nelpow

Hello!

I am looking to replace all the bulbs in my truck to LED bulbs. This includes exterior lights and interior lights.

I have heard of some issues with LED bulbs not being directly compatible with the existing electrical systems.

Is there any reason I wouldn't be able to put in LED bulbs for my interior and exterior lighting? I am mainly referring to turn signals, backup lights, interior cab and door lights, etc.

Not so much the headlights because I don't want to be one of the jerks blinding everyone on the road at night.

Any information or experience you guys have to share would be helpful.

Thanks!

BLDTruth

I have replaced every bulb in my truck with LED's except for the headlights and a few of the cluster lights - some of them do not play well with LED's - if I recall correctly, it's the battery, seat belt, check engine, and ABS lights that will not take LED's. They end up glowing like they are halfway on.

I highly recommend the JDM ASTAR brand off of amazon or ebay. I have had only one bulb fail and they sent me a new one within 24 hours.

I used these to replace all the 194 bulbs in the truck - so all of the dash cluster bulbs, door panel, glove box, dome light and license plate - you will need two sets to do them all.:
https://smile.amazon.com/JDM-ASTAR-B...BNPFATNEQ2CP1A

I used these for the 3157's for turn signals and brake lights, and for the 3156 reverse lights:
https://smile.amazon.com/JDM-ASTAR-L...ateway&sr=8-28

I used these for front corner lights - need 2 sets:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/JDM-ASTAR-2...frcectupt=true

I used these resistors on my rear tail lights so I didn't lose cruise control:
https://smile.amazon.com/4Pcs-Aaron-...R25WS2EK7QPM7N

And I used these mechanical flashers thinking I needed them, but it turns out I didn't need them - reports vary depending on the type of truck:
https://smile.amazon.com/EF32RLNP-El...omotive&sr=1-1

I also had a set of these hanging around and put one of them under the hood and it looks amazing:
https://smile.amazon.com/JDM-ASTAR-E...gateway&sr=8-5

And finally I have this LED third brake light:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1992-1996-F...frcectupt=true


I tried going with the cheap ebay LEDs at first and bunch of them burnt out within a year. Spend a little more and do it right the first time.

nelpow

Wow!

Thanks for all this information!

A couple of follow-up questions:

1. Did you have any issues with the turn signals? like fast blinking or anything?
2. You said you used resistors on the tail lights so you didn't lose cruise control. Can you elaborate?

Thanks

BLDTruth

The cruise control will not operate properly if there is a brake light bulb out. LED's without resistors will not draw enough current, making the cruise system think the bulb is out. The lights will work fine, but cruise will never engage. The resistors also cause the system to draw enough current for the stock thermal flashers to work properly. Without resistors (or mechanical flashers) you will get either rapid blinking, or no blinking at all. I didn't end up needing the mechanical flashers, but they do flash the bulbs in a more consistent on-off manner than the stock flashers, and they click much louder which is nice on the highway or when I have the music up. Only downside to the mechanical flashers is they tend to click once or twice more than the bulb actually flashes. But you get used to it.

When you install the resistors you only install them on the turn signal/brake bulb wire, not the running light wire. That way they are only active when you apply the brakes or use the turn signal, and not while you are just driving with your lights on.

nelpow

Thanks!

clintm6

Two thumbs up on all the LEDs BLDTruth listed!! I used these electronic flashers when I changed over all my bulbs to LED:
You will need two of these so both the blinkers and the emergency flashers work well. The one for the emergency flashers plugs into the back of the fuse panel, and for the one for the blinkers I used jumpers from the electronic flasher to the front of the fuse box because the flasher is too tall to fit with the panel in place. The fuse panel is on the left side of the dash.

BLDTruth

Hmmm - I use the same flashers and I can get the fuse panel cover on - it takes a little manipulation but she goes in

clintm6

I think that's because you're magic...

Samuel Thayer

How many 194 bulbs are behind the instrument cluster?

Lyzander

What year do you have?