Warning! LED Bulb distributors

[Decayed]

Good argument for buying through amazon - at least you know it can be returned. I got tired of dealing with little fly by night web sites that suddenly go dark when you ask for a return.

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[YazYaz]

Certainly, LASTFIT offers a brake light and cargo light combo for $20. It likely works just as well, if not better, than the $160 set you purchased, which does seem like a ridiculously high price.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082GNDMT8/

If you're inclined towards a strobing brake light, the FANTELI option for $12 is also highly effective.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B097PMD2VW

I've outfitted all the lights in my Maverick with LASFIT LEDs, and I've invested less than $150 for every light, excluding the headlights.

Lasfit vs GTR is not even close, not to mention the lifespan. I saw a comparison in person. You get what you pay for.

 

[YazYaz]

I wonder why you would need a red bulb behind a red brake light lens?

White vs Red behind Red lens

 

[YazYaz]

Ditto. In addition - when I shopped for LEDs for my last vehicle, I ended buying them from superbrightleds.com. For some of their bulbs, color options other than white are listed and it lists lumens of brightness for each as well. Same bulb typically had the red or amber version being not nearly as bright as the white version. With the 3rd brake light lens already being red, why put a red bulb in there that will be dimmer than an equivalent white LED bulb?

White vs Red behind Red lens

 

[YazYaz]

I have also been shopping for LED bulbs for our incoming Lariat Hybrid. I have been speaking directly with Diode Dynamics after looking at several other sources including Lasfit.

Diode has been very responsive in answering questions. They suggested that I measure the factory bulbs before ordering. They also provide a three year warranty and returns with no questions asked. I will be ordering directly from them and avoiding third parties. I plan to remove and measure the factory bulbs first to make sure the Diode bulbs work before ordering. They provide the exact measurements on their website. Lasfit along with so many others are just Chinese resellers with higher failure rates and one year warranty. Diode has a very cool factory tour on youtube for their American made product.

Remember, it was the GTR bulbs that were too long. I think the Diode Dynamics are a great choice. Did you find a red 3rd brake light option?

 

[Lane]

White vs Red behind Red lens

Great info! Thanks for sharing it. It's interesting that amber behaved differently than red.

 

[Ranch]

White vs Red behind Red lens

Thanks. That makes sense. I wonder what the difference between a white incandescent bulb in a red lens vs a red led in the same lens is?

 

[TomD]

Sometimes simple goals turn into nightmares. I wanted to upgrade the 3rd brake, cargo and reverse bulbs to brighter LED bulbs. After a great deal of research, I ordered five "GTR" bulbs from a distributor named Headlight Revolution at a cost of $161.00 with free shipping. Upon ttempting to install the bulbs I discovered that the 3rd brake light and cargo bulbs literally did not fit in the housing as they are too long. Keep in mind that Headlight Revolution determined that these were the bulbs that fit the 2023 Mav. Next, I discovered that the reverse light bulbs did not work. The installation is not rocket science so I was confident it was not operator error. When I contacted Headlight Revolution they at first refused to take them back. After a few emails where I cut and pasted their return policy, they agreed to take them back but refused to pay for the
shipping. It was not until my bank charged them back for the purchase did they finally agree to pay for the return shipping. What is remarkable is that their web site still shows that these bulbs fit the 2023 Maverick. They don't!

My second choice for these LEDs was Diode Dynamics bulbs purchased ($175) via a company called Panda Motorworks. I immediately became concerned when after a few days of placing the order and having my credit card charged, I had not received a tracking number. I returned to the web site and after two days of trying "Live Chat" (not really Live), emails and phone calls (no live person, only voicemail. In the final voicemail I cancelled the order) I once again contacted my bank and they removed the charge. One day after my back contacted Panda Motorworks, they shipped the order. When I emailed them, they claimed that they
were on vacation the entire time. A quick Google search showed that there have been numerous complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau with the exact same experience I have described. They must go on a lot of vacations. I received the bulbs I had cancelled and I have informed Panda Motorworks that if they want them back they will need to send me an RMA# and a pre-paid shipping label. They have not replied. (They must be on vacation again) My bank has assured me that the $175 charge will not appear on my account.

I finally had to settle for Lasfit bulbs which I am not a big fan of but at least they are better than the stock halogen. Lasfit does not have a "red" 3rd brake light
bulb like GTR or Diode Dymanics so my search goes on.

Well there goes that idea. I

Sometimes simple goals turn into nightmares. I wanted to upgrade the 3rd brake, cargo and reverse bulbs to brighter LED bulbs. After a great deal of research, I ordered five "GTR" bulbs from a distributor named Headlight Revolution at a cost of $161.00 with free shipping. Upon ttempting to install the bulbs I discovered that the 3rd brake light and cargo bulbs literally did not fit in the housing as they are too long. Keep in mind that Headlight Revolution determined that these were the bulbs that fit the 2023 Mav. Next, I discovered that the reverse light bulbs did not work. The installation is not rocket science so I was confident it was not operator error. When I contacted Headlight Revolution they at first refused to take them back. After a few emails where I cut and pasted their return policy, they agreed to take them back but refused to pay for the
shipping. It was not until my bank charged them back for the purchase did they finally agree to pay for the return shipping. What is remarkable is that their web site still shows that these bulbs fit the 2023 Maverick. They don't!

