LED Swap (Lights+Tools+Steps+Pictures)

[bpwwer]

Next stop is read up on the 2014-2015, then try to contact the seller and figure out about
- getting wedges
- how to get a 5630 festoon that fits better.
and I think other forum members have already done so.

I've tried a couple of different bulbs. I have a 28mm 5050 festoon bulb in my dome light now. It matches color wise with the other bulbs but is noticeably not as bright. The 28mm is actually a little shorter than the original bulb. All of the 5630 bulbs I found were 31mm which seems to be slightly too large. I think 29 or 30mm would fit perfect.

I also have a panel that comes with a festoon adapter. The adapter is spring loaded so it should fit easy. The panel uses 12 5630 SMD's so I suspect it will be really bright, but I haven't tried this yet.

The 31mm bulbs will fit pretty good if you bend the spring tab so it's almost flat. I know, this is almost useless without pictures. I'll try to get some tonight.

 

[Speedy Gomez]

2014 Toyota 4Runner LED Install - 5th Gen DIY

 

[bpwwer]

As promised, I took some pictures of the housing to help explain how it is removed and how to fit the larger 31mm festoon LED bulbs.

I've circled the two tabs in red. Slide those in towards the center and the whole housing should get loose. Then it's just a matter of wiggling it out of the headliner. The wire won't let it go far. To re-install, just press it back into the headliner and push the tabs back to the position shown.

Circled in red is the metal spring clip that holds the bulb in place. In this picture, I have the 28mm festoon bulb installed and I had to pull the clip out to get enough tension on the bulb to hold it in place. To fit the larger 31mm bulbs you need to bend it almost flat. I've done this a couple of times now and it doesn't seem to have hurt the clip much. But too many times and you'd probably fatigue the metal and break the clip.

I've also updated my picture back on page 2 comparing the different bulbs to add the 5630 smd 12 led panel bulb. It was taken with the same camera settings so you do get a fairly good idea of how it compares.

 

[ManhstuhT4R]

Ordered the leds OP originally posted and holy shit am I happy with the results. Every other led that said was white looked extremely blue and was faint in light. Thanks for this great write up!

 

[ic0517]

A picture comparing the festoon bulbs. I *think* I read the millimeter side of my vernier calipers right.

The yitamotor festoon is a hair under 32 mm.

 

[bpwwer]

A picture comparing the festoon bulbs. I *think* I read the millimeter side of my vernier calipers right.

The yitamotor festoon is a hair under 32 mm.

So after seeing this I had to break out the calipers too. I get the same values and the 28mm bulbs that I have really are 28mm.

 

[ic0517]

OK now this is making sense, your 28 mm 5050, 4 LED, will fit, and the 32mm 5630, 6 LED being a PITA.

So either I
- go back to tungsten (no freaking way)
- try two of the remaining festoons, and use your trick.
- try your 5050 4LED,
- try the panel and the sprung festoon thingy
- try some other homebrew concoction. I do have one of those Harbor Freight made in China mini-lathes, haven't used it in a while.

Then the door light wedges, I found an auction by yitamotor, his auctions are 2 or 10, best guess is buy the the 2 twice. I have emailed him thru eBay, he is in Seattle, so I don't expect anything at the moment.

If you are reading this and trying to figure out what to buy, if I was in your shoes, knowing what I know now, I would recommend watching the video and taking a quick look at every light. My guess is you will find wedges and not festoons in your 2010 to 2015 on the doors.

My TE has no puddle lights in the mirrors, so I can't comment on those.

So, for my 2013 Toyota 4Runner, Trail Edition (there was no Premium that year)

2 Wedges - the lights that come on when you slide the cover over the mirror in the visor
2 Wedges - the two map lights above in the first row.
4 Wedges - the four door lights
2 festoons - the lights on the hatch. Sort of big, but 32 mm fit.
1 festoon - dome light in second row. 30.3mm would be ideal. Jury out on the best solution. 28 mm looks like the least hassle.
(and remember, no outside mirror puddle lights in a 2013 TE, make sure to account for yours)
(and then I didn't touch the back up lights, I want to finish what I started, and I am wondering if the backup camera works better or worse with LED backup lights at night).

 

[bpwwer]

OK now this is making sense, your 28 mm 5050, 4 LED, will fit, and the 32mm 5630, 6 LED being a PITA.

So either I
- go back to tungsten (no freaking way)
- try two of the remaining festoons, and use your trick.

You can make it fit. I destroyed my 5630 6 LED 31mm festoon trying to shorten it a bit. But by bending the metal clip, I was able to get the "warm white" 5630 6 LED 31mm bulb that I bought as a replacement to fit. But the color didn't match the others. I'm still debating about getting another cool white 5630 bulb.

- try your 5050 4LED,

I ended up buying a package of 10 of these as they were so cheap. The color matches well, but it is noticeably less bright. Since it's mostly the dogs in the back seat, less light back there isn't a real problem. If you want to try one of these, shoot me a PM with your address and I'll mail out a couple.

- try the panel and the sprung festoon thingy

You do have to search around a bit to find one that's using the 5630 LED's but they're out there. Easy fit, but it seems like it might take a bit of work to get it positioned well (I didn't try). You can also find these with more than 12 if you want lots of light.

 

[T4R_S2k]

Just bought the 18pc kit off of ebay...cant wait to get them and install them.

