2021 4Runner OEM LED Headlights/Lights Performance and Retrofit

[justanothereric]

Yep, I picked up my 2021 trd off-road 10 days ago.
I too have noticed that new LED headlight has weird beam pattern that contains 2 black dots. Yes, both sides have that dark spot. The reason you can only see one, because one dark spot covered by bright beam pattern.

I believe it is because the manufacturer uses new projectors to pair with new LED bulbs. Both of them could lead the beam pattern change.

However, that’s not a big deal, the new LED headlights and LED fog lights they work very well in nights.

I live in the area that sun goes down at 4pm right now, the new bright LED lights are really helpful.


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They do work well but I've had LED headlamps on my previous cars and they've all been clean light patterns with NO empty circles...guess I'll have to ignore it while dricving. Thank you!!

 

[MIKE969]

No pictures of the light “void”?

 

[ljohn]

No pictures of the light “void”?

Is this what everyone is talking about? I thought it was a sticker or something stuck on the headlight when I first bought it.

 

[MIKE969]

Is this what everyone is talking about? I thought it was a sticker or something stuck on the headlight when I first bought it.

Thanks for posting that picture! The output looks great. These little oval dark spots right under the cutoffs look like they will disappear as the light is projected outwards.

 

[ljohn]

Thanks for posting that picture! The output looks great. These little oval dark spots right under the cutoffs look like they will disappear as the light is projected outwards.

Goose587 posted more pics previously and I just missed it. https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3555712-post59.html

The dark spots don't completely disappear. Due to my OCD'ness, I was really focusing on it. But I'm sure my vision will eventually get use to it.

On another note, I tried installing the XenonDepot Xtreme LEDs with DRL driver in for the DRLs so I could get a more white light. For some reason, it goes on full brightness like it's on high beams. Couldn't figure out why it was doing this because the high beam is now all in one with the low beam LED.

 

[SlickTRD]

although the dots dont disappear, the OCD in me would use them to aim lights.

 

[justanothereric]

Thanks for posting that picture! The output looks great. These little oval dark spots right under the cutoffs look like they will disappear as the light is projected outwards.

They definitely don't disappear. They enlarge as distances grows throughout the beam pattern and they're distracting as hell. Toyota LED headlamps just can't be compared to the luxury cars I've had in the past with LEDs...oh well.

 

[MIKE969]

Thanks for the replies, I took delivery of my 4r last Friday and noticed that the dark spots don’t wash out, they expand with distance, but they don’t bother me so much. The overall performance of the lights is still much, much better than halogens and I’m quite happy with them, and super happy with the truck in general.

 

[mynameistory]

Goose587 posted more pics previously and I just missed it. https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3555712-post59.html

The dark spots don't completely disappear. Due to my OCD'ness, I was really focusing on it. But I'm sure my vision will eventually get use to it.

On another note, I tried installing the XenonDepot Xtreme LEDs with DRL driver in for the DRLs so I could get a more white light. For some reason, it goes on full brightness like it's on high beams. Couldn't figure out why it was doing this because the high beam is now all in one with the low beam LED.

Pretty sure those are aiming dips. Do the new headlights have horizontal aiming adjusters in addition to vertical?

And the lack of dimming may be because the new DRL circuit doesn't use pulse width modulation to dim the bulbs, which is what the older models did. I have no way to confirm this though.

And the people saying "I'll just get Alpharex headlights or Amazon bulbs" make me LOL out loud. You mean THESE Alpharex headlights?

 

[rageandlove]

I sent him an email and pointed him at this thread.

He never replied. Does someone else want to reach out to him?

 

[RichinRidgewood]

Toyota still has not updated parts.toyota.com with 2021 parts yet.
facepalm

 

[RichinRidgewood]

parts.toyota.com has 2021 parts available :banana:

facepalm (It's about time)

However checking the diagrams for the LED headlights appears to be a challenge. The models with the LEDs listed doesn't seem to match the sales brochure. weird

The remaining parts to do a conversion to OEM LEDs could be fished out of the electrical diagrams as well.

It would be interesting to see how much it would cost.

 

[Rainier42]

parts.toyota.com has 2021 parts available :banana:

facepalm (It's about time)

However checking the diagrams for the LED headlights appears to be a challenge. The models with the LEDs listed doesn't seem to match the sales brochure. weird

The remaining parts to do a conversion to OEM LEDs could be fished out of the electrical diagrams as well.

It would be interesting to see how much it would cost.

It looks like the new headlamp assemblies are going for $1000+ a piece. Am I reading this right?

 

[rageandlove]

It looks like the new headlamp assemblies are going for $1000+ a piece. Am I reading this right?

Who knows.

But that's the easy part. Getting a wiring harness to use the new assemblies appears to be the hard part.

 

[Gecko]

Starting to see 2021 headlights pop up in classifieds as people trade them for Alpharex, Morimoto, etc.

Scanning this thread, seems like we never figured out what it would take to get them to work on older models, right?

 

[Rainier42]

Starting to see 2021 headlights pop up in classifieds as people trade them for Alpharex, Morimoto, etc.

Scanning this thread, seems like we never figured out what it would take to get them to work on older models, right?

Where are you seeing 2021 headlights in classifieds? Haven't found a DIY install on these yet, a wiring harness conversion is needed I believe.

 

[aggrobot]

Hi folks. coming from a 2018 limited to a 2021 limited nightshade, my anecdotal experience is that the headlights are superior in every manner, and its not even close. Short distance illumination is brighter, and wider. i feel they are more effective out to greater distances than the old halogens as well. I personally feel they also help the vehicle feel more modern and clean. I dont bother with DRLs, so I dont have many concerns about them remaining halogen.

 

[Axix23]

somebody needs to pick up some 2021 Led Headlights and install them!!!

 

[rageandlove]

Who is in for a wiring harness. I found a guy that made them for Tacos and he's in "I'll take a look" mode, but I'm sure if I said "you can sell 10 in one shot" he might prioritize it a bit higher.

I looked at them compared to my truck at the dealership. There is no comparison. LEDs are way brighter with broader coverage and better reach.

It's exactly what we all want.

 

[TeamHeq]

Who is in for a wiring harness. I found a guy that made them for Tacos and he's in "I'll take a look" mode, but I'm sure if I said "you can sell 10 in one shot" he might prioritize it a bit higher.

I looked at them compared to my truck at the dealership. There is no comparison. LEDs are way brighter with broader coverage and better reach.

It's exactly what we all want.

Count me in!