1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

3rd Gen HID vs LED vs Halogen H11 projector headlights

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by crashnburn80, Jan 25, 2019.

  1. Jan 31, 2020 at 11:54 AM
    #2481
    David Marlow

    David Marlow Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2020
    Member:
    #317810
    Messages:
    5
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tacoma TRD Off Road
    None yet
    Thank you. I tried to sift through as best I could as a layman. Do the aftermarket bulbs have a wider area of illumination than the stock, or is angle a matter of housing construction?

    I've never owned a vehicle with projector headlights and with as much driving as I do on back roads in the early morning and evening, I am concerned about the stock low beams' ability to illuminate deer when I can't use the high beams.

    Thank you much for your rapid reply
     
  2. Jan 31, 2020 at 1:40 PM
    #2482
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,563
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    No worries, see post #2 in this thread for all the updated halogen results, no need to sift through the whole thread! The H9s will provide increased light to the sides, within the existing pattern. They will not change the pattern as that is a function of the headlight assembly. The only wider area pattern that you can run in oncoming traffic is a SAE J583 fog light, but it is a short range pattern with low cut off. You might checkout the latest from Diode Dynamics in post #2369 here.

    If wanting to experiment for fogs, I would use a lower color temp, I was thinking your intended use was headlights thus suggesting a higher color temp. Xencn Goldeneye H9s are a lower color temp diffraction bulb, they spec 2500k but my readings are a bit higher. These also fall into the same brand bucket as Lunex, as not a reputable one I would recommend. They are out of China, you can get them through ebay and aliexpress. The further away from the natural halogen color, the greater the output loss you will incur, so no yellower bulb is going to compete with the Philips H9 in output. You can see the Xencn bulbs have more short wavelength light removed to achieve the lower color temp, at a cost of lower output. Another option to consider if wanting to experiment is Nokya Hyper Yellow H9s, they are a yellow coated 2500k spec bulb. I haven't tested those myself, but I'd probably lean that route if wanting to try a lower color temp H9.

    700CD8CB-7175-4996-90F4-DB1FCE7F7EE3.jpg 69236EEE-C656-4569-935D-CC37ECAE2073.jpg
     
    This site contains affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
  3. Jan 31, 2020 at 2:00 PM
    #2483
    gurneyeagle

    gurneyeagle Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2018
    Member:
    #258179
    Messages:
    613
    Gender:
    Male
    Saint Augustine, FL/Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2008 Tacoma SR5, 2018 Audi TT RS, 2018 Tacoma TRD Off Road (Cement), 2019 MDX
    Sorry for this quick, probably repetitive question, but I think this has only come up recently - I don't remember the need to trim the metal tab on the "collar" of the Hella H9. Trimming the tab inside the socket has always been mentioned, but until recently, I never heard about the need to trim the metal tab. Is it really necessary to fit an H9 in a Tacoma?

    Thanks!
     
  4. Jan 31, 2020 at 2:22 PM
    #2484
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,563
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    You don't have to trim the metal collar, they will fit without. The metal collar tabs are larger than an H11 though, so the bulb is a little more tricky to get locked in. An H11 can be rotated flat to lock into place, the H9 will need to be started at a slight angle. Some have trimmed the tab to make it easier, but it isn't necessary.
     
    gurneyeagle[QUOTED] likes this.
  5. Jan 31, 2020 at 2:59 PM
    #2485
    TheCochese

    TheCochese The Bronze T4R OG

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2018
    Member:
    #251472
    Messages:
    3,325
    Gender:
    Male
    Attempting to flee the south
    Vehicle:
    Cavalry Blue soccer machine
    Fine corinthian leather
    I couldn’t get the H9 in without trimming, as it felt like something was going to break. Took five seconds with a dremel and a cutoff wheel.
     
  6. Jan 31, 2020 at 3:38 PM
    #2486
    Toy_Runner

    Toy_Runner Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2019
    Member:
    #311172
    Messages:
    766
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    99 4Runner SR5
    3" OME lift, heavy coils f/r 3/16" steel skids Modified Coastal Offroad diy bumper 5spd swap ('98 donor)
    @crashnburn80

    Do any of these diffraction coated or yellow tinted bulbs still fall identifiably within what is federally defined as "white light" for the headlamps? This is an issue I have run into with various bulbs, that local law enforcements means of testing for "whiteness" was to hold up a sheet of white paper (or printed tyvek ticket) in the illuminated beam and say "yep, thats yellow, not white."
     
  7. Jan 31, 2020 at 4:13 PM
    #2487
    gurneyeagle

    gurneyeagle Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2018
    Member:
    #258179
    Messages:
    613
    Gender:
    Male
    Saint Augustine, FL/Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2008 Tacoma SR5, 2018 Audi TT RS, 2018 Tacoma TRD Off Road (Cement), 2019 MDX
    Thank you!
     
  8. Jan 31, 2020 at 4:53 PM
    #2488
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,563
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    Those Lunex I mentioned earlier are pretty mild and would likely hit the white chromaticity windows requirements, though I did not validate that with measured chromaticity data. The pictures of the color in the app are not great, but you can see they have a slight golden hue but don't jump out as being a significantly altered halogen color. For temp I had them at just over 3000k. I didn't have the ability to measure and plot chromaticity before when I tested them, but I do now. Bulbs that advertise 2500k or have yellow coatings will be far to yellow for the required 'white light' for headlights. A white sheet of paper is obviously a pretty poor technical assessment, but if it stands out and looks the part to the point where an officer is performing that 'test' on the vehicle, your likely going to get cited for it regardless.
     
