I got some diode dynamic lighting for my car!!
 

Ok so i got some lighting for my car from diode dynamics. I wanna mod my car in a way so it's unnoticeable to the untrained eye. Meaning it'll look stalk unless you own a fr-s or know how it looks like. I started by getting a stage 3 blue light for my dome/map, a stage 3 license plate light, and stage 1 reverse light. I haven't installed the reverse light yet, maybe ill do it tomorrow. I've never really did much hands on work with cars to forgive me if i do something stupid in the future. =( Total for the 3 was 59.36 after liking them on fb. Shipping took 2 days and i ordered on a Thursday and it arrived on a Saturday.

First of off the dome/map light. It was pretty easy to install, took off the cover of the light with a butter knife lol. The install was quick and it's pretty bright. It cost 13.49. Only negative is the board you get is pretty small so it only illuminates one side of the car. The left side is the only part inside of the light with a flat surface to mount it on. I'm still trying to figure out how to center it or if i should buy another board.
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Lastly i installed the license plate light (stage 3.) This one costs 11.99 and it came in a tiny zip lock bag that labeled lic. The install was even quicker however i think this is the one im least happy about. Yea it illuminates to the floor but i kind of want it to be a tad brighter. I dunno maybe just me, but when you order something that says (stage 3) you'd think it would be obnoxiously bright lol.
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Alright i finally got my reverse lights up. The reverse lights(stage 1) feels more like an aesthetic thing. It looks bright as hell outside but inside it's just a little illuminated. Maybe I'll swap them for stage 2 or 3 in the future. For 29.99 This is really iffy. It's a bit too dim and i think 30ish would of been good for a stage 2. At the end of it, the back up lights are disappointing. Pretty dim, probably more dim than the stock from viewed inside. Bright as hell outside.
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I bought some 6kk hids last night, can't wait for them to come. Almost done with my lights :D

The blue interior light seems cool, but i feel like it may get annoying after awhile. As for your goal for looking not noticable to the untrained eye, im sure the blue interior light would definitely raise eyebrows. otherwise they are solid inexpensive upgrades that definitely improve the look of the car

For a clean stealthy night look you could also look into some led front switchback blinkers and clear side markers. They're a bit pricier though

Thanks guys, i just installed my reverse lights stage 1 moments ago, took me awhile, was hard to take the bulbs out the first time, as specially since i left the diffuser on. Got a little cut but it's cool, will add photos when suns down and im off work.

I just ordered my HID's and LED DRLS from diode. My car is pretty much LED'd out cept for rear turn signals which are the least of my worries.

i had the same color for my dome light....hurt my eyes after awhile... forced myself to get rid of it for another color...

Unless I'm driving with my dome light on i dont think this will be a problem??????

If you'd like to exchange them for a different color, feel free to PM me with your order number.

Our warranty department is top notch and our biggest priority is making sure you are satisfied with your order :thumbsup:

Nick C.

No kidding... I ordered LED turn signals, discovered they weren't as bright as I thought, then returned it while only paying the difference in upgrade.

THEN: bought LED fog lights, got defective ones (one didn't light up another had odd bank of lights not lighting up), and everything was exchanged immediately.

Top notch indeed.

-alex

Should've gone with white

Sounds good, might get these in the future. But i dont know the california laws on clear side markers.

Just get amber bulbs (even chrome ones so as not to show through the markers).

I just got off of a 8:30 hour shift at work on christmas eve watching all the last minute parents fighting over buying what to toy for their kid. I'm a bit stupid right now and you just solved my problem lol. :w00t:

Went through that myself not too long ago (the amber bulbs, not the arguing parents, thank God...)

By the way, I went for incandescent for the markers (not sure why, when I've been going all LED crazy everywhere else) and it works quite well. A bit subdued, just the way I like my turn signals.

I went with clear side markers with LEDs. Even tho you are suppose to have amber sidemarkers in California. I jus can't resist the clean look of the all white led front on a dark car. I've seen it in the gallery and it is worth risking a fix it. Most cops wont care.. Unless you obnoxiously loud exhaust tips em off

I saw a dude with purple ones on the 10 fwy, and neon blue angel eyes on a beamer, green head lights on a civic. I honestly don't know how they get away with it.

:You'll be fine with clear side markers and amber bulbs. They just need to illuminate amber

Most cops don't care but once you get a CHP looking at your car at 2 in the morning, you just gave them an excuse to pull you over.

They don't they just haven't got caught by a CHP yet, those guys care about that stuff.. most cops have more important things to do but CHP will use that as a reason to pull you over.

