LED kits for 5th generation 4runner(Help needed)

Mason said:
Spoiler: No installation or finished pictures for those looking, but some tips to make your install go a lot quicker.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mbw163/6383587997/" title="pic 2 by mbw163, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6095/6383587997_5dc64bd6de_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="pic 2"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mbw163/6383585901/" title="pic 1 by mbw163, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6096/6383585901_3bdbe45ffe_z.jpg" width="640" height="629" alt="pic 1"></a>

Disclaimer: Probably should put one of these here just in case. Use this as a reference, even though it is wordy and has no pictures. I do provide links that have pictures, so it makes up for the lack of pictures in this post. You are responsible for your actions... yadda yadda...


Note: This was done on a Limited with no TV system. It has the traditional middle row dome light and the two lights on the rear hatch.

Note 2: The LEDs are sensitive in which way you put them in (positive and negative). If they don't light up when you put them in just take them out and switch the way you put them in. I don't think putting them in the wrong way will cause any damage, so don't worry about it.

Note 3: Pink wire connects to pink and White connects to White. I used 3 of the connectors. You will understand when you get the package.


Tools Needed:
Flat Head Screwdriver (thinner the better)
and/or
Paint scraper tool

Both of these are just used to pry open the plastic coverings to get to the light bulbs.

All right, so I received my order today from USPS this morning and I installed them this evening. I ran into a minor snag initially and contacted so_LED, and his response was immediate! Great service from him and shipping was quick too since he said he shipped them out on Friday (West to East coast)

I received 13 LEDs in this package and 9 connectors in a ziplock bag. Out of those 9 Connectors I only used the ones that looked like glass fuses. Maybe so_LED can chime in, but I think you only use 3 out of the 9 supplied connectors.

I did not install these from front to back, so what you read next is going to jump around.

4 LEDs for the doors (SR5 might not have these)
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/545938-post1.html Philsey for Reference
Out of all the LEDs that I installed, the 4 door LEDs were the easiest for me. All you need to do for these is just take your screwdriver or scraper and pry open the plastic covering. It will pop out and you can disconnect the light from the source. When that is done, you take the screw driver and press it against the plastic latch to let the covering free to gain access to the bulb. It's kind of hard to explain and I know pictures would help, but I was too occupied to take pictures at the time.

2 Rear Hatch Lights
There are two of these lights in the rear hatch and you will use the two smaller LEDs with the 3m tape. You can pry these lights open by taking your screw driver and pushing against the side of the plastic. FYI, I opened the rear hatch to do this and was standing where the gas cap was on my right. The light furthest from the gas cap is pryed open by taking the screw driver and pushing against it on the right hand side of the rectangular shape. There is a golden metal clip that holds the light in place. If you unlatch that, the light will pop right out. Use the smaller LED with 3m tape and the glass fuse looking connector to install the LED. Again if the light doesn't work, swap the way you put it in.

For the light closest to the gas cap, you pry at the same location as the other one.

I remember someone posting a picture showing which direction, I tried searching and posting it as a reference, but came up empty handed. If you find the link tell me and I will update this...

6 LEDs down and 7 more to go!

1 Middle Dome Light
This one gave me the most trouble, because I tried prying the whole housing off and the pink and white wires on the glass looking connector fuse weren't securely touching the metal ends. (This was probably a fluke from the manufacturer, because the other 2 for the rear hatch were perfectly fine)

For the middle dome light I used the largest square LED with 3m tape. Pink with pink and white with white.
Tip: For me, the white wire side went in on the right hand side and the pink went on the left.

You do not need to pry the whole housing off! Just go at the clear plastic piece and it will pop right off.

2 Center Console Map Lights
Follow the instructions here by Enduro

I used painters tape and it just worked fine. Wiggle the light bulb out and you won't break it.

2 Side Mirror Puddle Lamps
Snooperstyle and Philsey have this one covered
Link 1
Link 2

Note: These two are probably the most daunting out of all.
As they said, 3 fingers will do with some force. I managed to break one of the clips on the mirror, but its still sturdy after putting it all back together.
Depending on the screw driver you use, you might need to move the motor downwards to gain access to the screws.

2 License Plate Lights Optional @$4.50
2 screws hold the light together. Easy access!

You might notice that the housing stamped R is actually on the left and L is on the Right.
When you put the LEDs in, it will put light away from the plate, but will provide enough to light it up. In other words, the LEDs aren't directly focused on your plate, but since these LEDs are multidirectional ample lighting will be focused on the plate.

Snooperstyle modded the way they were pointing by splicing the wires. I didn't feel comfortable doing this, so I left it and I think they just look fine.
Read the second paragraph

Mtn. Rush also chimed in on this issue and says that they should be like that as there is a diagram in the manual.
Reference to Mtn. Rush's response


Ending Bits
That should be all 13 LEDs that I installed. For those of you keeping track, the only lights left for me to change are the 2 visor mirror lights (vanity mirrors??).

