Which Switchbacks to buy for '04 TL?
12-29-2011, 11:56 AM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Which Switchbacks to buy for '04 TL?
I've been hunting around on this forum and on different websites, but I wanted to see from fellow members, which switchback they would buy(manufacture) as well as what K to buy them so they match as best as possible to stock HID headlights. I already know that v-leds make them, but only in 6k and our car the stock bulbs are more near 5k. So what personally do you guys suggest as far as where to buy and what K to get to match best.
12-29-2011, 01:05 PM
#2
Don't know why you posted this question in this part of the forum, it's not a PERFORMANCE part or mod in any way.
To answer your question, they don't make 7440/7443 switchbacks in 5K. The only ones available in 5K white is 1157 which is for the Type-S model.
04-08 base model TLs use 7440/7443. I've been looking for 5k switchbacks for my 08 base forever and gave up because it's not out there. Good luck on your search, but you should take my words
To answer your question, they don't make 7440/7443 switchbacks in 5K. The only ones available in 5K white is 1157 which is for the Type-S model.
04-08 base model TLs use 7440/7443. I've been looking for 5k switchbacks for my 08 base forever and gave up because it's not out there. Good luck on your search, but you should take my words
12-29-2011, 01:39 PM
#3
I have always had great experience with V-leds. ive had the 6k V-Leds switchbacks on my car for a while now and they have been great. I had the V1 first and now have the V2. Link below:
http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED-B...89718-1-2.html
http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED-B...89718-1-2.html
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JD TL-S (12-29-2011)
12-29-2011, 04:52 PM
#7
Instructor
Thread Starter
Trending Topics
12-29-2011, 04:55 PM
#8
Times were never tough. :x
People spend $200 for a set of HID bulbs.
I don't know how much you spent for your car, especially now that the car is affordable, but you essentially bought a 36K car when new. $50-60 is expensive for a Civic or Corolla, not the TL.
People spend $200 for a set of HID bulbs.
I don't know how much you spent for your car, especially now that the car is affordable, but you essentially bought a 36K car when new. $50-60 is expensive for a Civic or Corolla, not the TL.
12-29-2011, 07:43 PM
#9
Senior Moderator
Thread moved to the main section! Mistakes happen, live and learn!
12-29-2011, 09:11 PM
#10
lol I don't care what anyone else says or thinks. I agree that $60 for just 2 TURN SIGNAL BULBS is pretty pricey.
I bought my switchbacks from ebay from Kaizenmotor for about $35 shipped.
Not the guy that I bought it from, but cheaper
$30.99 shipped for 60LED (30white, 30amber) switchbacks - http://www.ebay.com/itm/7443-DUAL-CO...ht_3689wt_1269
V-LEDs is about $40 shipped for only 48LED (24white, 24amber)
More LEDs, faster and free shipping, ~$10-15 less
I bought my switchbacks from ebay from Kaizenmotor for about $35 shipped.
Not the guy that I bought it from, but cheaper
$30.99 shipped for 60LED (30white, 30amber) switchbacks - http://www.ebay.com/itm/7443-DUAL-CO...ht_3689wt_1269
V-LEDs is about $40 shipped for only 48LED (24white, 24amber)
More LEDs, faster and free shipping, ~$10-15 less
Last edited by vietxquangstah; 12-29-2011 at 09:18 PM.
12-29-2011, 10:14 PM
#11
the only thing that worries me about ebay sellers (especially for auto lighting and LEDs) is the warranty they "advertise". i had a problem with a set of HID bulbs and some license plate lights that were under the seller's "warranty period" and when you contact them about it, they just dont respond to your email. This is just my experience though, others might have had some luck.
V-leds customer service is top notch imo. i have had a few mishaps with some of my interior lighting upon arrival and they have replaced them quickly and affectively. I guess Id rather just pay a few buck more for my piece of mind.
V-leds customer service is top notch imo. i have had a few mishaps with some of my interior lighting upon arrival and they have replaced them quickly and affectively. I guess Id rather just pay a few buck more for my piece of mind.
