FJ Cruisers of Northern California

Question on LED Tail Light Install

Hi,

There was a time where I may have had to sell my FJ due to personal issues but that has now passed so I'm back and looking to install a couple of items.

I would like to purchase a set of aftermarket LED tail lights but was wondering about the ease of the install?

I also bought a used Magnaflow exhaust waiting for the next "install day" :)

Thanks!

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by opg4759 on July 28, 2011 at 9:56am

glad you didn't need to sell your FJ.

On your exhaust unless it is just a bolt in I really recommend taking it to a muffler shop to do the install. If you are in the East bay Minute Muffler in Dublin is where I have had all my exhaust work done over the last 20+ years.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by JPN HUMV on July 28, 2011 at 9:58am

The Magnaflow is a bolt-in so I'm trying to wait out for the next "install day". Thanks!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by NestahEdition on July 29, 2011 at 12:59am

Removing/installing the tail lights is not easy but I can do it.

You need small hands and the right tools - 10mm deep socket and long extension and Stubby Flex Combination Ratcheting Wrench.

If you have the OEM subwoofer, you have to remove it to gain access to the side panels to where the leading/forward bolt/nuts are located.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by JPN HUMV on July 29, 2011 at 1:01am

Hey Nestor,

I was hoping that you would say "it's very easy" :(

Now I definitely need some help in addition to the right tools and I also have the OEM subwoofer :(

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by NestahEdition on July 29, 2011 at 11:05am

Also, if the tail lights are true LED's the flashing rate will be faster or rapid.
The FJ flasher module will assume that you have a burned bulb because the load ( ampere draw) is so low.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by JPN HUMV on July 29, 2011 at 11:55am

Hi Nestor,

I'm planning to get the ones made by IPCW from Ebay, same as these but in black:

http://www.autotrucktoys.com/toyota-fj-cruiser/IPCW-Toyota-FJ-Cruis...

I did a search on the Blue Room forum and some people have them and I haven't seen any complaints regarding flash rate yet. Do you know if these will have problems?

Thanks!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by NestahEdition on July 29, 2011 at 2:09pm

Ask the seller if the LED tail lights have built-in resistors to keep the AMP draw at stock level.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by JPN HUMV on July 29, 2011 at 4:31pm

cruiserlarry from the blue room posted this, does that mean the lights should have no flash rate issues? Thanks!

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/interior-exterior-visual-tech...

Quote:

grh463 previously said:

Sent my back to IPCW. They paid. They installed a new resistor board, went and rented an FJ and tested first before shipping back to me. I re-installed and they work GREAT!!!! Normal blinker rate.

Just to update: IPCW has updated the circuit boards on all their LED taillights for the FJC, so this issue should become a thing of the past. The fast flash problem did not occur on all FJs they were installed on, which is why they spent some time to figure out a solution. We have had all our stock exchanged by IPCW, and I would guess all dealers who are aware of the issue will do the same. So, no flasher replacement will be required for the IPCW taillights bought from here on from active dealers... Smile

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by JPN HUMV on August 10, 2011 at 12:36am

Hi Nestor,

I saw a pic of your FJ with some black projector headlights and the signals are also black. Where did you get the headlights and did you buy or modified the signals yourself?

Also, you have a red strip in your hood like "Knight Rider"? That's awesome!

Thanks!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by NestahEdition on August 10, 2011 at 8:46am

I retrofit FJ headlights with morimoto mini projector lens kit stage III from TRS (theretrofitsource.com). I can make you a set if you like.

The front turn signal/park lights are the APC diamond-cut light assemblies and I just tinted them with Dupli-Color nite-shade paint. I have a set if you wan them installed on you FJ. I can bring them to the Tracy meet if you are coming to join us there.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Back in Black (FJ4 Tahoe) on July 29, 2011 at 3:51pm

Hello JPN NUMV,

Netser made some blacked out taillights for me...I see the LED's are going for $350+..seems like a lot of cash to spend on something that is purely cosmetic. If I was you,I'd go with Nester's lights and save yourself a few hundred $$$.

That's my take.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by JPN HUMV on July 29, 2011 at 4:33pm

Actually, the LEDs are on Ebay for $245 plus $28 shipping. It's still a lot of money but I figure this is my first new car and I will have it forever, plus the wife (aka boss) likes the look of it :)