Tom Taillight USDM or JDM?
 

I was just wondering but what do you guys think about the USDM version of the lights? Do you think its better to go with USDM then JDM? The only design difference is the lights on the side illuminate now. Do you think this will ruin the look at night or still give a nice look along with safety? I just feel that the light won't be bright but then again I haven't seen them in person, especially at night so I don't know how visibility is on the JDM ones. I feel that the JDM gives off a cleaner look but you pay more for them. Not sure what to go with but let me know on your guy's opinion, thanks!

Go JDM. Looks way better with the red and mine are plenty bright. I love mine and wouldn't think twice of going USDM. Get the US pinned ones though so you get a warranty through Tom's.

Could you actually post some night shots of them? It would be much appreciated :D

I wasn't aware the price was that much different. I bought the JDM because of the lens being red. That's what color a tail light should be.... Red. Not partially, but full red. I would have paid double for them if I had to. That's how much better they are than stock.

Can someone please post pics comparing JDM & USDM

I WILL <3 you forever... :p

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I think the only difference is that the US tails have lights in the side reflectors.

I think to be legal in the US you have to have the side reflectors so if you go JDM you will no longer be legal.

Not 100% on this so feel free to flame me if I am wrong.

^ agreed. pics?

My research has turned up two differences. JDM do not have lights on the side of the housing, ie, not visible from the side of the car. They have amber turn signals. And you get to tell all your buds that your lights are "JDM, yo." USDM lights have the DOT-required lights on the side, and have red turn signals. But you lose the cool "JDM, yo" factor. The USDM ones also run a few bucks cheaper.

If you're talking about the clear housing/black inner USDM ones that are supposed to be released soon than, yes, I definitely prefer the JDM ones.

The clear housing where you can see the black inner just looks too tacky for me (almost reminding me of the reason why I changed the stock lights to begin with). The dark red JDM housings match especially with darker colored cars.

I think the debate is red USDM (DOT approved) vs red JDM (repinned but still not DOT approved).

And the only difference I can tell is the USDM have the illuminated side reflector, and red turn signals vs the JDM that has side reflectors but no illumination and the turn signals are amber.

I guess the JDM ones will look more "clean" with no side reflector light.

The clear Tom's look bad ass, I'm going with those ones when they arrive.

How much do Jdm cost?

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I think people are getting confused. I believe there is a Red JDM, Red USDM, and Clear USDM Tom's lights.

JDM!

Yes, there are actually 4 versions of Tom's tail lights that I know of:

1. Red JDM wired for JDM harness (factory original)
2. Red JDM rewired for USDM harness (modified in the USA as I've confirmed with Tom's USA)
3. Red USDM (DOT/SAE approved)
4. Clear USDM (DOT/SAE approved)

Good gawwwwd

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According to Tom's USA there will be Clear JDM too

To help with the confusion

TOMS JDM Spec Taillights: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38370
$439.99 + shipping (local pickup is available)

TOMS USDM Spec Taillights: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43113
$450 free shipping


I went with the USDM ones to stay out of trouble. IMO I like the red turn signals and the DOT side reflectors. If you're running on the JDM Clear Sidemarkers, this would make sense because they both stick out. I guess theres kind of a flow going on. Just my 2cents

Yea I've thought about it alot and I am leaning towards the USDM. They are cheaper and also they are probably safer to use on the road. Could you post a picture of yours actually? Would be greatly appreciated(:

I don't see why you wouldn't go the legal route with these. I don't see how the side markers would be any sort of detriment to the visual appeal of the lights and amber vs red turn signals in a red housing. Who cares?

My decision is going to be between the two USDM versions. Red or clear. I like the look of the clear and think it might look better than the red ones on light colored cars (I have silver ignition paint). I'd really like to see some sort of comparison of the two on either whiteout or silver ignition before I make up my mind.

Id go with the usdm red. More lights means people can see u better, this car is pretty small so i would rather have the side bulbs for safety
I like the amber signals tho

USDM red, DOT approved and plug n' play is nice :)

I have the JDM red and prefer the amber signals since they're easier to discern against red lights. Had the USDM red been available at the time then it would be a more difficult choice.

It's unclear why they changed to a red turn signal though. Plenty of USDM cars have amber signals from the factory, ours included.

All JDM tails have side reflectors, including factory. It's mandatory in Japan. They simply don't illuminate. That's the only part that absolutely had to change to become DOT approved.

.

Same here, any1 have pics?

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Thanks everyone for the feedback! I've decided to go the safer route with the USDM version. Living in California I've heard some cops being very picky so rather safe than sorry right? I really appreciate all the feedback from the community!

Good choice, I went with the same.

My tail lights are super bright. Highly doubt you'd get pulled over for not having side reflectors in the housing. Pretty much pick what you like really.

you can check them out here
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...t=43113&page=4

yup, just got pulled over for having my windows too dark (its only 35%). Luckily only a warning.

But yeah, better safe than sorry

avoid Irving City cops

the usdm has free shipping but is it only for the states or Canada aswell?

http://i42.tinypic.com/20gqrl.jpg

USDM in this picture here. personally i went with the jdm so it looks cleaner without that dot on the side lol

I highly doubt cops are even anywhere close to the knowledge of whats legal or not about lights, i bet they can careless.

they will however get you for the tint and stuff.

I rocked OEM Euro LED's on my mkv R32 for almost 2 years, if not longer, with no side reflector in them and with amber signals and never caught any slack for them, despite being pulled over for other nonsense.

I'd say JDM are fine. :cool:

Speaking of which, I'd like to find some JDM spec Tom's.

Can owners of the JDM Tom's tail lights confirm that their lights are made by Depo?

I saw both JDM and USDM tails at 86fest but for some reason the quality looked a little different to me. It could be mistaken though. The JDM lights I saw were installed on a car and the USDM were on a table.

Which did you think looked to be higher quality?

JDM looked better, but as I mentioned, I could be mistaken as the JDM's were installed on a car located under the sun and the USDM's were in the shade on a table at a booth. I thought the red lens looked better on the JDM ones.

Very interesting @Chillz I think I've only seen the JDM ones in person but hopefully they are of same quality as the USDM.

Also, it's weird how everytime I search up some photos of these lights installed, is on a BRZ. I can barely find any on FRS/GT86. Is it because it matches so well with the BRZ because of there DRL's?

The JDM ones are made by DEPO.

i have the jdm ones and the quality looks great to me

the black tabs do say depo if i recall correctly