NEW 16-23 Morimoto XB Evo Headlights are here!

We had some first-hand work on the development of the XB Evo headlights for the 4Runner, and the day has now come for the XB Evos for the Tacoma!

https://hotshotoffroad.com/collections/16-23-tacoma-headlights

• Full Design Refresh - Brand new DRL piping, projector arrangement, and light/dark accents throughout.
• New Optics - A fresh optics design allows for aiming the beam much closer to vertical without blinding oncoming traffic. It makes for a MUCH more comfortable driving experience vs the hard cutoff lines before. We worked directly with Morimoto in an attempt to perfect uplight allowing for earlier detection of downrange obstacles as well as illuminating road signs earlier and better. Overall output is far improved in terms of perceived brightness, even on the base LED driver.
• New Supercharger LED Driver System - While not on-road compliant, a new "supercharger" LED driver is available as an add-on that boosts intensity by 30%.
• Built-in Lens Heater - In ambient temperatures below 41F, an on-board lens heater system can be turned on to allow for active clearing of the lens. When tested on the 4R spec we were getting lens temps of around 80F when ambient was in the 20s. The unit definitely works!
• Selectable DRL and Turn Signals - With a quick swap of a little "key" you can pick whether you want a white or amber DRL. You can also select whether you would like a sequential turn signal, or a fade off turn signal. We're big fans of the fade off version over here!
• 5-Yr Warranty
• 2 Models Available - XB Hybrid model loses amber DRL, high beam boost, and lens heaters, but still captures newest optics and can be paired with supercharger module.

 

I actually think that they did a really good job with the visuals on these. The 4Runner Xb Evos that we have running around on a couple of local trucks hardly look aftermarket unless you know what you're looking for, and I really like that. Seems like it could have come that way.

 

MAYBE - Let me see what I can dig up!

You also get the dedicated high beam boost optics on the full Evo as well. They're punchy as hell, you've got my word there!

 

Heck yeah! We've got 11 sets allocated to us from the first shipment here so you would be seeing them at your doorstep right around the new year.

 

Here's a few comparison pics as well as a couple of white-box photos. Should give you a decent idea!



Evo
VV


Evo Hybrid
VV

 

Glad it helped!

Well... Taiwan, but classify that as you see fit. OE headlights are made in Mexico so build location for headlamps is happening outside of the US either way. I know that Morimoto either completely purchased a manufacturing facility, or purchased a stake in one to control the quality of these latest offerings.

I can completely agree that the razor sharp upward limiter is not what I like to see either from a headlamp's output as it relates to down-field obstacle identification. When they were developing the 4Runner EVO we had a prototype unit here that we weighed in on as far as optics are concerned. What you'll see here are "dips" in the low-beam pattern to allow for the lights to be aimed at a higher angle than these sorts of lamps can normally be aimed. This should help greatly in the instance that you're referring to. Also, while these images really won't show it, the upper line isn't nearly as sharp as the outgoing XBs, and has enough uplight to illuminate street signs, overhead road signs, etc.

 

While I still STRONGLY recommend either ceramic coating and/or putting a clear protectant film over these to protect from UV rotting at them, these Evos are made in a completely different facility than the Gen 2 XBs leveraging Morimoto's own materials selection and engineering. There's not enough data to prove it yet, of course, but when I was working with R&D they were telling me that the outer lens should at least be on par with OEM grade. That was one of the complaints I rose about the previous model.

 

While I haven't seen fitment on the Tacoma specifically, the very first thing I noticed on the 4R ones was that the fitment was WAY WAY better on the fender lines.