Anyone try LED bulbs for headlights?

[scott78945]

Before you say it, I already searched. The most I could bring up was LED interior lighting for the 5th gen.

Regardless, I see a lot of LED bulbs on Ebay for headlights for the headlights on the 4Runners, the H11's. Has anyone tried these? I have found that HID's are not possible, or at least shouldn't be attempted, w/o a retrofit and the housing should not be used. So this brings me to the LED's. I don't want to screw or ruin my headlights if its already been done. Seems like a nice alternative. I have also looked at the Sylvania XZE lights. I have used Silverstars in the past and they were ok. Just looking for something to give off more light. Would love HID's but don't think that's going to be an option anytime soon.

 

[bimrunner]

I tried them, liked them at first until I realized that they were blinding to oncoming traffic and really didn't provide really any extra usable light output. The tech is not there for a plug-n-play replacement. I have a HID retrofit and it is extremely good. Better than my factory Lexus ones were. I had it done by Lightwerkz and it wasn't cheap, but it was done extremely well. The cutoff is sharp and doesn't bling others.

 

[Jhalko]

Before you say it, I already searched. The most I could bring up was LED interior lighting for the 5th gen.

Regardless, I see a lot of LED bulbs on Ebay for headlights for the headlights on the 4Runners, the H11's. Has anyone tried these? I have found that HID's are not possible, or at least shouldn't be attempted, w/o a retrofit and the housing should not be used. So this brings me to the LED's. I don't want to screw or ruin my headlights if its already been done. Seems like a nice alternative. I have also looked at the Sylvania XZE lights. I have used Silverstars in the past and they were ok. Just looking for something to give off more light. Would love HID's but don't think that's going to be an option anytime soon.

I don't know what the 2014 has but I converted my h11 over to h9 which provided a little more light and doesn't seem to bother oncoming traffic. Haven't been flashed once since the change, I did take the time to check my headlight aim, seems to provide just a slight bump in output for little cost. Debatable as to if it is a bad thing for the truck and other drivers but certainly not the blinding HID increase. Just search "5th gen h11 to h9"

 

[wfo9]

I think you mean HID conversion. Maybe they are trying to sell actual LED standard form factor bulbs with headlight capable output levels these days, but I seriously doubt it. They would be extremely difficult to make in that form factor.

Either way, don't run a HID or similar bulb without a projector lens. It is very obnoxious and unnecessary.

 

[mdogg]

Yes, it's been attempted by a few - LED, not HID. HID retrofits can be done in damn near any application with some work, and consistently produce great results.

here is an example

 

[scott78945]

Yes, it's been attempted by a few - LED, not HID. HID retrofits can be done in damn near any application with some work, and consistently produce great results.

here is an example

Any good results yet? I am looking for the most economical way to get a better headlight out of this truck. These stock ones stink...

 

[13sr54runner]

While I have not tried them, vled sells led bulbs with very high lumen output. They are a little expensive but their products seem to be of great quality. As for hids, whether people believe they are dangerous to oncoming traffic or not, I've had them, ballast and all, in my truck for 2 years. Had them in the fogs as well as headlights but I replaced them too many times due to the ballast getting water damage (probably mainly my fault).

 

[4everunner]

I had them on my truck. I think it is much better vs stock. But I'm selling mine because I retrofit my headlights.
Here -

 

[wfo9]

I think you mean HID conversion. Maybe they are trying to sell actual LED standard form factor bulbs with headlight capable output levels these days, but I seriously doubt it. They would be extremely difficult to make in that form factor.

Either way, don't run a HID or similar bulb
without a projector lens. It is very obnoxious and unnecessary.

I forgot the 2014 came with a projector lens. You should be fine even doing HIDs with those. And it sounds like the LED technology has come a long way recently. Still seems like HID would be the way to go. Why is it such a "problem" to run HIDs in them. I've run HIDs in several halogen projectors and never had a problem. Now the 2010-2013 reflectors would be an issue.

Bottom line it is apples and oranges when comparing 2010-2013 to the 2014 headlights

 

[cgm147]

Go to lifetime led I have them in my 4gen with projectors and love the out put.

 

[cgm147]

simple plugin and go

 

[NoLaKrewe]

I know Southeast Overland sells plug and play LED lights for the FJ. I would look into them. They prob have some 5th gen ones as well.

 

[scott78945]

This may be a stupid question but is there any issue with heat from using HID's in the halogen housing? I see that the LED's have built in fans on them. Just curious.

 

[tko125]

Plug in LED's

simple plugin and go

Are those the LED Conversions currently offered by Auto Anything? If so, how do they work? I've been thinking about purchasing but there aren't any reviews...

 

[wfo9]

This may be a stupid question but is there any issue with heat from using HID's in the halogen housing? I see that the LED's have built in fans on them. Just curious.

