LED headlight question

[GX4SEVEND]

So I bought an amazon LED kit, the Cougar Motors that everyone seems to say is good, but for whatever reason the passenger side light just doesn’t project. Thought is was the bulb so I switched sides but it works fine on the left. On the passenger side the way it sits in the housing it’s almost as if the bulb is turned and seated facing the wrong way so it doesn’t project light. Still looks like it’s on but doesn’t throw light at all like the drivers side. I spent 45 minutes trying to see if there was another way to install it and there isn’t. Any clue how to fix this or just buy a new kit?

 

[kyle13]

I had the exact same issue with the exact same kit. I ended up returning the lights and getting a pair that has the ability to adjust the bulb and they light up evenly now! Not that much brighter than the stock halogens. I’d get a pair from headlight revolution they make a pair designed and test for the 4Runner and they are bright as frig!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[GX4SEVEND]

I was trying to do this without spending the $150-200 for LED lights since they really just aren’t as bright as the HID kits. I ran DDM kits for years and at like $50 they can’t be beat. Thought I’d try this route but I just don’t want to spend that much on LED’s that’s aren’t that much brighter than halogen just a different color. I will see what I can find locally so I can test fit.

 

[SlickTRD]

I was trying to do this without spending the $150-200 for LED lights since they really just aren’t as bright as the HID kits. I ran DDM kits for years and at like $50 they can’t be beat. Thought I’d try this route but I just don’t want to spend that much on LED’s that’s aren’t that much brighter than halogen just a different color. I will see what I can find locally so I can test fit.

From a h9 halogen to h11 led user, i can say that some leds have now surpassed halogens in terms of lux and lumens. So far the highest rated leds are the supernova v4 and the morimoto 2stroke 2.0. The word on the street is the supernova v4 and katana are the same leds but minus the huge markup. Check out bulbfacts on the highest rated leds. Hids will still outperform leds but slim leds wont need dustcap modifying.

 

[GX4SEVEND]

The question is......do they fit the 4Runner? I mean they might fit but does the passenger side actually project light? The kit I bought doesn’t so it’s how the bulb actually fits the housing. And yeah modifying the dust cap I’d also rather not do

 

[SlickTRD]

The question is......do they fit the 4Runner? I mean they might fit but does the passenger side actually project light? The kit I bought doesn’t so it’s how the bulb actually fits the housing. And yeah modifying the dust cap I’d also rather not do

Yes, it does fit and they offer adjustable beam pattern. I run the Morimoto 2stroke 2.0 and the fitment is perfect and they are supposedly a little deeper than the Katana/Supernova v4. The output and color temp is better than stock or h9 halogen. If I could do it again I would go for the Katana kit cause the output is slightly higher but way cheaper.

BulbFacts | Best Recommended LED Headlight Kits

 

[GX4SEVEND]

Ok well amazon has they for $95 for low and high beams. I hope these work since I’m running out of options

 

[SlickTRD]

Ok well amazon has they for $95 for low and high beams. I hope these work since I’m running out of options

LED in high beam will result in non-functional DRL or lots of flickering. Only Diode Dynamics has a special module that enables normal DRL function. The module only works on their specified LED kit.

I am only recommending the Katana LEDs for low beam.

 

[GX4SEVEND]

Ok I’ve already got the DRL’s anyway. I just need the low beams to work. If you know these work I will order them

 

[Monroe]

From a h9 halogen to h11 led user, i can say that some leds have now surpassed halogens in terms of lux and lumens. So far the highest rated leds are the supernova v4 and the morimoto 2stroke 2.0. The word on the street is the supernova v4 and katana are the same leds but minus the huge markup. Check out bulbfacts on the highest rated leds. Hids will still outperform leds but slim leds wont need dustcap modifying.

Check Nineo from Amazon. Both 9005 (Hi-beams) and H11 (low beam) looks and works exactly the same as Supernova V.4 for the fraction of the cost. The color, beam pattern and output even drivers or wire protecting sleeves are identical.
I had H11 and 9005 bulbs side by side and the only difference other then price is the finish color. Supernova V.4 H11 is bright silver, where 9005 is also silver but has much darker finish. Both 9005 & H11 from Nineo are black.
Also, Supernova V.4 (Hi-beams) came with wrong locking ring with much narrower tabs where Nineo 9005 came with proper one matching OEM tabs (9005/HB3).

