Turn signal switchback lights

My takeaway from reading a couple hundred threads on aftermarket replacements for OEM exterior lighting on recent vehicles aren't worth the trouble.

 

For 4 years I’ve been running these Lasfit LED front turn signal bulbs in my 2018 4Runner ORP and I’ve been pretty happy with it them. No external resistors needed, they are built in.

Front turn signals:
7443 7444 CANBUS Error Free LED Turn Signal Light Anti Hyper Flash | Amber Yellow, 2 Bulbs

https://www.lasfit.com/products/amb...5&_sid=b7f8d188f&_ss=r&variant=21325353713748

They are much brighter than the OEM incandescents. But maybe a little too bright. At night I sometimes get concerned that I may be blinding or annoying oncoming cars or pedestrians at night, they are that bright.

So when I heard that Lasfit has a new version (T3 Series Upgraded Version) that is a little less bright and is a switchback style, I decided to give them a try.

New front version:
7443 7444 Switchback CanBus LED Bulbs Front Turn Signal Lights | Error Free Anti Hyper Flash, T3 Series Upgraded Version

https://www.lasfit.com/products/7443-switchback-led-turn-signal-bulbs-t3-series

I noticed that these new T3 series bulbs have half the amount of LED chips as the previous model and what seems to be a better layout and more venting for better cooling. They may be less susceptible to hyperflash after being on for a long time, such as when having the hazard lights flashing continuously. I could get the old versions to hyperflash after 5 minutes, even in cold weather. With this new upgraded version I have not had any hyperflash issues.

When driving with headlights off the turn signals flash a very bright amber. When headlights or parking lights are on, the bulbs are a steady-state lower level white, which looks brighter than the amber color of the previous version. I noticed that in the parking light mode they provide enough light to reasonably see what’s in front of you, which could be useful for slow speed navigating around a campground at night without blasting your sleeping neighbors with your low beams.

Here’s a parking light photo of the T3 bulb on the passenger side while the previous version is on the driver side for comparison.



So far they are working well and I’m pleased with them. I hope they are as reliable as my last set.

Some tips on installation:
Installing the front turn signal bulbs involves removing three screws from the plastic fender liner, and maybe one more from underneath. Make note of which screw goes where because they may be two different sizes. Stretch the plastic liner back so you can reach your arm up to remove the bulb socket. Wear long sleeves because it’s a tight fit so your forearm doesn’t get scratched up.

There are two bulb sockets up high under the fender, the small one is the side marker, the larger one is the turn signal. Twist the larger socket a quarter turn counterclockwise and pull it out of the housing to replace the bulb. Before reinstalling the socket into the housing turn it on to verify it’s installed for the proper polarity. If not, pull the bulb out and orient it in the opposite position.

 

I also have been using the older version of the Lasfit rear turn signal bulbs for four years.

Rear turn signals:
7440 7441 W21W WY21W CANBUS Anti Hyper Flash LED Turn Signal Lights Blinker Bulbs | Amber Yellow, 2 Bulbs
https://www.lasfit.com/products/las...canbus-error-free?_pos=1&_sid=44c24c155&_ss=r

Like the fronts, they are very bright and work well without external resistors. But they also will hyper flash after extended on-time.

Lasfit also came out with a new improved version for the rear bulb:
The 7443 7440 7444 7442 Amber CanBus LED Bulbs Turn Signal Light | Error Free Anti Hyper Flash, T3 Series Upgraded Version

https://www.lasfit.com/products/7443-amber-led-turn-signal-bulbs-t3-series

I bought these bulbs for the rear and they are working great. I’ve only been using them for a few weeks but I tested them in emergency flasher mode for over 30 minutes and no hyperflash with either the fronts or rears.

Installation is a lot easier than the fronts, just remove the interior access cover with a trim tool or small thin flat blade screwdriver and reach way up to get to the bulb.

 

I have both LASFIT - older and newer model.
I am in Florida and on extremely hot days, older design would hyperflash, but only during prolonged use (more than 7-10 min of continuous use)
New design seems to have improved, I havent had any hyper flash at all, but have only had them a few weeks.

FYI - For anyone interested in saving quite a few bucks and wanting to experiment, I am selling my old design in the classifieds for pretty cheap.

Best of luck

 

Well, my switchbacks have a cord with the resistor built into the cord. Seems like a nice design.

 

Ofcourse you have to remove the socket then replace the socket while plugging into the original with resistor cord.

 

Thank you for confirming this for us. The T3 series is what I ordered. That means I should be good to go; with no hyper flashing.

 

I second Borracho Loco's sentiment. Pleased or more to the point, relieved , to hear that we may have finally hit the right bulbs.

 

@kpmhspirit & @broken-giver

The day is finally here. FINALLY!

I installed these: https://www.lasfit.com/products/744...l-bulbs-t3-series?_pos=1&_sid=3ac2ca83e&_ss=r

7443 7444 Switchback CanBus LED Bulbs Front Turn Signal Lights | Error Free Anti Hyper Flash, T3 Series Upgraded Version

They installed with ease, and work perfectly. Just like I wanted. The switch back works and no hyper flashing at all. Not even a little. I tested it about 4 times. Engine off, Engine on, just flashers, etc...

