Did you upgrade your halogen headlights with LED bulbs or LED headlight assemblies?
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OopsIBrokeIt
Member
I bought an aftermarket assembly with LED Projectors. These trucks are old enough that a whole new headlight isn't a bad idea vs polishing and modifying the originals.
It seems like there's mixed reviews on many aftermarket housings, in terms of how generous the years & sun are to the clarity of the outer lens. I haven't been able to find a specific brand/part that there's a consensus on.
It appears rebuilding the OEM housings from an 06-09 with better lights is the way, but for us guys with the '03-05, it's not so straightforward.
I've seen many remarks that LED bulbs in the early 03-05 housings give questionable results. Whereas high-end projector upgrades give top-notch results.
I want to do an upgrade but I do not want to have to cook my headlights in the oven and then die-grind my way to good cut-off and excellent throw. Or get an aftermarket housing that turns yellow in a couple of years.
It appears rebuilding the OEM housings from an 06-09 with better lights is the way, but for us guys with the '03-05, it's not so straightforward.
I've seen many remarks that LED bulbs in the early 03-05 housings give questionable results. Whereas high-end projector upgrades give top-notch results.
I want to do an upgrade but I do not want to have to cook my headlights in the oven and then die-grind my way to good cut-off and excellent throw. Or get an aftermarket housing that turns yellow in a couple of years.
OopsIBrokeIt
Member
Personally I'm going to be adding my own clearcoat or wrap to the aftermarket one when it arrives. I figure if I can protect it before anything gets messed up that's way easier than trying to clean it up after it starts to wear.
Flesh Eater
Member
If I do, I’m buying factory housings and putting Tiny Monster bulbs in. They’re amazing.
Hi-desertT4R
Member
I’ve had Auxbeam FT-1 LED low/hi’s for about a year or more. I love the light output. I do have them adjusted 4” below center at 25’ so I don’t destroy oncoming traffic. I found out a while back that the bulbs are not DOT approved according to NHTSA and am researching different bulbs. I may install H9 halogens idk yet.
Last edited:
chris in ky
New member
I have an '06 and use HID's, seems you can't get those much anymore. Any LED bulbs work well enough now?
Too Stroked
Member
Just as a point of reference, none of the "drop in" LED headlight bulbs are legal for on-road use. All of the reputable sellers of this type of bulb bowed to government pressure and pulled their products off the market.
Bluesky 07
Senior Member
Very happy with the Boslla B4 Bullet LEDs I installed on my ‘07 Sport.
gm350reratliff
New member
I replaced the OEM projector housings with some ebay special black OEM looking projector housings. My OEM headlight housings are very pitted and faded and wouldn't stay polished even with a clear coat. The ebay specials look just like the OEM headlights, except painted black. Unfortunately, the light output, cutoff, and aim were nowhere close to OEM with the OEM halogen bulbs. Terrible, uneven and distorted cutoff and a very pronounced rainbow effect at the top of the cutoff. The actual light output sucked as well but I put up with it for a year or two. I even purchased some used OEM housings that were better than mine, that I had intentions of polishing and swapping out the ebay housings.
Somewhere along the way, I picked up a set of VLed LED bulbs and figured I'd try them because it couldn't get much worse. Much to my surprise after a little adjusting, the LEDs drastically improved the cutoff, aim, and definitely the actual light output. They also got rid of that crazy rainbow effect that was going on and I was able to aim the lights correctly. No hot spots and they don't blind oncoming traffic. After about 6 or 7 years in the hot NM sun, these ebay headlights are starting to fade and the black paint inside is pealing so eventually I'll replace them. Hopefully I can still get the same ebay headlights!
I was so impressed with the LEDs on my 4th gen that I ordered a set of LEDs for my 5th gen but other than updating the look of the light output, I would say overall they are no better than what was originally in there. The projector on the 5th gen is totally different and it took a lot of trial and error to get the LED to "clock" correctly so the overall light output is just OK.