My second choice for these LEDs was Diode Dynamics bulbs purchased ($175) via a company called Panda Motorworks. I immediately became concerned when after a few days of placing the order and having my credit card charged, I had not received a tracking number. I returned to the web site and after two days of trying "Live Chat" (not really Live), emails and phone calls (no live person, only voicemail. In the final voicemail I cancelled the order) I once again contacted my bank and they removed the charge. One day after my back contacted Panda Motorworks, they shipped the order. When I emailed them, they claimed that they
were on vacation the entire time. A quick Google search showed that there have been numerous complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau with the exact same experience I have described. They must go on a lot of vacations. I received the bulbs I had cancelled and I have informed Panda Motorworks that if they want them back they will need to send me an RMA# and a pre-paid shipping label. They have not replied. (They must be on vacation again) My bank has assured me that the $175 charge will not appear on my account.

I finally had to settle for Lasfit bulbs which I am not a big fan of but at least they are better than the stock halogen. Lasfit does not have a "red" 3rd brake light
bulb like GTR or Diode Dymanics so my search goes on.

Thanks for the information. I have been thinking about doing the same thing.

 

[YazYaz]

I should also mention that if you plan on upgrading the Cargo/3rd Brake lights, do not attempt to remove the four screws with a power tool. If you do, you will almost certainly break at least one of the fragile plastic clips that hold the screws. When this happens, you will have a great deal of difficulty removing the screw and you will have to order replacement clips from Ford. Remove the screws manually.

 

[jerrisn]

Lasfit vs GTR is not even close, not to mention the lifespan. I saw a comparison in person. You get what you pay for.

Clearly, the GTRs don't work, and the LASFITS do. Even if I have to swap them out every few years, it's no worse than your typical incandescent. But to each their own.

 

[gwrace14651]

Remember, it was the GTR bulbs that were too long. I think the Diode Dynamics are a great choice. Did you find a red 3rd brake light option?

Here is what they suggested after measuring the bulbs from the factory. Hope this helps.

Front turn Signals - 3156, 3157 & 4257 Turn Signal LED Bulbs*
Rear Tail - Tail Light LEDs for 2022-2023 Ford Maverick (pair)
Rear Turn - Rear Turn Signal LEDs for 2022-2023 Ford Maverick (pair) (You will choose the red option on this listing)
Front marker lights - Sidemarker LEDs for 2022-2023 Ford Maverick (pair) (You can choose either amber or Warm White, both work well under the amber lens!)
Backup lights - Backup LED for 2022-2023 Ford Maverick (pair)
3rd brake light - 921 XPR Red 3rd Brake Light LED Bulbs, 194 HP5 LED Bulbs (choose red for this option), I have listed 2 bulbs that cross-reference to the one you mentioned. I would recommend verifying the length of your stock bulb. The last image of these listings will show you the measurements of the bulb, you will want to pay attention to the total length of the bulb compared to your stock bulb. The 921 works great for the 3rd brake light as long as it's not too long to fit into that housing!
Cargo Light - Cargo Light LEDs for 2022-2023 Ford Maverick (pair) This is the same situation as above however we have confirmed that the 921 length does fit into the Cargo light housing.

 

[gwrace14651]

One more note Diode Dynamics sent me...
I do want to note about this specific bulb, 3156/3157 should work for 4257 bulbs. The difference is the 3156/3157 have tabs on the side to lock them in the 3156/3157 socket, to fit in your socket, you would just need to shave off those tabs (clip them off or grind them down) this also would not void any warranty of ours.

 

[Tremor guy]

Diode dynamics is a great company I’ve used them for years they do stand behind their products

 

[Old Man]

Couple of things -
Panda Motorworks are a sponsor of the forum so you could contact them here.
The Lasfit turn signal lights will go into hyperdrive if you have to sit and wait on a long turn light. They say they do that to keep the resistor from overheating.

 

[A.Bursell]

Here is what they suggested after measuring the bulbs from the factory. Hope this helps.

Front turn Signals - 3156, 3157 & 4257 Turn Signal LED Bulbs*
Rear Tail - Tail Light LEDs for 2022-2023 Ford Maverick (pair)
Rear Turn - Rear Turn Signal LEDs for 2022-2023 Ford Maverick (pair) (You will choose the red option on this listing)
Front marker lights - Sidemarker LEDs for 2022-2023 Ford Maverick (pair) (You can choose either amber or Warm White, both work well under the amber lens!)
Backup lights - Backup LED for 2022-2023 Ford Maverick (pair)
3rd brake light - 921 XPR Red 3rd Brake Light LED Bulbs, 194 HP5 LED Bulbs (choose red for this option), I have listed 2 bulbs that cross-reference to the one you mentioned. I would recommend verifying the length of your stock bulb. The last image of these listings will show you the measurements of the bulb, you will want to pay attention to the total length of the bulb compared to your stock bulb. The 921 works great for the 3rd brake light as long as it's not too long to fit into that housing!
Cargo Light - Cargo Light LEDs for 2022-2023 Ford Maverick (pair) This is the same situation as above however we have confirmed that the 921 length does fit into the Cargo light housing.

I don't see any mention of CANBUS or anything that would keep the stock flash rate vs hyper-flashing. Any info on that?

EDIT- I went to one of the links and I see a big resistor with wire-taps. If they have a true plug and play option I'm interested. Just not going to use to quick taps on my wiring.

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