DRL and Turn Signal Mods.

[CookieRoe]

Very bright........ need to install parking light accessory

finally installed the kit (5000K) and wow are these bright. I took these pictures around dusk, but make no mistake, these LEDs are very bright. Installation was simple. I imagine it easier on '03-'05 Runners being that the DRLs are located toward the bottom of the bumper (Lots of room to work) vs. '06-'09 where Toyota moved the DRLs to the headlight assembly.

Head on shot:

Side shot:

DRL on (headlight off):

HID retros (DRL off): for comparo

Turn signal on:

In addition to J.A.'s DRL mod, I also plan on installing the accessory plug (labeled DIM on the wire) that hooks on to the vehicle's parking light (positive wire). This dims them (50%) when the parking lights (and headlights) are turned on. I figure when in sunlight, the bright white won't bother most, however at dusk (just bright enough that the headlights aren't necessary) I can see these as being a bit obnoxious. The light assembly wasn't made for this powerful light and so lots of light is dispersed where it shouldn't be (in oncoming traffic eyes).

In all, very happy with them.

 

[00328]

Been thinking about this ever since vleds started talking about introducing the v3 quite sometime ago. Might just have to pull the trigger on this.

So the DRLs don't turn off when you turn on the headlights?

 

[CookieRoe]

Been thinking about this ever since vleds started talking about introducing the v3 quite sometime ago. Might just have to pull the trigger on this.

So the DRLs don't turn off when you turn on the headlights?

No, they turn off when the headlights are turned on (just like factory). If you want them to STAY on, you must do J.A.'s DRL mod.

 

[J.A.]

No, they turn off when the headlights are turned on (just like factory). If you want them to STAY on, you must do J.A.'s DRL mod.

OR, use the optional parking wire harness from V-Leds (but then you can not turn the DRLs back off while headlights are on). The DRL mod lets you choose to have them on or off with the headlights.

 

[00328]

Gotcha.

Is this all plug and play including the parking light harness or is there some wire splicing that needs to be done?

 

[J.A.]

Gotcha.

Is this all plug and play including the parking light harness or is there some wire splicing that needs to be done?

Yes, Plug and Play but for the dimming feature for when the headlights are on. But even that uses a simple scotchlok idc connection.

 

[CookieRoe]

fairly certain............

Gotcha.

Is this all plug and play including the parking light harness or is there some wire splicing that needs to be done?

Our limiteds have 2 filament bulbs (4157NAK), so the parking light adapter isn't required (not going to work). I think the only option is to splice the supplied white wire (dim) to the parking lights (+). I plan on doing that this weekend.

Of course, I could be wrong...........

 

[00328]

Aren't you supposed to be able to focus these bulbs? I would think that would help with the stray light.
Just so I understand, when you hook up the white dim wire the DRLs stay on but dim down when you turn on the parking or headlights.

Thanks Cookie be sure to post up how it goes and what it looks like.

 

[J.A.]

A
Just so I understand, when you hook up the white dim wire the DRLs stay on but dim down when you turn on the parking or headlights.

Not exactly.

The DIM wire simply cuts the brightness by 50% when it senses 12V+. It will not make them stay on all the time. That is the function of the 2 Pin-3 Pin parking wire harness. The harness can be skipped if you do the DRL mod which has additional functionality such as being able to keep the DRLs completely off.

 

[00328]

Sorry for all the questions, I just want to be sure of what I can expect if I choose to do this.
J.A. not sure if I'm going to do your DRL mod or not I don't really like cutting into factory wiring if I can help it.
Maybe I missed it, but under what conditions then do the DRLs dim down if its not when the headlights or parking lights are turned on?

 

[CookieRoe]

Feel ashamed to ask, but................

Sorry for all the questions, I just want to be sure of what I can expect if I choose to do this.
J.A. not sure if I'm going to do your DRL mod or not I don't really like cutting into factory wiring if I can help it.
Maybe I missed it, but under what conditions then do the DRLs dim down if its not when the headlights or parking lights are turned on?

They don't. The only way they dim is when the dimmer wire is connected to the parking/headlights AND turned on. THEN they will dim 50%.(With or without J.A.'s mod).

[MENTION=15785]J.A.[/MENTION] : I zipped tied the control box (not in contact with anything except a zip tie that is going through the hole on top of the control box) and it's wires. It's basically firmly (not loose) "dangling" in the spot behind the DRL lights in the lower bumper. I wanted to zip tie the wires to keep them nice, neat, and tucked away. But I didn't. Additionally, I wanted to mount the control box in the engine bay. As the control box gets very hot, I was thinking of using thermal adhesive tape and stick it either in the engine bay or somewhere under the bumper where it will be in contact with metal (to disperse the heat). Because I was pressed for time, this is how/why I mounted my hardware. My 4Runner isn't driven very often and I was pressed for time, I'm not 100% comfortable with how it's installed now. I'm fairly certain I'll be fine for now. For what it's worth, the area behind the front bumper is very clean (no rust, no dirt) even though you can easily access it by sticking your arm up while you are under the bumper.............What do you recommend?

