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3rd Gen HID vs LED vs Halogen H11 projector headlights

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

  1. Nov 21, 2020 at 10:01 PM
    #3661
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

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    I can 100% assure you no OEM LED headlight will have the same the same beam pattern distribution as AlphaRex, since they literally have the pattern distribution backward. If they are as good as you claim, you should be able to produce a photo that shows AlphaRex with concentrated hot spots right up at the cut off and minimizing light lower in the pattern (reducing foreground light) like OEM.

    I also have the Jeep OEM LEDs in my 2021 Gladiator Mojave, they are complete shit. Literally the worst headlights I have ever driven with and given the absolute worst possible rating possible by IIHS being flagged as a major safety hazard.

    Many may disagree with my posts. But their disagreement is on perceived performance, which is very different from actual performance. I can point to instances in this thread where members swore their lights were better, I bought them, tested them and demonstrated based on science their lights were drastically worse than stock and unsafe. Yet they continued to swear their lights were better than stock. And it all comes down to huge shifts in foreground light and loss of distance light, just like AlphaRex. Your eyes are not good tools in evaluating lighting performance unfortunately. I know that sounds ridiculous, but humans favor foreground light, and headlights should minimize foreground light and provide increased distance light.

    A local member has these lights, so I may have the opportunity to collect data on them soon. But I certainly wouldn't spend what AlphaRex asks for them. Although they can be purchased for much cheaper straight from Alibaba.
     
    Last edited: Nov 21, 2020
  2. Nov 21, 2020 at 11:43 PM
    #3662
    trajiiic

    trajiiic Well-Known Member

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    Last edited: Nov 21, 2020
  3. Nov 21, 2020 at 11:51 PM
    #3663
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

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    xxTacocaTxx and Boghog1 like this.
  4. Nov 22, 2020 at 3:45 AM
    #3664
    Too Stroked

    Too Stroked Well-Known Member

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    Interesting difference in the amount of light in the rest of the garage. For instance, look at the first pic and look to the right hand side wall at the snow shovels hanging there. Now go to the second pic and look at the same place. Night and day difference. Looks like the camera got fooled.
     
  5. Nov 22, 2020 at 7:10 AM
    #3665
    MrMccrackin

    MrMccrackin Well-Known Member

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    that’s interesting and thank you for confirmation of my thought.
    Wife got a 2020 JL and I talked her out of the package with all LED lamps, I told her LED is really new and they haven’t quite figured it out yet. Once I said it’s difficult to see in the rain she was sold on regular halogen lights.
     
  6. Nov 22, 2020 at 8:59 AM
    #3666
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

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    Unfortunately the halogen lights also receive the lowest possible rating from IIHS as well. Like how could FCA screw these up so bad?! They are massive 9” round headlights! A light of that size has the potential to be amazing and yet both come away with the worst possible rating. In the H13 bulb size I’d look at the Philips Xtreme +100 as a swap to improve things in the stock halogens. With the wrangler’s modular headlight platform there are plenty of aftermarket options to swap to as well. I’ll likely go to a heated JW Speaker 5000k LED light.
     
    MrMccrackin[QUOTED] likes this.
  7. Nov 22, 2020 at 9:08 AM
    #3667
    RedWings44

    RedWings44 Well-Known Member

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    I haven't seen the JL LEDs yet, but I have to say you're right on. The halogens in the JK are far and away some of the worst headlights I've ever used.
     
  8. Nov 22, 2020 at 9:13 AM
    #3668
    GarlicFarts

    GarlicFarts Bang Ding Ow

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    It's listed for $1 but if you notice the only way to order is to contact the supplier. They'll likely go for way more once you actually try to set up a purchase with them.
     
  9. Nov 22, 2020 at 9:28 AM
    #3669
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

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    Oh definitely. But likely less than you’d pay ordering them here.
     
  10. Nov 22, 2020 at 9:31 AM
    #3670
    GarlicFarts

    GarlicFarts Bang Ding Ow

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    Depends, actually. Likely the reseller buys in bulk so they're probably paying a few hundred bucks a piece. If you wanted to call and get a single set, it would probably end up costing near enough the same.

    Benefit: No stupid logo on the lights though!
     
  11. Nov 22, 2020 at 9:45 AM
    #3671
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

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    Logo is very poorly blurred out in the photo, so I wouldn’t be so certain.

    If you look at the LED reflector model, you can buy them for $400/set, which is quite a bit cheaper than anything is being sold for here.
     
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  12. Nov 22, 2020 at 9:47 AM
    #3672
    GarlicFarts

    GarlicFarts Bang Ding Ow

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    Yeah I did see those too. Most likely they don't have that sequential turn signal which people will apparently pay about an extra thousand bucks for. :notsure:
     
  13. Nov 22, 2020 at 10:02 AM
    #3673
    Too Stroked

    Too Stroked Well-Known Member

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    Maybe its just me, but I smell an "Ultimate Headlight Upgrade for Jeeps" in the very near future. No way our favorite lighting guy is going to put up with crap headlights for long.
     
  14. Nov 22, 2020 at 10:36 AM
    #3674
    MrMccrackin

    MrMccrackin Well-Known Member

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    right?
    Can’t wait !
     
  15. Nov 22, 2020 at 10:40 AM
    #3675
    MrMccrackin

    MrMccrackin Well-Known Member

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    assuming this part number: 9008XVB2
     
  16. Nov 22, 2020 at 11:26 AM
    #3676
    Kairide

    Kairide Well-Known Member

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    As reference I’m working on a set of RX350 retrofits. Here’s just the left projector with a 5500k bulb. The headlights aren’t actually installed so it’s tough to get an accurate height representation. But you can see the hot spot near the cutoff and the light diminishes evenly as it gets lower.
    The Alpharex are just bright everywhere and have no hotspot near the cutoff. Hence the fore-light flood light nomenclature.

    71A9FD18-5009-49FD-9828-1D0896B1D02D.jpg
     
    crashnburn80[OP] likes this.
  17. Nov 22, 2020 at 2:02 PM
    #3677
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

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    I’ve seen them on Alibaba for $400. Looks like they go for $785:
    https://www.protuninglab.com/20totahmowid1.html

    Really doesn't matter anyway, as the output photos posted earlier show they are awful as one would expect and definitely not something that should be used if you drive at night.

    That is correct!

    I may try the JW Speaker heated J3 LED headlights, or the heated J2s. However, if I was going to go with halogen, I'd probably swap the stock assembly for some Hella E-code (ECE) 7" round H4 headlights, use the 9" to 7" headlight adapters, run the Headlight Services wiring harness with an H13->H4 plug adapter and the Osram SuperBright bulbs. The 200mm Hella E-codes were great, I've heard the 7" round might not be as good but no first hand experience.

    If you ever wanted to change the light technology used in the truck, or correct for larger tires, this flash programer pretty slick. You can also disable the auto stop/start function.
     
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  18. Nov 22, 2020 at 2:02 PM
    #3678
    replica9000

    replica9000 Das ist no bueno

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    crashnburn80[OP] likes this.
  19. Nov 22, 2020 at 2:04 PM
    #3679
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

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    They are better. How much better, I don't have the data, but I'd expect mild/moderate enhancement. It won't be anything drastic. Unfortunately there are very few options for H13/9008.
     
  20. Nov 22, 2020 at 2:08 PM
    #3680
    replica9000

    replica9000 Das ist no bueno

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    You'd think the headlamps should be great already since they use two reflectors at the same time vs the usual one.
     

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