Just realized that there are CREE bulbs that fit the 9005 (DRL). What are people's thoughts on replacing the stock DRL bulbs with the CREE Q5 LED?

 

If you want to run LED DRL bulbs in your 07 you'll need a kit to do so. You can't just put LED bulbs in, the tree won't light or if it does, only a couple bulbs here and there will.

Here is a DIY I did. It will give you all the info you need if you want to put LED DRL in.

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/ijdmtoy-led-drl-harness-install-w-pics-853543/

 

Same one I used. Followed this write-up. Went with 5k ebay bulbs as well.

 

No. High output LEDs like the Cree Q5 create a lot of heat and require careful thermal management. This is why they almost always come pre-attached to those big star shaped boards. Those are actually heatsinks that are required to keep the LED from melting itself.

(An example of a Cree high output LED, this large heatsink is required to cool this tiny LED)


Because of this, you can't just stick a bunch of those high output LEDs on one of those tower shaped PCBs that are normally used to adapt LEDs to reflector optics. There's nowhere near enough heatsink area.

(As you can see on this tower style bulb that uses low output LEDs, there is nowhere near enough heatsink area for high output LEDs)


The only why high output LEDs can be used in filament style optics is with is with a system like the one found on Osram's Joule bulbs (which are factory equipment on a few newer Fords and Chevys) and VLED's V3 Triton. These use forward facing LEDs with an optic on the front that refracts the light into a roughly 360 degree beam, and a large heatsink that protrudes out the rear to provide cooling.

Unfortunately, neither of the aforementioned bulbs are available in 9005, or any forward lighting fitments.

(An example of what it takes to run high output LEDs in a reflector style housing. Not the optics on the front and the large heatinks on the rear. The first image is the Osram Joule, the second is the VLEDs V3 Triton.)

 

Does VLEDs make a 9005/6 socket for the V3? I was looking for it before, but couldn't find any.

Site seems to be down right now.

 

No they don't. They currently only make them as replacements for signalling/braking style bulbs (1157, 7443, ect.).

 

I'm guessing you haven't seen my 7W Cree Q5 LED custom retrofitted in my license plate lights?



I have a set of R5 cree leds too its about the same brightness

 

I just looked at that. It looked like the Cree LEDs you used had pre-installed heat sinks and/or used metal housings as heat sinks. Also you set them up directly aiming at what you were illuminating.

From what I understand, what the OP wants to is completely different though. He wants to use them for DRLs in his stock DRL reflector, which would require either a tower style arrangement or optics, as mounting it facing forwards would just yield a pinprick of light.

A tower configuration most likely wouldn't work due to insufficient heat sink area (I've played with these LEDs too, and have ruined a couple by trying to cheat with the heat sinks).

Optics might be a solution, but it seems doubtful, as the only optics I've seen for Cree LEDs are 180 degree beam patterns, whereas the ones on the V3 tritons are claimed to have 320 degree beams.

Here's an optic I found: http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/58...S10A01_D1.html

 

They are working on a V3 that will fit that socket but I don't know how long it'll take. I would just suggest waiting, nothing on the market beats the brightness of the V3.

High power LEDs require large heatsinks because they dissipate quite a bit of heat. If they don't have adequate cooling than they will fail prematurely.