12-30-2011, 05:14 AM
#14
This is totally subjective, but for most people $50 for two bulbs is expensive.
01-03-2012, 11:53 AM
#16
Hey guys
Type-S headlights on base
I just purchased this:
http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED-B...-p5851397.html
Is that correct?
Type-S headlights on base
I just purchased this:
http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED-B...-p5851397.html
Is that correct?
01-03-2012, 01:03 PM
#17
Hey guys
Type-S headlights on base
I just purchased this:
http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED-B...-p5851397.html
Is that correct?
Type-S headlights on base
I just purchased this:
http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED-B...-p5851397.html
Is that correct?
You can go remove your turn signal right now and check for yourself to see if it's the right connection or not.
Just curious, why did you go with 6k white instead of 5k? I have base model which uses 7440/7443 and no matter where I look, they only make it in 6k. I would much prefer 5k white over 6k because 6k looks cheap in a way... Unless you have 6k headlights, but 5k switchbacks matches the stock 4300k hids alot better.
01-03-2012, 01:25 PM
#18
You know my take on this from my video...ebay specials...so far so good...super bright, type 1's, 120 SMD. I love em...and at $32 shipped, I wouldn't look elsewhere.
I have 6K bulbs for lows and fogs though...as you know.
I have 6K bulbs for lows and fogs though...as you know.
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kane337 (02-09-2012)
01-03-2012, 01:43 PM
#20
1157 is the correct size for the Type-s turn signal, but you did a conversion so I have no idea if it's using the type-s bulb connector or not.
You can go remove your turn signal right now and check for yourself to see if it's the right connection or not.
Just curious, why did you go with 6k white instead of 5k? I have base model which uses 7440/7443 and no matter where I look, they only make it in 6k. I would much prefer 5k white over 6k because 6k looks cheap in a way... Unless you have 6k headlights, but 5k switchbacks matches the stock 4300k hids alot better.
You can go remove your turn signal right now and check for yourself to see if it's the right connection or not.
Just curious, why did you go with 6k white instead of 5k? I have base model which uses 7440/7443 and no matter where I look, they only make it in 6k. I would much prefer 5k white over 6k because 6k looks cheap in a way... Unless you have 6k headlights, but 5k switchbacks matches the stock 4300k hids alot better.
01-03-2012, 01:55 PM
#21
Vleds was only a 48 SMT,, although they DO have the type 2 option for the 7443. 7443 bulbs are limited, unfortunately. I was concerned with brightness. With modded headlights I never liked how the parking lights seemed dim next to the bright HID's/fogs. Now, they are pretty equal and can be seen from the side of the car (since switchbacks jut out more than oem bulb).
Yeah, go with 6K lows to match...I just went the cheap route with that too...ddmtuning...got the hid kit for $30 for the fog and got the D2S bulbs at the same time for $35 to make sure the white/blue was the exact same shade at 6K.
Yeah, go with 6K lows to match...I just went the cheap route with that too...ddmtuning...got the hid kit for $30 for the fog and got the D2S bulbs at the same time for $35 to make sure the white/blue was the exact same shade at 6K.
01-03-2012, 08:41 PM
#22
I have the OEM bulbs in my 08 TL and have the 6k switchbacks and at night my switchbacks look blue in comparison to my headlights. Looks cheesy. When I drive with only my parking lights on my switchbacks look white, until I turn my headlights on than you see the contrast between true white and the blue switchbacks.
V-LEDs aren't bad. I purchase interior and reverse lights from them often for friends and family. When it comes to switchbacks however IMO there are better options out there.
V-LEDs switchbacks are only 48 LEDs. 24 (half of them) light up WHITE when in parking light mode, and the other 24 (other half) light up amber when turn signal is engaged. They don't actually light up all 48 white, and all 48 amber. Half of the bulbs are designed to be white, the other 24 are amber.
eBay bulbs has 60 LED switchbacks. 30 white, 30 amber.
eBay also sells 120 LED switchbacks. 40 white 80 amber.
