LED DRL Replacement for OEM Halogen DRL DIY
04-18-14, 09:35 AM
#1
Moderator
Thread Starter
LED DRL Replacement for OEM Halogen DRL DIY
Now that I had some time to play around with this project I can now share what I know for members here who want to get rid of the dirty/yellow looking DRL’s for a fresher look. I did this on my LS430 years ago, but LED’s back then were not that bright as today’s LED’s. However there still is no standard and it is hit or miss with trying to find that perfect LED that lives up to the specs description. I just placed another order for a pair I will give a shot next week when they come in to see if I can get more lumens than what I’m using now. You have the standard SMD cluster chips, then you have the high power chip sets from Cree and Samsung. The ads will say 60W – 80W etc, what they are doing is adding up the 7.5w chips on the bulb to get those numbers, and they are putting the high power chip at the top of the projector type LED bulbs. Again they is no standard, its all over the map on the construction/design for these bulbs. You just have to research to a point on what you learned and give whatever you pick a shot. Now on with the DIY….
Note: You will lose the high beam function so if you need your high beams this is not the DIY for you! I had my Lexus tech raise the low beams because IMO they come to low from the factory, I stay in the suburbs where street lights are few and I don’t miss them, my HID lows do an excellent job.
The items you will need...
-Pic 1 10mm socket and remover to pop off the high beam cap.
-Pic 2 9005 LED 12v Bulbs
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EDOSLY6..._YDLuwbKSE9BKD
-Pic 3 LED Decoders
You can buy them here: http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...obalID=EBAY-US
-Pic 4 Do not buy these! Due to the high amount of heat they produce they must be mounted to metal. The decoders in pic 2 do not get hot and will go into the high beam housing with the bulb.
Special thanks to SBlexus who told me about these decoders, he has been using them for over a year maybe two.
The decoders will make the car send full power to the LED’s vs half power so the LED’s will work at peak performance. If you do not want to install the decoders that is fine, but you may see a slight flicker and they won’t be as bright due to only half power. You will not get a light on the dash if you go this route.
-Remove side and middle engine covers
-Pic 5 shows the passenger side and what needs to be moved.
Note: You will lose the high beam function so if you need your high beams this is not the DIY for you! I had my Lexus tech raise the low beams because IMO they come to low from the factory, I stay in the suburbs where street lights are few and I don’t miss them, my HID lows do an excellent job.
The items you will need...
-Pic 1 10mm socket and remover to pop off the high beam cap.
-Pic 2 9005 LED 12v Bulbs
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EDOSLY6..._YDLuwbKSE9BKD
-Pic 3 LED Decoders
You can buy them here: http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...obalID=EBAY-US
-Pic 4 Do not buy these! Due to the high amount of heat they produce they must be mounted to metal. The decoders in pic 2 do not get hot and will go into the high beam housing with the bulb.
Special thanks to SBlexus who told me about these decoders, he has been using them for over a year maybe two.
The decoders will make the car send full power to the LED’s vs half power so the LED’s will work at peak performance. If you do not want to install the decoders that is fine, but you may see a slight flicker and they won’t be as bright due to only half power. You will not get a light on the dash if you go this route.
-Remove side and middle engine covers
-Pic 5 shows the passenger side and what needs to be moved.
Last edited by Tee; 11-22-15 at 04:06 PM.
04-18-14, 09:35 AM
#2
Moderator
Thread Starter
-Pic 6 & 7 remove the high beam cap turning to unlock, you will need to pry toward you once its loose so it will pop out.
-Pic 8 remove bulb and connect decoder to OEM harness.
-Pic 9 put decoder inside housing and connect LED bulb to decoder harness then put back into socket. Put everything back in reverse order.
-Pic 10 shows the driver’s side and what needs to be moved, repeat steps you did on passenger side.
-Pic 8 remove bulb and connect decoder to OEM harness.
-Pic 9 put decoder inside housing and connect LED bulb to decoder harness then put back into socket. Put everything back in reverse order.
-Pic 10 shows the driver’s side and what needs to be moved, repeat steps you did on passenger side.
The following users liked this post:
Lexus737 (07-09-18)
04-18-14, 09:35 AM
#3
Moderator
Thread Starter
-Pic 11 shows removal of the top half window washer fluid tube.
Also last pics shows different exposures to capture light output, the iPhone 5 is can't show the true output of the LED's but they are brighter than what you see.
Also last pics shows different exposures to capture light output, the iPhone 5 is can't show the true output of the LED's but they are brighter than what you see.
Last edited by Tee; 04-18-14 at 09:44 AM.
Trending Topics
04-20-14, 08:54 AM
#8
Moderator
Thread Starter
04-23-14, 06:10 PM
#11
Moderator
Thread Starter
In my first post I spoke about ordering another set to try, the 80w LED's came in today. I installed these LED bulbs and they are hella BRIGHT!!!! I'm done looking for the anything brighter, also they are pure white no blue tint to them so I'm thinking 5000K temp.
Here is the link.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/360819398663?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l4467&_trkparms=gh1g%3DI360819398663.N19.S2.M-7841.R1.TR2
Here is the link.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/360819398663?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l4467&_trkparms=gh1g%3DI360819398663.N19.S2.M-7841.R1.TR2
04-23-14, 07:40 PM
#13
Moderator
Thread Starter