Putting the red bumper lenses to use
- Thread starter bryancos
- Start date
teotwaki
Senior Member
Another 4Runner gets the mod
I had ordered materials but finally had a chance to make the mod:
My twist on it is that I used "special" 3157 LEDs from Autolumination that incorporate a simple accelerometer. On normal stops the LED brake lights illuminate normallly. For hard stops the LEDs pulse at a rapid rate about 10 times and then stay on as long as the brake pedal is applied:
http://autolumination.com/dcell5.html
Press article:
Mercedes-Benz to adopt flashing brake lights
"Stuttgart , Germany - Mercedes-Benz plans to add flashing brake lights to its vehicles in an effort to reduce rear-end collisions.
Research by Mercedes engineers showed that driver reaction times are shortened by up to 0.2 seconds if a flashing red warning signal is used, instead of a conventional brake light during emergency braking. At 80 km/hr this reduced the stopping distance by approximately 4.4 metres, and at 100 km/hr by no less than 5.5 metres.
This means that flashing brake lights are an effective and easily implemented way to reduce rear-end collisions.
Specialists at Mercedes tested various warning light systems during their study. Brake lights which flash four times as quickly as the amber hazard warning lights during emergency braking proved particularly effective in alerting following drivers to the danger of a rear-end collision. "
There are 19 forward LEDs and 6 radial LEDs. The LEDs are 45 degree output angle and generate about 75 to 90 Lumens.
I used some nice sockets from Kragen that lock the bulb in and have a gasket. I ran the wires up to the back of the standard tail light assembly. I took advantage of existing rubber plugs to route the wire through the bulkhead.
I had ordered materials but finally had a chance to make the mod:
My twist on it is that I used "special" 3157 LEDs from Autolumination that incorporate a simple accelerometer. On normal stops the LED brake lights illuminate normallly. For hard stops the LEDs pulse at a rapid rate about 10 times and then stay on as long as the brake pedal is applied:
http://autolumination.com/dcell5.html
Press article:
Mercedes-Benz to adopt flashing brake lights
"Stuttgart , Germany - Mercedes-Benz plans to add flashing brake lights to its vehicles in an effort to reduce rear-end collisions.
Research by Mercedes engineers showed that driver reaction times are shortened by up to 0.2 seconds if a flashing red warning signal is used, instead of a conventional brake light during emergency braking. At 80 km/hr this reduced the stopping distance by approximately 4.4 metres, and at 100 km/hr by no less than 5.5 metres.
This means that flashing brake lights are an effective and easily implemented way to reduce rear-end collisions.
Specialists at Mercedes tested various warning light systems during their study. Brake lights which flash four times as quickly as the amber hazard warning lights during emergency braking proved particularly effective in alerting following drivers to the danger of a rear-end collision. "
There are 19 forward LEDs and 6 radial LEDs. The LEDs are 45 degree output angle and generate about 75 to 90 Lumens.
I used some nice sockets from Kragen that lock the bulb in and have a gasket. I ran the wires up to the back of the standard tail light assembly. I took advantage of existing rubber plugs to route the wire through the bulkhead.
Attachments
V8Limited4wd
New member
Kmvreter said:
just want to verify, but do the oem drl sockets also take 3157? I'm gonna do this mod soon and i want to make sure i get it right the first time.
also, how did you connect the wire to the wire connector?
Not to kick a dead horse, but sharp4runr posted a link to this thread when someone was asking about ordering the pre-made lights. That got me interested in doing this again after forgetting about it for about a year.
Anyway, the question I have is for those with regular dual filament bulbs and the heat "problem". How are the lenses holding up? Any melting or other problems? I'd rather not use LED's due to the cheapness factor and matching the regular tails more closely, but I know some people that originally started with them switched to LED's so I am wondering if anyone is running the dual filaments anymore. Any feedback to help me decide would be appreciated.
Anyway, the question I have is for those with regular dual filament bulbs and the heat "problem". How are the lenses holding up? Any melting or other problems? I'd rather not use LED's due to the cheapness factor and matching the regular tails more closely, but I know some people that originally started with them switched to LED's so I am wondering if anyone is running the dual filaments anymore. Any feedback to help me decide would be appreciated.
sharp4runr
New member
I've had these for a while with the dual filament bulb. I have it set up as running lights and brake lights. Housing is still in good shape. I do have a nick on the corner of my lens because I was a tard and dropped, but that hasn't affected it's performance.
teotwaki
Senior Member
N8G said:
LOL! Got me there. DOH!
I am too lazy to change filament bulbs and I wanted some "bling" factor too. That is why I bought the matrix LEDs that blink 10 times on a hard deceleration/stop. The details are in my post.
vendor site: http://autolumination.com/dcell5.html
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Iron Clad Lou
New member
I'm preparing to do this mod and I have a website for the LED's and HRunner's write up. I went to the local Advance Auto parts and the do not carry the 1157 socket...and I'll be damned if I can find em online...can someone advise on where to purchase these things? thanks.
HAfrica13
New member
I got mine from Autozone. They were kinda cheapish (like the quality), but i've had them for a while and they work great. I just put alot of hot glue around the seal and electric tape over them. I saw someone order the 1157 toyota sockets and the harnesses... kind of wish i did it that way... but im more than happy with mine! Get in the zone...Autozone!Iron Clad Lou said:
If I hook it up with the lines of trailer towing lights, will the fuse or wires hold when I really tow something?
Also, one other question......
If I want to add something more onto my 4r, such as strobe lights, should I hook it up directly to the battery with a fuse in series or hook it up in parallel with other lights (maybe change the fuse on that line?) ? Thanks......
Also, one other question......
If I want to add something more onto my 4r, such as strobe lights, should I hook it up directly to the battery with a fuse in series or hook it up in parallel with other lights (maybe change the fuse on that line?) ? Thanks......
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