Road rage over LED lights?

[Samm25]

Alright. So this topic might be a little stupid but I wanted to get everyone's opinion. I changed out my headlight bulbs on my '05 4Runner to LEDs a few months ago. I know the housing itself isn't meant for any type of light output besides halogen bulbs. However, halogen bulbs weren't cutting it for me since I live in a very dark, wooded area with a lot of animals.

I usually just run with my fogs as long as I can until it gets pitch black and I can't see far in front of me.

I've had multiple people cut me off and brake check me (I'm guessing because of my lights) I've aimed them downward as well so I don't blind oncoming traffic or at least try not to. Has anyone had any incidents like this before? Most recently was last night when another 4Runner came to a complete stop in front of my on the access road where the speed limit is 55MPH. Had to end up just flooring it around him since traffic was behind us

I eventually plan to do a retrofit to get projectors, but until I get enough money to spend on that, this will have to do

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[LC2013]

Alright. So this topic might be a little stupid but I wanted to get everyone's opinion. I changed out my headlight bulbs on my '05 4Runner to LEDs a few months ago. I know the housing itself isn't meant for any type of light output besides halogen bulbs. However, halogen bulbs weren't cutting it for me since I live in a very dark, wooded area with a lot of animals.

I usually just run with my fogs as long as I can until it gets pitch black and I can't see far in front of me.

I've had multiple people cut me off and brake check me (I'm guessing because of my lights) I've aimed them downward as well so I don't blind oncoming traffic or at least try not to. Has anyone had any incidents like this before? Most recently was last night when another 4Runner came to a complete stop in front of my on the access road where the speed limit is 55MPH. Had to end up just flooring it around him since traffic was behind us

I eventually plan to do a retrofit to get projectors, but until I get enough money to spend on that, this will have to do

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If they ate pointed down and aimed correctly, **** them. If it gets worse just get a big ass light bar and show them how to be a proper *******.

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[Berty_K]

I know the housing itself isn't meant for any type of light output besides halogen bulbs.

I think you answered your own question.

No matter how you aim your headlights, you'll be blinding anyone in front of you.

 

[Samm25]

If they ate pointed down and aimed correctly, **** them. If it gets worse just get a big ass light bar and show them how to be a proper *******.

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Haha, I have light bars in the front and usually when that happens I'll turn them on and they won't mess with me anymore. But I have to continue to turn them on and off when there's oncoming traffic at night which is why I opted for the LEDs. But I like your logic haha

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[Fern]

LEDs spray light everywhere. Even if you aim them down you are going to get a good amount of light overspray.

 

[WVhillbilly]

Had the same problem running PIAA bulbs in my FJ, and with the stock LEDs on my Titan.
They were bright, but properly aimed. So I didn't worry about it.

Some folks are easily butthurt, and it's not like you're driving down the interstate with a 30" lightbar on. Like I've seen too many folks do.

 

[Ed_C]

Aiming them downwards won't really reduce the glare, especially on a reflector headlight.

Think of your headlights as adjustable beam flashlights. Stock halogen bulbs are the tight focused beam pattern. Change the bulbs to a non-halogen source like LED or HID and your beam pattern is now the flood type of pattern where light is all over the place. You've basically turned your lowbeams into a high beam type of pattern.

I suggest for now,swap the existing 9005 high beam bulbs to the low beams,they have the correct filament design and position for a 9006 application but with a slight bump in output without the annoying glare. Then install your plug 'n play LEDs in the high beams. Drive with the low beams on until you get to your area with the dark wooded areas with a lot of animals then turn your high beams on. I'd even try those LEDs in the fog lights since they're a projector design.

 

[riverwolf]

OP, first of all, your excuse for needing the brighter bulbs doesn't really hold water. If you're behind someone else, brighter buls aren't going to help you see "animals in those dark spaces" since you're extra light is just being blocked by the lead vehicle...but you get to see what they see before you get there. Essentially the same result if you're meeting someone where you'll have the benefit of their oncoming lights to help illuminate those dark scary places.

Outside of those conditions, just turn on your high beams. Problem solved.

It's owners like you that make me wish US safety inspections were more like European inspections where you'd have to fix your crap and pay a fine for trying it in the first place. I get annoyed by the illegal bulbs folks are fond of running these days, but whatever you've done must be particularly hideous for numerous people to go out of their way to express their dissatisfaction with your modification. I would strongly encourage you to return to stock before you end up as a story on the local news.

