The ultimate headlight upgrade H4 (not LED or HID)

Fogs I'd swap to SS3s, but headlights are more problematic in that regard. I haven't done any measured data on the H13/9008 but options are disappointing/limited compared to the options we have with 2nd and 3rd Gen running 9003/H4 and H11s.

 

Absolutely!! I got out of H13 vehicles back in 2016 when I got my 15 Tacoma. When I had my F150 there wasn't much for quality SAE LED anything. Even though I wasn't a total lighting nerd at that time, I didn't like the beam pattern of PNP HID or LEDs. Although I did do a couple retrofits already by that time on other vehicles. That's what started my lighting nerdiness. lol

 

New Morimoto 12-15 2nd Gen LED headlights inbound ASAP. A little conflicted on where to post the review. My 3rd Gen thread was intended for all things headlight for 3rd Gen. This thread has been dedicated to halogens, as that is the only appropriate upgrade for a halogen reflector. So thoughts on posting them in here, or creating a new 2nd Gen LED thread? I like having a single headlight thread for the platform for consolidated discussion, but it doesn't seem to fit as well as it does for 3rd Gen.

 

For several months I was rather confused by that myself. If you had named the threads “2nd Gen” and “3rd Gen” as you sometimes refer to them, it might help others coming in without background / context. I did not even realize halogen projectors were a thing before finding the 3rd gen thread.

I think it may be time to consider a thread entirely dedicated to LED headlight assembly options for Tacoma’s. First post for 3rd gen and 2nd for 2nd Gen? Maybe we see some good options for first gen Tacoma / Tundra in the future? A guy can dream, right? And perhaps a little extra discussion of the Gladiator and my own personal favorite Odyssey would fit more naturally in that new thread.

Then cover the HID and LED bulb options in the existing threads for 2nd and 3rd gen respectively and perhaps add one or two lines in the first posts of each clearly indicating that the thread is about maximizing the performance of the factory halogen headlight enclosure? Maybe even a photo of the H4 connector or bulb base at the top of this one and H11 at the top of the 3rd gen for visual identification?

For quite some time I thought I needed to buy/build a harness for my 3rd gen.

 

Seems pretty obvious this thread is intended for a 2nd Gen audience, since it's in the "2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)" forum. I assume the same is true of your 3rd Gen thread, but I haven't gone looking for it, for similarly obvious reasons.

I don't understand why "Morimoto 12-15 2nd Gen LED headlights" (emphasis added) are more appropriately dicussed in a 3rd Gen thread. I suggest simply starting new LED options thread(s) in whatever forum(s) is/are appropriate for the product(s) you're reviewing, in this case "2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)".

 

They wouldn’t be added to the 3rd Gen thread. I was just contrasting to the 3rd Gen thread, which covers all lights for the platform. Halogen, LEDs and HIDs in the halogen projectors, as well as full LED assemblies. It provides a great one stop shopping for discussing all things headlights, and is easy to make comparisons across the different options.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-hid-vs-led-vs-halogen-h11-projector-headlights.589465/

This thread has been very specifically devoted to just halogens. Even says in the title not LED or HID. So I could rework it to also incorporate LED assemblies for that same one stop shopping discussion experience but feel it would loose some of its identity after 5 years and 500k+ views and being referenced many places across the internet, or I could start a new 2nd Gen LED thread. Unlike 3rd Gen though, there are no OEM LED options, so it will likely be dedicated to just the Morimotos. And of course the number one question and comparison will be how does it compare to this upgrade.

 

I did Daniel Stern Lighting suggestion on how to modify the wiring.

 

If you happen to need a truck to mount them to to test...

 

With the wiring harness?

LOL. You’re welcome to check them out in person once I get them in.

 

I would. I keep burning through drl/blinker bulbs and switched to LEDs, hate the fast blink, but don't want to install resistors either. If these are close to the performance of the harness I'd like to see

 

I’ll post when I get them and then shoot me a PM. I wouldn’t bet they are close to the performance of this upgrade though.

 

Here were my comments on HRs video that claims the new 2nd Gen Tacoma Morimoto headlights are 500% brighter than stock. The Cd measurements are particular interest, though they are using inaccurate meters for their tests, so the results are even further inaccurate.

 

I’m not at all trying to argue here but I did want to clearly point out that 2nd Gen vs 3rd gen differences were very not obvious to me as a new TW member in terms of lighting. And the search by forum vs global search was similarly not obvious. I was out of truck gang for a decade and lost touch with all sorts of things while starting a family.

I stay here because the content is excellent and I want to learn more even though I own no vehicles with H4 headlights.

The use of “ultimate” without “2nd Gen” after it is likely the primary source of my confusion.

 

Valid point on lack of 2nd Gen in the title. When I created it, there was no 3rd Gen. I did add the bulb type to the title, but the upgrade also pertains to 1st Gen and even the prior Toyota pickups with a 9003/H4 assembly swap.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diode-dynamics-smart-tap-cf18-relay.471753/

 

Thanks for that, but mine has the DRLs integrated with the blinkers and looks like that won't work on my truck

 

You can buy the factory pieces to turn to NON DRL

 

I just took a look at the 12-15 Morimoto headlights and I don’t care for how the look. It’s like they tried to combine the 3rd C-Light to it and it just kinda looks busy, plus the C-Lights aren’t even switchback!!!! C’mon Morimoto, your known for switchbacks, besides Diode Dynamics of course. Maybe once I see them on a couple more trucks my opinion will change. Hopefully the performance is really good!

 

Morimoto XB LED headlight assemblies for 2nd Gen are due in on Friday.

 

Should be some interesting numbers even to compare by.