3rd Gen HID vs LED vs Halogen H11 projector headlights

A few biased reviews by gullible fanbois doesnt carry much weight.

 

I recommend meso's kit for interior lights.

 

Reverse lights:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/gy6-35-hir-921-reverse-light-upgrade-vs-high-power-leds.474996/

 

@crashnburn80 first of all thank you for the copious amount of information provided. I read through every single page of the thread and ended up installing the GE Megalight +130 but may switch over to the GE Xenon +120 down the road for the low beams.

At the risk of getting off topic maybe you can help me shed some light on bulb selection (pun intended). Aside from the H9 rework option are the two H11 GE options the best for that type of halogen bulb across the board, or is it the best specific to the application in the 3rd Gen Tacoma projector housings? The reason why I ask is because I am enjoying the output and function in my truck and would like to do the same for my wife's 2017 GMC Yukon. Looks like the Low Beams are H11, High Beams are 9005, and Fog Lights are PSX26W. Appreciate the input in advance!

 

There may be a performance difference between the projectors themselves in your Yukon vs your Tacoma, but the bulbs should perform the same regardless of the housing it is in.

For your Yukon, I’d get GE +130 H11’s, 9011 HIR bulbs for the high beams, and a good LED replacement fog housing.

 

just installed a set of XENONPRO HID 6k.

debating if i wanna do the xenonpro LED for the fogs to match.

any recommendations?

 

Yes, the bulbs will offer similar performance gains. Projectors seem to offer better gains for the high efficiency bulbs than reflectors. I would suggest the GE Xenon +120s as the best performing H11 in the low beam. For your high beam, modify a 9011 HIR by trimming an external plastic tab to fit the 9005 socket. Output will be bumped from ~1700 lumens to about 2500 lumens while consuming the same power.

Here is a how to on trimming the tab: https://store.candlepower.com/mohirbuba.html

9011s: https://store.candlepower.com/hirlighting.html

 

Welcome to the forum!

LEDs in the fog reflectors will just throw scatter and glare and not perform well. You should change the fog assembly to an LED unit, if that is what you are looking for. Most all the options are covered here:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-led-sae-j583-fog-pod-fog-light-review.554813/

You might consider the Toyota LED fogs as they are the least expensive, about the same price as the XD LEDs, around 6000k in color and will perform significantly better without glare issues.

 

Article from Consumer Reports pointing out how some new LED headlights fail to illuminate adequate distance compared to halogen:
https://www.consumerreports.org/hea...-be-brighter-but-often-lack-clear-advantages/

 

Awe.... I miss mine.

 

Pretty interesting read. Well there’s goes the idea of throwing in some 2020 Tacoma headlights

 

Not all LED headlights have this issue, but it will be interesting to see how the new ones stack up. You know I'm going to try and get some.

 

I knew that before I posted lol. I’ll wait for the official crash test

 

Thank you.

 

Looking at the GE +130 bulbs on Amazon they offer a 4-year extended care plan for $5.

• Covers failures due to power surge and other mechanical and electrical breakdowns.

Wouldn't a burnt out bulb fit this definition? I ordered em with the plan. I'll check the terms and see if it covers bulbs.

 

Wow, there goes 3 hrs of sleep. What an amazing write up. Now so tired, I just want an answer.... Have decided on the GE Xenon +120. Do I get 2 pair (low beams and high beams) and if so, what is the correct sizes? Thanks a lot....

 

Just low beam for the GE Xenons. Stock uses Philips H9s, which are already the best bulb for the application.

 

That's great input thank you! Currently have the Philips Crystal Vision Ultra H11 and from what I've learned in this feed the blue coating is compromising the performance.

 

That is correct. Coatings to make the light output whiter rob performance. The Xenons use a Xenon gas fill which produces a whiter light than stock, but not as white as a coated bulb.

 

It's kind of interesting for the Yukon the lower SLE/SLT trims get halogen low beams and the top Denali trim has HID's standard. Totally understand economies of scale and when they are cranking out 245k+ Tacomas a year the name of the game is speed and streamlined production processes. But since there are already 5 different headlight assemblies with slight variations from the among the various trims (albeit mostly aesthetic), why didn't/doesn't Toyota take it just a bit further and have certain higher end trims i.e. Limited and Pros as a standard option or OR/Sport with premium packages have a different/more advanced lighting configuration and setup? I get it's that people buy them regardless and Toyota often leans more towards keep in simple, stupid mantra. Just thinking out-loud.