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Anyone running the Vled Vtails tail light conversion kit?

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by Bubba503, Jan 25, 2023.

  1. Jan 25, 2023 at 8:18 PM
    #1
    Bubba503

    Bubba503 [OP] Well-Known Member

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  2. Jan 25, 2023 at 8:29 PM
    #2
    Puppypunter

    Puppypunter Well-Known Member

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    Those are an upgrade from the Meso stage 1 tails. The red bulbs are what comes (or at least, used too) in the stage 2 kit. The switchback is the same I think. While I don’t have any personal experience with that set, I do have a lot of experience with VLED, and I say go for it. They are an awesome company and stand behind their stuff.
     
    ExplorHer, Squirt, helix66 and 3 others like this.
  3. Jan 25, 2023 at 8:29 PM
    #3
    kmorgan3

    kmorgan3 Redside Electric, LLC | VLEDS

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    Hey there — I made the harness for those kits. I have the prototype on my truck and it’s working great. For the uninitiated: VLEDS was the original manufacturer of the bulbs for the MESO stage series kits. This is a house brand version. This kit differs in the harness and bulbs but serves the same function of relocating the blinker. The bulbs are brighter than Stage 1. I also made a harness for a full Triton version (like a MESO stage 2++) that is insanely bright.
     
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  4. Jan 25, 2023 at 8:31 PM
    #4
    Puppypunter

    Puppypunter Well-Known Member

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    I thought about name dropping that I knew the guy behind them :cool:
     
  5. Jan 25, 2023 at 8:35 PM
    #5
    Bubba503

    Bubba503 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Awesome! Good to hear. One of the reviews on the vled site said that the switchbacks actually blink in unison to the factory mirrors unlike the meso kit which is a huge selling point for me! I’m probably gonna order the resistors as well. Appreciate your feedback!
     
    TRDRed likes this.
  6. Jan 25, 2023 at 8:38 PM
    #6
    BLtheP

    BLtheP Constantly Tinkering Member

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    RC60F Transmission 5.29 R&P FJ Metal Clutch Pedal OEM Mexico-Spec Condenser Fan 265/70R16 Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2 OEM 1-Piece Lug Nuts Custom Built Switch Panel for all Electrical Accessories Rigid Amber Pro D-SS Ditch Lights Rigid 30" SAE High Beam Driving Light Bar Rigid SR-Q Pro Back-Up Light Kit (Recessed) VLEDS Tail Conversion VLEDS Bed Light Kit VLEDS Foot Well Light Kit KC HiLites Cyclone V2 Under Hood Lights Customized 2WD Low Operable (Switched) Clutch Safety Bypass
    Been running it a few months. It’s better than the Meso in every way. If it helps, VLEDS designed the switchback Meso uses. Meso ended up not using it and got his switchback made elsewhere for cheaper. The quality shows. Anyways, by buying VLEDS, you are buying the “OG” stage 1 that nobody really ever received. Plus better brake bulbs. The Meso brake bulbs suck and I’ve seen multiple people have to warranty them. They also are very bright on the tail lamp mode and not much brighter on brake. VLEDS have a perfect contrast brightness that is very noticeable.

    It’s not a night and day upgrade in brightness or anything but the quality is better and some weird quirks the Meso has, are not at all existent with the VLEDS kit. For example, the Meso bulbs don’t blink at the same time as the mirror signals. Looks tacky. Not to mention VLEDS actually has parts in stock and you won’t have to wait for months and months to maybe get a replacement part if needed.

    grab the VLR15 resistor kit as well.

    I probably sound like a salesman but really, I’ve just bought tons of products from many companies over the years and VLEDS is head and shoulders above most. Never had a single problem and the guys that run the place are super cool on the phone too. They genuinely want to put good products out there and don’t care what it takes to do it. Their prices are higher, but for good reason. Go for it.
     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2023
    RUSTY58, Muajilong, 22 Sport and 3 others like this.
  7. Jan 25, 2023 at 8:40 PM
    #7
    MGMDesertTaco

    MGMDesertTaco Come on, live a little...

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    I've got them as well. Very bright and I highly recommend them.
     
    TRDRed likes this.
  8. Jan 25, 2023 at 8:41 PM
    #8
    MGMDesertTaco

    MGMDesertTaco Come on, live a little...

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  9. Jan 25, 2023 at 8:47 PM
    #9
    BLtheP

    BLtheP Constantly Tinkering Member

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    I think that review was me, lol. But yeah, that’s actually the first reason I decided to pull the trigger (other than knowing they have great products). I wanted to try and fix the split second delay.

