2021 4Runner OEM LED Headlights/Lights Performance and Retrofit

[ForRun]

Not a surprise, from the looks of it Toyota threw in a low end LED projector which is pretty disappointing. After my locker install I'm going to be tackling a headlight retrofit with Morimoto's new M-LED 2.0 projector which is one of the first LED based projectors that has matched and exceed HID projector performance. We will see how that turns out.

Heres a good comparison showing Bi-Led morimotos. Also shows the alpharex that are pure junk.
Headlight comparison stock vs others

 

[Too Stroked]

I actually didn't spend much on them at all. lol Cheaper than Alpharex and Morimoto headlights. Photos don't do it justice. You will need to see it in person.

I would suggest you riding in a friend's 4 runner with drop in leds, normal halogen headlights, and drop in hids, then sit in a friend with a 2021 4 runner. You need to see it first hand in order for you to fully appreciate them. We can post all the photos we can with our cell phones and tell you but seeing it firsthand is different. And no, they aren't as nice as some oem led headlights out there for sure...

While I'll agree that the OEM LEDs are probably much better than the OEM halogens, I still think Toyota could have done better. The biggest problems I have with my factory LEDs are the stupid hard cutoff and the dark zone in front of the vehicle. (I plan on getting measurements to show where it is soon.) So I guess how well the LEDs perform is to a certain extent dependent on where you're coming from.

As fpor the aftermarket stuff from Alpharex, Spyder and to a lesser extent Morimoto, one has to remember that most folks buying them are looking for an appearance upgrade, not a performance upgrade.

 

[Axix23]

While I'll agree that the OEM LEDs are probably much better than the OEM halogens, I still think Toyota could have done better. The biggest problems I have with my factory LEDs are the stupid hard cutoff and the dark zone in front of the vehicle. (I plan on getting measurements to show where it is soon.) So I guess how well the LEDs perform is to a certain extent dependent on where you're coming from.

As fpor the aftermarket stuff from Alpharex, Spyder and to a lesser extent Morimoto, one has to remember that most folks buying them are looking for an appearance upgrade, not a performance upgrade.

Agreed. I was also hoping Toyota was going to do the Triple Diamond �� led eyes like from some of the Lexus rather than a single led projector.

But I will say this, just from looking at the 2021 Oem headlights in daylight, it doesn’t look like it’s all that bright at all. It looks like low output.

But come night time, I was super amazed. Then again I been used to crappy drop in led bulbs kits.

 

[Xtremluck]

Agreed. I was also hoping Toyota was going to do the Triple Diamond �� led eyes like from some of the Lexus rather than a single led projector.

But I will say this, just from looking at the 2021 Oem headlights in daylight, it doesn’t look like it’s all that bright at all. It looks like low output.

But come night time, I was super amazed. Then again I been used to crappy drop in led bulbs kits.

There are single LED projectors out there that provide great performance. Toyota decided not to use them. The Morimoto MLED v2.0 is a good example of this. Outperforming and equaling some of the best HID projectors out there


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[2021nightshade4x4]

I’m still curious what the heck the little L shaped shadow is just below the cutoff line. A clip?

It’s not the cut for the oncoming lane, I know what that looks like. You can also see that in the pic.

Below that, the L______

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[Bluninja]

I have a 2021 OR with oem LED low beams and fogs but the DRL/high beams are still yellow halogens.

What’s everyone using to replace the factory yellow halogen DRL/high beams?

What about these ones?
9005 SLF LED Bulbs (pair)

 

[Too Stroked]

I have a 2021 OR with oem LED low beams and fogs but the DRL/high beams are still yellow halogens.

What’s everyone using to replace the factory yellow halogen DRL/high beams?

What about these ones?
9005 SLF LED Bulbs (pair)

Here's something to think about. Lot's of folks like LEDs and HID's because of the blue tint / "whiter" appearance. Although it looks cool, it doesn't always equate to better lighting / better night vision - particularly in poor weather. That's why selective yellow (not to be confused with amber) is actually a much better color for fog beam pattern lights.

As for drop in LED bulbs in a housing / reflector designed for halogen bulbs, I don't recommend it at all. As much as the best LED bulbs have improved over the past few years, they still tend to produce too much scatter which leads to glare for oncoming drivers. And the lower priced eBay and Amazon bulbs are the worst offenders here.

This is what I'm currently running in my high beams.

Amazon.com: ACDelco HIR1 GM Original Equipment High Beam Headlight Bulb: Automotive

Installing them does require minor trimming of one mounting tab, but it takes but a second to do. If you put the old and new bulbs side by side, you'll immediately see what needs to be trimmed.

 

[BorotHex]

I’m still curious what the heck the little L shaped shadow is just below the cutoff line. A clip?

It’s not the cut for the oncoming lane, I know what that looks like. You can also see that in the pic.

Below that, the L______

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My ‘21 has it, too. It was annoying. Now I don’t notice.

 

[CharlesNellis]

While I'll agree that the OEM LEDs are probably much better than the OEM halogens, I still think Toyota could have done better. The biggest problems I have with my factory LEDs are the stupid hard cutoff and the dark zone in front of the vehicle. (I plan on getting measurements to show where it is soon.) So I guess how well the LEDs perform is to a certain extent dependent on where you're coming from.

As fpor the aftermarket stuff from Alpharex, Spyder and to a lesser extent Morimoto, one has to remember that most folks buying them are looking for an appearance upgrade, not a performance upgrade.

I actually prefer the dark zone in front of the vehicle. It helps keep your eyes in focus on the road ahead.

Many manufacturers deliberately put a foreground shield/limiter inside of their projectors and I'm sure Toyota did the same.

I'm sure the engineers have tested this and came up with the best solution.

Having a ton of foreground lighting might seem brighter but is it really enhancing your night vision where it's important.

