TLDR: Follow along as I try out the new/updated version of the Lasfit Pro-T4 LED headlight bulb system (Pro-DC Series). Initial impressions are optimistic but I'll be updating this thread with my long-term findings.
General Headlight Replacement Overview
The forums seem to have a unified consensus that the factory halogen headlights are unacceptable. I too share this opinion and have researched many of the options listed on the forums. The following list discusses my thought process on the popular/recommended options:
1.
Aftermarket Halogen Bulbs - I read through many threads suggesting the factory halogen projectors are only intended for halogen bulbs, specifically H11 bulbs. Taking that advice as law, I decided to pick up a set of Philips X-tremeVision replacement bulbs since they were the recommendation of a few users, claiming they are brighter than the factory bulbs. They seem to match the factory beam pattern (expected since they look identical to the stock bulbs) but the observed light-output/brightness was indistinguishable from the original bulbs. H11 halogen replacements may be the "proper" bulb and the cheapest replacement option but even this so-called best H11 bulb doesn't seem to be what I was after. For those looking to stick with H11 halogens, there seems to be no reason to change from the factory bulbs. I can't speak for the life expectancy of the factory bulbs compared to aftermarket bulbs, but there is no need to install an aftermarket halogen until after the originals blow. As far as the H9 conversion, they are guaranteed to burn out quicker (I have read posts of H9 bulbs lasting less than a year!). I also didn't want to start modifying/cutting things to fit, although it does seem quite simple.
2.
HID Conversion - This seems to be a outdated option as I have not seen any current posts about them but they seem to be much brighter in comparison to halogen bulbs. My biggest reserve about installing these was cutting the factory dust cover. Since the ballast doesn't fit within the headlight housing, a hole needs to be cut into the dust cover. I am concerned about dust and moisture possibly getting into the headlight housing and causing issues. This shouldn't be a problem if you seal the required hole in the dust cover but it was not a direction I wanted to go. I have not read anything about using HID bulbs in a halogen projector but I assume there might also be some optical issues since the light is emitted from a longer bulb compared to a halogen bulb (but I am not an expert on this).
3.
Headlight Replacement - There are several companies making aftermarket full headlight housing replacements (including Morimoto, Alpharex, USR/Depo, etc). These have mixed reviews as far as performance and reliability but generally they seem to be much better than the factory halogens, at least in terms of brightness. The looks are subjective but I think there are options out there for everyone. The deal breakers for me are cost and installation. Most worthwhile options surpass $1000! The bumper will also need to be removed to install any headlight replacement which is intimidating and can become tedious if a headlight goes out (most replacements do not offer bulb replacements but rather require a full housing replacement). Each time the bumper is removed, you chance paint damage or breaking tabs. Needless to say, these were ruled out for me but they might be the right option for others.
4.
Aftermarket LED Bulbs - More vehicle manufacturers seem to be switching to LED headlights, including the newer 4Runners. LEDs are a proven headlight technology and are also available as a drop in bulb replacement, typically for an affordable price. The problems arise with regards to the halogen "specific" projector. The projector optics are optimized for a halogen bulb to maximize light down field and prevent blinding oncoming drivers. LED bulbs fit in the factory headlight housing (most will even fit inside the dust cover) but the optics apparently do not optimize the beam pattern down field and it may blind oncoming drivers. I am not fully versed/knowledgeable on light optics but I have read many threads claiming similar info which suggests the LED is not placed in the same place where the factory halogen bulb emits light. I avoided this option for the longest time per forum suggestions but it seems to check all of my personal requirements (affordable, reliable, more light-output/brightness, retain the dust cover). The typical Amazon drop in replacement LED kits are affordable but seem to be the biggest offenders on the forums. The one option that keeps coming up is the Lasfit custom fit Pro-T4 LED headlight bulb and fan kit. The bulbs appear to place the LED at the same location as the factory halogen bulbs and the kit completely replaces the dust cover. There are a few threads discussing this option (including a video review by TRD Jon) and it made my list of products to try, but the cost was still out of reach until recently.
Upgraded Lasfit Pro-T4 LED Headlight Kit
Lasfit recently reached out on the forums with a "testing invitation" for their updated Pro-T4 LED headlight kit (
Testing Invitation - Upgraded Specific H11 LED bulbs w/ Dust Cover for 14-20 4Runner). This new setup seems to be an evolution of their original Pro-T4 kit. The following are links to both kits:
Original Lasfit Pro0T4 LED Headlight Kit:
Custom H11 LED Bulbs For 4Runner|Lasfit
Updated/New Lasfit Pro-T4 LED Headlight Kit:
Toyota 4Runner 2014-2020 Custom H11 LED Headlight Bulbs with Dust Cove
Since I was interested in the original kit, I decided to reach out. LED headlight bulbs were not the top priority on my list of upgrades, since I installed the "better" Philips halogens not too long ago, but Lasfit offered me a deal to test the lights (Note: I will not allow this to impact my impressions). I received the lights yesterday and installed them late in the evening. The following is my initial impressions after unboxing and install but I plan to continue using them and will update this thread with more information and a long-term review. I don't have any fancy light measuring tools but I personally believe real world experience is often times more valuable (I'll leave the light testing to the youtubers).
