+1 for a $20 eBay kit. This isn't a 40" light bar you're taking across the Sahara.
In case of interior lighting you really don't need high output lights. I'm talking about dome, map and mirror lights. You don't want to be blinded by your own lights when driving at night.
However there are two lights which a re not really "interior lights" you would want to but something better than "one buck LED bulb". Cargo door lights: lamp is designed to accommodate 3075 type of bulb and can support up to 5W power consumption. This light is designed to lit the cargo and area behind the track (for easy access) when the tailgate is open. Original 5W incandescent bulbs can't even compete with the moon as it gives only about 40 lumens of light each.
The best available 3075 bulbs give out not more than 120 lumens which is about 3 times more light than original bulbs. Expect from typical "one buck LED bulb" about 80 lumens, which will be about 2 times more light than original bulb.
Don't be fulled by "whiter" LEDs that seem to be brighter, but this is actually is not what want from such lights. Do not confuse "brightness" and "light output". These are two different parametrs. Look at this from this point:
1. Brightness (measured in candelas) will define how this light is visible from the distance. More bright light, the better you can see it. This value makes sense when bulb is used in exterior lights used for identification: marker light, position light, stop light, blinker, DRL.
2. Light output (measured in lumens) will define how good the light will make other things visible. More light output, the better you see stuff that the light is shined at. This value makes sense for bulbs used for lighting other objects: registration plate light, backup light, interior (and cargo area) lights, mirror puddle lights, headlights and fog lights. Yes, also the 40" light bar too.
Oh, speaking of puddle light, it uses 194 5W bulb. Again, not much light from the stock bulb here. Same thing as for cargo area light: the best LED bulbs that would fit inside the mirror housing don't give more than 120 lumens. "One buck LED bulb" will save you money, but don't expect lightshow from them - maybe 80 lumens of usable light.
If I can''t buy what I want, I will make it. With my own version of 3075 LED bulb installed in cargo light housing I'm getting total 900 lumens of usable light - that is equivalent of 60W household incandescent bulb. This is what I'm talking about:
Very similar bulb but 194 version will go to puddle lights and I'm expecting to get 450 lumens shining down from each mirror - that's about 10 times more light than from stock bulbs. No more stepping on the frog while entering the vehicle :cowboy:
