the reputable manufacturers pulled their products off the market due to government pressure.

Thank you for offering to post up pics. Before and after or side by side 25' wall shots are the best. Instrumented testing would be even better!