Consolidated Lighting Info Thread

[John in NC]

I was with you until your last sentence. Simply because this applies to literally any vehicle in that situation. There's a windy road with several small "hills" (elongated bumps) that I travel every evening after picking up the kid at daycare. I can hit with low beams from small sedans constantly on these hills and they create instantaneous problems.
That said, I get blinded regularly by HD trucks with HIDs in reflector housings and it annoys the hell out of me.

I'm saying those that think they've aimed their high performance aftermarket searing bright lights correctly may still be blinding people on curves and cresting hills. But yes you are right some factory lights can blind you in these situations- I'm thinking newer Corolla, Acura MDX, Escalade... they're super bright.
I'm just really annoyed by these super bright non factory lights in everything from junkers to $80,000 "levelled" trucks. Forget about the squat/ reverse rake guys, they blind bats, birds, and airliners, PLUS all other drivers.

 

[Irishperil]

I ended up going with the Morimoto XB headlights. My requirements were: pure white lights, match OEM LED fog lights, better than stock.

H9 and high performance H11 were out from the start since I was looking for pure white. I didn't want to go with HIDs in the stock halogen projector due to the possibility of excessive glare. Although I retrofitted my previous car, I didn't want to take the time/effort to retrofit.

Which left LEDs or Morimoto XB headlights. Pricing it out with BF sales, LEDs were around $250 for Morimoto/XD low and highs. Morimoto XB headlights were on sale for $925. With the discounted price and IMO the improvement in looks, I chose the Morimoto XBs. Plan is to run the OEM LED fogs to offset the sharp side cutoffs of the XBs.

Pics please!!

 

[Irishperil]

Thanks, I think your comment about the XD system not requiring a relay answers my question. I'm going to pick up one of your kits. Now to decide on Phillips 4300K or the XD 5000k....

So what did you decide on? I'm debating between those 2 as well, but also debating the retro to proper HID's. I'm not experienced enough to do it myself, but I saw quite a few recommendations to LightWerks in NJ and it seemed to be under $1000. It's a lot of money, but seems worth the safety. Especially since I have 23k miles so this baby will be on the road for a long long time.

I've decided on the XD 9005 Extreme Pro for Hi's and DRL's. That one seems like an easy decision. DRL's will be a whiter light during the day, which looks nicer and newer. And brights will be, well, bright! Like they should be.

Fogs I'm still debating the Morimoto XB Fogs vs the Diode Dynamics SS3. We don't have fog here in FL but I still like the idea of having yellow fogs. From what I understand, you can't leave the fogs on while driving because it blinds other drivers? So they should be off unless you need them in rain or fog correct? Or is it possible to have them on at the same time as the lows?

Whoever had the truck before me put LED lows and LED fogs. The lows suck and the road is so dark that I have to turn the fogs on. But they're so damn bright that people flash me so I need to fix that. I'm assuming the Morimoto XB fogs or DD SS3 fogs will act differently since the housing will be made for LED bulbs, right?

 

[alxdo2]

Sorry to jump in the thread but I think I made a mistake. I was ordering stuff for my 2020 T4R and I ordered some HIDs and LEDs. 9005 LEDS for high and HIDS for low. Is this a common setup to mix up the lights like that? Or do I need to return and get matching. Will send what I purchased below. Thanks!

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[DragonRunner]

Merry Christmas everyone!

So I am going with the Morimoto HID kit, but using their stand alone canbus instead of the HD relay. That part comes with a small blue wire terminating in a ring, and despite looking at the Morimoto and TRS instructions there is zero mention of this wire. It looks like a ground. Anyone have experience with this?

 

[Saker]

Merry Christmas everyone!

So I am going with the Morimoto HID kit, but using their stand alone canbus instead of the HD relay. That part comes with a small blue wire terminating in a ring, and despite looking at the Morimoto and TRS instructions there is zero mention of this wire. It looks like a ground. Anyone have experience with this?

Can you post a photo?

 

[mordotz]

Pics please!!

The Retrofit Source royally screwed up my order and now my headlights won’t be in until early January. I’ll post some pics then! In the meantime, there’s someone that has an AG TRDP like mine with the XB headlights that posted in the official AG thread.

 

[ForRun]

The Retrofit Source royally screwed up my order and now my headlights won’t be in until early January. I’ll post some pics then! In the meantime, there’s someone that has an AG TRDP like mine with the XB headlights that posted in the official AG thread.

Cancel them. Amazon has them and you can have them Friday

 

[DragonRunner]

Can you post a photo?

Stock photo but it’s legit. Funny thing is this photo is at the beginning of the Morimoto instructions but the blue wire isn’t in any diagram after the cover shot.

 

[mynameistory]

So what did you decide on? I'm debating between those 2 as well, but also debating the retro to proper HID's. I'm not experienced enough to do it myself, but I saw quite a few recommendations to LightWerks in NJ and it seemed to be under $1000. It's a lot of money, but seems worth the safety. Especially since I have 23k miles so this baby will be on the road for a long long time.

I've decided on the XD 9005 Extreme Pro for Hi's and DRL's. That one seems like an easy decision. DRL's will be a whiter light during the day, which looks nicer and newer. And brights will be, well, bright! Like they should be.

Fogs I'm still debating the Morimoto XB Fogs vs the Diode Dynamics SS3. We don't have fog here in FL but I still like the idea of having yellow fogs. From what I understand, you can't leave the fogs on while driving because it blinds other drivers? So they should be off unless you need them in rain or fog correct? Or is it possible to have them on at the same time as the lows?

Whoever had the truck before me put LED lows and LED fogs. The lows suck and the road is so dark that I have to turn the fogs on. But they're so damn bright that people flash me so I need to fix that. I'm assuming the Morimoto XB fogs or DD SS3 fogs will act differently since the housing will be made for LED bulbs, right?

