Quality Interior LED light upgrades?

I see there are so many offerings out there at all different price points for swapping out the yellow dull stock interior bulbs for LED ones.....can someone who has swapped these bulbs out recommend a quality kit for doing the swap out to LED bulbs (interior) ?

 

Just did this upgrade to my '23 Limited, used the set from Cali Raised. Theirs has bulbs for the vanity lights, map lights, dome light, rear cargo lights, door bottom lights, puddle lights, license plate lights, and glovebox. Their kit also came with the plastic trim removal tool, which came in handy.

 

Thanks for choosing us! We would love to see how it looks with all the lights!

If anyone wants to check it out here is the link: https://caliraisedled.com/products/2010-2021-toyota-4runner-16pc-led-bulb-replacement-kit

 

I like my Arclight kit.

 

I upgraded all interior lights and mirror puddle lights with one of the higher rated LED packs. But have since switched the map lights and 2nd row dome lights to MESO ones so I can switch between white and red illumination (I just leave it on red most of the time).

 

I originally bought some cheap kit from Amazon, but the kept sending the kit for older Tundras. After 4 of those, they refunded the money. I ordered Diode Dynamics kit from 4Runner Lifestyles during the holiday sale. Was much more than the cheap knockoff lights, but I figured it was worth it. They really change the look to a much more updated modern style. I didn't realize how dull the stock lights were.

 

I also went with Diode Dynamics. You get what you pay for and the difference is night and day.

 

Just FYI to the OP: the Diode Dynamics kit from 4Runner Lifestyle does NOT include the bulbs for the puddle lights, license plate lights, or the glove box light. The Cali Raised kit does, and it's less than half the price of the DD kit.

 

I did the Diode Dynamics 3000K LED upgrade a while back, but they flickered & dimmed like there was a fluctuation in voltage. DD was easy to work with during the return/refund.

Second time around I ordered through VLED. I got their 5K kit and those worked out well. Color temperature is great, fitment was great and the quality of the LED seems better than the DD ones.

 

I went with Sylvania bulbs for interior. Not cheap, not the brightest but that's exactly what I wanted. Some of the other LED bulbs for interior are insanely bright and annoying.

 

My biggest worry when I ordered the VLED's was this! I didn't want eye-piercing, super bright LED's like I've seen in other cars. Luckily these are perfect IMO.

 

Best kit hands down.

 

I just need new door lights at this point.

I have meso custom map and dome lights. Hopefully their rear hatch lights come back sometime soon.

 

I've done this on a previous Jeep and it caused a bunch of issues (flickering, LED immediately burning out, blown fuse, etc). I got German made ones for my VW but also re-coded each specific module for the given bulb from regular to LED voltage, didn't have any problems with that.

What is the consensus on the most bulletproof, headache free approach for the 5th Gen? Take it there is no OEM equivalent upgrade for these bulbs (like off a Lexus?) but will swapping all to aftermarket LEDs cause any long term issue?

Am 100% out on any China junk LED nonsense but would take a shot with a high quality replacement that causes no electrical issues down the road. Priority for me would actually be the license plate bulbs, as it significantly ages the look of the truck at night imo (and not in a sort of charming old school way like the halogen DRLs).

 

I had the brighter bulbs in my FJ and will not put them in my Runner. When I'm offroad and camping, the bugs are super attracted to the bright lights. Found the lower dim yellowish color was not as bad.

 

That's a good point...must be why bug lights are yellow, and not white...

 

Yeah, LED bulbs have caused expensive problems. If a regular incandescent bulb fails, it will naturally fail “open” because the filament burns and breaks the circuit (If they fail….these low power incandescents last forever).

But the LEDs apparently can fail in “short” circuit. Then they basically keep drawing until something melts. The examples I’ve read on this forum have related to short circuits in LED bulbs installed in the doors which led to burning out the Body Control Module. This happens because the wiring for the door lights don’t have fuses.

I’m kind of torn, because I would like a bit more light inside the car,
for camping type situations, but most good LED options are way too bright. I tried a sylvania bulb, but it was no brighter than stock and the cool-white color makes it even harder for me to see. I might just do strip lights on separate circuits in the back and trunk areas that I can switch on/off manually. Or get white carpeting lol.

 

A year ago I replaced my interior light bulbs with LEDs. Like you, I chose a reputable brand to reduce the risk of frying the body control module. Map lights are Diode Dynamics DD0031P. Dome light is Diode Dynamics DD0292S. Cargo lights are Diode Dynamics DD0299P.



At night, the dome light and cargo lights still aren't bright enough. A single festoon LED bulb in each receptacle simply isn't strong enough. I'll be replacing them with Meso units when the weather gets warmer.

 

What are you trying to do inside, perform surgery or cut diamonds or something like that?! The LED bulbs I have that come on when the doors and rear hatch opens is plenty bright.

 

^Lol no, just finding stuff dropped in the rear seat footwell at night.

 

Thanks OP @Skeeterzx195c
Smart to start a thread, I bought Diodes for rear cargo door, and the dome last week.
Now I'm asking myself things like, wait, what is this Arclight kit !? Hah
Noting lots of good tidbits in here
Thx @whippersnapper02 @siblue

(I specifically bought warm white color diodes as opposed to cool whites - in hopes that they will be very slightly warmer as they surely blind my eyeballs)

 

Exactly. I've seen some weird stuff happen with aftermarket LEDs, HIDs, etc. You usually only hear the good so it's important to note that these things aren't bulletproof just because they're plug and play and can cause serious issues from a little stupid short.

That Jeep from years ago has given me all types of PTSD regarding electrical and suspension issues lol really don't want to screw anything up on the 4Runner. Luckily, I personally don't mind the incandescent interior bulbs too much (not as much as I mind the crappy resolution on all the cameras!). But the license plate bulbs bother me.....unlike the DRLs, these really cheapen the look at night imo.

Gonna look to see if the GX or LX license plate LEDs work with the 5th gen. Don't mind paying up the ass for the Toyota/Lexus OEM peace of mind. Wonder if OEM interior LEDs from the GX or LX also would work?

 

Anybody know what bulbs Toyota uses in the "LED Bulb Upgrade Kit" for $199?

 

Probably the same types in the Cali Raised kit for less than $50: vanity x 2, map x 2, dome x 1, glovebox x 1, door bottoms x 4, puddle x 2, rear cargo x 2, rear license x 2.

 

You definitely get a lot for what you are paying with for our LED Bulb Kit, thanks for the mention! Here it is if anyone wants to check it out: https://caliraisedled.com/products/2010-2021-toyota-4runner-16pc-led-bulb-replacement-kit

 

I don't know why anyone lists a glovebox light. It's not replaceable. The kit I got years ago also had one, but it's just being stored as a spare.

Maybe the Limited models have a replaceable glovebox light...?

 

Meso Custom 4Runner Done, Tundra Done....

 

There's an OEM option for LED bulb replacements for the 5th gen? Haven't heard of this, interested in a link or part # if you don't mind.

 

I'm down south in Louisiana, which is Gulf States Toyota area, when I am on the Toyota website there is an option in the Accessories tab that is called LED Bulb Upgrade.
Maybe its not optional for all Toyota regions.

 

Just received and started installing the CaliRaised kit yesterday. So far the only issue I had was the dome light needed some extra convincing as the bulb was a little longer than the incandescent. It's a nice kit and the LEDs put out a good amount of light.