 

[hasoon2000]

I bought the Auxbeam T1 series for my low beams. I had their F16 series and I switched to their new T1 series sometime in June. The T1 model bulbs has an adjustable knob from behind so you can level it with your driver side bulb. It's also slightly brighter than their F16 series. It a very clear white and I'm very happy with them.

Auxbeam T1 Series H11 Temperature Control LED Headlight Bulbs

 

[Monroe]

Forgot to mention you may need PWM module to prevent Hi-beams from flickering unless you disable DRLs.

 

[GX4SEVEND]

Little update.......bought the katana kit....one light fits perfect. Lines up perfect. The other does not. Switched sides. One light works fine. The other does not fit regardless of what you do. Will not for in the housing without getting stuck or having to pound it in. Should not be this difficult to install lights. I’m sure other kits from them have worked fine but this did not. Second kit I’ve bought and have spent $100 total and wasted time and effort into this for headlights.

So definitely purchase this kit with caution. Like I said, one fit perfect and was aligned perfect out of the box. The other doesn’t even fit at all.

 

[rushrunner]

Little update.......bought the katana kit....one light fits perfect. Lines up perfect. The other does not. Switched sides. One light works fine. The other does not fit regardless of what you do. Will not for in the housing without getting stuck or having to pound it in. Should not be this difficult to install lights. I’m sure other kits from them have worked fine but this did not. Second kit I’ve bought and have spent $100 total and wasted time and effort into this for headlights.

So definitely purchase this kit with caution. Like I said, one fit perfect and was aligned perfect out of the box. The other doesn’t even fit at all.

I really think it is a flaw with the bulb housing. I think the tolerances are not the same, and therefore the bulbs do not seat correctly. I went back to Sylvania Ultra's and they are pretty good. Much better than the stock and fit perfectly.

 

[SlickTRD]

Little update.......bought the katana kit....one light fits perfect. Lines up perfect. The other does not. Switched sides. One light works fine. The other does not fit regardless of what you do. Will not for in the housing without getting stuck or having to pound it in. Should not be this difficult to install lights. I’m sure other kits from them have worked fine but this did not. Second kit I’ve bought and have spent $100 total and wasted time and effort into this for headlights.

So definitely purchase this kit with caution. Like I said, one fit perfect and was aligned perfect out of the box. The other doesn’t even fit at all.

Remove the Katana O ring and use your OEM halogen bulb O ring, i find OEM halogen O rings to be of higher quality and thinner to make non-OEM bulbs like LEDs fit better.

 

[GX4SEVEND]

It won’t even get to the O ring. It’s the metal housing with the 3 prongs that won’t even fit. I did an exchange through amazon so I’m waiting on the next set. Lights are super bright though so we will see if the next ones work

 

[Monroe]

Here is short video I made to show the difference between Supernova V.4 and Nineo purchased from Amazon.
YouTube

 

[BrodyUSMC]

I bought them too (the Cougar ones) and I got them to seat in there, but they were not bright at all.I sent them back. I, however, kept the Highbeam ones they are super bright.

 

[Monroe]

I bought them too (the Cougar ones) and I got them to seat in there, but they were not bright at all.I sent them back. I, however, kept the Highbeam ones they are super bright.

Did you make sure the LEDs were facing sideways, 9 & 3 o'clock position. The beam pattern can be allover the place if not.
I know it took me good 5 minutes for each bulb to find a sweet spot. The brights were easy since you can see them. The bulbs in lows I couldn't see because of projector lens. What I did instead is, I followed the wiring coming from the bulb that happen to be in-line to make sure it's pointing perfectly down once the bulb is locked.

 

[17KT4R]

It won’t even get to the O ring. It’s the metal housing with the 3 prongs that won’t even fit. I did an exchange through amazon so I’m waiting on the next set. Lights are super bright though so we will see if the next ones work

That would frustrate the hell out of me, if you're still considering alternatives the SL1 bulbs I purchased over a year ago now from Diode Dynamics (actually did a pre-order from their launch) perform awesome and while sure - they don't illuminate any farther or wider than the stock halogen I wasn't expecting that. Just wanted them to fit like a glove, no dust cap mods, and be just as sharp on the cut off line so no other adjustment required for on coming drivers. They check all the boxes there, good warranty coverage is a plus too I guess.