My LEDs are waiting in my mailbox. Didn't have time to grab them before I left for Christmas. I ordered:

1. Stage 2 Red Dome
2. Stage 2 Red Door
3. Stage 2 White Trunk
4. Stage 2 White Vanity Mirror
5. Stage 1 White License Plate

I can't wait to have them all installed!! I'm pretty close to the end of my cosmetic mods. I'm getting an itch to go FI now.

Yea, i think i wouldn't mind ordering another stage 3 blue dome if there's a way to splice the wiring. The one i have only allows 1.

Diodedynamics has some excellent stuff. I continue to inform people looking to LED upgrade about them. I love all of my LEDs by them.

We actually installed two Stage 3's in our FR-S using this Dual Output adaptor: http://www.diodedynamics.com/store/a...d-adapter.html

And adding a second Stage 3 bulb :D

It can be done very simply :happyanim:

Thanks,
Nick C.

How did you guys mount the second board? Thats my biggest problem since only the left side has a flat surface.

Using the provided 3m adhesive on the back of the board. You'll be able to mount two boards inside that housing. It's a matter of personal preference as to where you mount them.

Nick C.

I was able mount my dome light in the center by attaching it to the ledge that is closest to the rear of the car using the provided 3m

Has anyone run into any problem upgrading their FRS from their oem bulbs to LEDs?
(eg. computer, fuse, etc.) I want to do some upgrade on my car, but after reading some posts here about their computer running into problems I'm a bit worried. If the interior bulbs are likely to cause a problem, I want to at least do the reverse and license plate bulbs. Any feedbacks/tips are greatly appreciated.

The only circuit that directly interacts with the vehicle's BCM (or ECU, the expensive "motherboard") is the door light and map light. The problems occur when it is shorted during installation, due to the proximity of the door contacts. The map lights are hard to short, so usually those are fine. These lights are not fused, they're switched by the BCM directly- a poor electrical design.

If you're wary, just leave your door lights stock, and maybe your map lights too. Backup, turn signal, etc cannot damage the BCM in any way even if they are shorted.

We recommend unplugging the door light housing, installing the LED, and plugging it back in. This eliminates the chance of shorting out while installing. We have had very few (maybe none?) of our customers experience any issue when following these instructions. The problems occur only if the socket is shorted.

Thank you so much Diode for the fast & prompt advice. I think I'll hold off the interior bulbs and just simply do the reverse & license plate bulb upgrade to play safe. I want to change the front & rear turn signals, and the side markers all to an amber led but I'm a bit worried that it might cause problem in terms of hyperblink and what not. Do you think this may be a possibility or the turn signals and side markers are also safe to play with?

It will cause hyperblink, but that's an easy fix. DD also sells a blinker relay that you can install in a few minutes. It's a pain in the ass to get to, as it's hiding in your footwell, but with some creative positioning you can get under there no problem.

I replaced all those bulbs with DD LEDs and am 100% happy with the result.

Are your interior bulbs replaced with DD LEDs as well? Have you had any problems with this?

I've replaced the following with DD LEDs:
-Foglights
-Front and rear turns (with relay)
-Reverse lights
-Sidemarkers
-License plate
-Trunk
-Dome
-Door puddle lamps (what are these actually called?)

Basically everything except the lights in the vanity mirror. Not a single problem.

Edit: my only potential complaint (and this is a big stretch) is that the base of the turn signal LEDs is yellow. The yellow base is visible in the reflector housing and it bothers me a tiny bit--I was trying to get rid of the yellow bulbs in the first place. It's not a big deal, though; you really have to be looking for it to notice. If I really cared i could go and paint the base, but I apparently don't care that much.

Second edit: my complaint above is for the BRZ headlights. I think the FRS setup may be different? I don't know for sure.

bThanks again. But going back with the reverse and license plate bulbs, these will be simple plug and play without having any concerns, right??

You'll be fine with just replacing the reverse and license plate bulbs. I have dome, license plate, trunk, reverse and DRL's all LED bulbs from DD. ;)

The (dead) link to the Y festoon adapter made me go "oh!" so I picked one of those up plus another SMD12 for the cabin. Its listed under DIY Projects -> Connectors now, for those looking for it on Diode Dynamics' site.

Correct. License plate LEDs are easy. Reverse lights can be kinda difficult to reach. Just drape a rag over the sharp underside of the diffuser so you don't cut your wrists.

On a side note, I did the stg2 reverse lights and wish I had gotten the brightest. Stg2 is brighter than stock for sure, but still not all that useful when reversing.

Thank you! I'm actually taking the car into a shop to get this done while getting some other parts being installed on the car. I was more worried about the car's response to the LED. But from all of the tips/advice I received from everyone, I think I'm just going w/ the reverse/license plate lights. I'm just worried about what these lights might do to the car...However, appreciate your kindest advice!