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Best bang for the buck headlight upgrade

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by NorcalBlue, Nov 24, 2022.

  1. Nov 24, 2022 at 7:05 AM
    #1
    NorcalBlue

    NorcalBlue [OP] Active Member

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    Hello All,

    I'd like to upgrade my headlights on my 2019. I have done a little research on the site, but there's just so much info - and I really don't have the time at the moment. Quite frankly I'm looking for the cheapest/easiest upgrade that will provide the most improvement and lowest amount of risk. Just don't have the budget for 1k upgrade at the moment. I'd say $300 is my limit. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank You and Happy Thanksgiving.
     
  2. Nov 24, 2022 at 7:07 AM
    #2
    mysubiewasalemon

    mysubiewasalemon Well-Known Member

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    Just wait and save for new/used Oem led headlights. It’s by far the best headlight upgrade I’ve seen
     
    Tacos4Runnin likes this.
  3. Nov 24, 2022 at 7:08 AM
    #3
    turkeycreek29010

    turkeycreek29010 Well-Known Member

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    Bishopville, SC
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    TRD Lift, MKW Offroad M205 Bronze 17 x8.5 wheels, 265/70r17 General Grabber ATX, Hikari LED Headlight Bulbs, Diode Dynamics SS3 Max Amber Fog lights, Tyger Rollup Bed Cover, OEM Bed Mat, Havoc OffRoad HS2 steps
    I have Hikari Ultras (Eye of Megatron) and no issues. They are one of the 2 drop in LED recommended in that long headlight testing thread. You can grab from Amazon for around $90 a pair
     
    VaToy, jwcox72 and Puppypunter like this.
  4. Nov 24, 2022 at 7:09 AM
    #4
    NorcalBlue

    NorcalBlue [OP] Active Member

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    Thank you. Do you know the cost (ballpark) to have that done?
     
  5. Nov 24, 2022 at 7:10 AM
    #5
    NorcalBlue

    NorcalBlue [OP] Active Member

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    Thank you.
     
  6. Nov 24, 2022 at 7:11 AM
    #6
    musicisevil

    musicisevil Lesser-Known Jack Wagon

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    Buy a pair of Phillips H9 bulbs (same as high beam bulbs) and pop them in your low beams.
    <$20 and <5 minutes of modifications and you’ll out perform any possible “upgrade” besides oem led.
    This is the only upgrade for halogen housings recommended by the resident lighting expert @crashnburn80, author of the sticked lighting thread. All the info you need is updated regularly in the very first couple of posts
     
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2022
    OldSchlPunk, vivid02, Chew and 3 others like this.
  7. Nov 24, 2022 at 7:13 AM
    #7
    Newwt

    Newwt Well-Known Member

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    Honestly the lights at that price point are going to leak and be trash.

    if I had to do it over I’d find the whitest halogens you could to use temporarily and start saving for the oem leds
     
  8. Nov 24, 2022 at 7:13 AM
    #8
    Boco10

    Boco10 Well-Known Member

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    Diode dynamic ss3 fogs are an upgrade and they are on sale.
     
    Chew likes this.
  9. Nov 24, 2022 at 7:23 AM
    #9
    Camerasandcoffee

    Camerasandcoffee 900hp short of 1000hp

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    Relentless Fab hybrid bumper, 2.5” Dobinsons IMS lift, RCI skids and sliders, block heater. Rola rack. Painted FJ Steelies. Was trying to keep it stock, now slowly building for the Wisconsin trails.
    There is a thread that will help with a number of options available.
    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...11-projector-headlights.589465/#post-19689308

    I have these H11 bulbs which are brighter than stock and are a direct fit.
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08B8Y259H?ie=UTF8

    You can also convert to H9 bulbs like are in the high beams with some simple modification. Also it is not a good idea to use LED bulbs in the stock housing as the reflector is designed for a filament light source. See the thread above.
     
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2022
    OldSchlPunk and eurowner like this.
  10. Nov 24, 2022 at 7:24 AM
    #10
    Anchovy

    Anchovy Rule #1: Never take me seriously

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    For $300 you can't get much of an "upgrade" for headlights. Most units in that price range are very much a downgrade. You're best saving up and going for a name brand or retrofit
     
    Chew and TS4x4 like this.
  11. Nov 24, 2022 at 7:31 AM
    #11
    NorcalBlue

    NorcalBlue [OP] Active Member

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    Thanks for all the replies so far - really appreciated. A really great forum.
     
    RushT likes this.
  12. Nov 24, 2022 at 7:35 AM
    #12
    Hooper89

    Hooper89 Well-Known Member

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    Leave it alone and happy thanksgiving.
     
    Tacomaryan18 likes this.
  13. Nov 24, 2022 at 7:56 AM
    #13
    MikeyMcFly

    MikeyMcFly This is heavy, Doc.

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    Yep.

    Every single thread about lights should be that post and the thread locked. It would save pages and pages of stupid bickering.
     
    Tacomaryan18 and adamceckhardt like this.
  14. Nov 24, 2022 at 8:02 AM
    #14
    NorcalBlue

    NorcalBlue [OP] Active Member

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    Okee Dokee. Just the info I was looking for - Thanks
     
  15. Nov 24, 2022 at 8:16 AM
    #15
    mysubiewasalemon

    mysubiewasalemon Well-Known Member

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    You can find the lights used from 700 and up with a damaged tab or you can get them new from the 1300 range . Plus 90 for the conversion harness
     
  16. Nov 24, 2022 at 8:36 AM
    #16
    Tacos4Runnin

    Tacos4Runnin Well-Known Member

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    I would echo this advice. The non LED headlights are still a great set stock from the factory compared to other vehicles on the road

    Saving up for a set of the OEM LED’s is the way to go. Also, you are in luck as black friday deals will be popping up soon for different part venders. I got lucky and scored my set of new OEM LED headlights for 1100 American shipped. Being up in Canada, this was a rocking price at the time compared to the normal 2000

    Dont compromise if you can, save up, and get what you really want for your expensive/awesome truck

    My 2 cents, good luck
     
    BJK1280, Chew and musicisevil like this.
  17. Nov 24, 2022 at 10:55 AM
    #17
    BillyE

    BillyE Well-Known Member

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    Any suggestions on where to find OEM LEDs at a good price?
     
  18. Nov 24, 2022 at 11:02 AM
    #18
    BJK1280

    BJK1280 Well-Known Member

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    They can be purchased on the Lewis Toyota website right now for $591.57 each with the 15% off sale right now. Free shipping on orders over $75 as well.

    Left: 81150-04300
    Right: 81110-04300
     
    Tacos4Runnin likes this.

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