Confused: LED Headlight Conversion

The manual for my 2011 shows headlight bulb as HB2. When I go to ebay to try and find an LED conversion there are dozens, but most show as HB4 Foglight/Headlight. I could not determine which bulb to buy and went to Pepboys where the pimply faced kid was useless for information.
So, the simple question: What LED bulb should I buy to replace OEM halogens. I only want a plug and play unit.

Thanks

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/why-leds-should-not-be-run-in-halogen-reflectors.454371/

 

+1.

Unless you're doing a complete retro-fit, stick to halogens. Go with the Ultimate Headlight Upgrade if you need more light output.

 

Good info from both of you. I will just stick with stock type halogen.

 

However, I recommend going all LED instead. They are gaining ground on HID. Much easier to install, Last and cost less.
Check PUTCO products. I have them on my wife's FORD EDGE and they are awesome.

 

But you would be blinding everyone with the scatter from LED.

 

Not if you retrofit a PROJECTOR inside the headlight.

 

Just throwing this out there. I ran LED headlights for about a year and a half in stock housings and never got flashed once. I ended up switching back to halogens for two reasons.

1) I had two bulbs fail in the 18 months I ran them. That's not acceptable for the price and advertised longevity
2) High beam performance was garbage. I understand this is due to reflector housings, but seriously.. It was attrocious.

I don't think running LEDs in reflectors makes you some raging dick, but you will not be happy with the performance

 

Agreed. LEDs without a projector housing are useless and not a worthy upgrade from OEM halogens.

 

So... Does anyone manufacturer just an entire LED replacement headlight? With no Halogen projectors? Seriously, I can't find one anywhere; but maybe I'm just a frittata. Hopefully one made in the US, or at least not China.

 

Are you asking if someone sells LED bulbs that can be used in a reflector (non projector) housing?

 

No, I'm asking is someone sells custom housing designed for and manufactured with LEDs.

 

Yes, but they are usually replacement assemblies designed to replace sealed beams like 4"x6" or 7" round. Not for vehicle specific enclosures like the 2nd gen Tacoma.

 

I run both led fogs and led headlights in stock housings. My led headlights have an adjustable beam that can easily be adjusted without tools at any time. Also they do not have or need a cooling fan. And a ten year warrenty! Super happy with the switch to led and after having them for three months I can say I have never been high beamed!

 

Beams are not really adjustable. Those that advertise 'adjustable' headlights are usually the type that should be avoided. All those do is rotate in the housing to change the hotspots in the beam pattern. Halogens put out light omnidirectionally. Most LEDs are bi-directional, so rotating the bi-directional light in a housing designed for omnidirectional light doesn't do anything other than change the light/dark spots in the beam pattern because the light source is subpar.

Passive cooling is definitely the way to go.

 

crashnburn80:

Do you have any examples of set you would recommend? My headlight cases are fogged out and was thing about replacing them anyways. I just figured that if I'm going to replace everything I want to up grade to LEDs, the energy efficiency is very temping to me. Also there are so many American LED manufacturers I just figure someone is got to make a set. But if I have to just but a different casing and install LED sets, so be it.

Thanks

 

I am running these.

http://www.rpmelectronics.com/auto-lighting/led-healight-kits?product_id=949

Price is in Canadian $$

 

Tootall604:
their stock photo is a little confusing, is that price for one side only? Is it hi beams and low beams? Or just one?

 

Those look like a near clone of the Philips LEDs. Philips is for Asian markets so the cut offs are angled incorrectly, meaning up to the left and down to the right, whereas with LHD vehicles it should be down to the left and up to the right.

See my write up here:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-ultimate-headlight-upgrade-vs-philips-led-headlights.460313/

So are the cut offs on those North America/LHD compliant? (Aka down to the left and up to the right)

Key feature to look at for reflector compatibility if external glare guards on the LED. When I say external I mean buckets around the base of the LED, like the ones referenced above and like Philips. Ones without those, or units that try to notch the mounting plate instead (usually plastic) as a cheaper alternative will have a disaster of a berm pattern and blind everyone. If they have buckets, then look for passive solid state cooling (no fans). A lower color temperature is better for night vision, sub-5000k would be ideal though 5000k is the lowest I've seen, I would avoid the 6000k+ as that will be more cool/bluish fashion statement than functionality. And lastly avoid any gimmicky 'adjustable' LED that isn't fixed in the mount.

Compare the beams in the wall shots To see the effect of having the glare guards.

Most LEDs with no external glare guard:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/why-leds-should-not-be-run-in-halogen-reflectors.454371/

Philips LEDs with external glare guard:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-ultimate-headlight-upgrade-vs-philips-led-headlights.460313/

However the cut offs are backward on the Philips from what is needed in North America.

 

Price is for two bulbs and they do both high and low beam (same as h4 halogen bulb). As far as I can tell the cut offs are just right and provide very litttle if any glare to oncoming traffic. I never get high beamed by other drivers and they are a super bright white light. No blueish coloring at all just bright white. They match my morimoto fog lights that i bought on a group buy thru this sight perfectly!this kit has 3 different films to choose from allowing one to choose how the light looks.