Only drawback to the eBay bulbs is that the customer service may be questionable depending on the seller. But still, you can get 120LED (40 white, 80 amber) switchback bulbs for >$35 shipped EVERYDAY compared to V-LEDs 48LED (24 white, 24 amber) which cost $50 EVERYDAY unless you are fortunate enough to catch them on sale for $35 +$5 shipping every once in awhile.
The white for parking light mode is nearly x2 as bright, and the amber for turn signal bulb is nearly x3 as bright as V-LEDs!
Than there's autolumination 60-60 LEDs. They are 60 LEDs total, and all 60 light up white in parking light mode, and all 60 also switch to amber when in turn signal mode, hence the name 60-60 LED. However, they cost about $29.99/EACH. You'll need two so that'll easily add up to $60 + shipping..
Last edited by vietxquangstah; 01-03-2012 at 08:50 PM.
01-03-2012, 08:49 PM
#23
Vleds was only a 48 SMT,, although they DO have the type 2 option for the 7443. 7443 bulbs are limited, unfortunately. I was concerned with brightness. With modded headlights I never liked how the parking lights seemed dim next to the bright HID's/fogs. Now, they are pretty equal and can be seen from the side of the car (since switchbacks jut out more than oem bulb).
Yeah, go with 6K lows to match...I just went the cheap route with that too...ddmtuning...got the hid kit for $30 for the fog and got the D2S bulbs at the same time for $35 to make sure the white/blue was the exact same shade at 6K.
Yeah, go with 6K lows to match...I just went the cheap route with that too...ddmtuning...got the hid kit for $30 for the fog and got the D2S bulbs at the same time for $35 to make sure the white/blue was the exact same shade at 6K.
Ah ok, that makes sense for you to go 6k switchbacks than. I was going to say if you were sticking to your stock oem HID bulbs, the 6k will look really crappy.
I have the OEM bulbs in my 08 TL and have the 6k switchbacks and at night my switchbacks look blue in comparison to my headlights. Looks cheesy. When I drive with only my parking lights on my switchbacks look white, until I turn my headlights on than you see the contrast between true white and the blue switchbacks.
V-LEDs aren't bad. I purchase interior and reverse lights from them often for friends and family. When it comes to switchbacks however IMO there are better options out there.
V-LEDs switchbacks are only 48 LEDs. 24 (half of them) light up WHITE when in parking light mode, and the other 24 (other half) light up amber when turn signal is engaged. They don't actually light up all 48 white, and all 48 amber. Half of the bulbs are designed to be white, the other 24 are amber.
eBay bulbs has 60 LED switchbacks. 30 white, 30 amber.
eBay also sells 120 LED switchbacks. 40 white 80 amber.
Only drawback to the eBay bulbs is that the customer service may be questionable depending on the seller. But still, you can get 120LED (40 white, 80 amber) switchback bulbs for >$35 shipped EVERYDAY compared to V-LEDs 48LED (24 white, 24 amber) which cost $50 EVERYDAY unless you are fortunate enough to catch them on sale for $35 +$5 shipping every once in awhile.
I have the OEM bulbs in my 08 TL and have the 6k switchbacks and at night my switchbacks look blue in comparison to my headlights. Looks cheesy. When I drive with only my parking lights on my switchbacks look white, until I turn my headlights on than you see the contrast between true white and the blue switchbacks.
V-LEDs aren't bad. I purchase interior and reverse lights from them often for friends and family. When it comes to switchbacks however IMO there are better options out there.
V-LEDs switchbacks are only 48 LEDs. 24 (half of them) light up WHITE when in parking light mode, and the other 24 (other half) light up amber when turn signal is engaged. They don't actually light up all 48 white, and all 48 amber. Half of the bulbs are designed to be white, the other 24 are amber.
eBay bulbs has 60 LED switchbacks. 30 white, 30 amber.
eBay also sells 120 LED switchbacks. 40 white 80 amber.
