Brighter backup lights

[bawachhe]

I'm having difficulty, like many of us have I'm sure, seeing behind me when I back up.

This wouldn't be much of an issue apart from the fact that I live in a neighborhood without streetlights.

I've tried the 886 bulb mod to no avail, as well as getting some 11w LED bulbs from whitebeauty, but they're still not quite bright enough: I still end up having to use my fortunately fairly bright stock LED brake lights to illuminate behind me, but that's not the greatest setup.

I am not interested in HIDs because they take around a minute to warm up to full strength and most of us aren't in reverse that long, so I'm looking into higher power LEDs.

I've seen some around on ebay that I might be able to finagle into the reverse bulb socket, with reported outputs around 2000LM per bulb, but they have scary heat dissipation housings that make me wonder if I'm going to melt the tail light casing.

So my question is: has anyone successfully made their reverse lights useful without using HID bulbs or external/aftermarket housings? And/or what do you recommend?

 

[nevada]

I'm having difficulty, like many of us have I'm sure, seeing behind me when I back up.

This wouldn't be much of an issue apart from the fact that I live in a neighborhood without streetlights.

I've tried the 886 bulb mod to no avail, as well as getting some 11w LED bulbs from whitebeauty, but they're still not quite bright enough: I still end up having to use my fortunately fairly bright stock LED brake lights to illuminate behind me, but that's not the greatest setup.

I am not interested in HIDs because they take around a minute to warm up to full strength and most of us aren't in reverse that long, so I'm looking into higher power LEDs.

I've seen some around on ebay that I might be able to finagle into the reverse bulb socket, with reported outputs around 2000LM per bulb, but they have scary heat dissipation housings that make me wonder if I'm going to melt the tail light casing.

So my question is: has anyone successfully made their reverse lights useful without using HID bulbs or external/aftermarket housings? And/or what do you recommend?

how about wiring in some 2x2" LED flood pods into the reverse light circuit?
down under the hitch, or bumper, and wired in so they come on when in reverse. it should be fairly easy, and put out plenty of light. depending on the light chosen, you might need to wire then to a relay. but still, pretty easy.


edit: sorry, I just saw, "without external housings". honestly, I think that will be the only way to get what you are looking for.

 

[bawachhe]

how about wiring in some 2x2" LED flood pods into the reverse light circuit?
down under the hitch, or bumper, and wired in so they come on when in reverse. it should be fairly easy, and put out plenty of light. depending on the light chosen, you might need to wire then to a relay. but still, pretty easy.


edit: sorry, I just saw, "without external housings". honestly, I think that will be the only way to get what you are looking for.

I've seen that getting external housings are the more popular option and I am considering it; my only hesitation is that I want to make them look integrated rather than slapped on. I might even get a 4th gen pre-refresh bumper cover so I can mount something in place of the reflectors like I've seen some people do.

Obviously that takes a bit more effort, and probably a bit more money too, so that's why I'm hesitant.

That said, do you think/have experience with those being pretty good at lighting stuff? It sounds like they could be but the tiny reflector size makes me wonder..

 

[nevada]

I've seen that getting external housings are the more popular option and I am considering it; my only hesitation is that I want to make them look integrated rather than slapped on. I might even get a 4th gen pre-refresh bumper cover so I can mount something in place of the reflectors like I've seen some people do.

Obviously that takes a bit more effort, and probably a bit more money too, so that's why I'm hesitant.

That said, do you think/have experience with those being pretty good at lighting stuff? It sounds like they could be but the tiny reflector size makes me wonder..

they put out an amazing amount of light. you should have no issues being able to see while backing up at night.

 

[Bama_Runner]

I am going to add some external LEDs for backup lights in the future but I bought these for now and I love them. I also got a pair for my wife's G35. They were only $9.95 for a pair of them and they put out a lot of light compared to stock.

2X Xenon White T15 T10 High Power 15W LED Backup Reverse High Stop Light 921 912 | eBay

Speaking on your idea to put the older bumper on your 2007. It's not as simple as you think. The fender flares are different on the 2003 - 2005 4Runners, so the bumper won't line up right.

 

[blkexp98]

It will take a little more work but ive seen a couple people that used the flush mount lights from various companies and in set them in the bumper. They looked pretty good. Short of that one of the single row of led lights that are about 18W would be a option. Thats probably the way I am going to go but I haven't figured out a good placement for them yet with my hitch. Those are cheap enough where you could get a set just to try at around $25.

The only thing holding me back on that is that I dont know if I want the floods or the spots. The reviews seem to bridge both for some reason on amazon. If the floods have enough beam width to them I would rather have the extra throw they offer.

 

[bawachhe]

they put out an amazing amount of light. you should have no issues being able to see while backing up at night.

