Morimoto XB LED Tail Lights

[Heimkehr]

The magnet on the resistor is pretty strong.

Did you add your own magnets to the resistors? Mine were shipped sans any adhesives or magnets, and I used a strong double-sided tape to adhere them to the bodywork adjacent to the Oracle tail lights.

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[Oldguy18]

Circa 1980, I picked up a fairly rough LC Smith, had it at a local shop that did good work but was notoriously slow. The shop closed and empty overnight with no notice to customers. Owner disappeared, a couple years later I heard he was selling cars somewhere, I didn’t pursue it further since the shotgun was cheap due to condition and not worth the effort.

lol, I’ve been looking for an old AH Fox or LC Smith to play with at the club

 

[MTBhops]

Did you add your own magnets to the resistors? Mine were shipped sans any adhesives or magnets, and I used a strong double-sided tape to adhere them to the bodywork adjacent to the Oracle tail lights.

The magnet was attached to the resistor

 

[jbcrane]

Installed the XB LED Tail Lights today.
TLDR: Extremely easy to install.

But as per usual I can't just leave well enough alone, so here's the over-explained version.

Because I'm going from factory halogen I needed the resistors/ballasts that shipped with the lights. The resistors attach to any metal (not aluminum) surface with a pretty strong magnet, also provided.

Driver side super easy, nothing noteworthy. The ballast was stuck to a flat, horizontal surface and the wires were zip tied together to (hopefully) avoid rattles and noises down the road. Also took the opportunity to pick up a couple new spring-loaded plastic screws. After several times wrenching on the old ones they were starting to round off. (Part number 6512356AA).

Passenger side was a little different. Because the tailgate hinge passes through the cavity the potential for wires getting caught up in it as it arcs through suggested re-routing the wires to avoid interference. If you're not running the resistors you probably don't need to worry about it.

A few projects ago I ordered these little adhesive-backed hooks off amazon. The hooks were used to route the wires along the outer edges of the cavity. On passenger side I stuck the blast as high against the back (vertical) wall of the vehicle as I could and routed the wire along the edge through the lower hook.

Initially I'd just stuck it to the bottom, but the wire running from the resistor up to the lights was colliding with the arc of the hinge when closing the door. After some trial and error everything was zip-tied together and buttoned up.

Years of dirt caused the old tail lights to slightly mar the clear coat so a little wax smoothed it out before buttoning everything up. Upon testing, everything worked perfectly; no errors on the dash.

Overall I'm pleased. They look nice and are a fraction of the halogen's mass. I haven't used the backup's yet so no telling how bright they really are, but anything will be better than factory halogens. It will be interesting to see how well they hold up over time; water ingress, etc.

I think Morimoto Customer Service has been roasted enough so I'm changing the title of this thread back to simply the lights. Hope someone finds value in the information.

 

[DEV1ST8R]

Thank you for all the info, updates, and conclusion. I'm going to be getting these and hopefully :fingers crossed: using JScan instead of resistors.

 

[jbcrane]

Thank you for all the info, updates, and conclusion. I'm going to be getting these and hopefully :fingers crossed: using JScan instead of resistors.

Hi Christian,
That's a good idea - using JSCAN instead of the resistors. I thought about it (already have JSCAN), but decided to push the easy button ;-). Let us know how it works out.

 

[keg392]

Installed the XB LED Tail Lights today.
TLDR: Extremely easy to install.

But as per usual I can't just leave well enough alone, so here's the over-explained version.

Because I'm going from factory halogen I needed the resistors/ballasts that shipped with the lights. The resistors attach to any metal (not aluminum) surface with a pretty strong magnet, also provided.

Driver side super easy, nothing noteworthy. The ballast was stuck to a flat, horizontal surface and the wires were zip tied together to (hopefully) avoid rattles and noises down the road. Also took the opportunity to pick up a couple new spring-loaded plastic screws. After several times wrenching on the old ones they were starting to round off. (Part number 6512356AA).