 

[ic0517]

You can make it fit. I destroyed my 5630 6 LED 31mm festoon trying to shorten it a bit. But by bending the metal clip, I was able to get the "warm white" 5630 6 LED 31mm bulb that I bought as a replacement to fit. But the color didn't match the others. I'm still debating about getting another cool white 5630 bulb.


I ended up buying a package of 10 of these as they were so cheap. The color matches well, but it is noticeably less bright. Since it's mostly the dogs in the back seat, less light back there isn't a real problem. If you want to try one of these, shoot me a PM with your address and I'll mail out a couple.

You do have to search around a bit to find one that's using the 5630 LED's but they're out there. Easy fit, but it seems like it might take a bit of work to get it positioned well (I didn't try). You can also find these with more than 12 if you want lots of light.

Might take you up on your offer. But I want to try your trick of taking down that plastic piece around the dome first. Its 0°F in Chicago, nothing is happening today 4Runner wise, except spin around in any snow not yet plowed I can find.

 

[enkrypt3d]

Anyone found a good enough reverse light that's bright enough? I need something that's going to light up as bright as or brighter than stock... I know it has been discussed already just wondering what type of bulbs you guys use if any?

I swapped out all but my puddle lights - not sure if i want to take apart the entire mirror yet hah.

Thanks

 

[bruindave]

As promised, I took some pictures of the housing to help explain how it is removed and how to fit the larger 31mm festoon LED bulbs.

I've circled the two tabs in red. Slide those in towards the center and the whole housing should get loose. Then it's just a matter of wiggling it out of the headliner. The wire won't let it go far. To re-install, just press it back into the headliner and push the tabs back to the position shown.

Circled in red is the metal spring clip that holds the bulb in place. In this picture, I have the 28mm festoon bulb installed and I had to pull the clip out to get enough tension on the bulb to hold it in place. To fit the larger 31mm bulbs you need to bend it almost flat. I've done this a couple of times now and it doesn't seem to have hurt the clip much. But too many times and you'd probably fatigue the metal and break the clip.

I've also updated my picture back on page 2 comparing the different bulbs to add the 5630 smd 12 led panel bulb. It was taken with the same camera settings so you do get a fairly good idea of how it compares.

Thanks so much for the pictures! I think I would've ripped out the whole thing without realizing how easy it was to just push those tabs in. I finally got it in after trying again! I ended up bending the metal piece a little to make it fit and that worked. I'll have to do the puddle lights later on when I have some more spare time. That worries me... haha.

 

[T4R_S2k]

Thanks for the info...just finished up this mod and i love it...

 

[enkrypt3d]

not sure why you guys are having such problems with the dome light? Mine was a tad too long but it does sit in there at a slight angle... but it works just fine. It took me maybe 10 seconds to install it and it works great...... :drama::brushteeth:

 

[Volley]

Waiting for mine to come in. A lot of great install tips. Thx all

 

[Rbiggers]

not sure why you guys are having such problems with the dome light? Mine was a tad too long but it does sit in there at a slight angle... but it works just fine. It took me maybe 10 seconds to install it and it works great...... :drama::brushteeth:

I had this exact same experience as well with the dome light. I'm not sure why some are having such problems and some aren't. I was quite nervous to work on the dome light, so really shocked when it took 10 seconds to install. I sure didn't want to take it all apart like some have had to do.

 

[TDiddy]

For a 2013 (Limited, if it matters), order the 18 pc kit from yitamotor. I started with the 13 pc kit and was short by (5) T-10 bulbs. He sent me the extras for a few bucks more. The OP said that the 13 pc kit was good thru 2013, but the listing itself says thru 2012. I emailed him before the first purchase and was told that the 13 pc kit would work, but you'll be short. I should have counted my lights to be sure but it all worked out in the end.

I didn't have any trouble with the dome light, but my PS license plate light is loose and the light flickers. I'm going to swap a bulb to see if it's the bulb or the socket itself.

I haven't been able to get the map bulbs out yet. The tape trick from the video hasn't worked and my 9 year old daughter's little fingers couldn't get them either. Going for an oil change tomorrow so I'll just have them pop them out at that time. Puddle lights later this week.

 

[jicko]

I haven't been able to get the map bulbs out yet. The tape trick from the video hasn't worked and my 9 year old daughter's little fingers couldn't get them either. Going for an oil change tomorrow so I'll just have them pop them out at that time. Puddle lights later this week.

For the map light, take heavy duty packaging tape, wrap "around" the light bulb, slip the tape as far down into the socket (ie. wrapping as much light bulb as possible), close up the top as a pull tag, and plug straight down.

For the mirror, unless those guys has lots of experience popping it out, it may be better off for you to do it yourself..... as you will take your time and be careful.... its tricky.... and takes time.... I am not sure if the stealership will do it "for free"....

 

[TDiddy]

Yeah the puddle lights I'll do myself. I only meant the map lights for them. I'll have the covers popped off already.

I'll try some packing tape today though, thanks. I've tried just about every other kind of tape but probably didn't get the bulb wrapped well enough.

 

[T4R_S2k]

The dome light took me all but 10 sec as well. Well 20 since i had the polarity reversed on it i had to take it out and put it back in.

Just go in at an angle and your done. If you try going in how its suppose to mount you will have a hard time. I even did a bump test and it held in no issues.


The tape trick for the MAP lights worked for me. That's that i used electrical tape from the dollar store...