License Plate Lights 5th Gen 4Runner

License Plate Lights 5th Gen 4Runner

LED License Plate Lights – Install, Swap and Upgrade on 5th Gen 4Runner

One of the simplest mods you can do in the lighting department is the license plate bulb swap. This is a pretty simple mod. If you have 20 minutes in the morning before work, you can get this done.

There are hundreds of brands to choose from when it comes to the light bulb for the license plate. But, after installing the Xenon Depot low beams Vs. the other low beams, we learned one thing; never skimp in the lighting department.

If you are looking for a quality set of bulbs, look at Xenon Depot, Sylvania, Philips, Osram, Diode Dynamics, and a few others. Whatever you choose, just make sure you are not buying a knock-off LED bulb from China with little to no quality control.

You can even head down to your local Auto-Zone, Walmart or O’Reilly Auto Parts and grab a set of these. They will most likely carry Sylvania bulbs as these are one of the largest most depended on brands of bulbs out there.

I didn’t realize this until now, you can actually see the ground with the license plate light upgrade. Before now, I didn’t realize that the stock bulbs were that bad.

License Plate Bulb Number

The light bulb number 194, 168, and 2825 will all work for your license plate light.

• Bulb 194 – Check Price on Xenon Depot
• Bulb 2825
• Bulb 168 – Check Price on Amazon 

In another post, we wrote about the interior light bulb numbers and covered the license plate light in there. What is strange about light bulb numbers is that they are all somewhat universal. Naturally, most 4Runner owners opt for the 168 bulb as this is one of the most common bulb numbers listed for us. And, this bulb is referenced throughout our owners manual many times.

Step #1 – Unscrew Housing

Step #2 – Gently Tap Housing Loose

Step #3 – Pull Off Cover

Step #4 – Clean Housing (No Water)

Step #5 – Pull Out OlPlug-In In New

Step #6 – New LED License Plate Lights

Before

After

You’ll find the Xtreme LED mini bulbs are a lot whiter and brighter than the Osram bulbs (or even the Philips equivalents).

1. The Xtreme bulbs are made out of ceramic, whereas Philips and Osram use plastic. Plastic doesn’t dissipate heat as well as ceramic, so they can’t run the bulbs hot.
2. XD bulbs use CREE emitters

XenonDepot really is a solid option for all your lighting needs.

Whether your current bulb blew out on your license plate lights or you are looking to upgrade, LED is the way to go. This LED license plate light swap is an incredibly easy mod and just something fun to do on the weekend. If you are looking for something fun and easy this weekend, grab yourself some 168 bulbs and swap out those old bulbs with LEDs.