The SAE J581 Aux High Beam Thread

I just read the DD SS 30" bar is only IP68 rated. Has anyone ever had a problem with this? (Condensation, leaks, issues with dust, etc?)

I'm bummed it's not IP69K rated like the SS3/5 pods. Why not, especially when some inferior competitors' bars are IP69K? I'm suddenly wondering if I should be looking at other brands for my bar? Ones with an IP69K rating.

 

I'm guessing this is for the breather valve, Ip69k has to withstand a 1450psi water stream from 4 inches away.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Alf19unbtVs

 

You're starting to seriously over-think this. Trust me, if you stick with a well-known brand like Diode Dynamics, Baja Designs, Rigid, etc., you won't have a problem. Go with the Amazon and eBay stuff and that's a whole different story - including the ones that state they meet the same or better certifications.

 

You did the H11 to H9 swap you’re saying?

 

Actually, I swapped the factory supplied H11's for the HIR1 Toshibas - which are pretty hard to find these days. Although this did increase my high beam performance, adding the Diode Dynamics SS5 spot beams tied into the high beams was the real ticket for success.

 

Have you considered the LED assemblies?

 

My headlights are the OEM LED low / halogen high beam ones. Trust me, the low beams are great and the SS5 enhanced high beams are more than one could ever ask for.

 

I think you mean 9005 to 9011 HIR bulbs (4Runner reflectors). You're lucky in that you have the halogen high-beams, whereas the 2022+ headlight assemblies (and Pro/Limited from 2021+) have the bi-LED projectors. They're not bad but they did change the reflectors in those assemblies to a DRL only pattern. Not sure if they have similar hotspot intensity anymore, but the LED units do provide a decent punch at the cutoff either way.

I have the newer Korean 9011 bulbs in my 22 headlights, though they burnt out in a few months within a week of each other. Maybe they're not great for DRL use.

Wonder if I should get a cheap light meter and compare hotspot intensities using my old headlights and these ones.

 

I was just yapping with other FBC guys about maybe using 87A off the relay to fire an LED DRL feed. But the question to you is, where would you want that DRL bulb? It could feed DD SSX backlight capability perhaps?

If I owned a T4R I'd probably want that 9011 HIR for high beam only and try to re-route DRL to some LED type bulb.

 

The only reason I'd hesitate is that I actually like having the long wavelength light in the headlight reflectors, I think they are much better at increasing daytime distance visibility than small LEDs (like raptor lights etc).

I would love to have some SS5s in my front bumper a lá @Too Stroked , but the backlights are definitely not as visible during the day compared to proper DRLs.

That, and I'm tired of @memario1214 taking all of my money.

 

Yeah, I was thinking like ssc1's as DRL's in flood or spot but with your setup that's a bit of a blingy front face and also spendy.

 

This is what I did for visibility prior to going OEM Led. I have ssc1 sports with the fog lense. Not enough output for a legitimate fog but a really visible light for other drivers.

 

Old output shot from previous configuration:

 

The old saying; "Power corrupts and absolute power is pretty neat" applies quite nicely here.

 

The other one that stuck with me was "Sure, some may call it overkill- but you can never have too much overkill."

 

I, for one, would be interested in that. I have a set of 2022 4Runner headlights waiting to go on my wife’s 2017. The only thing holding me back is she does most of her driving during the day and neither of us like the look of the halogen DRL. Dumb reason, I know, but it’s what’s keeping the Morimotos on for right now. DRLs on the 2014-some 2021(?) use PWM I believe for the DRLs which I don’t think would work with LEDs correct?

 

PWM is exactly how to dim LED’s. Should work great.

I could do an aux output for the 4Runner harness for DRL and maybe carry the high beam ground through for that.

Only downside is increased complexity and build time (aka cost)

I’d probably use a weatherpack connector. Did you have a light in mind for DRL use?

 

I guess you’d want dim output if you’re using full pods and full 12V output if you’re using something like a strip light? The original thought I had was to break open the headlights and mount an SS3 as the high beam and use strip lights as DRLs. Not married to the idea though. I have some Rigid SRQ diffused pattern that I could use as DRLs outside the headlight. I’ve also got a driving pattern DD light bar, SSC1s, SSC2s, and various other Rigid pods in fog light, driving, and spot patterns.