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LED DRL Replacement Install w/pics

14K views 68 replies 33 participants last post by  OzTJ 
#1 ·
Got my Putco LED bulbs from Amazon. Pictures follow in a couple of posts due to file size and number limitations on this site.

Passenger side was very easy, simply turn the DRL socket assembly a quarter turn to the left and it comes right out. These LEDs seem to have a polarity to them. I plugged the bulb in one way and am lucky I tested because had to reverse the bulb in the socket (rotate base 180 degrees) and it lit right up. It is kind of difficult to test the DRLs by yourself, jeep has to be running and out of park without the ebrake on. So i chocked the rear tires started it up and put in neutral.

The drivers side was a little harder. I had to move/remove the air intake/filter box to get my hand in to remove the bulb socket. Its not that hard there is a seal on the top of the intake opening that pops off pretty easy and then, I opened the filter box, pulled the filter out and took the hose running from the power steering reservoir out of its plastic clips (pops right in and out easily). Pull slowly and firmly upward on the bottom half of the air filter box, it is held on only by three small rubber grommets and will come up fairly easy. Then I just tilted a little (watch the rubber seal over the intake opening) in order to get my hand in there. Just make sure you test that it work before reinstalling everything, otherwise it will be a pain in the ass.

Total install took about 5 minutes for pax side and about 30 minutes for drivers side being extra careful.

LEDs look great, brighter than factory bulbs and MUCH whiter. Matches the Bi-xenon almost perfectly. There is one pic below with the xenon light on to compare. These are all late afternoon evening pics so hard to see the light well, I will try to get some night pics tonight or tomorrow. :thumbsup:

On another note I tried to install my replacement bulbs for the license plate lights they will not fit. The bulbs are inserted on a diagonal angle (rather than horizontal like on many other cars) and because the LEDs are taller than the regular w5w bulbs you cannot fit the lens cover back on afterwards so I have to try something a little different for this. I will let you know.


Edit: In case it is not clear the yellowish bulbs are the factory the white ones are LED, I included for comparison. Pics taken with iphone so sorry about the quality.


Link as requested: Putco 234157W Premium Automotive Lighting Nova White LED Bulb
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002P2VXQQ/ref=oss_product

$61.56 for the pair
Free second day air if you are a amazon prime member.
 

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#2 ·
More pics
 

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#5 ·
What was the model number of the Putco bulbs? I just checked their website and they don't have anything listed for the 2011 GC yet. Better yet, do you have a link to the product on Amazon?
 
#6 ·
Exactly what I am after! Thanks for being the guinea pig on this.
For completeness, can you include a link in the initial post to the bulbs you used?
 
#8 ·
Exactly what I am after! Thanks for being the guinea pig on this.
For completeness, can you include a link in the initial post to the bulbs you used?
Done see OP
 
#10 ·
Looks great!

I wonder how these new Putco Neutron bulbs would look as according to Putco they are 4x brighter than the nova bulbs.

Steve
you kinda need the 360 degree light otherwise the LEDs wont throw any light on the reflector and you will just see three little LEDs shining outward and will probably look funny. The 360 leds shine so that it hits the reflector and gives a nice dispersed light on the entire reflector.
 
#11 ·
So the inside lens is just for DLR? Or is that the hi-beam lens as well?

Also, does the DRL go out when the turn signal is turned on? Like Audi does with most of their cars now?
 
#13 ·
So the inside lens is just for DLR? Or is that the hi-beam lens as well?

Also, does the DRL go out when the turn signal is turned on? Like Audi does with most of their cars now?
Not sure what you mean by "inside lens" there is a standalone reflector that is just for the DRL. Not sure on the some models I have a limited with the bi-xenon lamps. The laredo x may have different setup. The lens cover I was talking about that would not fit was on the license plate lights.

And yeah the DRL goes off when turn signal is on for that side.
 
#16 ·
Looks awesome! Nice job! Have you considered dual stage leds for the turn signals?
Yeah eventually I want to have everything led, and swap the fog lights for HID as well, it will be a work in progress for awhile though, and definitely not going to be the guinea pig for the HID fogs because I am afraid of melting the housing from any heat they may generate. Next project though is finding something that will fit the license plate lights and the rear brake lights. (other than the center which is already led).
 
#19 ·
Those look great and thanks for the tutorial with pics. I will be doing it.

I changed my rear license plate lights to LED the first week. I can't remember the bulb model. I took the original into an auto store and they just matched what I needed. I had no problem with the covers. They cost Cdn$12 for the pair. The same bulbs worked on my daughter's Mazda 3 Sport.
 
#21 ·
no, not on the limited or overland at least.


On the of the passenger side light you have (left to right) the xenon hi/low beam light (in one), then the DRL, then the turn signal marker light
 
#24 ·
Not sure what you mean by "inside lens" there is a standalone reflector that is just for the DRL. Not sure on the some models I have a limited with the bi-xenon lamps. The laredo x may have different setup. The lens cover I was talking about that would not fit was on the license plate lights.

And yeah the DRL goes off when turn signal is on for that side.
Maybe I should have said "inboard" lens. Obviously the outboard lens (really a projector lens) is for the headlights. I thought the other lens (inboard) was for the hi-beams.

So if you don't have DRL, that lens isn't used at all? Weird...
 
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