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Halogen to LED Day time running lights

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by mattdc.032, Feb 16, 2025.

  1. Feb 16, 2025 at 9:27 PM
    #1
    mattdc.032

    mattdc.032 [OP] New Member

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    Hey everyone,

    I wanted to upgrade my DRL from halogen to LED, I think the yellowish lights looks bit outdated. I searched up on youtube and some just have to replace the bulb which seems easy but others are showing I have to make some sort of different connection. Just wanted to know which is the easiest and right thing to do. Appreciate all the response!
     
  2. Feb 16, 2025 at 10:16 PM
    #2
    Gebroes

    Gebroes New Member

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  3. Feb 16, 2025 at 10:20 PM
    #3
    mattdc.032

    mattdc.032 [OP] New Member

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    @Gebroes does changing just the bulb is not ideal/great option? I’ll check it out! Thank you!!
     
  4. Feb 16, 2025 at 10:22 PM
    #4
    Gebroes

    Gebroes New Member

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    You’ll get flickering from the led bulb because it doesn’t have the proper voltage
     
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  5. Feb 16, 2025 at 10:56 PM
    #5
    icebear

    icebear Member

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    The halogen DRL - to the best of my knowledge - is dimmed by the computer sending pulses of electricity (pulse width modulation) that average out to a lower light output instead of just putting out less power like one would think. Putting in an LED as a drop-in without any modification or compensation will then result in flickering as it can quickly turn on/off on a dime.

    Edit: I stand corrected
     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2025
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  6. Feb 17, 2025 at 4:54 AM
    #6
    mattdc.032

    mattdc.032 [OP] New Member

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    Thanks ya’ll! Glad I ask the forum. Was about to go buy a phillips 9005 led bulb, I know it’s being cheap, I thought this was a quick “pick a bulb and install” thing. I’ll check everyone’s suggestions!
     
  7. Feb 17, 2025 at 5:16 AM
    #7
    Kezin

    Kezin New Member I guess?

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    PWM is on 2014-2020 and all trims of 2021 except Pro and Limited. 2021 Pro and Limited and all trims 2022-2024 wire the DRLs in series so they effectively get 6V each. On OP’s, they can make a harness with about $20 worth of supplies that changes the wiring back to parallel thus getting a full 12V to each DRL bulb and can then install some low power 12V LED bulbs
     
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  8. Feb 17, 2025 at 5:29 AM
    #8
    MeefZah

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    The cheapest option is probably just to turn them off...
     
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  9. Feb 17, 2025 at 5:40 AM
    #9
    Grandpawmoses

    Grandpawmoses Dirty Old Man

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    The Halogen DRL's for your model are 6 volt and wired in series for a total demand of 12 volts. The wiring harness actually changes the bulb sockets to 12 volts each by putting them in a parallel circuit.

    4runner bulb.jpg

    Note the red boxed in area. That's all there is to the wiring harness.
     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2025
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  10. Feb 17, 2025 at 6:20 AM
    #10
    kouack

    kouack New Member

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    The problem with doing those mode above is your DRL is also your high beam during normal operation. Installing Led bulb will be like driving around on high beam at all times until your headlights are on. Have not seen aftermarket market LED that will be dim.
     
  11. Feb 17, 2025 at 8:08 AM
    #11
    MeefZah

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    It's not, depending on year. Your 24 and OP's 24 do not use the DRLs as high beams. Earlier 5th gens do. I think the cutoff was around 21-22 ish.

    Yet another option is to eliminate the DRLs and fit a separate harness and LEDs to have extra lighting independent of the headlights, which I designed and did - because fuck DRLs!

    https://www.4runners.com/threads/di...headlights-replacing-drls-in-22-models.38127/
     
  12. Feb 17, 2025 at 1:02 PM
    #12
    kouack

    kouack New Member

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    I will have to say you are wrong



    From my 2024 owner manual



    ■Daytime running light system


    ●Vehicles with a headlight high beam/daytime running lights: The daytime

    running lights illuminate using the same lights as the headlight high beam

    and illuminate dimmer than the headlight high beam.
     
