LED Lighting Conversion

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I couldn’t stand the “shakes” I got from my Morimoto HID’s so I’m trying something different and just ordered some Hikari H11’s. Anyone switch from HID’s to LED’s? I know the throw won’t be as great, but I just can’t stand shaky headlights on the bumpy roads I drive.

 

Right! I was pretty damn excited about this.

Yeah here you go man....

https://www.oznium.com/led-headlights/bi-color-led-bolt

https://www.oznium.com/led-controllers/switchback-driver

 

Lol

Glad I could help out. I have fun with this stuff and love sharing.

 

No shakes from my Xenon Depot Extreme HID's. Love them.

 

I went from HIDs to the new Hikari's and they are definitely just as bright and they seem to have similar throw...but that's just going off of memory of driving to work in the morning on different days. Unfortunately I never got a chance to try them out side by side because my HIDs died on me while switching them out.

IMO, it's totally worth it and I do not plan on going back to HIDs. I love the "instant on" and the LEDs are super easy to install. Also, in theory, they should last a lot longer than the HIDs (as long as the little fans don't die). Plus, the power requirement is a lot less than other bulbs. Only downside is if you live in snowy areas, the LEDs will not get hot enough to melt the snow off the headlights.

 

I live in Hawaii so no snow here haha. I’m running stock halogens right now and my eyes are starting to adjust to them. Got any pictures of HID vs LED throw?

 

I don't! The dang HID bulb touched my oily hand while I was swapping them out of the LEDs. When I put them back in to do a comparison, the HID bulb blew within 30 seconds.


I'm on Oahu too. Yeah no snow here...and no real roads without any streetlights either! lol But the Hikaris and the HIDs are definitely improvement over OEM...you can definitely tell the improvement despite all of the streetlights everywhere.

 

How’s the Hikari’s in the rain? I want to link up with Oahu guys on Tacomaworld, not much places to wheel but I want to make the most of it!

 

They've been working great so far, but I've only had them for about a month. I'm not sure what these new ones are rated at, but the old ones were rated for IP68. I'm not too worried about the rain tho because even after a high pressure wash or a good rain, very little water gets into the back of the headlight area.

This island of eternal spring has been great (lots of hiking, kayaking, and sun!) but it's time to move on. It will be missed, but I can't wait to take the Tacoma on a real road trip that involves non-paved roads and remote camping spots.

 

Has anyone tried these? Not interested in the color changing filters at all, but I’m a bit leery of the fans on the Hikari’s and how well they would deal with water, especially in the fogs which could potentially get exposed or even submerged while off-roading.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...-temperature-and-compact-heat-sink/4445/9995/

 

I've seen plenty of the LED bulbs with fans that are able to work while being submerged (that were also IP68 rated)...but the fan is likely the weak point of the design, so I also remain skeptic. Those were probably only there for like 30 seconds max. If it's in the fogs and submerged for prolonged time, I could see it burning out the little motor because of all the extra load being placed on it. But I'd imagine they'll be fine with rain or the occasional puddle.

 

You know I really never thought of any of this. Mostly because the last time I was off-roading in water that deep most of these younger members weren't even born. I'd like to think I will get past the mall crawlin' stage some day once the newness wears off but for now it will be a pavement princess. I have some more mods to do before the truck is off-road worthy. Mods = money so.....

However, I would like to play devils advocate if I may. If you knew you were going to be going through water, at night, wouldn't you just remember to turn the fogs off? Sure you might forget if it wasn't implanted in your brain but otherwise it seems like one of those things a serious off-roader would surely have implanted. Like turning the snorkel head to the side or backwards in the snow.

I am neither serious or smart, but, talking about it here in depth like this, if my fog bulbs had fans, you can best believe that now I would "probably" remember.

Aaaand here I go again

 

Screw it!! Just ordered 3 sets of the Hikari's!! Looking forward to getting these in.

 

You will not be unhappy. Keep in mind, some of us have raised the Low Beams about 2" at 25', myself included. I actually may be a little higher. I am definitely pushing the limit but have not been flashed once. The cut off line was just too low for me. But then again, I am not lifted like most.

 

Ditto.... mine are raised as well and are kinda pushing the limit. I get flashed occasionally by lower vehicles like Corvettes and stuff. Typically not until they are like within 10 yards of me though.

 

Good point! Turning them off would be the smart thing to do while river roaming...and I'm certainly not brave enough to do it at night when it would be important to leave them on.

 

Raised mine as well. I think I ended up raising it a full rotation of the adjuster screw which raised it about 2-3 inches at 25 feet. You don't notice the low cutoff with the OEM lights because the OEM bulbs are just that bad.

Once you have those Hikari's in the LBs, you'll see what we mean. You won't be disappointed!

 

If the bastards are cool enough to own a corvette I don't care if I offend them

 

In which case you guys have already passed each other soon after...and everyone has moved on with their lives and lived somewhat happily ever after...