Lasfit pro-series 4runner headlights

[usdmej]

The factory housing is mostly sealed. It has breather vents. I think they use something like goretex membranes to allow airflow and moisture to escape but block water or dust intrusion. But it's not really open to the environment. Normal air exchange is limited to the heating and cooling expansion contraction. If it's not condensation becomes a problem. And sometimes they end up being dunked in water if you're going off road with them. You can't easily clean the inside so keeping it clean and free of moisture and dust is important for long term use.

EDIT: I found a picture of what the inside of one supposedly from a Toyota looks like. It appears to just be some small pore open cell foam as the filter material inside the vent cap.

that's great info thanks for that


so stock the 4runner headlight has some passive airflow built into it

the lasfit bulbs use that system to cool their led bulbs, i would think in extreme conditions those plugs would get clogged due to air actually being positively forced through them

 

[2021nightshade4x4]

My 2006 GTO has projectors but never had HID or LED bulbs. The 2nd gen 3000GT also had projectors but no HID or LED. Projectors don't automatically mean they are OK for HID or LED but they maybe be a little better off than a standard reflective housing.

Fascinating! Adding this to my trunk of knowledge. Wonder why the foray into projector lenses on GM’s part. Did they give you good visibility?


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[Whippersnapper02]

Fascinating! Adding this to my trunk of knowledge. Wonder why the foray into projector lenses on GM’s part. Did they give you good visibility?

They're actually pretty crappy. At night it seems like I don't have anything off. Most people swap out for LED/HID but I haven't yet. I'd crack them open but I'd probably end up melting them and they are pretty much unavailable unless you find NOS for about $1000.

 

[Jetboy]

that's great info thanks for that


so stock the 4runner headlight has some passive airflow built into it

the lasfit bulbs use that system to cool their led bulbs, i would think in extreme conditions those plugs would get clogged due to air actually being positively forced through them

My guess: there's almost no air exchange from the little fan on the dust cover. I probably won't clog up the little air filters because it probably won't move much air through them.

I'm just guessing. I haven't tested it. So I don't know how freely they flow.

FWIW - IMO do a proper retrofit or use halogen bulbs. I removed my Phillips HIDs and put some good halogens back in after a few years. Just too much light reflection above the cutoff even with the best available technology and the best bulbs. LEDs are worse. It's just physics of the housing design for halogen light source we have in most 5th gens.

 

[2021nightshade4x4]

It actually does, when you put a directional light source (LED) in a reflector or projector housing that requires omnidirectional light you usually get really poor performance and scattered light.

Why? So they can blind oncoming traffic or have mediocre or worse than stock lighting output?

These were all lighting systems designed around their specific lighting source. That Prius's HID reflector is going to look much different than a halogen equivalent. Same with HID vs. Halogen projectors if you ever take them apart you will see that their reflector bowl's are very different.

Signed,

A guy who is an automotive lighting nerd who likes to take apart headlights

The biggest factor in people getting blinded from retrofitting “bulbs only” is because the intensity of the LED’s diffuse through old, fogged-over headlight lenses 10+ years old. Frosted-bulb effect.

If you either compound out your lenses or replace your headlight housing altogether, INDEX the bulbs per instructions for that type of housing, then AIM the bulbs and ensure you have a clean cutoff, you will not blind oncoming drivers. If you can’t see a clear cutoff, it’s not road worthy.

Friday night antics in the AutoZone parking lot with $50 to burn on the most obnoxious blue LED’s through the original 20 year old Honda Civic’s yellowed lenses are what blinds people.

I wish there was a warning “Tune Responsibly” when modifying cars… nothing is “drop in”.


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[Jetboy]

The biggest factor in people getting blinded from retrofitting “bulbs only” is because the intensity of the LED’s diffuse through old, fogged-over headlight lenses 10+ years old. Frosted-bulb effect.

If you either compound out your lenses or replace your headlight housing altogether, INDEX the bulbs per instructions for that type of housing, then AIM the bulbs and ensure you have a clean cutoff, you will not blind oncoming drivers. If you can’t see a clear cutoff, it’s not road worthy.

Friday night antics in the AutoZone parking lot with $50 to burn on the most obnoxious blue LED’s through the original 20 year old Honda Civic’s yellowed lenses are what blinds people.

I wish there was a warning “Tune Responsibly” when modifying cars… nothing is “drop in”.


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It's because the light source is a different size and a different luminance. You cannot have the same amount of light scatter above the cutoff in a projector with a brighter source. Even if it is the same type of bulb. The design is to send a certain percent above the cutoff to illuminate things like street signs.

Putting a significantly brighter light source doesn't change the percentage that is reflected over the cutoff. A clean looking cutoff does not mean you're not blinding other drivers.

 

[Pedro367]

Why? So they can blind oncoming traffic or have mediocre or worse than stock lighting output?

This comment always comes up in these LED threads. Every. Single. Time. LEDs of the past may have had issues and I understand the LED in a projector housing may not be "what's correct." However, I am telling you that is absolutely not the case with these lights. I have had them installed since February. I took the time to properly aim them around 40" at 25'. I have not been flashed ONE SINGLE TIME or sent any oncoming vehicles into a ditch. The output embarrasses the stock halogen projectors to the point that I actually enjoy driving at night. They are one of my favorite upgrades I have done to my 4Runner.

With that said, I have no comparison or experience with other aftermarket LED bulbs or headlights. All I know is that I am very happy with these.

 

[avo1789]

How does the light output compare with the Phillips HID kit? I have the HID on my runner now but there is a bit of light scattering above the cut off line.

