LEDs and flasher units

[andyoutandabout]

Peeps, realized I haven't asked a question in ages, so I'm due for one.
Imagine this - had great success installing cheap flasher unit from Walmart to bypass standard FJ bkack box of mystery and outrageous replacement monies.
Then had equal good fortune with replacing front headlight with led thing and tail lights with Walmart LEDs that just plug into standard socket.
So far so brilliant.
The question then. Over the years I've replaced those front driving lights so many times. I think it's the vibes destroying them. Wonder if I can't use the same Walmart led pop ins or will they confuse the Walmart flasher unit into not working?
Place your bets

[aviationfred]

If the the flasher unit works fine with the rear signal bulbs that are LED, than you should be fine with putting LED bulbs in the front. As far as durability, Installing good quality LED bulb should last much longer than standard filiment bulbs. LED's are considered a solid state component with no filaments to break.


Fred

[andyoutandabout]

Fred, to clarify - I haven't replaced any signaling lights with LEDs as yet, just headlight and tail light. Rear indicators and front ones are regular bulbs. The flasher filament has never bust on any of them, it's just the front driving lights that pop. I thought I read someplace that LEDs make flasher units misbehave.

[FJmonkey]

Andy, the flasher unit may or may not have a resistance detection built in like the stock FJ system. The resistance detection is a way to tell you some part of the system is broken and needs attention like a burnt/broken bulb/filament. An aftermarket flasher may not have this built in, just a timed flash unit will not be affected by an LED with zero resistance. 

[Pat Conlon]

Andy, what is unknown is the "cheap flasher unit from Walmart"
If it is a solid state flasher, you're good to go with LEDs for your turn signals.
If not, then you will have to place 2 in line resistors (one for each LED) so the Walmart flasher will cycle.

So....try the LEDs, maybe you'll be ok, but keep plan B in mind.

Polished swing arm will be on it way to you next week.....


Edit: Mark beat me to it.....

[andyoutandabout]

Fjers
I guess a solid state is not the one that audibly clicks like clockwork, which is the cheap Walmart one already installed. Cheap it maybe, but reliable it has proven. Thus then, Im expecting no problems when switching flash bulbs to led. Thanks for the input. Off to wallyworld I go

[andyoutandabout]

Oh and Pat, cheering news on the shiny swing arm. I will watch the door step.

[FeralRdr]

If you do end up needing to solve a quick flasher issue, another option would be to look into a different flasher relay.  When I had my FJ ('87), I installed Rizoma LED turn signals on the rear.  They came with resistors, but I was looking at replacing the flasher relay instead.  Unfortunately, on the '86/'87 1TX models the flasher relay is part of the "Relay Assy" which also houses the self canceling mechanism, and the master relay for (I assumed) the rest of the electronics (definitely not the starter relay though). I opted to use the resistors instead in order to minimize hacking my wiring harness.  The resistors did work for me.  Not only did they restore the normal flasher rate, but my self canceling mechanism still worked.

Before deciding on the resistors, I was looking at this option from CycleGear:



Speedmetal LED Signal Relay

I can't attest to it's quality or if it will even work for you, but it is a possible option.