3rd Gen HID vs LED vs Halogen H11 projector headlights

Oh wow. I had trouble with my h9 too. I thought it was just me being dumb. Good to know it’s legitimately harder. Took me 10 tries to get it seated I think. Not easy at all.

 

I am personally waiting on MESO total tail 2 second edition. He hinted at this but hasn’t shared details. Probably will sell out in seconds based on demand for total tail 1‘s.

 

I agree. That's why I kept hinting at mass production through a factory or something. One thousand or even five thousand minimum orders would all sell in my opinion. I guess the molds cost a lot though.

 

I am fond of these. Been working great for a year now.

$35 AUXITO Error Free 912 921 LED Bulb Reverse Lights Backup Lights 4000 Lumens/Pair Extremely Bright CSP 9-SMD 906 W16W T15 LED Bulbs Plug and Play for Backup Reverse Lights, 6500K White (Pack of 2)

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B071G7QD5T/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

A good way to cut slivers into your aluminum Low beam fixture if you try this without trimming the large tab, ask me how I know.
The large metal tab of the H9 bulb runs in opposite direction compared to the H11 bulb, trim the tab to avoid the problem of trying to make a square peg fit a round hole.

 

love to know if they are as good as the LED marketing hype suggests.

 

I'm doing this on a test rack, and it is pretty easy to get them in without damaging the housing. Mounted on the truck it would certainly be more of a challenge but is doable, but that is the first I've heard of housing damage in the nearly 3000 posts in this thread. Nothing wrong with trimming the tabs though, makes the install easier.

IIHS rates them as significantly better than the stock halogens, but it will be interesting to compare the OEM LEDs to the upgraded halogens.

 

As I was trying to install the H9 into the H11 housing at an angle to overcome the tab going the wrong way I noticed it was shaving a bit of the aluminum so I stopped, no significant damage to speak of. There are a number of posts where people had difficulty and ended up trimming the metal tab. They say a picture is worth a thousand words so I stand by my photos above.

 

Can't wait to see some comparisons.

 

Always wondered, what is the "Pro" light is for? On the Pro models, it seems to just be bling. But, on the non-pro model LED headlights, it looks like a mini reflector. Does it serve a purpose?

 

Both the Pro and standard LED headlights have a light there, just on the Pro model it says "TRD" on one side and "Pro" on the other, but is still backlit. I believe they function as corner or parking lights.

 

Has there been an analysis of the 2016-2020 Tacoma Alpha Rex headlights? They seem like a good challenger to compare.

https://alpharexusa.com/product-cat...oma-performance-headlights-16/?v=f24485ae434a

 

Not yet. From other comparison pictures I've seen against the Morimotos (pictures are not a good way to compare) it looks like their beam pattern is possibly brighter, but less ideal with more foreground light and less distance light. In some comparison pictures the brightest area in the beam looks to be too far below the cut off, which isn't good. But it is really difficult to compare without having them in person and taking actual measurements.

 

Could you point me towards the Morimoto XB review? I can’t seem to find it, if it exists.

edit: never mind.. third post on this thread

 

My 2020 TRD Off Road Premium sold in Canada comes with H16 fog lights, part number 81210-02160 (R) and 81220-02160 (L). The LTD is the only model to get round LED fogs and the PRO gets the Rigid LED.

The Osram H16 19W white halogen bulbs are replaceable.



This OEM H16 fog assembly will not allow H11 bulbs to fit without modification to the tab or housing assembly.

Is this housing suitable for a 55 watt H11 bulb? My main concern is heat and compatible wiring.

The fuse for the fogs is 15 amps and each 55 watt bulb draws approximately 4.58 amps. (55w/12v)



Would this be the "TRD" halogen fog assembly that is H11 compatible?

 

Pretty certain they didn't change any of the wiring/circuit for the fogs in 2020, just changed the assembly. 2016-2019 both had both H11 and H16 fogs available and the wiring was the same, the only difference was the assembly. If you trim the H11 bulb tabs to fit the H16 socket, I believe it would work but am not 100% certain on pattern, you'd need to test. The housing itself will be fine with the heat from an H11.

