Dual Projector Headlights?

I've seen and read the entire thread where a member designed and crafted his own dual projector setup on a "Storm Trooper" Taco but I'm seeking something a bit more professional -not saying what the guy did looked or was bad here- just wanting a better engineered setup. I've found that I can outrun my headlights off-road even on-road and don't find much comfort in that realization.

I'd prefer LED (5000k) projectors and know Morimoto and Hella are either working on or and have them available. I shy away from HID where possible, the bulbs do not last that long and LED's have come a long way. Obviously -since it has already been done- there's room in the headlight housing for a dual projector setup just wondering if anyone might be working on it because I will be and might want to share info.

I know I could upgrade my current halogen bulbs but the high-beam reflector sucks no matter what bulb you put in it and the low-beam projector leaves a LOT to be desired.

I will be adding a Baja Design 20" S8 LED lightbar in stealth fashion under the grill and am working on custom LED ditch lights but also want on-road lighting to improve a great deal.

While I'm on the subject of LED projectors, I am thinking about a Fog/Driving version like a Switchback would be white (5000k) for driving then switch to (2700k) for fog. We can argue until cows come home but for my eyes 2700k works best for fog lights much less backscatter and glare from water droplets, IMHO!

 

LEDs will not have the throw that HIDs do. If you are having HID bulbs go bad quickly, try using an OEM bulb by Osram or philips. That problem won't happen anymore. Of couslrse then you'd need to convert to a d2s style projector (or one that works with d1 bulbs or other oem type bulbs.) Dual bi xenon projectors would rock in our headlights. I saw some done for a land cruiser a while back, and it was crazy light output.

 

https://www.hidprojectors.com/products/2016-toyota-tacoma-headlight-customization

These guys will do it for you

 

Thanks, I understand the throw issue with LED's but that's due in part to projectors and associated LED bits not being properly designed to work together. I have spoken with TRS who told me Morimoto is coming out with a BiLED projector, trouble is I do not want BiLED I want separate low and high beam projectors. Hella already has an LED projector but it too is BiLED so both of those options are scrubbed. For all my other LED's I use only Philips but I have to purchase them from Australia since they are not available yet in the US my LED 2700 fog bulbs are Philips from Australia and are firkkin' unbelievable good the thing our dollar is stronger than theirs I just have to wait a bit longer for shipping.

 

Awesome and thank you, I'll be talking to them.

But, I won't do HID for any reason and never 6000k. I spent a lifetime as an electrician/electrical contractor and know HID lighting all too well. HID bulbs no matter who makes them do not and simply cannot outlast any comparative LED. HID's use a gas pack (xenon, high pressure sodium, metal halide, mercury vapor etc) which over time can only degrade, they do not like heat or vibration and will never outlast LED. They also require a ballast/driver which put out tremendous heat but do not like heat or vibration either. As for 6000k, there is far too much optical science done over decades by many including Baja Design proving 5000k is the best temperature for vehicle lighting it is within the temperature/light spectrum most closely matching what our eyes are genetically tuned to, the Sun. Anything over 5000k and human eyes suffer extreme fatigue akin to being snow blinded or retina burn and that's just for the driver not even mentioning other cars on the road. That blue tint/hue you see in a lot of HID's is hugely destructive to our optic nerves which is why people will spend good money on blue blocking (UVB) sunglasses. I learned a hard and VERY expensive lesson about color temperature building a mid-rise office complex where a lighting salesman convinced me to use hotter (6000k) bulbs rather than spec'd (4100k) claiming the office personnel would love them and make work/life so much easier and comfortable. Yeah, well those claims and "convincing" ended me in a protracted lawsuit ultimately having to relamp or refixture the entire frikkin' building at my cost which was significant, no profit on the project except for my attorneys and employees. However I do thank you for the link, like I said I will be contacting them.

 

You're worried about HIDs not "lasting" (ie. a replacing the bulbs every 2 years max), so your solution is to use inferior lighting that you "outrun" both on the street and off-road? Not sure I'm seeing the logic there...

 

No Sir, I am outrunning my stock high and low beams I haven't upgraded those and they could use some improving. I know what you're saying but what I am looking for are LED projectors that are engineered to address the light throw issue currently afflicting many LED installations and bulb swaps. Hella already has them soon Morimoto will but they're both BiLED where I want separate high and low beam projectors. The future for automotive and general lighting is LED eventually the issues will be corrected.

 

I see. You'll have a hard time finding an off the shelf solution like that. Doing the retrofit yourself or paying someone for it are pretty much the only options.

 

dont tell audi or bmw LED is the future. get real crazy and go laser!
https://youtu.be/SolKqp8h6kc
and if you are outrunning them, time should actually stop. or go backward. or the universe will implode but 186,000 miles per second isnt happening in a tacoma

 

When BMW or Audi make anything that can compete with our Taco's off-road and not cost just shy of a million (talking rally here) give me a ring. There are other lighting technologies on the verge of mainstream those being plasma and laser as well OLED, plasma which I have installed in parking lots and roadways but I am speaking affordability and longevity here.

 

Doggman, I should buy you a beer or two, maybe three even!

I just spent about 45 minutes on the phone with Tom's (the owner) wife, he'll be calling me back later this evening to discuss a dual 5000k LED projector mod for the 3rd gen Taco. Apparently they do have access to LED tuned projector housings that address throw issues or so we will find out in our conversation. I tell'ya what joining TW seems to be making life easier as it applies to the mods I dreamed up for my Taco, if other's are already developing what my mind was envisioning that's all good and saves me the trouble and headache of doing it myself. I retired last January (2016) from a four decade run in the electrical construction industry and find that I am actually working more now than I did then. I no longer have employees to tell what needs doing, now I have to do it myself. Life's good though and my Taco keeps me occupied. Thanks again!!!

 

I can't wait to see where you go with this. I think it was you who was also looking into a 360 degree camera as well, good stuff man!

 

Yep, same guy with the camera system. I'm retired now and bought this truck to tinker with it and now I can't stop. I stay awake at night thinking of all the cool things you can do with a Taco. The wife has no issue with it either, she's just happy I'm retired now and enjoying myself.

 

Holy cow-
$2k for retro on supplied lights. Wow.

Seems the better option would be a simple bi-Xenon setup (like Acura TL projectors), then use your high beam as a extra oomph for off-road.

 

Yeah but c'mon now projectors are superior to reflectors in many aspects. I initially -with wife's approval- gave myself a $25k mod budget for this truck that seems to have -with wife's begrudging approval- morphed to $35k so I'm still within budget. You should've seen what I did to my old Super Duty. We're not allowed to talk about how many thousands of $$$ I spent on that, it's what contractors do we compete with one another, who has the biggest boat, baddest truck yada, yada but I'm retired now so I have to watch what I spend or the L'il lady gets angry and THAT my friend is......never a good thing.

 

$35k MOD budget?! That sounds pretty reasonable. You're gonna need a build thread!

 

I have a build thread....this forum is making it MUCH easier too. Thank YOU!!

 

had no idea that was even possible

 

price of truck + 35k, I would have bought a $5k beater, spent the rest on hookers and coke

 

As long as you do not want to use them on road.