When I had my 19 4runner I added some alpharex pros with HIDs. Lighting was amazing but. The foreground was super lit. I would always get headaches driving at night and nailed it down to my eyes having to adjust to look ahead but constantly being pulled to bright foreground. Also your pupils are dialated to amount of light directly in front of your vehicle and not to the actual usable light to avoid obstructions ahead.

I switched back to the factory lights and all was good. Even the dim halogens housings seem to have a foreground limiter.

Now I have a 2021 4runner and I love that they incorporated a foreground limiter into the LED projectors.

 

[Too Stroked]

I actually prefer the dark zone in front of the vehicle. It helps keep your eyes in focus on the road ahead.

Many manufacturers deliberately put a foreground shield/limiter inside of their projectors and I'm sure Toyota did the same.

I'm sure the engineers have tested this and came up with the best solution.

Having a ton of foreground lighting might seem brighter but is it really enhancing your night vision where it's important.

When I had my 19 4runner I added some alpharex pros with HIDs. Lighting was amazing but. The foreground was super lit. I would always get headaches driving at night and nailed it down to my eyes having to adjust to look ahead but constantly being pulled to bright foreground. Also your pupils are dialated to amount of light directly in front of your vehicle and not to the actual usable light to avoid obstructions ahead.

I switched back to the factory lights and all was good. Even the dim halogens housings seem to have a foreground limiter.

Now I have a 2021 4runner and I love that they incorporated a foreground limiter into the LED projectors.

Absolutely 100% agree with you one the evils of too much foreground lighting. (Somebody should tell Alpharex though.) The problem I have with the dead zone on mine is that it's too pronounced. I'd much rather have an even fade with the amount of light gradually increasing with distance - which would make the transition invisible. Oh well, I solved the problem with the Diode Dynamics SS3 Max fogs - which I only run as needed.

 

[CharlesNellis]

Absolutely 100% agree with you one the evils of too much foreground lighting. (Somebody should tell Alpharex though.) The problem I have with the dead zone on mine is that it's too pronounced. I'd much rather have an even fade with the amount of light gradually increasing with distance - which would make the transition invisible. Oh well, I solved the problem with the Diode Dynamics SS3 Max fogs - which I only run as needed.

Ahhh.. gotcha. Yeah that would be nice.

 

[6uam671_T4R]

I picked up a 2021 TRD Off Road and like the LEDs.

Coming from a 2016 SR5, the halogen was not so good. I bought a set of the OEM LED headlights back in December because I wanted to do the conversion. I took some photos back then for before/after comparison. I took some photos tonight.

Here they are. I tried to take the photos in the same spots to demonstrate the differences.

2016 Halogen

#1 & 2 Low beam:
#3 & 4 High beam:

2021 LEDs / Halogen Highs

#5 & 6 Low beam:
#7 & 8 High beam:

 

[ScottR]

I did the swap this weekend with great results. My halogen housings were getting yellow and sun damaged on top anyway, why not upgrade? Definitely worth the time and money.

 

[Timmbo]

Honestly, the combo of the LED headlights AND the LED fogs is actually quite fantastic. I don’t see how anyone can be at all unhappy with the performance. I am very impressed with the performance of the lighting system as a complete package. I will end this by saying I have never driven my 4Runner in the dark with the fogs off for any length of time....I am commenting on the system performance as a package.

 

[Axix23]

Honestly, the combo of the LED headlights AND the LED fogs is actually quite fantastic. I don’t see how anyone can be at all unhappy with the performance. I am very impressed with the performance of the lighting system as a complete package. I will end this by saying I have never driven my 4Runner in the dark with the fogs off for any length of time....I am commenting on the system performance as a package.

Agreed. But then you got a ton of “haters” on here who says the stock 2021 led headlights are junk and will use their home-made headlights for a better output like they can outsmart Toyota R/D.

 

[Xtremluck]

Agreed. But then you got a ton of “haters” on here who says the stock 2021 led headlights are junk and will use their home-made headlights for a better output like they can outsmart Toyota R/D.

I think more like realists who value accurate information. It is clear that Toyota went cheap with the lighting solution for 2021 headlights. From a business perspective it makes total sense since the current gen is on its last legs.

So it wouldn't take much for a "homemade" headlight outfitted with a high quality aftermarket Bi-LED projector to outperform your OEM LED headlights.

 

[Too Stroked]

Agreed. But then you got a ton of “haters” on here who says the stock 2021 led headlights are junk and will use their home-made headlights for a better output like they can outsmart Toyota R/D.

I may be one of those haters you speak of, but let me clarify. The OEM LED headlights for 5th gen 4Runners are much better than the 5th gen OEM halogen headlights. Absolutely no argument there. Then again, the halogens are so bad, it's hard not to be better. Here's where things get a bit more interesting though.

Are they better than a really well designed OEM halogen? Unfortunately, absolutely not. The OEM halogens in my 2014 Tacoma blow them away with stock bulbs. With an upgraded harness and better bulbs, they're literally light years ahead.

Are they better than a well done projector conversion? A lot depends on who does the conversion and what parts they use here. Generally speaking though, a well done projector conversion will be much better than the OEM LEDs.

 

[Xtremluck]

Another datapoint to consider, the OEM LED headlights have 30% less hot spot output when compared to Morimoto's XB LED headlights.

 

[Axix23]

Another datapoint to consider, the OEM LED headlights have 30% less hot spot output when compared to Morimoto's XB LED headlights.

Which one do you think lasts longer? I am
willing to bet the Toyota one. We are assuming whoever is measuring it is collecting the correct data. Lol

 

[Axix23]

Both of y’all are jokes. Why are y’all even here on this thread? To bash the new Oem headlights? I mean go start a home made headlight thread.