Please keep in mind that brightness and beam pattern are two different things. The brightest lights won't be a problem if they have proper optics and are aimed correctly. LED bulbs in halogen housings are a poor match, no matter what companies tell you. They lack proper hotspot characteristics, focus and throw, and glare control.

The SS3 fog lights are an excellent choice. They have a proper, SAE compliant beam pattern. They will not dazzle oncoming traffic when they are aimed correctly. I have them and they are excellent.

As for my other "LED" lighting, I've switched my Morimoto and Xenon Depot bulbs back to halogen.

Again, lots of info available in these two threads. Please do your research before spending your hard-earned money:

The LED SAE J583 Fog Pod & Fog Light Review | Tacoma World

3rd Gen HID vs LED vs Halogen H11 projector headlights | Tacoma World

 

[DragonRunner]

Stock photo but it’s legit. Funny thing is this photo is at the beginning of the Morimoto instructions but the blue wire isn’t in any diagram after the cover shot.

TRS confirmed it’s a ground wire. Odd that Morimoto has detailed install instructions but fails to even ID this wire. I think I’m a rare one using the standalone canbus option on a 5th gen, to avoid the extra wiring of the HD relays...

 

[NW.OH.T4R]

TRS confirmed it’s a ground wire. Odd that Morimoto has detailed install instructions but fails to even ID this wire. I think I’m a rare one using the standalone canbus option on a 5th gen, to avoid the extra wiring of the HD relays...

I’ll be using the hylux canbus ballasts for my retrofit


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[Irishperil]

Just put all my orders in -

Lows : XD HID kit with Phillips 4300k bulbs ($215)
Highs : 9005 Xtreme LED Pro w/DRL driver ($162)
Fogs : Diode Dynamics SS3 Fogs - Yellow, Sport ($160)
LASfit : 7443 Switchback LED for front turn signals ($60)

Feeling good about most of it, but had some second thoughts on the highs and the switchbacks-

Really, all I want is LED for DRL so the lights that are always on are crisp white. I'd prefer halogen for brights as it seems they perform better than LED. But Toyota didn't allow for this unless I do some kind of mod to disable DRL and turn fogs into DRL? Wouldn't want that now that I'm doing yellow fogs.

And second, I don't see much benefit to the LASfit other than the front light fixture looking whiter when the vehicle is off. Otherwise I noticed I leave my lights on "Auto" all the time so the parking lights are never on. So I'm basically annoying the f out of everyone at night with the brightest turn signals ever, in exchange for a whiter looking housing. Not sure this one is worth it, but we'll see when I get them on. IMO this would be a better upgrade if the LASfit's were toned down to maybe 20% brighter than stock.

 

[mordotz]

Cancel them. Amazon has them and you can have them Friday

Thanks for the heads up. I actually got them for $925 w/ free fogs during the BF sales so I think I'll just wait it out.

 

[gSwift]

Pics please!!

Here ya go

 

[PrettyGoodSam]

looking for some help/advice here...

ran into what i hope is not a big problem:

as i was attempting to put the drivers side map light LED in, I could not get it to fit. the passenger side also gave me trouble but I managed to get it in and the light worked fine. on the drivers side i was pushing the LED but not too hard and wiggling it a little to see if that would help. then all of a sudden SNAP! the plug for the light looks intact, but im assuming its the surrounding plastic "housing" or attachment piece broke off and is up in the console. i can still see it, but i could also move it around when i tapped it w a needle nose pliers. i know i will have to take the console off which wont be very hard, but god damnit am i mad at myself for this one! hopefully it is just a piece of plastic that maybe i can krazy glue back together. i dont think any of the electrical aspect of it is damaged (at least what i could see before i have to drop the console).

thoughts? TIA!

 

[ElectroBoy]

looking for some help/advice here...

ran into what i hope is not a big problem:

as i was attempting to put the drivers side map light LED in, I could not get it to fit. the passenger side also gave me trouble but I managed to get it in and the light worked fine. on the drivers side i was pushing the LED but not too hard and wiggling it a little to see if that would help. then all of a sudden SNAP! the plug for the light looks intact, but im assuming its the surrounding plastic "housing" or attachment piece broke off and is up in the console. i can still see it, but i could also move it around when i tapped it w a needle nose pliers. i know i will have to take the console off which wont be very hard, but god damnit am i mad at myself for this one! hopefully it is just a piece of plastic that maybe i can krazy glue back together. i dont think any of the electrical aspect of it is damaged (at least what i could see before i have to drop the console).

thoughts? TIA!

Can’t imagine what this looks like unless I take mine apart.
How about posting some photos of your predicament.

Depending on the damage you may be able to glue it back together. Maybe a small dab of superglue to hold the pieces together. Then reinforce it with epoxy or a hobby glue like E6000. It depends on the plastic. But it’s worth a try before buying a new assembly.

 

[PrettyGoodSam]

i was gonna take a pic, but realized that it wont make sense until i drop the console and can see the bigger picture. i will hopefully be able to do that tonight, so i will see about some photos. thanks for the recs on the glue to use as well!

 

[CharlesNellis]

I'll add to this thread my review on a pair of alpharex pro headlights.

*Review* Alpharex Pro headlights

 

[otter7]

Sorry to jump in the thread but I think I made a mistake. I was ordering stuff for my 2020 T4R and I ordered some HIDs and LEDs. 9005 LEDS for high and HIDS for low. Is this a common setup to mix up the lights like that? Or do I need to return and get matching. Will send what I purchased below. Thanks!

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@alxdo - did you ever get an answer to this? I was thinking about a similar setup in my 2020 off-road.