Most Toyotas (and many other vehicles from all over the world) use a standard 1156-type backup light. This little lamp puts out 18-23 watts and illuminates well enough for most people, but sometimes, I found myself wanting more light to better illuminate during backing up, or to give more light when loading/unload the rear of my 4Runner at night.

Some of the toyota parts places stock high-powered 50-watt halogen backup bulbs. These seem like a great idea, but are quite expensive -- around $20 for a pair!

I did a little research, and found a cheap, bright bulb to fit. Blazer International of Franklin Park, IL makes a variety of inexpensive fog and off-road lights, and their products are carried at many auto parts stores. They make a replacement bulb for one of their lights that uses the same base as an 1156. The model number of the bulb is MH1C, and is packaged as "Hi intensity bulb". If your local auto parts store doesn't carry this bulb, but does carry Blazer products, they can probably special order a few for you. The price: I paid only $2.99 apiece! And they work great without any special wiring modifications. At 50 watts each (your low-beam headlights up front are usually no more than 55 watts), they really light up the area behind you far better than the 1156 bulb does, for a minimal investment. These bulbs probably fit your turn signal lamps as well, though I have not tried them in this application yet.

Editor's note: The trick does NOT work on 2nd-generation 4Runners! The use a different style lamp. If you have trouble locating these bulbs, try contacting Blazer directly at
BLAZER INTERNATIONAL
PO BOX 73696
CHICAGO, IL 60673
1-800-451-1088
 

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