Southbay
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2013 Epxy el limited.. Need something brighter but not blinding to on coming traffic.. Thanks
Best headlight replacement..
- Thread starter Southbay
- Start date
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There are a few threads on this topic already. If you have the reflector style housing LEDs may not be the best option. Mine has the projector style housing and with the LEDs the beam pattern is the same as stock. 2+ years on LEDs and no one has flashed their lights at me. Visibility in rain greatly improved. Good luck!
I am using these in a reflector housing. I marked the top cutoff of the old ones with tape on garage door, installed these, and it lined up perfect. Never been flashed, but way more light.
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bloodhound
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Same here.
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G213
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LEDs are tough to get a full beam pattern out of, as they are bidirectional instead of omnidirectional. HIDs do a better job at mimicking omnidirectional light, but then there’s the reflector discussion.
I’ve spent way too much time delving into the world of automotive lighting. Below is a great read if you want to geek out for 30 minutes or so on the mechanics.
www.tacomaworld.com
I’ve spent way too much time delving into the world of automotive lighting. Below is a great read if you want to geek out for 30 minutes or so on the mechanics.
3rd Gen HID vs LED vs Halogen H11 projector headlights
3rd Gen Tacoma HID vs LED vs Halogen H11 projector headlights This thread covers upgrading the 3rd gen Tacoma H11 headlights and looking at the...
www.tacomaworld.com
My mostly educated opinion is that LEDs are junk and HIDs are only worthwhile if you're putting them into their intended projector.
If you want the best actual ability to see at night with the least amount of effort, this is your best bet: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00U1OLOP0/
If you want the best actual ability to see at night with the least amount of effort, this is your best bet: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00U1OLOP0/
bloodhound
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Well, they're not junk if you get the right quality ones, as apparently two of us in this thread have. But wtf do we know.
Those Phillips bulbs are no improvement over stock in terms of brightness or throw. I got 6 months on them before one burned out. Swapped them out for LEDs over 2 years ago. Never going back to dim, yellow halogens again. As stated above, in the projector housing LEDs work great. YMMV.
No, all high power bulbs from Sylvania and Philips are 100% junk
Zoom in on the back of the packaging, they are rated for *UP TO* 65-200 *hours* depending on the model
That's beyond ridiculous.
Hours? Seriously? As in, depending on usage, you might kill it in *up to* one month if you use the vehicle for work or road trips??? Or maybe in *one week* if you use the highest power model and go travel or run it in a work vehicle? What a joke
I use Headlight Revolutions products. Have a good warranty. Many LED and HID options to choose from. Might want to check them out.
Old Guy
Well-Known Member
Sylvania Silver Star Ultra. Available at common stores like Walmart, etc. They are brighter, and whiter which makes identificatio of objects faster for your eles. Fit the existing sockets and housing. I have them on ALL my vehicles. Run about $40 a pair. I put them in the regular, hi-beams and fog lights. Installlation is simply removing theexisting lamp, and putting in the new one, like changing a bulb.
chuck s
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Some LED filament placement has gotten better the past few years. Unless the LEDs are in the same location as the filament in the halogen bulbs the pattern is crappy. I went to a local shop that specializes in lighting and audio enhancements.
Came out with wonderful HID low beams and LED high beams. 2017 reflector housings. Beam pattern seems very good. Forget the cost but these were not $20 Chinese bulbs or ballasts.
-- Chuck
Came out with wonderful HID low beams and LED high beams. 2017 reflector housings. Beam pattern seems very good. Forget the cost but these were not $20 Chinese bulbs or ballasts.
-- Chuck
Johnathan M
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Ditto. Very happy with them. Also replaced my fogs with LEDs so they would match the color temperature of the headlights. Just make sure you get headlight bulbs that are a blade style with chips on each side rather than all around the board. That replicates the stock halogen light output placement and will keep your beam pattern correct.
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bloodhound
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I was speaking to the statement that "all LEDs" are junk.
I use Sylvania Silver Star ZXE bulbs and love them. They are slightly more expensive, and the color is slightly whiter (4200K vs. 4100K). As far as Adieu's statement, he apparently read the box and has never tried them, so likely has no actual experience to base his opinion on. In my 2011 Expy, the bulbs are 7 years old and I have driven the vehicle 80,000 miles in all weather. I have a pair in my 94 Ranger, which are 11 years old and have 140,000 miles on them in all weather. Truth be told, I have never had a Sylvania bulb fail. I would gladly recommend Sylvania halogen bulbs to friends.
Mark Buckner
Well-Known Member
I have been running these for several years with great satisfaction. Far better vision at night, to the point that I almost never have need to use the high beams. I get zero people flashing their lights at me because the cutoff is so good.
www.superbrightleds.com
H13 / 9008 LED Fanless Headlight/Fog Light Conversion Kit with Internal Drivers - 4,000 Lumens/Set - Cool White
Increase your safety and visibility with this H13 / 9008 LED headlight/fog light kit. The dual-intensity LED headlight bulbs emit 4,000 lumens of cool white illumination per set (2,000 lumens each) and feature 3rd generation cooling technology. They have integrated heat sinks instead of...
Same here!
Since the arrangement of the LED elements match the halogen element the beam pattern is identical and DOT approved. Never buy an LED bulb for a headlight that has just a single LED element since you will ALWAYS blind people with them. Also, if the LED bulb is for a low-beam headlight then make certain the LED bulb has the same little light shade as the halogen to control the beam.
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Just to clear something up… LED lights installed into halogen projector or reflector housing, that did not come from the factory with them, is not legal…. Now with that said, will you be pulled over, ticketed and your vehicle impounded?… not likely. But please check the alignment of all any LED you install into a halogen housings as the chips need to be installed in the 3 and 9 o’clock position to properly mimic the halogen filament position.
Aftermarket LED installs are not DOT legal in the United States… some countries do allow aftermarket LEDs to be installed but it’s still surprisingly few… LED tech is getting better and better but the regulations on headlight design have not kept pace. The market is flooded with absolute trash that unfortunately most people purchase crap and think it’s quality. Also if the LED is not clocked right in the housing you’ll have poor forward illumination and blind oncoming traffic due to the scattering of light.
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