Note that the TRD fogs have a different pattern. It is a super wide-angle pattern vs the non-TRD/2020 fogs are a more forward pattern.

The OEM TRD halogen fogs are made by Valeo and those appear correct, but you'd need to be certain they are H11 units. 12-15 also had wide angle H11 units made by Valeo and I am not sure if there is a difference between mounting tabs on the 12-15 vs 16-19 fogs. In the fog thread I've documented that the Tacoma fog mounts have slightly different dimensions on the bumper mounting points between 2nd Gen and 3rd Gen. If those Valeos are from a 3rd Gen and H11 you'd be set.

 

The Valeo H11 55W wide angle fog lights I installed in my 2019 SR (purchased in the forum, like new at a very good price) are part numbers (on the Toyota parts website):
81210-08020 (RH)
81220-08020 (LH)
The part numbers you provided are the non-wide angle forward facing H16 19W fog lights.

I really like the bright wide angle beam of the fog lights I have, highly recommend if you're going to use an H11 55W bulb. I checked the fitment at McGeorge Toyota parts online for a 2020, these indicated no fitment, however that may just be because they are providing the H16's or the LEDs for 2020's and could actually fit your 2020. They also indicated no fitment for my 2019 SR but that's only because an SR doesn't come with them, they fit my fog light mounts perfectly.

 

That is good info to know and share. Thank you.

I have thought about the OEM LED fogs with the black surround but felt the need for selective yellow. The simpler choice was to use a yellow H11 bulb to maintain the OEM look with chrome reflectors as with the headlights and light bar. The best and more expensive $200 (currently) is the Diode Dynamics SS3 Sport yellow fog and are nearly twice* as bright as the OEM halogen assembly with H11 55w bulb.

*Because I don't know the peak candela of the yellow H11's nearly twice is an estimate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqAnYPS6obM

From the video, the Tacoma OEM halogen wide angle assembly comes with a white H11 halogen bulb providing 3100K color and the housing projects 85 degrees wide by 12 inches high with a 5850 peak candella. Replacing the white halogen bulb for a low cost yellow H11 halogen 55 watt with 2500 - 2900K color is great option verses a replacement fog assembly. Halogen bulbs provide more heat than LED bulbs and would be beneficial in winter conditions like freezing rain and snow. Comparing to the Diode Dynamics SS3 sport yellow width and color are similar but peak candela is nearly twice* the OEM halogen assembly with one of the following inexpensive bulbs...

$20 Hella H11 Xtreme Yellow 2900k 55W
$19

$16 Nokya H11 Car Headlight Bulb (S1) NOK7618.

Nokya H11 Hyper Yellow 2500k 55W



Looking at the OEM Toyota Halogen and the Diode Dynamics SS3 Sport Fog adding a Yellow H11 should give really good results over the white OEM halogen bulb. Diode Dynamics does top the list when it comes to performance, fitment and style with reasonable cost. Diode Dynamics video on the white fogs is equally informative and helpful. Both videos are tailored for the Toyota Tacoma.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5QAUkDtZEo



Being in Canada the Diode Dynamics SS3 Sport fog are 199 USD (and free shipping in the lower 48), my price shipped is $335.37 CDN vs Hella H11 Xtreme Yellow halogen at $26.39 CDN.

Since I have these standard H16 fog assemblies it would be best to replace them since there just for show and taking up space for something useful.

 

Well you've certainly done some homework here. I myself have looked at the reviews for the DD SS3, and considered the sport version during the July 4 sale, but had already decided to pull the trigger on Hella Xtreme Yellows for the value. They're still in the package, will install and evaluate them against the standard white, perhaps this weekend. I will keep an eye out though for future improvements in LED automotive lighting, especially the seletive yellow (waiting on that green tint in the yellow to decrease lol), adjustability, and costs.
If you haven't read crashburns testing review, you should drop by here, also recommend you look in the thread at other comments by those who have bought the DD SS3 selective yellows, see their pictures, etc.
The LED SAE J583 Fog Pod & Fog Light Review