LED switchback thread. Post your pics, talk about your install, share your thoughts.

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Barrera92

Newbie
Joined
Jul 24, 2016
Messages
22
Reaction score
5
Location
Texas
I love my truck. Its a 2WD '96 Silverado. Its dependable, strong and a real joy to drive. I’ll never get rid of it. As my daily driver I look for upgrades to keep up with the modern comforts. LEDs are easy to swap out and are getting cheaper as time passes. Headlights and interior lights are the first upgrades people look at. Parking lights LEDs are also pretty common but often forgotten. Amber LED turn signals are brighter and longer lasting than stock halogens. As you will see in the pictures, one halogen bulb was already blown out. The newest cars and trucks however have “switchbacks”, white led DRLs/parking lights that turn amber whenever a turn signal is activated then turn back to white after its no longer needed.
I never thought I’d be able to get that on my truck but thanks to JDM ASTER I’ve managed to find some great quality switchbacks, along with an LED flasher relay AND inexpensive resistors so I don't have "hyperflash". Even though they're still a pretty small company everything is of great quality and at an accessible price. These guys are OG when it comes to build quality. I’m pretty happy with my selection and I want to give you guys some pictures.
The bulbs pop into place and there are no issues with fitment whatsoever. They're made of some pretty hefty aluminum and feature a fanless heatsink for higher dependability in my opinion, don't have to worry about the fan motor burning up or getting clogged. They have three models to choose from and all are super bright and priced competitively I think.
In order from them to work you will need two things. The first is a flasher relay that is compatible with LEDs. Swapping it out is as easy as changing out a fuse in these 90’s trucks. It is located on the drivers side firewall, piece of cake. The other thing needed are resistors. You need to get 50W 6 Ohm resistors. Both the flasher and the resistors are available on JDM ASTER’s website or amazon store. You need one resistor PER BULB. With resistors you've got two options: the plug and play harness that has everything set up for you in a neatly soldered piece OR universal resistors you can splice into the needed wires.
I opted for the universal set in this application and all I needed to do was tap into the ground and signal wire. Since each parking light has three wires, you need to make sure which wire is which. In my case I need to black and blue wires. The brown wire I left alone because that is the power wire. It is also important to secure the resistor to a metal surface out of the way of any other wires and plastic components. They function as load equalizers and get warm during use so its best to keep that in mind and not use zip-ties or tape. Just screw them to the radiator support tucked away.
After everything is plugged in and set up I took it out for a test drive at dusk and the difference is really noticeable. The 4 parking lights in white act as additional lighting and switch right over to an amber flash whenever I indicate a turn(or when I turn on my hazards). I am really happy with my upgrade and I want to share it with the GM community. These older trucks have a lot of life left in them and with LED upgrades you can look just as great on the road as the new model trucks.

Pictures!
https://imgur.com/a/zmNPO

Parts I used:

1175 Switchbacks from JDMASTER. They have several different models for whatever type of bulb you need
http://www.jdmastar.com/product/109/3030-SMD-1157-White-Yellow-Switchback-LED-Bulbs-Set-of-2.html

Flasher relay. Need to swap out the OEM one for one compatible with LEDs. They also have different flasher relays for different vehicles if youre thinking of adding switchbacks to another car
http://www.jdmastar.com/product/218/EP29-4-Pin-LED-Turn-Signal-Flasher-Relay.html

50W6Ohm resistors. I got the universal ones you tap into the wires you need but they also sell the plug and play harnesses if you prefer that method
https://www.amazon.com/JDM-ASTAR-Resistors-License-Cancellor/dp/B00F2ZKHFQ

Hit me up with any questions and post your pics to the sub! Lets see all switchbacks and general upgrades!
 

Aaron Poston

Newbie
Joined
May 16, 2018
Messages
30
Reaction score
28
Location
Maryland
This is awesome. I've always wanted switchbacks but had no idea where to get them or how to wire them. Awesome write up!
 

Casey1104

OBS Enthusiast
Joined
Sep 18, 2017
Messages
55
Reaction score
9
Location
Wisconsin
I want to do this to my truck but i already got smoked led ones but i do like the switchbacks.
 

Aaron Poston

Newbie
Joined
May 16, 2018
Messages
30
Reaction score
28
Location
Maryland
You must be registered for see images attach
Put in the switchbacks last night. Love them. Was so easy to have everything you need already in a list on here. One of many upgrades to come!
You must be registered for see images attach
 

delta_p

OBS Chevrolet, When Silverado Was A Trim
Joined
Jan 8, 2017
Messages
533
Reaction score
388
Location
The Deep South
Nice write up. I put these on my '96. Nice having some extra head light but i need to check to see if these are too bright to oncoming and tone it down if so.

The bright hazards should be handy when broke down, which i tense up about every time i drive this old truck. :)



I ended up making a "no-splice" harness from some bulbs and sockets from the local pick your parts yard. Removed the glass from the bulb and got rid of the filament leads. Drilled through the holes in the bakelite insulation and through the solder contact pads using my hobby micro hand drill set. Inserted and soldered the wires to the bulb solder contact pads. This leaves the pads pointed with a wire sticking up but you cut flat with snips and then add back solder to round the pads. I Back filled 1/3 fill with expanding Gorilla Glue to provide strain relief.

