Will changing to LED affect the electrical system?

I bought a 2017 TRD off road 4x4 little over a month ago. It’s got every upgrade/option short of being a TRD Pro/limited because I did not want another truck with leather seats. I traded in a 2015 GMC Denali truck with leather cooled/vented seating but was still HOT an it was my first experience with leather seats. too hot in the summer. 2” lift kit an the PRO front end grill an window tint added at purchase.

I have drove a Toyota truck since my first new 1988 4x4 single cab ($10,240 new for adding a/c an a pop up sunroof) until I traded my 2nd generation for a new GMC Denali in 2015. I love Toyota trucks.

I want FULL LED lighting (headlights, fog lights and rear lighting) installed on my new Taco.

QUESTION: Will all the changed out to LED lighting affect the electrical system of the truck?

I want to make my Taco as close to a luxury truck as possible. It’s got 872 miles on it now, I want it as my daily driver as well as any need I have for towing utility trailers etc.

Any recommendations on the lighting?

Thanks a lot for any recommendations.

KC

 

Glad to have you back

 

An all over switch to all LEDs will have absolutely no problems on your truck.

There will be a reduced load on your battery and alternator due to the lower current being drawn.

I only bought my Taco about 90 days ago myself, and have been researching LEDs as well. Although I can’t make a recommendation just yet, check out the Diode Dynamics web site.

BTW, I’m an Electronics Tech with 40+ years experience.

 

Thanks. I would have never left if the 3rd generation been released a few months sooner. My 2nd generation TRD wore out before the new orders were accepted. She had 326k miles an developed an issue not even the dealership mechanics could figure out. My 2nd choice for a truck was a GMC Denali fully loaded.

 

Thanks, Gulf Coast Mike. I appreciate the info. Later this evening when I get the time I will begin researching. I’m not a mechanic by any means, so it’s why I was asking for advice. Ask me something medical I can likely provide insight!!

 

you can check out my youtube channel for my DIYs on changing out bulbs and the progression of LEDs I've done. I have a playlist just for the Taco to make it easier to search.

www.youtube.com/robdaman

 

Thanks Rob. I will begin looking where to purchase all the lights. I’ve been thinking perhaps my best option is seek out a custom shop to order from an install. Like your truck. It’s what I wanted but doesn’t come incloth interior.

 

LED is my next mod as well. Drives me nuts that my wifes Ford Escape has LED's, blind spot mirrors, AND electronic parking brake. Plus the center console has a cleverly designed upper tray thingy. Oh and I forgot to mention that it is a base model with these features.

Other than that I like my truck...

 

If you want to spend a little more money for peace of mind. I upgrade every single interior lights, my license plate and back up lights with Philips LED products. As for the fog lights I just got the 4Runner 2in1 led fogs and drl.

http://auerautomotive.com/led-drl-led-fog-light-2in1/4runner-led-drl-led-fog-light-2in1-kit/

 

+1 On the Phillips products. The cheap Chinese 194 bulbs will flicker in no time and those license plate lights are no fun to change again if you have the tow package.

Morimoto LED headlights, XB LED fog lights, and all interior LED. Didn't want to mess with load resistors so I left the turn signals stock.

 

On some vehicles yes, the LED’s have been problematic. The Tacoma may not be there yet? The LED’s don’t place a load on the electrics like the incandescent bulbs do and can throw error codes. More and more vehicles rely on the computers to monitor the day in and day out activities that normally went unmonitored before. My Benz for instance hates LED bulbs, period! It’s system is so complex it can tell me which bulb is burned out. Place an LED bulb in the socket drives the SAM nuts. My trailer has LED lights. I had to buy a resister adapter to hook the trailer up. It also cancels the back up camera, blind spot mirrors, and auto ride. Back to the days of horse and cart!

Some setups have resistance built in to absolve that problem. Buy from where you can return them if they prove to be an issue.

I would stick to brand name lights too. I would also not use higher rated bulbs than what’s called for. You’ll burn the wires up, housing and or truck. I’ve seen that happen all too many times. All in the name of looking cool! Your insurance company may frown on you after the fact. Also if your state requires state safety inspections you may get the big zonk when the inspector throws a light meter on the vehicle. Now a days everything reports to someone. Going down the street to bypass your rejection only gets you into a deeper mess. The previous rejection has been noted and the reinpection does not want to be shut down. No one likes the back of their head scortched off because you wanted to light up the next county to see down the road.

There is a post here that spells out all the LED’s that have worked.