LEDs run very hot at the fixture compared to halogen, HID.... This sounds crazy at first with common knowledge of LEDs, but it relates to how heat is dissipated by LEDs. Halogens and HIDs release radiant heat from the bulb (think of a fire...). LEDs dissipate almost all heat via conduction. This causes the fixture to get super hot in high wattage applications (like a headlamp). This is why I mentioned earlier that LEDs were hard to produce in a standard headlamp bulb form factor without melting down. However, it can be done with enough heat sinks and fans.... I guess they have figured out how to make it reliable in that form factor. Just not sure that I trust it, high wattage LEDs need airflow. Other bulbs can get away with not having airflow because they can radiate heat to the enclosure evenly. With an LED it is all at the fixture which can easily melt down.

And just to clarify I have no direct experience with the LED conversion bulbs. They may work just fine. I'm not trying to scare people away from them; just trying to explain how they are different.

Anyway, HID should not be a problem for heat in a 2014 lens if you run standard 35 wattage. Even 55 may work, but totally unnecessary.

 

[scott78945]

LEDs run very hot at the fixture compared to halogen, HID.... This sounds crazy at first with common knowledge of LEDs, but it relates to how heat is dissipated by LEDs. Halogens and HIDs release radiant heat from the bulb (think of a fire...). LEDs dissipate almost all heat via conduction. This causes the fixture to get super hot in high wattage applications (like a headlamp). This is why I mentioned earlier that LEDs were hard to produce in a standard headlamp bulb form factor without melting down. However, it can be done with enough heat sinks and fans.... I guess they have figured out how to make it reliable in that form factor. Just not sure that I trust it, high wattage LEDs need airflow. Other bulbs can get away with not having airflow because they can radiate heat to the enclosure evenly. With an LED it is all at the fixture which can easily melt down.

And just to clarify I have no direct experience with the LED conversion bulbs. They may work just fine. I'm not trying to scare people away from them; just trying to explain how they are different.

Anyway, HID should not be a problem for heat in a 2014 lens if you run standard 35 wattage. Even 55 may work, but totally unnecessary.

Thanks for the clarification and explaining it! I wanted to go HID's on it as it has the projector lens but I have read numerous times on here that one should not as they are not designed for HID's and only halogens yada yada yada. I rely on others experiences as I am a total newb to all of this. I would just like a plug n play option to get better lighting. I figured I could go with HID's as its a projector lens but others have stated no while others say no problem...

 

[wfo9]

Thanks for the clarification and explaining it! I wanted to go HID's on it as it has the projector lens but I have read numerous times on here that one should not as they are not designed for HID's and only halogens yada yada yada. I rely on others experiences as I am a total newb to all of this. I would just like a plug n play option to get better lighting. I figured I could go with HID's as its a projector lens but others have stated no while others say no problem...

Yea it is a bit confusing for me also. The main issue with HID is that you really need a projector that will cut off the light and not throw it up at other drivers.

The 2010 - 2013 4 runners have a reflector headlight, Not good for HIDs as it does not have a proper cutoff and throws light in many directions. People who want to run HIDs or similar output in those headlamps really should retrofit in a projector lens (In my opinion). It keeps the roads safe for everyone else and keeps you from standing out to the police. Trust me they profile cars wth aftermarket headlights when they can spot them.

Now the 2014 already has a projector, but it was made for halogens. Some would argue those still don't have a good enough cutoff and focus for HIDs. Others would argue they are fine. Personally, I think they are probably fine as I have run HIDs in several OEM halogen projectors and could never tell a difference between those and OEM HID projectors. I think there is some internet hyperbole about HID projectors. It keeps the retrofit companies and the guys that spent money with them feeling good. No doubt you need a retrofit with a reflector lamp like the 2010-2013, but if you already have a projector it probably has a reasonable cutoff.

 

[cgm147]

Are those the LED Conversions currently offered by Auto Anything? If so, how do they work? I've been thinking about purchasing but there aren't any reviews...

Go check out wwe.lifetimeled.com

 

[SouthernSS]

Yea it is a bit confusing for me also. The main issue with HID is that you really need a projector that will cut off the light and not throw it up at other drivers.

The 2010 - 2013 4 runners have a reflector headlight, Not good for HIDs as it does not have a proper cutoff and throws light in many directions. People who want to run HIDs or similar output in those headlamps really should retrofit in a projector lens (In my opinion). It keeps the roads safe for everyone else and keeps you from standing out to the police. Trust me they profile cars wth aftermarket headlights when they can spot them.

Now the 2014 already has a projector, but it was made for halogens. Some would argue those still don't have a good enough cutoff and focus for HIDs. Others would argue they are fine. Personally, I think they are probably fine as I have run HIDs in several OEM halogen projectors and could never tell a difference between those and OEM HID projectors. I think there is some internet hyperbole about HID projectors. It keeps the retrofit companies and the guys that spent money with them feeling good. No doubt you need a retrofit with a reflector lamp like the 2010-2013, but if you already have a projector it probably has a reasonable cutoff.

I agree with you on the aspect of halogen projectors having a good enough cutoff to not blind on coming drivers. I've also run aftermarket HID kits in many halogen projectors and could never tell the difference between the focus and cutoff of those and the OEM HID projectors.

 

[alexb]

I've got HID in my projectors on my '14 and if you didn't know any better you would think they were OEM. Cutoff is just fine, maybe not on the level of Lexus, BMW, etc. but still great.