Sorry for the wordiness and the lack of pictures. I know pictures would have definitely helped, but I think some of those references I posted will get you through.

Misc reference pics from Snooperstyle



Thanks to so_LED for setting up all of this for us and Jayhawk for testing the kit out! I'm sure that these LEDs will be as dependable as the vendor selling them and his tester.

Thanks to Snooperstyle, Philsey, Mtn. Rush and Enduro for their input about replacing the light bulbs in the other thread!


This isn't the best write-up, but I hope it provides an insight for those installing or planning on installing in the future. PM me and I will fix or add anything that would help others out!
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Thank you for the great informative post. Would have been a PITA if you had not done this
 
If you like bright lights, check these out from Super Bright LEDs. They are for landscape lighting but work really well for the 4 door lights and map lights.

Qty | Product / Options | Price/ea |

6 | WLED-xHP15-TAC: LED T10 Wedge Base Bulb | $ 6.95 |
WLED-CWHP15-TAC: Cool White

Seem to be good quality. Have been using them for 1 1/2 years with no issues. Customer service was excellent.
 
MpJustice said:
How do these compare to the led suggested in the thread? Are these really much brighter?
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I think so. They have 15 SMDs vs 5. I originally tried some 5-SMD LEDs from another company and they were way to dim and a little too blue. I cannot say for sure because they weren't the exact same ones as in the thread. Superbright LED calls these their brightest wedge mount LEDs.
 
Lights for my TE from So LED

Does anyone know hoa I may contavt So LED as his private pms are full still or again I am not sure but I would like to buy some lights... Help me please if you can.
 
trailedition said:
Does anyone know hoa I may contavt So LED as his private pms are full still or again I am not sure but I would like to buy some lights... Help me please if you can.
Click to expand...

He isn't selling them here any more (as already noted in the thread). Your best bet is to read the entire thread, or at least most of it, then shop around for what you want to replace. Superbright LEDs seems to currently be the favorite vendor.
 
Jaker said:
Yep. You'll need twelve 194/168 LEDs (for a Limited, of course). This involves two for the map lights, two for the vanity mirror lights, two for the side mirror puddle lights, four for the door courtesy lights, and two for the license plate lights.

For the rear hatch you'll need two 3175 base/adapter LED boards.

For the dome light you'll need one 3175 base/adatpter LED board

FYI: I personally thought the dome light was way too bright and ended up "downgrading" to this bulb (matches the map lights perfectly). However, if you'd still like a really bright light, I'd recommend this bulb instead over the LED board.
Click to expand...

These links are all dead and it seems that they have >100 different varieties. Can you be more specific? Some are 10LED some are 4LED and the descriptions all say Light Output is 5, whatever that means?
 
4Funnr said:
For example, these are only 4 LED but are "high power" and supposedly very bright. Not sure whether to go with the 4 or 10 LED now.

5K WHITE 4 LED 2 WATT HP FLANK BULBS 194 168 158 | 1 PAIR - 194 - 168 - 158 LED - Bulb Number
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Those would be good for the door courtesy lights, vanity, & license plate because they are uni-directional (they shine light only from the side). You'll need to get radially arranged type for the map lights because of the way they are mounted....(they point out at you).

For your cargo door lights, they take the "festoon" type. There are some that have 6 leds IIRC that fit nicely. The dome light is also a festoon type connection and the lens is big enough to mount a 36 led "board" type lamp.
 
Old thread I know... but Wife just traded in her 07 FJ (I kept mine) on a 14 TE Premium and looking for a light kit like this. Red interior is better.
 
Reviving a old thread, seeing as I just got round to putting my LED's in my car. Regarding the vanity lights in the sun visor, does anyone know if you have to remove the whole housing or just remove the plastic cover?
I tried both and had no joy with either. Same with the dome light do you have to remove the whole unit or just the plastic cover.
 
I know people are constantly told to search old threads but LEDs are the one case where reviving old threads can be a bad idea. LEDs evolve quickly and newer models blow the old ones out of the water. For example this thread recommends 5050s that are "old" technology compared to the newer 5630s.

Here's a "newer" thread, that I'm sure will be obsolete in six months (but for now it works):

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/182662-led-swap-lights-tools-steps-pictures.html

To answer your question.....just the plastic lens in both cases. The dome unit can also be removed for easier install but it's totally up to you.


Bay33saw said:
Reviving a old thread, seeing as I just got round to putting my LED's in my car. Regarding the vanity lights in the sun visor, does anyone know if you have to remove the whole housing or just remove the plastic cover?
I tried both and had no joy with either. Same with the dome light do you have to remove the whole unit or just the plastic cover.
Click to expand...
 
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