LED Headlights opinions?

You have 4 options, descending from most expensive to cheapest:

1. Full replacement LED headlight housings
   
2. HID/LED retrofit
3. Replacement halogen bulbs as suggested by @crashnburn80
4. Leave it stock

If you want to make a change just for aesthetics and you can't afford to do it right, leave it alone until you can. No one cares if your fogs and headlights don't match. They do care if you blind them with your cheap replacement bulbs.

 

Wow ... A shit-load of info and just as many thoughts/opinions ... THANKS for all who had input ... This.. Is just becoming waaaay too complicated. I never knew this would become more than a (A) This is good - (B) This is better - (C) This is the best .. Kinda' thing.
So, I think I'll just live with what I got... I never in a million years dreamed that 'better' headlights would become such a convoluted mess..
But many many thanks for those who weighed in on it ..

 

Ignore marketing and listen to science. But for the love of all that is holy don’t make a thread asking about tires.

 

No need to live with what you have. Significant performance improvements can be had by using a quality performance H11 bulb, the exact same type your assembly is designed for making it all plug and play without any compromises other than shorter bulb life.

For the simplest recommendation, order these for a substantial performance improvement, be sure to use the 20% off coupon code:
https://www.powerbulbs.com/us/product/tungsram-megalight-ultra-h11-twin

 

Are diode dynamics SL1 headlight a good choice?

side note: I try searching by vehicle and year but no headlight selections comes up for me

 

Welcome to the forum.

Diode Dynamics SL1 review posted in post #1285 here. Hikari Ultra review in post #1608 here.

In short if looking at LED the Hikari Ultras are quite a bit better than the SL1, however both are outperformed by upgraded halogen bulbs.

 

Thank you and I appreciate the info!

 

LOL!!!!!
So no 'Tire Suggestions: Should I buy round/square/triangular tires?'
You got it bud ... I'll stay away from that topic...

 

From my experience, I would not recommend installing LED's into the factory halogen headlight housings. It may look bright from inside the cabin, but its a pain for cars coming towards you. It is actually illegal to install LED's in certain housings in certain states (illegal as in failing inspection, not jail). I would stay away from cheap bulbs and cheap aftermarket headlights, especially SpyderAuto (yes, I have spyderauto headlights). Morimoto is a great brand for both quality and aesthetics, plus Toyota doesn't flip their shit over aftermarket headlights like they do about the grill.

 

seems to be the problem with the world these days
you state you understand the science, but then dispute it with "opinion"
that is the exact opposite of understanding science
data don't lie (if collected and analyzed properly, which for all intents and purposes crash does appear to do)

stay in school kids

 

What??? I was flashed for my low beams. Fogs were not on. I use my fogs in foggy and extremely dark conditions and do not use them when in traffic or have someone coming the other direction just as I would my high beams. Nice assumption though!

 

oh, ffs.
so being flashed for your low beams is okay? wtf
the projector cut-off does mitigate some of the glare for low-beams, but doesn't change the fact that the light performance for most LEDs in our halogen housings is also crap

you put LEDs in your fogs, which is also just a plain crap performer. good for you.

my "assumption" was based on you writing a paragraph about putting LEDs in your H16 fog housings and saying aligning it won't blind anyone. reading comprehension.

my new assumption - you keep thinking you're cool - everyone else thinks otherwise, you are that guy

I apologize for getting on you, but where I live, getting pretty sick of all the bro-trucks and their ridiculous lighting that blinds everyone (and doesn't actually light properly) Just because people don't flash (not necessarily you), doesn't mean everyone isn't blinded.

 

What are you even talking about? I was flashed for OE halogen's pointing high due to my front lift. Added an AAL and now back to factory rake and headlights aiming as it was from the factory. LED in the fog is a separate issue and nothing to do with OP's post. It was a mere mention. LED in the OR fog housing is a good easy upgrade over stock for those that live rural and need better lighting on the cheap. You must be a woman trying to make something out of nothing.

 

The point is (which clearly has gone over your head), is that it is not.
Thus, the "terrible advice" comment

nice one, real class. the ladies must be lining up

 

Do elaborate how it is not a decent upgrade? Not decent if you intend to use in traffic but nothing wrong with it for rural driving at night when nobody is around. Not sure what your contention is. I guess for it to be an upgrade I must spend at least $500?

 

If you're looking for extra lighting to use on rural roads a light bar seems to be a better option. By adding LEDs to the fogs, you just took away their use on the road when you may actually need to use them.
As far as your woman comment.....not even going to go there

 

I was thinking about the LED upgrade until I read the @crashnburn80 science.

Make it easy on yourself and just order from Ebay GE/Tungsram +130 H11. Bright lights made to fit OEM. Mince came from Britain in less than two weeks from order date to my house in Canada. easy peasy upgrade, way less than $100, recommended by the expert @crashnburn80 .

 

But it doesn't make you cool cause you took the data driven route

 

LEDs in the OEM reflector housings scatter light, defeating the fog pattern
As Kairide mentions. If you want rural road lighting, a better option is a dedicated product.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-led-sae-j583-fog-pod-fog-light-review.554813/

 

I put LEDs in the low beam projectors and yellow PIAA halogen in the fogs. I was happy with how it turned out.