    People who don’t pay attention may not notice, but if you notice it just looks….incomplete. Always bothered me but Meso was the only option for a while and I preferred it over stock despite the delay in the blink.
     
  10. Jan 25, 2023 at 8:48 PM
    #10
    Bubba503

    Bubba503 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I appreciate the reply! I’m pretty big on quality especially for a 50k truck, which is why I want all the turn signals to sync up. I went ahead and ordered the vlr15 kit as well so I can get it all done at once and not have to take everything apart again. Don’t wanna be pulling on these pro tail lights too often lol they weren’t cheap!
     
    BLtheP[QUOTED] likes this.
  11. Jan 25, 2023 at 8:50 PM
    #11
    BLtheP

    BLtheP Constantly Tinkering Member

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    Good deal. You won’t be disappointed. As for the tails, I’ve yanked mine on and off countless times. Won’t hurt a thing as long as you do it right which is to pull straight back.
     
    Bubba503[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  12. Jan 25, 2023 at 9:44 PM
    #12
    Speedfreak

    Speedfreak Member in poor standing

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    Glad to find this thread and info... I have been trying to find a third brake light option for my Softtopper and stumbled onto the VLED website. I think when I order up the light for that project, I will order up the Taillight kit too.
     
    Bubba503[OP] likes this.
  13. Jan 26, 2023 at 7:22 AM
    #13
    6H05tP3p3

    6H05tP3p3 Well-Known Member

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    Is it the bulb or harness that causes the "switchback out of sync with blinker" behavior?
     
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  14. Jan 26, 2023 at 7:39 AM
    #14
    BLtheP

    BLtheP Constantly Tinkering Member

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    The bulb. Switchbacks have processors in them that determine when to blink what color. As such, some switchbacks have a delay as the computer determines whether it needs to shut off the white to blink amber or not. The Mesos have a delay that when power is applied to the amber circuit, there is a very slight delay before the amber turns on. On an SR5 truck or one that doesn't have mirror turn signals, it's not a big deal. On TRD trucks that have mirror indicators, it's really obvious for anyone paying attention.

    All that said, the issue is the bulb. Meso's bulb isn't the best at quickly outputting light when power is applied to it. VLEDS does not have the same issue.
     
    TRDRed and 6H05tP3p3[QUOTED] like this.
  15. Jan 26, 2023 at 7:51 AM
    #15
    Tacospike

    Tacospike Semi-Unknown Custodial Member

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    I've been running the MESO stage 2 kit since 2019 with the VLED red 50 and the V6 Triton 7443. Have been great to this day.

    The kit listed on the OP has the smaller 921 switch back bulb (no modifications to the taillight needed). I don't think it's as bright as the full size triton even though it lists the same output, at least from a vision standpoint.

    I run a mix in the Tundra of tritons extreme red 921, red full size V6 triton, and fullsize V6 triton switchback ~ the miz is due to the socket housings in the taillight, but works and looks great


    also, the kits was in stock for a while. also it is available from his vendors
     
    Last edited: Jan 26, 2023
  16. Jan 26, 2023 at 7:52 AM
    #16
    kmorgan3

    kmorgan3 Redside Electric, LLC | VLEDS

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    It is, actually :thumbsup:
     
  17. Jan 26, 2023 at 7:54 AM
    #17
    Tacospike

    Tacospike Semi-Unknown Custodial Member

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    Good to know! Maybe it was just me over/under thinking it then
     
  18. Jan 26, 2023 at 7:56 AM
    #18
    Mikro

    Mikro Well-Known Member

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    I’ve had this kit for a few months now. Very happy with it. Reverse switchbacks are way brighter than stock reverse bulbs and all the leds have worked great.

    I also threw on the resistors just in case.
     
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  19. Jan 26, 2023 at 7:57 AM
    #19
    kmorgan3

    kmorgan3 Redside Electric, LLC | VLEDS

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    Na it seems kind of counterintuitive because the Triton is always regarded as the biggest and baddest. But the switchback in the basic VTAILS kit is a custom bulb and the engineer was able to fit an absurd amount of chips on it. Enough to put it on par with the Triton output.
     
  20. Jan 26, 2023 at 8:06 AM
    #20
    Tacospike

    Tacospike Semi-Unknown Custodial Member

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    Well damn.

    I do actually keep a spare set of the VLED 921 switchbacks. I bought a set a while ago because I busted one of my taillights and didn't have a spare full size triton adaptor. So got a set to drop in, in the meantime since MESO's 3D printing window only opens every so often.

    I guess if that happens again (knock on wood), I'll just drop in the 921's and keep tritons as a spare for the Tundra and not have to drill out my Tacoma taillights.... again.
     
    kmorgan3[QUOTED] likes this.

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