  13. Feb 17, 2025 at 1:05 PM
    #13
    FourBelugas

    FourBelugas New Member

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    Have you tried turning the high beams on and see for yourself?
     
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  14. Feb 17, 2025 at 1:11 PM
    #14
    Ksny15

    Ksny15 New Member

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    He's not. My 23 TRDOR has separate DRLs and highs
     
  15. Feb 17, 2025 at 1:11 PM
    #15
    Gebroes

    Gebroes New Member

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    The manual might say that but I have done this modification with a separate wiring harness so my DRLs are in parallel. My truck is a 2024, which others have reported, and has a different lighting system for the high beams and DRLs. My high beams come from the same output as my night time driving lights, not the DRLs.
     
  16. Feb 17, 2025 at 1:11 PM
    #16
    MeefZah

    MeefZah ------------

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    Cool
     
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  17. Feb 17, 2025 at 1:17 PM
    #17
    kouack

    kouack New Member

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    Yes I did! when I received my truck.... people will have to start read and trust their owner manual gee.
     
  18. Feb 17, 2025 at 1:17 PM
    #18
    Squatting Pigeon

    Squatting Pigeon Remember, bird watching goes both ways. Staff Member

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  19. Feb 17, 2025 at 1:17 PM
    #19
    Gebroes

    Gebroes New Member

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    Sick
     
  20. Feb 17, 2025 at 1:19 PM
    #20
    Gebroes

    Gebroes New Member

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    You are confused, brother.
     
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  21. Feb 17, 2025 at 1:20 PM
    #21
    kouack

    kouack New Member

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    Well I guess this is a Canadian thing because my DRL is dim when running if I hit the high beam the exact same light bulb is bright.
     
  22. Feb 17, 2025 at 1:22 PM
    #22
    Squatting Pigeon

    Squatting Pigeon Remember, bird watching goes both ways. Staff Member

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    It must be, because mine doesn’t do that. The little middle bulbs are only on with the DRL :notsure:
     
  23. Feb 17, 2025 at 1:22 PM
    #23
    kouack

    kouack New Member

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    Pretty simple test, What ever guru!
     
  24. Feb 17, 2025 at 1:36 PM
    #24
    Bagman

    Bagman Dental Floss Tycoon

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  25. Feb 17, 2025 at 1:39 PM
    #25
    kouack

    kouack New Member

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    I went to check USA vs Canadian parts number for headlight they are not the same, so this would explain the little difference ;-)

    Unit Assy, Headlamp, LH
    [​IMG]
    81070-35600

    Unit Assy, Headlamp, LH
    • CANADA SPEC
      CANADA SPEC& LIMITED PACKAGE
      CANADA SPEC&TRD SPORT SPECIAL EDITION
      View Less
    • Location: Driver Side
    • Fitting Vehicle Options: GRN285
    • Part Name Code: 81175
    VS

    81070-35610
    Unit Assy, Headlamp, LH
    • Location: Driver Side
    • Fitting Vehicle Options: GRN28#
    • Part Name Code: 81175

    upload_2025-2-17_16-37-19.png
     
  26. Feb 17, 2025 at 2:47 PM
    #26
    MeefZah

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    Ah. I didn't realize you were in Canada. It's too bad there's not a way to tell people your location in your profile. Someone should invent a way to do that!!!
    Screenshot_20250217-174939.png


    But yes there are some differences in Canada v US trucks and I guess this is one. A nonsensical one, but one nonetheless.
     
  27. Feb 17, 2025 at 5:01 PM
    #27
    kouack

    kouack New Member

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    Well, i never had a second thought about this, since this is www, it is a nice thing to add location to avoid misunderstanding. Different countries different rules for the automakers. Many forum will detect locations from our IP adress and show it automatically, my location was added in my profile.
     
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