Somewhere along the way, I picked up a set of VLed LED bulbs and figured I'd try them because it couldn't get much worse. Much to my surprise after a little adjusting, the LEDs drastically improved the cutoff, aim, and definitely the actual light output. They also got rid of that crazy rainbow effect that was going on and I was able to aim the lights correctly. No hot spots and they don't blind oncoming traffic. After about 6 or 7 years in the hot NM sun, these ebay headlights are starting to fade and the black paint inside is pealing so eventually I'll replace them. Hopefully I can still get the same ebay headlights!
I was so impressed with the LEDs on my 4th gen that I ordered a set of LEDs for my 5th gen but other than updating the look of the light output, I would say overall they are no better than what was originally in there. The projector on the 5th gen is totally different and it took a lot of trial and error to get the LED to "clock" correctly so the overall light output is just OK.
HIMILESV8SPORT
Member
LED bulbs
Have tried about a dozed different bulbs between 2 vehicles. I have the 06-09 Akkon headlights on my 04. First set of LED's I tried was on my 11 Camry, and lets just say it was a scary drive around the block. Those bulbs didn't throw light more than 30' I'd say. That was back in 2015ish. Ran HID's for a few years after on both vehicles. Tried again on an amazon sale for some Simdevanma 8k lumen and was shocked. They were comparable to my HID's I was running. Ran them for a while til Sealights were on sale, but they had horrible throw and went right back. Had good luck with Katana 10k and 12k lumens and ran them on both cars for a while. Ordered beamtech and another at the same time and they went right back(amazon hated me). Autlead, and more sealights went back. Hikari ultra focus 18k aren't as advertised and went back. Auxito 16K lumen are by far the best I've found. Sharp cutoffs, very bright. Best bang for the buck! I also agree, do not run LED or HID in reflector housings please!
Have tried about a dozed different bulbs between 2 vehicles. I have the 06-09 Akkon headlights on my 04. First set of LED's I tried was on my 11 Camry, and lets just say it was a scary drive around the block. Those bulbs didn't throw light more than 30' I'd say. That was back in 2015ish. Ran HID's for a few years after on both vehicles. Tried again on an amazon sale for some Simdevanma 8k lumen and was shocked. They were comparable to my HID's I was running. Ran them for a while til Sealights were on sale, but they had horrible throw and went right back. Had good luck with Katana 10k and 12k lumens and ran them on both cars for a while. Ordered beamtech and another at the same time and they went right back(amazon hated me). Autlead, and more sealights went back. Hikari ultra focus 18k aren't as advertised and went back. Auxito 16K lumen are by far the best I've found. Sharp cutoffs, very bright. Best bang for the buck! I also agree, do not run LED or HID in reflector housings please!
AudiQU4TTRO
Junior Member
Get a 2k clear coat. It has a catalyst that hardens the clear coat. I ran an "Automotive" clear coat from a FLAPS when I painted my brakes. One accidental drip of brake clean and the clear and base paint came straight off. I re-cleared them with a 2k clear that I bought off Amazon. Have used brake clean and wheel acid and they still look new. I also repainted my fender using the same stuff. Its super solid. The best you can get out of a rattle can.
AudiQU4TTRO
Junior Member
Yeah! Thats it. Same brand.
Its the Spray Max 368 0061. I bought a can both off Amazon and a local paint supply shop. Kind of expensive at around $25 a can, but it works better than anything else I have found.
The top cap has a small little, red/orange-ish plug that you you pull off and the bottom of the can has a little stem that the plug goes into. Then you slam the can into the ground to break open the catalyst to start the chemical reaction. Make sure to everything painted, or cleaned up with what you are wanting to clear coat. The contents go hard after about two days or so due to the catalyst.
lasfit
official vendor
Great! Pictures here, please~
Btw, how long have you installed Sylvania LEDS on your 4Runner?
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