Add tons of heat to the housing and make a solder pool and then soldered the ground wire.

Or, as already posted you can buy four harnesses for a "no-splice".


For some reason the splice-able 4 resistors i ordered for about $10.00 came in as 4 resistor harnesses with some auto connectors on it. I had to cut off the connectors.


Plug pigtail

You must be registered for see images attach




In process install

You must be registered for see images attach



Video Link
http://www.flickr.com/photos/me_n_my_xv/45794272672/
 
Last edited:
Joined
Mar 22, 2022
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Location
Virginia
I love my truck. Its a 2WD '96 Silverado. Its dependable, strong and a real joy to drive. I’ll never get rid of it. As my daily driver I look for upgrades to keep up with the modern comforts. LEDs are easy to swap out and are getting cheaper as time passes. Headlights and interior lights are the first upgrades people look at. Parking lights LEDs are also pretty common but often forgotten. Amber LED turn signals are brighter and longer lasting than stock halogens. As you will see in the pictures, one halogen bulb was already blown out. The newest cars and trucks however have “switchbacks”, white led DRLs/parking lights that turn amber whenever a turn signal is activated then turn back to white after its no longer needed.
I never thought I’d be able to get that on my truck but thanks to JDM ASTER I’ve managed to find some great quality switchbacks, along with an LED flasher relay AND inexpensive resistors so I don't have "hyperflash". Even though they're still a pretty small company everything is of great quality and at an accessible price. These guys are OG when it comes to build quality. I’m pretty happy with my selection and I want to give you guys some pictures.
The bulbs pop into place and there are no issues with fitment whatsoever. They're made of some pretty hefty aluminum and feature a fanless heatsink for higher dependability in my opinion, don't have to worry about the fan motor burning up or getting clogged. They have three models to choose from and all are super bright and priced competitively I think.
In order from them to work you will need two things. The first is a flasher relay that is compatible with LEDs. Swapping it out is as easy as changing out a fuse in these 90’s trucks. It is located on the drivers side firewall, piece of cake. The other thing needed are resistors. You need to get 50W 6 Ohm resistors. Both the flasher and the resistors are available on JDM ASTER’s website or amazon store. You need one resistor PER BULB. With resistors you've got two options: the plug and play harness that has everything set up for you in a neatly soldered piece OR universal resistors you can splice into the needed wires.
I opted for the universal set in this application and all I needed to do was tap into the ground and signal wire. Since each parking light has three wires, you need to make sure which wire is which. In my case I need to black and blue wires. The brown wire I left alone because that is the power wire. It is also important to secure the resistor to a metal surface out of the way of any other wires and plastic components. They function as load equalizers and get warm during use so its best to keep that in mind and not use zip-ties or tape. Just screw them to the radiator support tucked away.
After everything is plugged in and set up I took it out for a test drive at dusk and the difference is really noticeable. The 4 parking lights in white act as additional lighting and switch right over to an amber flash whenever I indicate a turn(or when I turn on my hazards). I am really happy with my upgrade and I want to share it with the GM community. These older trucks have a lot of life left in them and with LED upgrades you can look just as great on the road as the new model trucks.

Pictures!
xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

Parts I used:

1175 Switchbacks from JDMASTER. They have several different models for whatever type of bulb you need
http://www.jdmastar.com/product/109/3030-SMD-1157-White-Yellow-Switchback-LED-Bulbs-Set-of-2.html

Flasher relay. Need to swap out the OEM one for one compatible with LEDs. They also have different flasher relays for different vehicles if youre thinking of adding switchbacks to another car
http://www.jdmastar.com/product/218/EP29-4-Pin-LED-Turn-Signal-Flasher-Relay.html

50W6Ohm resistors. I got the universal ones you tap into the wires you need but they also sell the plug and play harnesses if you prefer that method
xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

Hit me up with any questions and post your pics to the sub! Lets see all switchbacks and general upgrades!
Old post but I have recently installed switchbacks on my 1996 Silverado. Did the flasher, resistors and lights. Everything works fine when using the turn signals but does not want to work when using hazards. Any input? I can’t be the only person to have this problem
 

618 Syndicate

You won't...
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2020
Messages
6,613
Reaction score
15,482
Location
Southern Illinois
Old post but I have recently installed switchbacks on my 1996 Silverado. Did the flasher, resistors and lights. Everything works fine when using the turn signals but does not want to work when using hazards. Any input? I can’t be the only person to have this problem
Take your foot off the brake....
 

618 Syndicate

You won't...
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2020
Messages
6,613
Reaction score
15,482
Location
Southern Illinois
Foot off the brake? I’m outside of the truck and reaching through the window to test the functions
Gotcha. These trucks won't flash the hazards with the brake pedal depressed.
Try this thread:
 
Joined
Mar 22, 2022
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Location
Virginia
Gotcha. These trucks won't flash the hazards with the brake pedal depressed.
Try this thread:
I checked out that link and I don’t have that style flasher anywhere on my truck. I have the bottom half of the dash torn apart and see nothing like it.
 
Top