Oh good. Might do that then. Any particular recommendations (i.e. ebay links)? I can always find others if not but just curious if you are a diehard fan of something particular.

I am going to add some external LEDs for backup lights in the future but I bought these for now and I love them. I also got a pair for my wife's G35. They were only $9.95 for a pair of them and they put out a lot of light compared to stock.

2X Xenon White T15 T10 High Power 15W LED Backup Reverse High Stop Light 921 912 | eBay

Speaking on your idea to put the older bumper on your 2007. It's not as simple as you think. The fender flares are different on the 2003 - 2005 4Runners, so the bumper won't line up right.

Thanks for the suggestion. I really wish more ebay links would put the actual lumen value somewhere where I don't have to dig it up. That said, 800LM per is not bad, but that or thereabouts is what I have already from the LED tails from whitebeauty. One of the other possible problems aside from weak bulbs could potentially be the reflector orientation or something tinted about the light cover (it looks darker than I think it ought to be in there, and before I had replaced the "original" bulbs [bought my 4r secondhand from a non-toyota dealer, so I don't know for sure], the light looked practically brown in color).

Good to know about the mismatch on the bumpers; I was thinking it'd be less hassle/expense if I could find a nice way to just cut into the one I have instead anyway. Maybe the left and right of those three just-for-aesthetics rectangularish bumps across the middle, and stuff some fog lights in there directly mounted to the bumper or something.. I'll have to mull that one over and look around under there.

Thanks all, so far!

 

[nevada]

It will take a little more work but ive seen a couple people that used the flush mount lights from various companies and in set them in the bumper. They looked pretty good. Short of that one of the single row of led lights that are about 18W would be a option. Thats probably the way I am going to go but I haven't figured out a good placement for them yet with my hitch. Those are cheap enough where you could get a set just to try at around $25.

The only thing holding me back on that is that I dont know if I want the floods or the spots. The reviews seem to bridge both for some reason on amazon. If the floods have enough beam width to them I would rather have the extra throw they offer.

https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...ies-constant-current-smd-led-sign-module/980/


you mean like those?

I recently ordered a handful, 6 was less than $30 shipped.
I plan to use them as "rock" lights under my wheeler, and a pair on the back of my trailer for reverse lights. I also put one in the cab, tied into the dome light, so it comes on with the doors. they are only rated at 75 lumens, but they are VERY bright.

Oh good. Might do that then. Any particular recommendations (i.e. ebay links)? I can always find others if not but just curious if you are a diehard fan of something particular.


Thanks all, so far!

I don't have any particular brand or style in mind. I would choose flood lights, over spot lights tho.

 

[m85476585]

I've tried the 886 bulb mod to no avail, as well as getting some 11w LED bulbs from whitebeauty, but they're still not quite bright enough: I still end up having to use my fortunately fairly bright stock LED brake lights to illuminate behind me, but that's not the greatest setup.

What's wrong with the 886 bulb mod? I was about to order 894 bulbs which are the same but slightly lower wattage

 

[jsmith21]

I have 50 bucks in this setup and it works fine for me

 

[blkexp98]

For the flush mount ones I was refering to one like these: http://www.amazon.com/Square-LED-Silverado-Crawler-Lighting/dp/B00I4AA1XY/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1421887781&sr=8-10&keywords=flush+mount+led&pebp=1421887807385&peasin=B00I4AA1XY I dont know how well that particular one works but thats the concept.

The other one was similar to what JSmith21 posted like these: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AZPI0NE/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3IZHR46MKOA88&coliid=IHD04VI2OLRPV&psc=1

 

[riceandpho]

The ebay 15w hid I have takes only 3-5 second to fully light up, I don't use halogen or leds in factory reverse lights. It does make a difference for brightness, also add some back up fogs if u can, with proper aiming, it should light up more.

 

[iBison]

I bought these, but haven't put them on yet. They are a little bigger than I would like, but for $1.29 a piece, yeah, they're going on.

 

[46runner]

3200LM backup bulbs

I am going to add some external LEDs for backup lights in the future but I bought these for now and I love them. I also got a pair for my wife's G35. They were only $9.95 for a pair of them and they put out a lot of light compared to stock.

2X Xenon White T15 T10 High Power 15W LED Backup Reverse High Stop Light 921 912 | eBay

Speaking on your idea to put the older bumper on your 2007. It's not as simple as you think. The fender flares are different on the 2003 - 2005 4Runners, so the bumper won't line up right.

This claims to be 3200LM. Anyone try these?
2 x 921 T15 T10 194 168 68 SMD CREE LED Bulbs Back Up Reverse Light White | eBay

 

[28.]

