I have a 1999 GS300 w/o HIDs. Apparently, many locations require a load or resistance interface of some sort to offset issues with hyper-flash and/or voltage/wattage differences. With that being said, I’d like some advice for the 7440 ambers up front and the variety of 7440/7443 red and white rear bulbs.

1. 7440 amber up front. Does it require an interface as described above? Will a 7440/7443 amber work as well as a dedicated 7440? I understand that a 7443 will work in a 7440 location, but not vice versa, right?
2. Reverse clear 7440s are pretty self-explanatory. Do they need an interface since they don’t flash?
3. The four red 7443s. Will they need the interfaces since they have dual voltage/wattage running through them?
4. Rear 7440 ambers. Do they need the interfaces?
5. Will a CANBUS led bulb eliminate the need for the above mentioned interface?

To sum up, there is a need for a total of 12 7440/7443 style bulbs.....4 7440 ambers up front and rear; 2 7440 clears for reverse; 4 red 7443s and 2 red 7440s in rear, correct?

Geez, there are literally hundreds of choices Amazon, etc. My OCD is going nuts. Any definitive, cost-effective choices as I’m not gonna spend $175 for 2 7443s from vLed. 🤣🤣🤣

 

You need to buy an LED flasher relay to eliminate the hyper flash. It's a pain in the *** to replace, and it's better than running those dirty looking load resistor. There is a write up about the relay if you search it up. As for the led, you only need 2(7440) in the front. There aren't anymore you can fit in front so you don't need 4. If you haven't cleared out your turn signal I don't suggest getting orange, get white. 4(7443) for brake light and 4(7440) reverse and turn signal. If you havent done the mod to make your top part light up when you brake too, look it up. Super ez

 

Thanks for replying, Tuanville. Let me ask you this:

1. If I don’t change the relay (pain in the neck) OR splice in the janky-looking load resistors, the “flashing” LEDs that I install (2 amber or clear 7440s upfront and 2 7440s rear) will hyperflash?
2. If I install the 4 red 7443 & 2 7440 BRAKE LEDs without the load resistors, they should operate normally, since they don’t “flash”?
3. Obviously, the clear 7440 reverse LED will not be affected, correct?

To sum up and for clarity, there are 12 7440/7443 bulbs:

• 2 7440 upfront turn signals
• 2 7440 rear turn signals
• 2 7440 reverse (clear)
• 2 7440 red in bottom of rear housing
• 4 7443 red brakes. 2 in trunk lid and 2 in upper of rear housing

Just not ready to splice or do any substantial mods, hardware-wise. Thanks for your and anybody else’s patience with me (major OCD), help and suggestions!🤓

 

The reverse lights can be changed to LED bulbs without issues. Either the LED relay or the resistors won't have an effect on any bulb that doesn't blink.

As for the red bulbs, you will have a warning light on the dash when you brake. Here is one way to deal with this. Another is to pull the light in the dash or cover it with black electrical tape. Personally, I didn't bother with replacing the red bulbs.

 

Thanks 8M6....righteous vid! One-handed!🤣🤣

 

Check out Diodedynamics.com, they offer specific LED bulbs for the GS without using resistors, plug and play options. That is what I am using.

 

Thanks, but $$$$!🤑🤑

I know, you get what you pay for!

 

Yeah, they are pricey but look at how clean they install, plus the advantages of LED lighting. The install alone seals the deal for me.

 

Can someone please confirm what 4 bulbs are inside the rear light clusters?

• 2 7440 rear turn signals
• 2 7440 reverse (clear)
• 2 7440 red in bottom of rear housing
• 2 7443 red brakes on top of rear housing

I know there are 2 7443s in trunk lid.

TIA😎

 

I'd simply tell you the answer if I still had '98-00 taillights, but since you're going to be removing and reinstalling the taillight housings several times while you try out different LED bulbs, why don't you just pull one of the housings out now and check the bulbs yourself? I'm not even trying to be flippant here. It's a five minute job.

 

8M6....LOL🤪

I knew I’d get this reply.....just want to have all bulbs ordered and in my hands to replace at one time! But thanks....may have to do what you suggested!😎

 

Look on the Philips website. They have a tool that tells you every bulb in your car

 

Since bulb pricing is an important factor to you, I'm predicting that Amazon will be where you're going to shop, especially if you have to do returns.

I usually bought multiple types of the same color bulbs on Amazon to see which ones I liked the best and returned the ones that weren't my favorite. 7443 red and 7440 white will have a high probability of return anyway since brightness and beam pattern matter, and the red will also have to be judged for high vs. low circuit contrast. As I said, I didn't bother with the reds on my GS because I already went through that hassle with my other car and I didn't feel like doing it again. If the brightness, beam pattern, and high-low contrast don't look right on the red, they're going to look bad and possibly cause visibility issues for drivers behind you.

Needless to say, there was a lot of taillight installation and removal, which is why I said you may as well get used to it before you start.

 

Check the video out, did the install, bought 4 White 7440 LED for rear and turn signal, and 6 Red 7443 for top/bottom rear tail light and the trunk light. All of the LEDs in the link fit, but some are really tight squeeze, be patient. You will have to deal with hyper-flashing until you change the relay, or install resistors. 7443 is dual filament, meaning has a low/high setting, 7440 is on/off.