Only drawback to the eBay bulbs is that the customer service may be questionable depending on the seller. But still, you can get 120LED (40 white, 80 amber) switchback bulbs for >$35 shipped EVERYDAY compared to V-LEDs 48LED (24 white, 24 amber) which cost $50 EVERYDAY unless you are fortunate enough to catch them on sale for $35 +$5 shipping every once in awhile.
The switchbacks were $40 because of there sale. I don't want it too flashy, but 60 seemed kinda 'perfect'.
01-03-2012, 08:58 PM
#24
Honestly though, even $40 for the switchbacks 'on sale' from V-LEDs is still pretty expensive for only 48-LEDs (24 white, 24 amber).
For your turn signals, I would recommend as bright as possible so other drivers can clearly see which direction you are signaling DURING THE DAY.
No doubt the LEDs will be vibrant, bright, and noticeable when you signal at night, but during the day is what you want to worry about. That being said, I would highly recommend either the 60-60 LEDs from AutoLumination because it's a total of 60 LEDs lighting up amber while in turn signal mode, as opposed to V-LEDs only 24 amber LEDs.
or the eBay 120 LED switchbacks that has 80 LEDs that light up AMBER while in turn signal mode as opposed to V-LEDs 24 amber LEDs... Even in the 'parking light' mode it has a total of 40 LEDs that light up white compared to V-LEDs measly 24 LEDs...
But if customer service is your main concern, I don't think it can get any better than V-LEDs. I've been fortunate to not have any problems with my eBay 60 LED switchbacks (30 white, 30 amber) so I don't know how customer service would be like.
Just some suggestions... let me know if you have anymore questions
01-03-2012, 11:37 PM
#26
If they are what I think they are, 92 WHITE for parking light mode and 92 AMBER for turn signal mode is bad ass...
Autolumination - http://autolumination.com/switchback.html
eBay 120LED - http://www.ebay.com/itm/1157-2057-75...ht_2151wt_1035
eBay 60LED - http://www.ebay.com/itm/1157-2057-75...ht_2151wt_1035
Questionable INSANELY inexpensive eBay 60LEDs - $9 - http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-1157-60-SM...ht_4128wt_1269
01-04-2012, 07:34 AM
#30
I doubt they'll be 92 of each...
Also, I was hellbent on Type II's...but to be honest, it's hard to find a quality bulb with the smart circuitry built in to cut off the whites when you signal.
I will also say that the 120 smd one I bought off ebay...when I was having the trouble with the relay soldering thing and the voltage etc...I thought it was a defective bulb and the customer service of the person was great. They responded right away and were prepared to take a return (until I figured it out). I was impressed by them. I can almost guarantee you that the autolumination AND vleds and ebay specials...although marketed and packaged differently, are probably made in the same factory somewhere on the other side of the world.
Also...are you guys' type S's? Cause you should be looking for 7443 switchbacks if you're not and 3157 if you are. I don't think we have 1157's.
Also, I was hellbent on Type II's...but to be honest, it's hard to find a quality bulb with the smart circuitry built in to cut off the whites when you signal.
I will also say that the 120 smd one I bought off ebay...when I was having the trouble with the relay soldering thing and the voltage etc...I thought it was a defective bulb and the customer service of the person was great. They responded right away and were prepared to take a return (until I figured it out). I was impressed by them. I can almost guarantee you that the autolumination AND vleds and ebay specials...although marketed and packaged differently, are probably made in the same factory somewhere on the other side of the world.
Also...are you guys' type S's? Cause you should be looking for 7443 switchbacks if you're not and 3157 if you are. I don't think we have 1157's.
02-09-2012, 08:33 AM
#37
Racer
I was thinking of getting some switchbacks for my 04. Do these still look good even if i still have the amber piece in my turn signals? Maybe this might help with the color difference between the 6k switchbacks and the OEM hid's.
Anyone running this?
Anyone running this?
02-09-2012, 09:29 AM
#39
i actually met up with a guy a few years ago who had switchbacks with the amber pieces still in his headlights. All it did was switch between light amber and dark amber, pointless imo. it was kind of like switching the brightness setting. Get switchbacks only if you have no reflector or clear ones.