I am going to add some external LEDs for backup lights in the future but I bought these for now and I love them. I also got a pair for my wife's G35. They were only $9.95 for a pair of them and they put out a lot of light compared to stock.

2X Xenon White T15 T10 High Power 15W LED Backup Reverse High Stop Light 921 912 | eBay

Speaking on your idea to put the older bumper on your 2007. It's not as simple as you think. The fender flares are different on the 2003 - 2005 4Runners, so the bumper won't line up right.

I just ordered those myself.. I already have 2 external mounts in the back but I have them wired seperately. I also ordered a pair Eagle Eye 10W LEDs to flush mount on my rear bumper and with my reverse lighting..

 

[chiahead52]

This claims to be 3200LM. Anyone try these?
2 x 921 T15 T10 194 168 68 SMD CREE LED Bulbs Back Up Reverse Light White | eBay

I believe the 3200 LM was referring to the cree xlamp headlamps that the seller is selling. I highly doubt this T10 bulb outputs that much but please let us know when they arrive.

 

[Dylan]

I bought these, but haven't put them on yet. They are a little bigger than I would like, but for $1.29 a piece, yeah, they're going on.

That's a good deal. I bought something similar a couple years ago from OReilly. It was a basic, circular Tractor light. Had good output, but how I mounted it on my roof rack makes it hit my tailgate when opened.

I wish I had found some rectangle ones like yours, especially at that price! My single tractor light was like $20 with wiring. Now I'm looking for something a little nicer though as an upgrade.

 

[bawachhe]

What's wrong with the 886 bulb mod? I was about to order 894 bulbs which are the same but slightly lower wattage

There's a couple issues I had. It wasn't brighter than my LEDs that I got from whitebeauty, the bulb's pins were like 0.5mm thick diameter, and the base that the 4r reverse bulbs go into is like 1.5-2mm thick, so they just sat in there, not gripped at all by the friction fit. I jammed the bulb in diagonally after bending the pins wider (and almost shattering the bulb from the base in the process) to test them out, and yeah. not worth it for me.
YMMV, it's not a very expensive thing to test for. they were like $10 at autozone, which is kind of expensive for basic filament lightbulbs, but still overall cheap to test a mod. But that was my experience.

So much interest and good suggestions here. I think I'm going to try to replicate jsmith21's setup with the lights that blkexp98 linked.

For anyone interested: After much research and some experience, I've found that most LED bulb replacements output max at about 600LM per bulb, give or take. They can get much more powerful and put out multithousand lumen amounts, mostly if they're COB (chip on board, or something similar), but those are pretty obviously different as they all, bar-none so far as I've seen, have heatsinks and/or fans that are bigger than the bulb, attached to its base.
The former variety of LEDs are fine/great for marker lights, turn indicators, brake lights, but not as great for illumination out the back of a tinted window on a dark street, or for headlights or fogs etc.

 

[blkexp98]

Just be sure you pick one of the lights that is a set of two. for some reason that link took you to the single light page. The one with two should be about $26 and says 2 on the picture.

 

[m85476585]

There's a couple issues I had. It wasn't brighter than my LEDs that I got from whitebeauty, the bulb's pins were like 0.5mm thick diameter, and the base that the 4r reverse bulbs go into is like 1.5-2mm thick, so they just sat in there, not gripped at all by the friction fit. I jammed the bulb in diagonally after bending the pins wider (and almost shattering the bulb from the base in the process) to test them out, and yeah. not worth it for me.
YMMV, it's not a very expensive thing to test for. they were like $10 at autozone, which is kind of expensive for basic filament lightbulbs, but still overall cheap to test a mod. But that was my experience.

So much interest and good suggestions here. I think I'm going to try to replicate jsmith21's setup with the lights that blkexp98 linked.

For anyone interested: After much research and some experience, I've found that most LED bulb replacements output max at about 600LM per bulb, give or take. They can get much more powerful and put out multithousand lumen amounts, mostly if they're COB (chip on board, or something similar), but those are pretty obviously different as they all, bar-none so far as I've seen, have heatsinks and/or fans that are bigger than the bulb, attached to its base.
The former variety of LEDs are fine/great for marker lights, turn indicators, brake lights, but not as great for illumination out the back of a tinted window on a dark street, or for headlights or fogs etc.

Thanks for the update! The wire thickness should be easy to fix with some solder. I'll order a pair of bulbs and give it a try. Amazon has them for around $7.50, rather than $10 at the auto parts store. Still cheaper than LED bulbs, though one argument in favor of LEDs is that you could use them for ambient lighting while camping or whatever without draining the battery as quickly. Just set the parking brake, turn the engine off (ignition has to be on, though), and put the transmission in reverse.