Passenger side was a little different. Because the tailgate hinge passes through the cavity the potential for wires getting caught up in it as it arcs through suggested re-routing the wires to avoid interference. If you're not running the resistors you probably don't need to worry about it.

A few projects ago I ordered these little adhesive-backed hooks off amazon. The hooks were used to route the wires along the outer edges of the cavity. On passenger side I stuck the blast as high against the back (vertical) wall of the vehicle as I could and routed the wire along the edge through the lower hook.

Initially I'd just stuck it to the bottom, but the wire running from the resistor up to the lights was colliding with the arc of the hinge when closing the door. After some trial and error everything was zip-tied together and buttoned up.

Years of dirt caused the old tail lights to slightly mar the clear coat so a little wax smoothed it out before buttoning everything up. Upon testing, everything worked perfectly; no errors on the dash.

Overall I'm pleased. They look nice and are a fraction of the halogen's mass. I haven't used the backup's yet so no telling how bright they really are, but anything will be better than factory halogens. It will be interesting to see how well they hold up over time; water ingress, etc.

I think Morimoto Customer Service has been roasted enough so I'm changing the title of this thread back to simply the lights. Hope someone finds value in the information.

Is the "footprint" (outline) of the new lights the same as OEM? You mentioned the OEM marring the paint.

I have PPF on those panels and am wondering if the shape of the light is drastically different, or exposes a lot more of the metal around the opening.

Hope that makes sense

 

[jbcrane]

Is the "footprint" (outline) of the new lights the same as OEM? You mentioned the OEM marring the paint.

I have PPF on those panels and am wondering if the shape of the light is drastically different, or exposes a lot more of the metal around the opening.

Hope that makes sense

Hi Brian,
Yes, it makes sense.
On my factory halogens I had these tail light guards. They extended just beyond the contact patch/footprint/outline - whatever - of the original lights all the way around, overhanging the painted surface just slightly. When I took the lights off I wasn't surprised to find dirt trapped between them and the paint. The abrasion from that dirt marred the clear coat slightly. I was able to wax it out and it's no longer visible.
As to your question - I'd guess the Morimotos share the same contact patch as the factory halogens (I don't know about factor LED's)... without the guards. They fit snug and perfect - you should be fine. Hope the helps.

 

[dwp]

ordering today... on back order no less and i need a new sticker soon.

Only reason for the order is the drivers rear factory LED has had water in it for a while now, blinker was hit or miss, that works consistently now but the driving light is out and not coming back on.

has anyone ordered the back light bar as well?

 

[baboirunner]

I got lucky that Morimoto restocked the tail lights along with the backup light bar. I like them so far - the backup light bar was a bit tricky to install with the steel rear bumper though…

anyone noticed that the blind spot sensors are a bit on/off maybe because the tail lights are more flushed than the OEM?

 

[dwp]

ordering today... on back order no less and i need a new sticker soon.

Only reason for the order is the drivers rear factory LED has had water in it for a while now, blinker was hit or miss, that works consistently now but the driving light is out and not coming back on.

has anyone ordered the back light bar as well?

guess i got lucky, maybe from ordering the non smoked, but arriving this week

 

[teedublya]

I'm hoping to ask someone who has installed these to take a measurement and possibly a photo. One of my Oracle tail lights has failed. I designed my maxtrax carrier to clear the lights when the tailgate is open and only have about 5/8" at the corner. From what I can tell, these Morimotos look like they will fit, but a can't find a profile photo to make sure. Appreciate the help!

 

[2nd 392]

I'm hoping to ask someone who has installed these to take a measurement and possibly a photo. One of my Oracle tail lights has failed. I designed my maxtrax carrier to clear the lights when the tailgate is open and only have about 5/8" at the corner. From what I can tell, these Morimotos look like they will fit, but a can't find a profile photo to make sure. Appreciate the help!

they stink out less than the gate handle

 

[The Last Cowboy]

Here you go

 

[teedublya]

Awesome. Thanks guys!

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