Quick LED lighting tip to save you money on better map & dome lights

nyvram

nyvram

New member
I'm a huge fan of the advertisers on here..don't get me wrong. I've spent well over $100 at SuperBrightLEDs in the last 2 months buying bulbs to replace all kinds of things in my 4Runner.

However, I did buy 2 2-packs of these 12-SMD white bulbs on Amazon (due to a mistake in purchasing the right bulb for my 1998 map lights) and went to install 2 bulbs JUST FOR map light replacements. At $5.35 for a 2-pack, this was a no-brainer. $2.67 each for LEDS bulbs this crazy bright is a steal!! I combined this with my order for the forever black dye kit so shipping was also free. At this price I'd recommend getting at least 4 2-packs so you'll have them around if you need them for other projects.

2pcs 31mm 12-SMD 1.25" 12V Festoon Dome Light LED Bulbs + STICKER DE3175 DE3022 DE3021 3175 - White : Amazon.com : Automotive

Those things were SO bright..unbelievable. So bright they made my dome and rear cargo lights look like the old OEM bulbs again..and I had just replaced both of those a month ago with the 4-SMD bulbs that were listed as 'brightest' at SuperBright which I had bought at $7 *A PIECE*! Both my DOME and REAR cargo lights were definitely a TON brighter with these LEDs already.

DE3175 LED Bulb - 4 SMD LED Festoon | Festoon Base Bulbs | LED Car Bulbs | Super Bright LEDs

So I went in and swapped my dome light with the Amazon bulb (I had 2 leftover anyway) and sure enough..its a TON brighter which I guess makes sense since there are 12 small LEDs instead of 4 big ones on the superbright model.

So long story short, if you want operating room brightness in your cab when you open the door or need the map lights, I highly recommend these very inexpensive bulbs from Amazon over the brightest bulbs from SuperBright.

Since they've only been in a week, I don't have any advice as to longevity but they do have good reviews on Amazon as well.

Just an FYI to save a ton of money on this particular bulb swap.

PS I went ahead & went ALL BLUE on my dash and AC console lights..WOW! I LOVE IT!! I had swapped with white LEDs in January, but because I was getting flickering dash lights (thanks to the poster who mentioned the dielectric grease!) I had to pull my dash off again anyway to fix that. While I was in there, I swapped my blinkers for LED greens and the main lighting is BLUE now. I absolutely love it! My cab is super cozy now at night..even the wife loves the new look over the bright whites from before.
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
I have a 1998 so keep that in mind because the map lights ate different than 99 and up.

You can do all three with a standard flat head screwdriver. Just wrap the head in a ziploc bag to keep from damaging anything.

Map - put it under the front of the whole assembly closest to glass and the whole housing pops off.

Dome - look for tiny screwdriver sized opening and put screwdriver in and pop it off.

Cargo - on passenger side of light.. Again gently pop it off.
 
how did you do the LED's in your dash and console??? I want to do this but havnt read anything on it... What LED bulbs did you use for those?
 
thank you!

also, are all the bulbs (map lights and dome lights) the same size??? if i order 4 of the ones off the link above they will all fit right, yes? i know... stupid questions but id rather make sure before i blow money...
 
Last edited:
Theres even brighters ones for the same price..

check out ebay for "52 smd 5050 festoon adapter" and bow to the glory of brightness
 
I had those in my 87' and they weren't that impressive.... maybe they didn't get enough juice from old wiring but i wasn't in ah of them. they weren't "operating room" status.
 
nyvram, popped the LED's in my map lights, passenger compartment light and my cargo light today. They beat the heck out of the factory bulbs! I don't know about other light options, but these things rock for cheap $$ too.

They were a little oversize in length, but I managed to get them all in without any issue.
 
Thanks for the tip

Got them in 2 days with amazon prime free shipping.

Easy fit in the map lights, much tighter in the front dome light.

A simple and cheap upgrade. Thanks!
 
I have to play the devils advocate here. I bought these bulbs from amazon, and IMO they suck. They were way too much of a cool white for me. It seemed like the halogen bulbs had more useful light then these.

however I've been running one of these HP LED 5K WHITE MULTI SOCKET 158 168 194 906 921 3175 211 1895 1156 57 - Universal for a whille which is insanly bright so it may be why i expected the amazon bulbs to be a little brighter with having more LEDs .

These ones have more wattage too so yeah, I bought more of these after being disappointed with the amazon bulbs.
 
LED vs OEM bulbs

We've got 2 Runners, one w OEM and the other these LEDs. Side by side the LEDs overall are brighter. The map lights in both really light up the front seats well but the LEDs provide more illumination in the middle seats and cargo area. I've not seen any other LED options to compare to. Took pics but camera phone images not worth showing.
 
GottaBeTRD said:
I have to play the devils advocate here. I bought these bulbs from amazon, and IMO they suck. They were way too much of a cool white for me. It seemed like the halogen bulbs had more useful light then these.

however I've been running one of these HP LED 5K WHITE MULTI SOCKET 158 168 194 906 921 3175 211 1895 1156 57 - Universal for a whille which is insanly bright so it may be why i expected the amazon bulbs to be a little brighter with having more LEDs .

These ones have more wattage too so yeah, I bought more of these after being disappointed with the amazon bulbs.
Click to expand...

you're not hurting my feelings at all (i got that out of my system w/ my fuel indicator thread...) ;)

i have only compared the SUPERLED lights to the AMAZON ones. they are significantly brighter than what i had before..i kept a maglite between my front seats so whenver i stopped at night i could read things.

now i don't need that..but i have no doubt there are probably even brighter ones out there.

but the amazon ones (again compared just to the superbrights) are way brighter..but of course there is always a bigger fish right... ;)
 
Yeah that may be my problem/bias too. I first tried some of those 2 LED festoon bulbs from vleds and they just didn't light up the interior like i preferred. These ones from amazon seemed to be about the same brightness as the 2 led ones.

Lol I noticed your talking about the map lights and not the domes too so yeah... My bad. I'm sure these things would be fine for those
 
I have the 4 LED lights from superbright in my Accord. I put them in the doors and trunk. I put a larger/brighter 6 LED like the one you listed from amazon from superbright in my dome light. I couldn't even imagine something like that in a map light location. Way overkill IMO, possibly even dangerous. A map light is suppose to be a convenience feature not a blind everyone in the car and the car next to you light. I would be cautious in putting something that bright in there. Sometimes my 6 LED light in just my dome is to much for me.
 
rayjay said:
I have the 4 LED lights from superbright in my Accord. I put them in the doors and trunk. I put a larger/brighter 6 LED like the one you listed from amazon from superbright in my dome light. I couldn't even imagine something like that in a map light location. Way overkill IMO, possibly even dangerous. A map light is suppose to be a convenience feature not a blind everyone in the car and the car next to you light. I would be cautious in putting something that bright in there. Sometimes my 6 LED light in just my dome is to much for me.
Click to expand...

i dont typically use the map lights when driving; more often when i'm trying to find something in the center console or something that fell on the floor when the car is parked in a dark place.

i think you're overstating the risk here a bit; i actually think they're safer because if you're stopped at a stoplight or something and need to quickly look for an item, its better to have a brightly lit interior.

i have turned them on for grins when driving at night a couple times and don't think its a problem any more than the old lights being on. its annoying for them to be on regardless of the bulb in them.
 
I saw this thread last week and ordered some for all the interior lights as well as the dome light in my Delsol. I installed them when they came in, waited (forever) for it to get dark and tested them. It made a huge difference, I love them! Thanks for the tip!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 4,105 (members: 1, guests: 4,104)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,316
Messages
3,554,120
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top