Is it illegal to Have a LED Bulb in a Non-LED Housing?

[Devbot]

I just wish we had square headlights so we can have badass set ups like the 2nd and 1st gen guys out:

 

[Too Stroked]

Well 'everyone' else is Happy too (no high beam flashes) yet....

Reflector? check out the 4th pic, check out the front design. Same as a halogen, except its not a power hog, further reaching yet not blinding or BLUE, hate that, it is just simply white light.
Amazon.com: AUXITO H4 9003 LED Headlight Bulbs, 12000LM Per Set 6500K Xenon White for High and Low Beam Hi/Lo Plug and Play, Pack of 2: Automotive

Hey its just my opinion, stick with halogens if that suits better...

Speaking of science, have you checked out the top of the line lighting from europe? 84 LEDS that use cameras to automatically locate oncoming traffic and shut down/dim appropriate LEDS to avoid blinding them then return to full brightness, its like driving with high beams on all the time until the system dims them to be nice to other drivers.

Now This is science: Why Is America Stuck with Bad Headlights?

I'll give you credit there. I hadn't seen those particular bulbs. (I did get a giggle at the supposed Lumen output.) But yes, there is an attempt at reflecting some of the light output to better replicate the "360 degree orb of light" produced by the filament in a halogen bulb. I'm still highly skeptical that they replicate it 100%. The only way to prove that would be a truly independent test, not something like one sees at Headlight Revolution.

I would note that they're still claiming to replicate the filament placement of a halogen bulb (as most LED manufacturers do these days) by showing the LEDs in relation to a halogen filament in one axis. Nice try that will fool most folks, but it doesn't replicate all axis as you well know.

In summary, drop in LED bulbs are getting better, but they still haven't achieved true "drop in improved performance" and they're still illegal.

 

[3bears]

I'm a dummy because I didn't specify well on which LED went to where. I was talking about the blinker/directional lights but I don't even have them on the 4Runner but on the Civic. If I were to modify the low beams I would go HID but LED's do look good at night.

now that you cleared up that this is NOT for headlights, I can say that putting in LED's in my backup, turnsignals, parking lights, dome lights were very good investments, is legal, are brighter

 

[2021nightshade4x4]

LED have gone a long way from needing active cooling like high speed fans, or ridiculous passive cooling like those metal mesh streamers coming from the back.

These are the ones I bought for one of my other vehicles, and I combined the job with replacing the headlight housings themselves with brand new, clear lenses (still reflector, just clear corners).

BEAMTECH H4 LED Bulb, CSP Chips Conversion Kit Fanless Cool White All In One Plug N Play Halogen Replacement Pack of 2 Amazon.com: BEAMTECH H4 LED Bulb, CSP Chips Conversion Kit Fanless Cool White All In One Plug N Play Halogen Replacement Pack of 2: Automotive

This is the exact make/model just a 9003. They’re cheap, produce TONS of light, crisp cutoff (no oncoming flashing), and a satisfying true white.

There is a hidden benefit for using this color and intensity. These will LIGHT UP WET PAVEMENT unlike many other styles or colors of bulb. You can see that black piece of metal on the asphalt in the rain, with notice, so you can avoid it.


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[2021nightshade4x4]

I just wish we had square headlights so we can have badass set ups like the 2nd and 1st gen guys out:

Sealed beam LED drop ins are awesome looking


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[19963.4lsr5]

Sealed beam LED drop ins are awesome looking


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I want to shoot every S10 truck and blazer and jeep cherokee with them installed.


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[Too Stroked]

Sealed beam LED drop ins are awesome looking


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Awesome looking, possibly. Performance? Um, not so much.

BTW, lots of folks confuse lights (of any type) that "look brighter" when you're looking at them as actually putting more useful light where you need it. Sadly, this is not always true. More often than not, what your eyes tell your brain is "brighter" is actually just useless glare. The best automotive headlights put light only where you need it and not into oncoming drivers eyes.

As further proof, I offer a simple test. Take any of the cheap LED flashlights you can buy at the dollar store and look directly into one. Yup, you'll be temporarily blinded. Does that make them bight? I think not.

 

[2021nightshade4x4]

Awesome looking, possibly. Performance? Um, not so much.

BTW, lots of folks confuse lights (of any type) that "look brighter" when you're looking at them as actually putting more useful light where you need it. Sadly, this is not always true. More often than not, what your eyes tell your brain is "brighter" is actually just useless glare. The best automotive headlights put light only where you need it and not into oncoming drivers eyes.

As further proof, I offer a simple test. Take any of the cheap LED flashlights you can buy at the dollar store and look directly into one. Yup, you'll be temporarily blinded. Does that make them bight? I think not.

I just want to make sure we are not comparing a cheap LED we bought “that one time in 2014” with no reviews... against what is available today.

At this point they’re all Chinese, good and bad. So that’s not a factor any longer. I am installing a new set in a non-Toyota vehicle and I will reply with pics.


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[Too Stroked]

I just want to make sure we are not comparing a cheap LED we bought “that one time in 2014” with no reviews... against what is available today.

At this point they’re all Chinese, good and bad. So that’s not a factor any longer. I am installing a new set in a non-Toyota vehicle and I will reply with pics.


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No, I'm talking about a lot of the eBay and Amazon stuff available today. There are a few decent ones (Hikari, Morimto 2 Stroke 3.0) but all of the reputable manufacturers pulled their products off the market due to government pressure.

Thank you for offering to post up pics. Before and after or side by side 25' wall shots are the best. Instrumented testing would be even better!