Zipped tied (driver's side):

One last zip tie to "lift" the bundle of wires. It is firm up there, not floppy.

Passenger side is basically the same.

Thanks

 

[J.A.]

Sorry for all the questions, I just want to be sure of what I can expect if I choose to do this.
J.A. not sure if I'm going to do your DRL mod or not I don't really like cutting into factory wiring if I can help it.
Maybe I missed it, but under what conditions then do the DRLs dim down if its not when the headlights or parking lights are turned on?

Like Ed said, The DRLs dim down if you connect the DIM wire to the headlight 12V+ wire and your DRLs are able to remain on with the headlights.

The only way the DRLs remain on with the headlights is if you did the DRL mod OR you purchased the parking light wire harness and connected the 3rd wire on it.

 

[J.A.]

[MENTION=15785]J.A.[/MENTION] : I zipped tied the control box (not in contact with anything except a zip tie that is going through the hole on top of the control box) and it's wires. It's basically firmly (not loose) "dangling" in the spot behind the DRL lights in the lower bumper. I wanted to zip tie the wires to keep them nice, neat, and tucked away. But I didn't. Additionally, I wanted to mount the control box in the engine bay. As the control box gets very hot, I was thinking of using thermal adhesive tape and stick it either in the engine bay or somewhere under the bumper where it will be in contact with metal (to disperse the heat). Because I was pressed for time, this is how/why I mounted my hardware. My 4Runner isn't driven very often and I was pressed for time, I'm not 100% comfortable with how it's installed now. I'm fairly certain I'll be fine for now. For what it's worth, the area behind the front bumper is very clean (no rust, no dirt) even though you can easily access it by sticking your arm up while you are under the bumper.............What do you recommend?

Thanks

My understanding (haven't confirmed yet) is that a feature of the VLED control box is that the resistor in it is only active when in blinker mode. Therefore when in normal DRL mode it shouldn't be generating much heat at all.

I mounted mine in the engine compartment next to my HID ballasts and drilled one hole each. I dont if where your 2003-2005 DRLs are located will allow for that due to wire length, but if so that is where i would put them.

 

[esb_t4r]

Great write ups JA! Also nice pics and write up by CookieRoe.

I want to do this for my 05 Sport, but am curious as to where you can really mount the control box. Obviously it would be ideal to mount to some sheet metal in the engine compartment, but the limiter is the cable length.

Cookie - Did you try to see if the cable was long enough to reach into the engine bay? The further away from the ground and dirt/water would be the best I imagine.

When do you plan on hard mounting it?

 

[CookieRoe]

Great write ups JA! Also nice pics and write up by CookieRoe.

I want to do this for my 05 Sport, but am curious as to where you can really mount the control box. Obviously it would be ideal to mount to some sheet metal in the engine compartment, but the limiter is the cable length.

Cookie - Did you try to see if the cable was long enough to reach into the engine bay? The further away from the ground and dirt/water would be the best I imagine.

When do you plan on hard mounting it?

Opps, sorry I JUST saw this. Mine is still mounted as the pictures depict. So far, I've run through a couple torrential downpours and a few car washes. No issues. To answer your question, yes, there does appear to be enough wire to mount them somewhere in the engine bay. I want to, but haven't found the time.

The reason I'm posting: vLeds is having another blockbuster sale for those of you who need a "push" (motivation).

20% off ALL ONLINE orders. Expires Monday (Labor day).

 

[esb_t4r]

Cookie - Do you happen to know what the part number was for the system you purchased?

I have an 05 Sport Edition that does not have DRLs (at least not on the main headlamps - the turn signals are of course on during the day when the headlamps are off).

Definitely going to take advantage of the sale - just want to make sure i get the right set of switchbacks.

Thanks!
Eric

 

[CookieRoe]

Cookie - Do you happen to know what the part number was for the system you purchased?

I have an 05 Sport Edition that does not have DRLs (at least not on the main headlamps - the turn signals are of course on during the day when the headlamps are off).

Eric

Eric, Just choose the 5 or 6K kit. The adaptors are $10, if you get the wrong one or need one, $10 isn't going to break the bank. The rest of the kit, well, just take advantage of the kit. Send an email to them, they will be better able to answer ya.

Good luck!

 

[esb_t4r]

Pulled the trigger and ordered the 6K set. I kind of like the cooler "bluish" color.

Hopefully the order will get here before I leave for Germany next wednesday. Will keep my fingers crossed, and post pics when I get back and install them (unless they get here by this weekend and then I'll post pics sooner!)

Thanks for the motivation Cookie & J.A.

 

[esb_t4r]

Lights Received!

Received the lights today in the mail. Will probably install tomorrow.

Just had one question in regards to the fuse. I was confused as to whether or not you had to use it. Do the lights hyperflash without it?

Will post some pics after I get them installed! Thx!

 

[CookieRoe]

Received the lights today in the mail. Will probably install tomorrow.

Just had one question in regards to the fuse. I was confused as to whether or not you had to use it. Do the lights hyperflash without it?

Will post some pics after I get them installed! Thx!

Congrats!

Yes! Install the fuses b/c they WILL hyperflash without them.