And for the record. I've driven in plenty of rural, unlit places frquented by deer and never felt the 4Runner's light output was inadequate. Eye exam maybe? Or maybe slow down if you're outrunning your sight distance.

 

[WVhillbilly]

I've upgraded the bulbs in everything I've driven for years.
Coming from a truck with factory LED low beams to the 4Runner I feel like I'm driving by braille.
The factory lights look yellow.

I like these over LED for useful light output.
PIAA | Car Truck SUV Headlight Bulbs

Not a lot of glare, but good, usable light.

Light bars and such are good additions to supplement your high beams in rural areas.

I do a lot of driving in the dark, like to see where I'm going.
I try to stay back from other vehicles at night, because if I see my lights are shining on the back of their car it's also in their mirrors.

 

[Samm25]

OP, first of all, your excuse for needing the brighter bulbs doesn't really hold water. If you're behind someone else, brighter buls aren't going to help you see "animals in those dark spaces" since you're extra light is just being blocked by the lead vehicle...but you get to see what they see before you get there. Essentially the same result if you're meeting someone where you'll have the benefit of their oncoming lights to help illuminate those dark scary places.

Outside of those conditions, just turn on your high beams. Problem solved.

It's owners like you that make me wish US safety inspections were more like European inspections where you'd have to fix your crap and pay a fine for trying it in the first place. I get annoyed by the illegal bulbs folks are fond of running these days, but whatever you've done must be particularly hideous for numerous people to go out of their way to express their dissatisfaction with your modification. I would strongly encourage you to return to stock before you end up as a story on the local news.

And for the record. I've driven in plenty of rural, unlit places frquented by deer and never felt the 4Runner's light output was inadequate. Eye exam maybe? Or maybe slow down if you're outrunning your sight distance.

Haha eye exam? Thanks for your input but that’s not necessary. And I also wasn’t talking about others being in front of me. When I’m driving on my road back home, which is a 70MPH road with one lane coming and one lane going, seeing on the other side of the road with high beams isn’t exactly ideal. Deer are notorious for jumping out in front of cars are here, so I like to be able to see a distance in front of me without having to go 30 or 40mph on that road.

Also, “illegal” lights, yes. I’d hate those too. But all the lights I have on my car are DOT approved with a stamp on them as well. So, even if I got pulled over (which I haven’t and I’ve even been behind plenty of cops with those lights on) they wouldn’t be able to do much if I’m running legal lights.

I’ve also got my gun holstered right next to me if anyone were to ever try and funny business, so I’m not too worried about ending up on a local news story. My guess is that you’re one of the people who gets butthurt easily and would brake check someone with those lights. But hey, everyone has an opinion, huh?

 

[riceandpho]

Proper aim , I suggest a 3 inch drop at 25 feet.
Do a hid projector retrofit, let them get a taste of the cutoff flicker, I always get bad drivers back when they decide to cut me, my cutoff will get there side mirrors and I always like hitting the bumps.

 

[Samm25]

I've upgraded the bulbs in everything I've driven for years.

Coming from a truck with factory LED low beams to the 4Runner I feel like I'm driving by braille.

The factory lights look yellow.



I like these over LED for useful light output.

PIAA | Car Truck SUV Headlight Bulbs



Not a lot of glare, but good, usable light.



Light bars and such are good additions to supplement your high beams in rural areas.



I do a lot of driving in the dark, like to see where I'm going.

I try to stay back from other vehicles at night, because if I see my lights are shining on the back of their car it's also in their mirrors.

Thanks for he link, I’ll check them out.

I agree. I tend to keep my distance as well because I don’t right anyone’s rear bumper due to not wanting to blind them

 

[Samm25]

Proper aim , I suggest a 3 inch drop at 25 feet.

Do a hid projector retrofit, let them get a taste of the cutoff flicker, I always get bad drivers back when they decide to cut me, my cutoff will get there side mirrors and I always like hitting the bumps.

Yeah. Those cut offs are always so sweet looking. Which kit did you go with for the retrofit?

 

[gookies]

Seems like you're trying to get justification on here, although you know it's already wrong to put LED lights into your current housing. As others said, it doesn't matter how you aim them, they'll still blind oncoming drivers. Those other individuals who agree with you are just ignorant individuals who just care about themselves. Why don't you do a little test and let a family member drive your car while you drive their car and see and feel how other drivers are when they get hit with your lights.

 

[AKmoney]

Another poster here voting for proper HID projector retrofits.

Before I did my retrofit I tried three different approaches:

1) Replace standard 9006 halogen bulb with 9012 HIR type bulbs. These helps, but just barely. No increase in glare to oncoming drivers.

