HID vs LED Low Beam Questions

Hi TW,

I eventually got tired of how bad the stock halogen bulbs were so I replaced them with these:

https://headlightrevolution.com/201...ow-beam-headlight-bulb-upgrade-supernova-v-4/

I like the color temperature (6000k) and they appear to be much better than the stock halogen. Took 10 minutes to switch out.

I have them cutoff at ~32-34. The cutoff was initially higher with the stock bulbs. You can significantly see where the throw ends, not a huge issue, but of course would like longer throw.

I was also looking at these:

https://www.xenondepot.com/2017-tacoma-h11-hid-kit-p/30si-0000-h11-hid-kit.htm (5000k)

The only reason I went with the LEDs over the HIDs was I did some reading on here saying these bounce and could possibly fry the electronics? How could it fry the electronics? Is that something you should seriously worry about with HIDs?

I've read a lot of the HIDs/LEDs threads on here already, just wanting so more recent experiences. If I'm somehow convinced to pick up that HID kit, I'm willing to sell the Supernova's for a deal.

Thanks in advance

 

I've been running the Morimoto HIDs for over two years and got the bounce shortly after install. There hasn't been any issues for me resulting from that.

 

You see this thread explaining why the LED throw is reduced?
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-hid-vs-led-vs-halogen-h11-projector-headlights.589465/

You shouldn’t need to worry about frying anything with LEDs. Depending on the ballast model you chose for HID, they can have higher initial startup draw than your headlight circuit can handle. To prevent damaging anything you just need to install the wiring harness many vendors sell with their kits. I’ve measured the startup draw of the XD kit you linked, and it uses a low power start that is safe for use without a standalone wiring harness.

 

Yeah I read all of those threads. I still went with the LEDs for the plug and play factor, since I've never installed HIDs before.

 

HIDs are plug and play too, just a few more things to plugin lol. I have the HID bounce, but its not so bad since I switched to 5000k bulbs. Very tolerable now. I had LEDs before and much prefer the HIDs. I don't know how you would fry the electronics, just use the relay and a ballast they come with and you should be fine.

 

I love my DDM 5K HID plug-in upgrade...great investment! No bounce!

 

I had LEDs and switched to HID. I went with the China special off eBay for $75 and it’s been great for almost 2 years now. No bounce or startup issues.

To protect the electronics many of us use an HD relay.

 

If you end up swapping to HIDs let me know. I'd be interested in the supernovas

 

I also didn't want to mess around with aftermarket HIDs. I did a few HID retrofits on my German cars, but mostly E-codes (euro factory HID lights). On Taco I decided to go with LED. I bought a set of Hikari which use Philips chip (supposedly better than Cree) and so far very happy with them. I am planning on upgrading to an OE Toyota LEDs as soon as they're available for sale. I hope my Hikari will last till then. If they don't, I'll probably try GE or Hella halogens (supposedly brightest on the market).

 

Will do! I like them a lot. They still get out there pretty far and are very bright. I have a few friends with other led bulbs and these are far better in my opinion.

I’m sure if I bought the HIDs and had one issue I probably would be saying, I should have got the LEDs haha.

 

What made you switch from LED? I’ve never ran HIDs nor behind the wheel of some. Just curious.

 

What made you switch? 5000k seems like the right color. Between to high and too low. There was a post on here about being extra careful not to fry the electronics, shorting out DRLs.

 

Better lighting overall. They had better throw and better light saturation.

 

i knew you would be here......i was just about to send him over to the guru of lighting....

 

When installing new lights do the new ones have to be readjusted? Or do the adjustments from the OEM ones remain the same for the new ones?

 

there is a process for doing that but I found that if I turned lights on against the wall and mark the cut-off.they looked good......but, I raised mine about 1-½” using the little screw knob......the real issue is are you getting flashed or are your lights going into the rear window of the car in front of you blinding them in the rear view mirror.....Mine are now set at the base of the rear window of most cars I come up on and stop about 10’ behind them......

 

I wanted more light output and found that my headlights were freezing over with LEDs in.

 

Hid’s will be much brighter and have better throw than led. Just beware that the factory projector is a halogen projector that is not able to control the output of an hid bulb adequately.

 

What do you mean by control the output? People on here seem to really like HIDs in our projector housings. Since it has a clean cutoff.

 

I did my aiming 25’ from the wall. Cutoff sits at around 32-34” from the wall. The federal DOT says if your headlights center are 36” from the ground you can leave it, but anything over that you need to adjust.

Mine sits right at the top of most license plates on sedans. Want to go a little higher.