Okay, my profile pic is of the front end of my pickup truck. With the install of the switchbacks in the blinker position this spring I had completed an entire switch out of all lighting to LED. It was a lengthy process, fraught with hazards, and lessons learned. I tried to go real cheap at first and got burned. My loss could be your gain.
As I have stated previously, a great amount of research goes into any new venture before I commit any capital. I re-learned that lesson while doing this conversion. I am not here to promote any particular company’s product. These are my personal choices after thorough research and considerable contemplation.
As a couple people have pointed out, direct fit LED conversions in original halogen housings are not exactly DOT approved or road legal. As I live in Wisconsin and am not subject to any sort of DOT inspection, skirting the finer points of DOT regulation, is relatively easy. Should you choose to follow my example you do so AT YOUR OWN RISK!
When selecting your halogen replacement LEDS it is VERY important to select a type whose attachment\lock ring or collar, can be loosened from the LED assembly to adjust for proper element alignment relative to your housing. Once properly adjusted (through trial and error mostly) you can then do a final tightening of that joint to ensure bulb to housing retention and beam pattern alignment. Generally speaking, align your elements to be parallel to the ground, in doing so, you cut down on glare generating, driver blinding, and indescriminate light throwing. Also of great import is whether or not you will need any special CANBUS or Bulb out error canceling decoder for your specific vehicle. Some vehicles, like my Chrysler 200 for example, just are not a great fit for conversion no matter what you do. Most aftermarket LED headlights are not big fans of PWM…thanks Chrysler.
When it comes to LED conversion in a blinker position take into consideration the resistance drop on the included circuit. This drop will cause “hyper-flashing” like when one of your old halogens had burned out. Some manufacturers, like Toyota, have a blinker relay in the fuse panel that can simply be swapped out for an LED blinker relay. A much higher percentage will be looking at adding a resistor as mentioned previously in this thread. The replacements I used and linked, already have the appropriate resistance built in-line between terminal and bulb. This choice means it is entirely reversible without vehicle wiring alteration.
As a bonus tip to help ensure proper headlight height and symmetry:
- Park your vehicle on a level surface, facing (5-10 feet away) a nearby wall.
- Turn on your dull halogens.
- Use tape to outline your starting beam pattern on said wall. Leave the tape and vehicle in place.
- Turn everything off.
- Commence your swap.
- Once work is complete, turn on your new LEDS.
- Adjust height (on vehicle adjustment screw) to cause your much brighter LEDS to fall within the outline and\or just below the bottom of the top piece of tape from earlier.
- Wait for nightfall and go for a cruise to enjoy being a lumen freak.
I hope I’ve helped. Good luck!
These are the specific replacements used on my 2007 GMC Sierra SLT. Your fitment may vary, but I highly recommend the following brands.
Low Beams(H11) and Fog lights(5202): Amazon.com
High Beams(HB3\9005):
https://www.amazon.com/Glow-Led-Headlight-Kit-Xk045001-Hb3/dp/B07QWB15G6
Front Turn Signal\Running Lights(3157):
https://www.amazon.com/Error-Switchback-Signal-Built-Resistors/dp/B07JGMCHGT?ref\_=ast_sto_dp
Rear Turn Signal\Brake Lights(3157):
https://www.amazon.com/Canbus-Parking-Signal-Built-Resistors/dp/B07NF7NPB6?ref\_=ast_sto_dp
License Plate\Side Marker Lights(194):
https://www.amazon.com/TORYOR-Replacement-Courtesy-License-30-Pack/dp/B09GNKGTW7?pd_rd_w=sDtCi&pf_rd_p=16a720fa-f274-4149-a7dd-4f72d5fcb36e&pf_rd_r=3D1C9RF3ZGTZFKWGBAD2&pd_rd_r=1671709c-93dd-4a42-8d0d-e530f471fc7d&pd_rd_wg=V0N0Y&pd_rd_i=B09GNKGTW7&psc=1&ref\_=pd_bap_m_rp_15_sc
Map and Dome(212-2): They are cool white led…I think I got them at O’rielly Auto.