  9. Jan 31, 2020 at 5:16 PM
    #2489
    Xx_Evilvirus_xX

    Xx_Evilvirus_xX Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2018
    Member:
    #266897
    Messages:
    911
    Gender:
    Male
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tacoma TRD Offroad 4x4
    How would you compare SL1 from Diode Dynamics vs the Hikari Ultras?
     
  10. Jan 31, 2020 at 6:31 PM
    #2490
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,563
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    You can see the reviews of each below.

    Diode Dynamics SL1 LED Headlight
    Original review posted here.

    Hikari Ultra "Eyes of Megatron" H11/H9 LEDs
    See the original review in post #1608 here.

    The Hikaris have better focus and much higher intensity output. They are the only replacement LED I have tested that outperform stock in the 3rd Gen projector. While optical performance and design is good, the build quality for the long haul seems questionable. Here is a 42’ distance test intensity comparison between the SL1 and the Hikari Ultra.


    94962743-B83B-453C-8018-8BD3DB31853D.jpg
     
  11. Jan 31, 2020 at 7:27 PM
    #2491
    Tacowin1013

    Tacowin1013 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2016
    Member:
    #205311
    Messages:
    2,594
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 OR DCSB 6MT MGM
  12. Jan 31, 2020 at 8:10 PM
    #2492
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,563
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    Without modifying the bulb connector, yes. The GE Xenon H11s are slightly higher in output intensity, but do cost more.
     
  13. Jan 31, 2020 at 8:14 PM
    #2493
    TheCochese

    TheCochese The Bronze T4R OG

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2018
    Member:
    #251472
    Messages:
    3,325
    Gender:
    Male
    Attempting to flee the south
    Vehicle:
    Cavalry Blue soccer machine
    Fine corinthian leather
    Can’t speak for anyone else, but for $14 or so for a pair and about thirty seconds with a Dremel the Phillips H9 are my choice. Just hopeful it will last for a year or so.
     
  14. Feb 1, 2020 at 12:43 PM
    #2494
    MiTacoTRD

    MiTacoTRD Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2019
    Member:
    #303129
    Messages:
    1,290
    Gender:
    Male
    N. Idaho
    Vehicle:
    2019 Tacoma TRD Off-Road DCSB
  15. Feb 1, 2020 at 2:59 PM
    #2495
    skierd

    skierd Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2018
    Member:
    #247038
    Messages:
    1,218
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    Fairbanks, AK
    Vehicle:
    2021 F150 XL STX Screw 4x4 2.7
    Why? Why test it? It’s still a overly thick LED emitter, thicker than the Hikari and Diode Dynamics already tested, in reflector housing (for the high beams) so it’s still not going to work as well as a halogen bulb, particularly not as good as the factory Phillips H9 bulb you took out to replace it. You can see yourself that it doesn’t work well...
     
  16. Feb 1, 2020 at 4:00 PM
    #2496
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,563
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    As @skierd pointed out, the design is poor. The distance between emitters is too far off center with the thick blade design. Having 2 rows of emitters rather than one is going to make it too large to replicate a halogen filament and also so that neither row of emitters is centered correctly which is going to further cause poor focus, which means its distance projection will be poor. Really not much point in testing it.
     
  17. Feb 3, 2020 at 12:42 AM
    #2497
    MiTacoTRD

    MiTacoTRD Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2019
    Member:
    #303129
    Messages:
    1,290
    Gender:
    Male
    N. Idaho
    Vehicle:
    2019 Tacoma TRD Off-Road DCSB
    hmmmmm. Why asked why? Coz I want to. That’s why!

    and thanks to all that could answer, why.
     
  18. Feb 3, 2020 at 12:48 AM
    #2498
    MiTacoTRD

    MiTacoTRD Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2019
    Member:
    #303129
    Messages:
    1,290
    Gender:
    Male
    N. Idaho
    Vehicle:
    2019 Tacoma TRD Off-Road DCSB
    thanks!:thumbsup:

    I’ll trash this POS velds then!
     
  19. Feb 3, 2020 at 9:06 AM
    #2499
    TacoFergie

    TacoFergie Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2015
    Member:
    #172832
    Messages:
    1,301
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Iowa
    Thank you! I didn't really know which thread would be most appropriate to pose that question but assumed this would be best as it is focusing on the H11/H9 bulbs. I didn't want to PM you because some may be looking for similar info but don't want to ask or don't know how to ask the question.

    I have seen the Xencn bulbs in my searches but also thought the same thing about questionable quality. I was not aware that Nokya made an H9 in the Hyper Yellow. I have Moroimoto EVO-XR projectors with 5500k bulbs in the headlights and wanted a nice looking contrast since the headlights are plenty bright plus the added benefits of poor weather condition visibility. I'll likely try the Nokya bulbs to see how I like them and order a set of Philips H9's at the same time since I have seen questionable reliability on Nokya bulbs. However I often attribute that to the installer touching the bulb and not cleaning it or something like that.
     
    This site contains affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
  20. Feb 3, 2020 at 12:53 PM
    #2500
    bshammer0

    bshammer0 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2016
    Member:
    #201655
    Messages:
    3,363
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brandon
    Nashville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2017 DCSB TRD OR 4x4
    Prinsu, TruckCovers USA, Coverking, OVTuned
    I've got a set of Hyper Yellows i've had on for over a year and they are great. Not super bright since they are yellow but do project super well, good wide field of view, and can't be beat if driving in inclement weather with poor visibility.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top