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Ok, so I had installed the Philips 921 bulbs the other day, and last night got to see how well they work. I can say this, they are a HUGE improvement over the stock bulbs. But don't get me wrong, they are not anywhere near the equivalent of adding LED cubes or similar under/in the rear bumper - but those are a totally different animal, and we all know this.
The best description of the Philips 921's that I can give you (without pictures) is this:
Using the stock bulbs, at night they did near nothing ... I would have to "ride" my brake while in reverse to trigger the brake lights to come on, which would add enough light to make using the backup camera viable. Now, with the new light bulbs, they provide that same amount of light that I used to only get when combining the reverse lights with the brake lights.
So in summary, if you just want to upgrade your reverse lights for a very minimal cost, and keep the truck "stock", changing the bulbs is the way to go. They are a vast improvement in light output and quality vs. the stock bulbs, and will serve you well. However, if you really need to light things up as if you had headlights on the rear of your truck, you are going to have to go to some LED cubes or similar, as that's the only real way to get that level of light.
Ok, so I had installed the Philips 921 bulbs the other day, and last night got to see how well they work. I can say this, they are a HUGE improvement over the stock bulbs. But don't get me wrong, they are not anywhere near the equivalent of adding LED cubes or similar under/in the rear bumper - but those are a totally different animal, and we all know this.
The best description of the Philips 921's that I can give you (without pictures) is this:
Using the stock bulbs, at night they did near nothing ... I would have to "ride" my brake while in reverse to trigger the brake lights to come on, which would add enough light to make using the backup camera viable. Now, with the new light bulbs, they provide that same amount of light that I used to only get when combining the reverse lights with the brake lights.
So in summary, if you just want to upgrade your reverse lights for a very minimal cost, and keep the truck "stock", changing the bulbs is the way to go. They are a vast improvement in light output and quality vs. the stock bulbs, and will serve you well. However, if you really need to light things up as if you had headlights on the rear of your truck, you are going to have to go to some LED cubes or similar, as that's the only real way to get that level of light.
Your reverse lights sound like they do more than the ones I found online. But I like your summary. Most people do not need flood lights on the back of their truck, and without tinted windows the led upgrades are pretty decent in most environments.
Your reverse lights sound like they do more than the ones I found online. But I like your summary. Most people do not need flood lights on the back of their truck, and without tinted windows the led upgrades are pretty decent in most environments.
Not sure what bulbs you got, but I got the ones in the above post with the picture from Amazon showing the Philips 921 bulbs. And you're spot-on about my description ... some of us just need/want a little more light to make it where you can see enough to go in reverse w/out fearing that you're going to back into something you can't see. Others here may very well want/need a substantial amount more light - be it out of necessity, or just wanton desire. Either way, there are options - very good options - to accomplish both, and for those who just need a little, the replacement bulbs are more than ok, at least for me.
Ok, so I had installed the Philips 921 bulbs the other day, and last night got to see how well they work. I can say this, they are a HUGE improvement over the stock bulbs. But don't get me wrong, they are not anywhere near the equivalent of adding LED cubes or similar under/in the rear bumper - but those are a totally different animal, and we all know this.
The best description of the Philips 921's that I can give you (without pictures) is this:
Using the stock bulbs, at night they did near nothing ... I would have to "ride" my brake while in reverse to trigger the brake lights to come on, which would add enough light to make using the backup camera viable. Now, with the new light bulbs, they provide that same amount of light that I used to only get when combining the reverse lights with the brake lights.
So in summary, if you just want to upgrade your reverse lights for a very minimal cost, and keep the truck "stock", changing the bulbs is the way to go. They are a vast improvement in light output and quality vs. the stock bulbs, and will serve you well. However, if you really need to light things up as if you had headlights on the rear of your truck, you are going to have to go to some LED cubes or similar, as that's the only real way to get that level of light.
Well that is good to hear. I installed those bulbs yesterday, and while they light up my garage door better than the factory bulbs I haven't driven the truck yet to see how they perform out in the wild.
Not sure what bulbs you got, but I got the ones in the above post with the picture from Amazon showing the Philips 921 bulbs. And you're spot-on about my description ... some of us just need/want a little more light to make it where you can see enough to go in reverse w/out fearing that you're going to back into something you can't see. Others here may very well want/need a substantial amount more light - be it out of necessity, or just wanton desire. Either way, there are options - very good options - to accomplish both, and for those who just need a little, the replacement bulbs are more than ok, at least for me.
I agree that for backing up purposes a very good LED in factory location will suffice.
The reason I wanted "flood lights" in the back is actually two-fold.
First is to have better light for backing up at night. Mine are wired into the reverse signal to automatically come on when in reverse.
The second reason is to have mine switched inside the cab to be turned on independent of being in reverse. This way when I'm setting up camp after dark, skinning fish after a full day of fishing or just needing some work light behind the truck, I can turn off my truck and turn on these lights and have ample light in the dark.
I think that is the driving factor for many who put expensive LED cubes or lights in the back. If it were only for reversing what I have would be way overkill. But as an auxiliary light behind the truck I now have two reasons to spend the money and time to mount what I did.
Just so you understand the other perspective and purpose of rear lights.
Danny
Not sure what bulbs you got, but I got the ones in the above post with the picture from Amazon showing the Philips 921 bulbs. And you're spot-on about my description ... some of us just need/want a little more light to make it where you can see enough to go in reverse w/out fearing that you're going to back into something you can't see. Others here may very well want/need a substantial amount more light - be it out of necessity, or just wanton desire. Either way, there are options - very good options - to accomplish both, and for those who just need a little, the replacement bulbs are more than ok, at least for me.
Yup I agree guys, I will eventually do LED pods and a switch for when I am launching my boat in the dark, but for the time being I just need something as bright as my tail lights. I too ride my breaks when reversing just because I need that extra light!
I agree that for backing up purposes a very good LED in factory location will suffice.
The reason I wanted "flood lights" in the back is actually two-fold.
First is to have better light for backing up at night. Mine are wired into the reverse signal to automatically come on when in reverse.
The second reason is to have mine switched inside the cab to be turned on independent of being in reverse. This way when I'm setting up camp after dark, skinning fish after a full day of fishing or just needing some work light behind the truck, I can turn off my truck and turn on these lights and have ample light in the dark.
I think that is the driving factor for many who put expensive LED cubes or lights in the back. If it were only for reversing what I have would be way overkill. But as an auxiliary light behind the truck I now have two reasons to spend the money and time to mount what I did.
Just so you understand the other perspective and purpose of rear lights.
Danny
I wish I could remember the upgraded LED bulbs I installed... they do fine at illuminating the garage door, but real world application is not as good.
Also my reason for reverse flood lights is the same as yours Danny. We go camping and often times are setting up in the middle of the night. Thus I threw switches into the cab to control both the front and the rear mounted LEDs so I don't have to rely on a flashlight, or risk killing my battery by using the headlights.