Lights on; Left turn signal:




Lights on; Right turn signal:




Lights on; flashers:




Upclose. No lights on; Right turn signal:




Now that it's over with and finally fixed, I swear to God, I heard the song "At Last" by Etta James in my head afterwards!

 

Damn that's great. Mine get here tomorrow. I have the rear turns too.

Pete

 

Sweet! Thanks for solving it for everyone. I am gonna order it from lasfit.

 

Well, the lights finally arrived today. USPS took longer. I did the front turn signals/parking lights, rear turn signals and reverse lights. These are the ones I ordered:

https://www.lasfit.com/products/744..._2023~zq_all-trims~dz_front-turn-signal-light
https://www.lasfit.com/products/744...r_2023~zq_all-trims~dz_rear-turn-signal-light
https://www.lasfit.com/products/can...4runner~yr_2023~zq_all-trims~dz_back-up-light

I got them installed despite the damn weather. It was in the mid-20s and windy. I can't work in my garage. I live in an apartment and do have a garage but the 4R just fits. Driver can get out but passenger not and I can't open the rear hatch.
Anyway, THEY ALL WORK PERFECTLY..... All are much brighter and look great. That's a relief. HOWEVER, there are a couple of installation tips and PITAs I'll tell you in case anyone is going to do the same.

If you watch the videos about the installation of the rear lights it's all easy-peasy to get the bulbs out and the new ones in. NOT. Yes, you can get at the bulbs but they didn't leave any slack in the wires so it's hard to get the old bulbs out and the new ones in. The first reverse light bulb got pulled out as I tried to remove the socket from the hole and fell into the housing. SO, I had to remove the whole light fixture. That also was a pain. It's easy to get the two nuts off but the grommets hold the fixture in tight and there's no good place to pull to get it off. I made the mistake of pulling on the top black plastic part and cracked it. Not a big deal. Glued it back but a pain. I finally got it off pulling on it but it took a while. I took the other side off too (more on that) and then used a rubber mallet and an extension and tapped on the two long bolts from the inside until it popped loose. Just don't tap too hard or it will fall off unless you got someone to catch it or maybe leave the power connector on. Take off the middle connector which is the main power before removing the fixture. It's the only connector you need to remove. Once you get it off it's easier to replace the two bulbs in the top and bottom connectors. Before you put it back together, CONNECT THE POWER AND TEST IT. THE BULBS HAVE POLARITY. I didn't see anything about this on the web site but, trust me, every bulb I installed did have. On the back I was right 1 out of 4 and the front 1 of 2....lol. After I got the first side back together and working, I then managed to replace the reverse on the other carefully. I got the turn signal bulb out but no way could I get the LED back in. It's too long and there is just not enough slack in the wire. So I ended up taking the fixture out as described above. Again, test before reassembly. If you get the turn signals reversed, they hyper flash. The rears just don't work.

The front turn signals are also a pain to get to. I took 4 screw out and you can pry the plastic wheel well cover back enough to just barely get an arm in to twist out the socket and then both hands to replace the bulb. Again, test all functions before putting the bulb into the head light and set it. There is no way I could have put a resistor on there. There is just not enough slack. You replace the bulb by feel as it is. I guess you'd have to remove the whole light to do the resistor. BUT luckily it's not needed based on several of our experiences with these Lasfit bulbs.

Anyway, sorry for the long post. Hopefully it will save some time and scraped knuckles!! for someone. I hope the long-term performance is up to par but I guess we'll find out.

Pete

 

Don't worry, all we read was "They worked". We skipped over you bitchin' and moanin'.

 

I know, I know...

 

Our next project should be a hidden LED lightbar (behind the grill).

 

Yeah, I've seen some of those. They look pretty cool but after today's experience I think I'll wait until the summer....lol

 

Are you thinking from diode dynamics? Yeah those look super cool.

 

Something along these lines maybe:

https://www.headlightrevolution.com/VisionX-Grille-Light-Kit-Toyota-4Runner-14-21?quantity=1

I'll study this for a while.

 

I saw this, then saw the price and said "Fuck no". I think I found an option for around $100 that I may go with. Also, the set you linked to, was only for 14 - 20' models.

 

I did see the price. I was more looking for an example. It's not a top priority for me right now. BUT, you never know....You don't know what you want until you see it.

 

Boom. I found it cheaper. I think it's the same model/brand as HeadLightRevolution? Since it's LasFit, I KNOW it will work too!

https://www.lasfit.com/products/off...2000-2022~zq_all-trims&variant=42289113202935

 

You're such a cheapskate...Do this one and be somebody..

https://www.headlightrevolution.com/Vision-X-Grille-LED-System-Toyota-Tacoma-16-20_2?quantity=1

I know it's for a Tacoma but you can make it fit...