 

[Xtremluck]

This comment always comes up in these LED threads. Every. Single. Time. LEDs of the past may have had issues and I understand the LED in a projector housing may not be "what's correct." However, I am telling you that is absolutely not the case with these lights. I have had them installed since February. I took the time to properly aim them around 40" at 25'. I have not been flashed ONE SINGLE TIME or sent any oncoming vehicles into a ditch. The output embarrasses the stock halogen projectors to the point that I actually enjoy driving at night. They are one of my favorite upgrades I have done to my 4Runner.

With that said, I have no comparison or experience with other aftermarket LED bulbs or headlights. All I know is that I am very happy with these.

It comes up every time because it's the truth. LEDs by their nature are more directional light sources. There are ways to take that focused light and distribute it effectively but that requires LED specific reflectors and optics.

I'm glad you think this drop in solution is a big improvement, do yourself a favor though and never get behind a wheel of a car that has a proper LED or HID projector setup. It will make you think otherwise.

 

[Gamma Ray]

Why? So they can blind oncoming traffic or have mediocre or worse than stock lighting output?

I agree. And that's why I'm almost begrudgingly happy with this set of headlights. They're not cheap, but they work. I can see in the night. I can see close up. I can see distance. Nobody has ever flashed me. I can see a pretty clean cutoff when I'm right up against the shed or some other wall. I didn't even need to adjust anything.

They ain't cheap, but they deliver safe and usable light, especially compared to the stock halogens.

 

[mrblah]

Don't be a doodoo head and lower your upgraded headlights so you don't flash oncoming traffic, and problem solved.

I've run HID's and now LED's, and nobody flashes me once i adjusted them properly.

the time it takes to post on the forum, ya probably could have adjusted your headlights properly.

Either way, anything is better than oem halogens.

 

[Jetboy]

It comes up every time because it's the truth. LEDs by their nature are more directional light sources. There are ways to take that focused light and distribute it effectively but that requires LED specific reflectors and optics.

I'm glad you think this drop in solution is a big improvement, do yourself a favor though and never get behind a wheel of a car that has a proper LED or HID projector setup. It will make you think otherwise.

But I don't get flashed (very often) and my foreground is lit up. It must be better.

(Joking here BTW - I've done both and I think the only real conclusion I have is that the OEM halogens are pretty terrible.)

 

[Jetboy]

Also - why is the link posted by the OP routed through 5 different redirects to get to the sales site?

 

[SidKo]

Can anyone compare these to Diode Dynamics SL1? I bought into their bulbs 3 years ago. I like them. Even though their cut off is well defined, I still find their scattered light above the cut off too bright.

 

[kaitlyn2004]

Absolutely want to upgrade my stock headlights which I feel are wayyy too dim and frankly a safety hazard in my opinion.

Any options for Canadians? Am in BC, Canada.

 

[2021nightshade4x4]

Also - why is the link posted by the OP routed through 5 different redirects to get to the sales site?

Probably for link source tracking purposes


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[Pedro367]

It comes up every time because it's the truth. LEDs by their nature are more directional light sources. There are ways to take that focused light and distribute it effectively but that requires LED specific reflectors and optics.

I'm glad you think this drop in solution is a big improvement, do yourself a favor though and never get behind a wheel of a car that has a proper LED or HID projector setup. It will make you think otherwise.

I have another family car with with factory LED headlights that I drive regularly. A VW Atlas. The headlights are great, but so are these. I'm just as happy. There are 100 threads on here of people complaining they constantly get flashed with the factory 4Runner LEDs. Where are you on that one?

I'm not saying you are wrong in any way. I know the technology here isn't ideal. My point is that I literally have not been flashed one time or sent anybody into a ditch in a ball of flames as you seem to think will happen. Myself, and everyone buying these and enjoying them clearly don't care that the application isn't ideal if the product is good. So if I'm not hurting anybody and raising my level of safety then what difference does it make?

 

[lolvera007]

interested....whats the group rate?

 

[4runr4eva]

I've run HID's and now LED's, and nobody flashes me once i adjusted them properly.

^This. I cannot tell you how many factory HID's have terrible spill off. The Toyota Prius with HID and the Subaru Crosstrek are some of the worst offenders. I think many dealerships add the package but fail to properly aim the beams. When I installed my HID package, I had people flash me the first day. I realized the throw was way too far. I was lighting up signs 200 yards away. Once I adjusted the lights down, not one single flash from oncoming traffic. My .02.

 

[Xtremluck]

I have another family car with with factory LED headlights that I drive regularly. A VW Atlas. The headlights are great, but so are these. I'm just as happy. There are 100 threads on here of people complaining they constantly get flashed with the factory 4Runner LEDs. Where are you on that one?

I'm not saying you are wrong in any way. I know the technology here isn't ideal. My point is that I literally have not been flashed one time or sent anybody into a ditch in a ball of flames as you seem to think will happen. Myself, and everyone buying these and enjoying them clearly don't care that the application isn't ideal if the product is good. So if I'm not hurting anybody and raising my level of safety then what difference does it make?

The 2021 Toyota 4runner OEM LED projectors are a complete joke. If you look at my response I mention a "proper" HID or LED projector setup. I don't consider what Toyota did there anywhere close to that.

Sticking these things into your stock halogen projectors isn't going to blind people any more than sticking HID bulbs in there, which a ton of people do. However, at the end of the day you aren't really solving the true problem which is the poorly designed projector and reflector bowl of our stock headlights. So you're casting out a pattern that isn't optimal. But hey, if you like em more power to you!