2) Replace standard 9006 halogen bulb with 9006-compatible HID. These bulbs created massive amounts of glare to oncoming drivers no matter how low I pointed them. Immediately removed.

3) Replace standard 9006 halogen bulb with 3600 lumen, 9006-compatible, 4300K LED headlights. The lights claimed to place the LEDs in the exact same location as a standard 9006 filament with the claim that this would be compatible with standard reflector assemblies. They weren't. Similar glare to HID was produced.

The projector retrofit was far better. Sharp cutoff, good illumination, NEVER any oncoming drivers flashing lights at me. This is the way to go.

If you don't wish to do a full retrofit then my recommendation is to go with a 9012 HIR style bulb and also perform a headlight lens restoration (ie wetsand, clear coat, etc) for the housing. All these trucks are old enough at this point to benefit from a lens restoration process regardless of anything else. This will remove the cloudiness of the assembly which in itself can contribute to glare towards oncoming traffic.

 

[Samm25]

Seems like you're trying to get justification on here, although you know it's already wrong to put LED lights into your current housing. As others said, it doesn't matter how you aim them, they'll still blind oncoming drivers. Those other individuals who agree with you are just ignorant individuals who just care about themselves. Why don't you do a little test and let a family member drive your car while you drive their car and see and feel how other drivers are when they get hit with your lights.

Not looking for justification nor am I looking for anyone’s opinion on whether they like LEDs or not. I asked if anyone else had encountered this problem before with LED headlights. Regardless, I can see the road fine and it’s not making me want to change my lights back

 

[Samm25]

Another poster here voting for proper HID projector retrofits.



Before I did my retrofit I tried three different approaches:



1) Replace standard 9006 halogen bulb with 9012 HIR type bulbs. These helps, but just barely. No increase in glare to oncoming drivers.



2) Replace standard 9006 halogen bulb with 9006-compatible HID. These bulbs created massive amounts of glare to oncoming drivers no matter how low I pointed them. Immediately removed.



3) Replace standard 9006 halogen bulb with 3600 lumen, 9006-compatible, 4300K LED headlights. The lights claimed to place the LEDs in the exact same location as a standard 9006 filament with the claim that this would be compatible with standard reflector assemblies. They weren't. Similar glare to HID was produced.



The projector retrofit was far better. Sharp cutoff, good illumination, NEVER any oncoming drivers flashing lights at me. This is the way to go.



If you don't wish to do a full retrofit then my recommendation is to go with a 9012 HIR style bulb and also perform a headlight lens restoration (ie wetsand, clear coat, etc) for the housing. All these trucks are old enough at this point to benefit from a lens restoration process regardless of anything else. This will remove the cloudiness of the assembly which in itself can contribute to glare towards oncoming traffic.

Yeah, I definitely plan on doing a retrofit for sure. Funds are just a little tight as of right now to make that purchase.

 

[riceandpho]

Yeah. Those cut offs are always so sweet looking. Which kit did you go with for the retrofit?

well i am using s2000 projectors, not the funds your want to see but its worth it.

since you drive a 05, you have lots of options, for a diy, i would do the morimoto h1, its easy for a diyer to install. for a better option, do any projector that use d2s bulbs, with d2s bulbs, u can use oem brand like philips and osram.
d2s projector, rx350 are good,with those you can have quad high beams. just like morimoto d2s and nhk g5, fx-r.
you dont have to use bixenon projectors, a dedicate low beam will do fine. like s2000, rx330.


all oem projectors looking like they are harder to come by since the aftermarket ones are really good now. only oem i see is the rx350 from theretrofitsource.

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

What you need is LED high beams also. Flip those on if you get cut off, they'll get the hint.

 

[ElZilcho]

I can tell the difference between LED's in a reflector housing and misaligned/too bright headlights. The LED "dazzle" will make me grumble a bit but not as much as the people that drive with their high beams on... or have poorly adjusted headlights... or just put an obscenely bright head lamp in their low beams. I did a fair bit of searching before I found LED lights at the appropriate lumen count for the low beams.

I haven't noticed any change in other drivers behavior since I made the switch, but I have projectors. I would be more inclined to check if I was doing something else to draw ire... like camping in the passing lane, or pacing. Not saying you are, just saying that people that do those things get to see MY high beams... and my high beams are really. effen. bright.

Seriously though, LED dazzle is annoying but it's not the worst offense and I would be surprised if it was the sole cause of a change in attitudes, unless they've significantly changed the focus of your beams.