Opt7 leds

Hi forum team,

I think I'm starting to see a trend around here; 'and it's a good one'! I've been seeing a lot of you doing your own "auto-electrical" mod work, and embracing the (sometimes elaborate or complex) wiring diagrams and electrical theory that corresponds! I need a moment... "I'm just so darn proud right now" :sobbing: ...Okay!

A lot of people are installing new 'In-Dash' push button switches (from AOB and Slee off-road) w/ an illumination circuit that connects to the factory instrument cluster lighting. Someone noticed that when they finished the wiring and tested the switch w/the headlights on, the accessory's icon/tag at the lower part of the switch-face doesn't dim with the other buttons on the dash when the 'Dimmer dial' is turned down and wanted to know why; maybe some of you are wondering the same thing.

The reason is that most of us are using the wiring harness that's supplied with the kit; which assigns the negative lead to the 'chassis/body ground'. If you didn't use that GND lead, you may be using an alternative ground in the dash-board. The way the Toyota engineers chose to ground the instrument cluster lighting system was to assign the 'Dimmer dial' to the GND-side of the circuit, there-by imposing a 'variable resistance' GND to this circuit; all of the exterior lighting systems on the 5th gen 4Runners utilize a "Switched ground" (-) method (as opposed to a Switched power (+) method)!

If you care to change that regarding the switch's inst. cluster lighting, you can just remove the switch's GND wire from the device's accessory harness and reconnect it to the 'Gray wire(s)' coming from the: 'RSCA', 'windshield wiper heater', 'power inverter' or the 'hazard light buttons'...etc.; the Green wire(s) on these buttons are the I.C. lighting power supplies ("tap into any one of those to illuminate the new dash switches when the parking/headlights are on")!

"Best to you all"!
 
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rigtec said:
Hi alan,

"Excellent Choice"! Hope you enjoy this kit as much as I'm enjoying mine! Best to you!
Click to expand...

What do you think about the LED light color? Are they about the same color as the rigid led's are? I know some of the cheaper LED lights seem to have a yellowish tint to them.
 
rigtec said:
The reason is that most of us are using the wiring harness that's supplied with the kit; which assigns the negative lead to the 'chassis/body ground'. If you didn't use that GND lead, you may be using an alternative ground in the dash-board. The way the Toyota engineers chose to ground the instrument cluster lighting system was to assign the 'Dimmer dial' to the GND-side of the circuit, there-by imposing a 'variable resistance' GND to this circuit; all of the exterior lighting systems on the 5th gen 4Runners utilize a "Switched ground" (-) method (as opposed to a Switched power (+) method)!

If you care to change that regarding the switch's inst. cluster lighting, you can just remove the switch's GND wire from the device's accessory harness and reconnect it to the 'Gray wire(s)' coming from the: 'RSCA', 'windshield wiper heater', 'power inverter' or the 'hazard light buttons'...etc.; the Green wire(s) on these buttons are the I.C. lighting power supplies ("tap into any one of those to illuminate the new dash switches when the parking/headlights are on")!
Click to expand...

Great info!
 
alangranvue said:
What do you think about the LED light color? Are they about the same color as the rigid led's are? I know some of the cheaper LED lights seem to have a yellowish tint to them.
Click to expand...

Color is "Bright White" and "Super Intense"!! These are not cheap "Knock-offs"; They hold to a very high standard all by themselves! ...As good or better (IMHO) than "Ridged Ind" w/o the hyper-inflated cost!
 
Thinking about doing this but is fleabay the only place to buy. They seem to be all sold out. Also is there a site to check out specs.
 
rigtec said:
Color is "Bright White" and "Super Intense"!! These are not cheap "Knock-offs"; They hold to a very high standard all by themselves! ...As good or better (IMHO) than "Ridged Ind" w/o the hyper-inflated cost!
Click to expand...
That's a pretty bold claim. Do you have any evidence to back that up?
 
I may try a behind the grill mounted bar. I'm skeptical though. The C2 claims to use CREE LEDs which is a good thing. In the bike (bicycle) industry damn near every high end, high output, LED bike light uses CREE LEDs. I have a one that mounts to the bars and one that mounts to your helmet. I can ride singletrack in the dark with that setup but it's a total of 2 LEDs per light and the cost is $250 for per light.

I can't see how a high quality 22" wide light bar of double stacked CREE LEDs can come with a harness and switch and only cost $150. I'm intrigued enough that I think I'm gonna get one and try it out though.
 
AudiTech said:
I may try a behind the grill mounted bar. I'm skeptical though. The C2 claims to use CREE LEDs which is a good thing. In the bike (bicycle) industry damn near every high end, high output, LED bike light uses CREE LEDs. I have a one that mounts to the bars and one that mounts to your helmet. I can ride singletrack in the dark with that setup but it's a total of 2 LEDs per light and the cost is $250 for per light.

I can't see how a high quality 22" wide light bar of double stacked CREE LEDs can come with a harness and switch and only cost $150. I'm intrigued enough that I think I'm gonna get one and try it out though.
Click to expand...
Cree makes a lot of LEDs, and most of the highend 3W ones run $10+ each, so you can be sure if they are using cree leds its low end or seconds, or they are just flat out lying.
 
x2^^^

To be devils advocate here... I will just say a lot of companies claim to have CREE bulbs in their lights, but order them assembled from China and have never taken them apart. Most light bars you see that claim to have CREE bulbs do not. Especially those on ebay/amazon. It just goes down the line of "yes they are made with CREE's"... then everyone seems to believe it. It cracks me up when I see a 41.5" light bar with CREE bulbs for $150 LOL and people believe it!

The Opt7's look pretty good. Yes, I sell light bars, and they are directly comparable with the Opt7's, but I'm not being biased whatsoever because anyone and their mother can sell light bars if they so choose. I do not believe these are CREE's though.

Like crackiswhack said, if they had CREE bulbs in them and the 8" bars are selling at $85 a piece, they would be losing money.
 
I have zero experience with LED lights but I will run any test I can on these when they come in if anyone has a question. I will try and take quite a few pictures of them.
 
Do any of you know of someone making an LED light bar mount for our 5th gens above the windshield? I'd like to have one above my windshield but I also don't want to spend $1k+ on a roof rack to do so.
 
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