As a brief background, I'm from the NYC area and these will see typical city conditions for the most part, but I do take the 4Runner on adventures and I'm sure the drastic northeast season changes will put the lights through their paces. I will be paying close attention to the following:
1.
Dust cover performance - I'll be checking the housings periodically to see if any dust or moisture infiltrates the dust cover.
2.
Light output - I'm hoping these are bright enough to overpower the NYC street lights. The halogen bulbs get washed out by street lights and any passing traffic (especially newer vehicles with factory LED lights). Also hoping it will limit the need to constantly trigger the brights on rural country roads.
3.
Winter performance - I frequently travel to the mountains (especially during the winter) and I'm curious if these will retain the snow melting feature of the halogens. With two fans (one at the bulb and one in the dust cover), I'm curious if the lights will get hot enough to stop snow buildup on the headlight lens.
4.
Reliability/Service-Life - LEDs should last much longer than halogens but I'll make sure to keep track of any issues that may arise or if they completely stop working.
Initial Impressions
First off, I was a bit confused by Lasfit's naming convention on these lights. I reached out after the package arrived because I thought I received the original/old kit. The representative clarified that the Pro-DC series is their line of custom, vehicle-specific LED kits. The Pro-T4-H11 is their 4Runner specific kit, under the Pro-DC series line (think Pro-DC as the line of custom fit kits and Pro-T4 as the specific model). I suggested they use some sort of designation for the updated version, for example V2, which they seemed to take into consideration. For the sake of this thread, I will refer to this update as the Pro-T4-V2 but Lasfit may completely discontinue the old version all together.
The kit comes in a nice, premium feeling box. Inside, you are greeted with the bulbs, dust covers, instructions/manual, and a few Lasfit stickers. No complaints about the packaging and everything seems to have survived the shipping process. Moving onto initial build quality impressions, the bulb fans are made of metal and seem rather robust. The dust covers are plastic but should adequately serve their purpose. Each set is clearly labeled left (driver) and right (passenger) since the bulbs are side specific. Overall, it gives a good first impression.
Comparing this V2 to the original kit, it appears Lasfit made two specific changes (see product links above to compare). The first is the shape of the blade, which has a "notch" around the LED chip. The original kit appears to be a flat rectangular blade. Not sure if this improves the optics but it is an observation I noticed. The second change is the connector between the bulb and the dust cover fan. The original kit appears to have a simple clip style connector while this V2 kit has a screw type connector. I have no experience with the previous version, but I'm sure this screw type connector will hold. The connector also has a gasket which should do well to block the elements (although this connection is inside the headlight housing behind the dust cover anyway). Not sure if the actual LED has been updated or if there are any other changes.
Install is just as simple as installing any bulb. Remove the factory dust cover, remove the halogen bulb, install the new LED bulb, connect the dust cover fan to the bulb, and install the new dust cover. A few observations I made during install:
1. Twisting the LED bulbs into place is a bit tricky. I recall having similar issues with the halogen bulbs so this is not specific to the Lasfit kit. Make sure you push the bulbs in evenly to align the tabs appropriately. I had trouble twisting the bulb into place because the mating surfaces were not flush and one of the tabs was not fully in the slot.
2. The bulb fans only fit one way. Since the fan is offset from the center of the bulb, it can only be inserted one way. It helps to have small hands (or just remove the battery for more room).
3. With the fan in the dust cover, there are a few extra wires to manage while installing the dust cover. Everything fits inside the headlight housing, but the wires must be situated just right in order to twist the dust cover into place.
4. The new dust covers don't seem to have as tight of a seal as the factory dust covers. They do have a similar rubber gasket but this gasket does not appear to compress as much as the factory gasket. Only time will tell how this performs.
Install was not particularly difficult and I was able to complete it in the dark, with only a flashlight. I did not have time to get a feel for the lights besides shining them at a garage door. I will plan to take more photos as I drive around later in the week but I wanted to get this thread started.
Feel free to post any questions. I do plan to update this thread as I continue to use the kit and will report back with my findings. And now, onto some photos:
Upgraded halogen bulbs I previously installed:
Lasfit Pro-T4 box (bubble wrap shipping sleeve below):
Contents of box:
Bulb and dust cover unit:
Driver and Passenger specific bulbs:
Dust cover fan must point down:
Dust cover side specific marking and interior connections:
Bulb installed (notice how wires must be tucked around bulb fan in order to fit dust cover, also notice bulb to dust cover "twist" connector):
Installed dust cover (notice red arrow pointing down):
Passenger LED and Driver Halogen comparison (LED appears to have more light output):
Projector cutoff (you can see the cutoff line similar to the halogens):