3rd Gen HID vs LED vs Halogen H11 projector headlights

Good to know. Many Thanks!

 

Order still shows 'pending', but USPS shows delivery tomorrow. Ordered on 3/1.

 

Ordered four bulbs yesterday. We'll see when they get delivered.

 

You can measure glare with a lux meter as light above the cut off. I’ve done this in my ultimate fog thread. Somewhat imperfect though as that is glare at a single point and not all glare is equal. But in that thread I was able to demonstrate doubling output and reducing glare to less than stock by switching housings for stronger cut offs. For example with not all glare being equal, yellow/amber light glare of equal intensity to very white/blue light glare does not have the same effect on on coming drivers, as human eyes have a much harder time processing blue light and are much more sensitive to it. So even though the glare intensity is the same, the white/blue light is much more harmful.

 

@crashnburn80 do you have any experience with the recent model OEM Tundra LED fogs? I know they bolt right into the 5th gen 4Runner and I’ve read they also will fit the 3rd gen Tacoma. I’m going to give the Vosla fog and Hella H9 setup a chance, but I really want the whitest appearance with the best performance and I think this configuration is a bit more yellow than I’d like. I’m considering an HID kit and whiter fogs. I’m considering that set from diode Dynamics but I need to research further. The 5000k will be white but less output than the 4300k?

 

The Hellas and Volsas are only just slightly whiter than stock (3200k vs 3000k), unless looking side-by-side it won't be noticeable. The GEs are the whitest halogen performance option, but even then they are only 3500k usually people wanting 'white' lights are looking for 5000kish, so while 3500k is a little whiter than stock it is still often a disappointment. It seems the LED DRL on the newer trucks is a common source of this dissatisfaction, as people want the lights to match the DRL, which isn't going to happen with halogens.

I have not yet tested the Tunda LED fogs yet. I'm open to if someone would like to send them to me and I'll turn them around in a day with the published data and send them back. However, the Toyota OEM LED fogs from what I have tested so far with the Tacoma Pro and Lexus LEDs are not very performant compared to aftermarket options. The OEM options do better than Morimotos, but the KC G4s are far above and beyond what I've seen from Toyota in both higher light intensity, and larger and wider beam pattern, while also having better light color at 5000k. So while I have not yet tested the Tundra fogs, I would highly recommend the KC G4s for the plug and play LED fog solution. You can see the LED fog thread here:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-led-sae-j583-fog-pod-fog-light-review.554813/

As for the HIDs, 4300k is typically the maximum output color, as you move away from that color temperature, the output starts to be reduced. 5000k really only takes a very minor hit in output when comparing specs for the XD HIDs. The further away you go from 4300k, the more rapid the drop in performance, so while 5000k only takes a minor hit, 6000k will take a much larger one.

 

Crash, thanks for taking the time to reply. Your response was pretty much what I expected to hear. I’d offer to get a set of the tundra fogs and send them to you, but instead I think I’ll enjoy the Hella/Vosla upgrade while I stash away a few bucks for the KC’s and an HID kit. I’m hoping I can find a little time this afternoon to pop the H9’s in and enjoy a well lit roadway tonight. Again, I appreciate all your help and hope you don’t get burned out answering questions.

 

Ummmmmm. Did I do something wrong? What’s with the blocks of light above the cutoff?

 

Hahahahaha. Seriously? I did not know that

 

Yeah well that’s how dim the stock headlight bulbs are by comparison!

 

Yep, as mentioned the squirrel spotters were always there. The Hellas are just that much brighter that it is now much more noticeable. If you are further back from a wall it is far more diluted. Take it out on a dark road without ambient urban light and let us know what you think!

 

Wow, thanks guys. I’m already impressed. About to take a drive on a deserted road and check them out.

 

Well, UPS notified me at 4pm that my lights delivered. I was sitting on the couch at that time and found it odd I didn't hear the UPS guy. Opened up door and no lights.. Went to mailbox and still no lights... This is the 2nd UPS lost package TODAY. They lost my protein in IL this morning. Their claim for that an hour ago said it was found/delivered?? No, no it wasn't. I am a few thousand miles away in Oregon. It didnt magically get here in a couple hours. Now the fun begins...

 

Looking forward to hearing what you think!

That is a PITA. You signed up for their pre-delivery window notifications? Uou must be if you got a delivery email.

 

And yes, I couldn’t be more pleased with the Hella’s and Vosla’s. Huge improvement. When the lows are on, it felt like the stock highs. Lol. For the money, this is definitely the route to go. I’m stoked!

 

I signed up for pretty much all they offered I thought. But all I knew was that the package would be delivered sometime today.

I decided to go out and look one last time and guess what... the package is now here!! The address was slightly wrong so I assume that was the delay. Maybe they tried to drop it off at another door earlier today and realized after it wasn't the right place. Either way I have 4 H9's now. I'll install the high beams tomorrow evening!

 

Still feel the need to spend hundreds more on HIDs + LED fogs?

Just the high beams? Not going to run them in the lows?

 

I think I am going to order the extension first before installing the low beams. That way I don't need to notch the bulb. But we will see ha

 

Nope. I’m perfectly happy with this setup. I owe you a beer.

 

Cutting the plastic tab out of the bulbs is free and only takes a few minutes. Either wear latex gloves, or buy some isopropyl alcohol from the drug store for less than $2 and wipe the bulbs down afterward so you don't get skin oils on the bulb. The extension harness is certainly nice going forward, but it is really for convenience. Why wait when you have the goods already there?