The truth/rant about OEM and Aftermarket headlights.

I slapped in a set of XenonDepot HID's.

They're nice and bright, and I've never been flashed.

Don't get their Phillips upgrade. I did at first, but the bulbs shook in the housing. Very annoying.

 

How can you say your 1999 4Runner's light are OK compared to the 2016 Tacoma's? I have a 2002 4Runner, and I've previously owned a 2001 and 1999 4Runner. Those lights are terrible and nothing compared to the 16 Tacoma

 

At least the title warns of it just being a pointless rant thread.

#nothingnewhere

 

FLASHHING... hey yo buddy yer blinding me... wow those are bright!!! What bulbs are they?

I needs me some bro lights for my BroTaco ...Brrrrrro!

 

AMEN!!

 

I've not seen a single picture of someone with LED or HID bulbs in the stock 3rd gen projectors that aren't retaining the stock cutoff nor significantly altering the throw to the point it would create any appreciable problem for oncoming traffic. Let's keep the generic doom and gloom nay saying minimized and if you want to rant on a problem to oncoming drivers, keep the arguments specific to problems you're seeing with 3rd gens since this is a model year specific section.

Lift kits and blinding as a result of not readjusting your headlights after doing so is a valid concern.

 

I don't know, but there are a ton of people running around with aftermarket bulbs blinding everybody. When you flash your lights because you think their brights are on, they tend to get butt hurt. It's probably the lift kits. I'm convinced they get those bright ass lights, just to be a dick to everybody.

 

A ton of people in 3rd gens you've personally seen as blinding? Or are we talking generically here again?

 

In general. More the chevy ford I guess. That's what mostly gets modded up down here in Texas. I would think Toyota's would be the same. I was speaking about the super bright over the top lights, no matter what brand of truck.

 

I did say "keep in mind that you are quite possibly being a huge dick to everyone you pass at night"

 

Brightness is only part of the picture - light spread is a larger problem. Generally though, you're correct. As far as lights go, there are plenty of dicks both on the forum and on the streets.

However, I have to say that my stance on the issue is changing. I'm all for being considerate of other people - that's my "default" state - and generally follow the "lead by example" mantra of doing things properly and not being a dick. I say "generally" because there is a colossal amount of vehicles on the road that blind me, and my interest in playing nice is decreasing. Whether it's a lifted F350 with 10 sets of LEDs, a civic with HIDs in a halogen housing, or a brand new soccer-mom SUV with misaligned OEM lights, they all force me to look to the side of the road just to not lose my vision completely. It drives me nuts on a daily basis, and I'm beginning to lean towards the side of "fuck em all." There are some fights not worth fighting.

My last vehicle was a Mercedes SUV with OEM bi-xenons - great lighting in all conditions (10 years older than the Taco, too). By comparison, the 3rd gen's lights are shit. No, I probably won't die if I continue to rely on them, but as far as driving on dark roads, I definitely want more light in both the middle and far ground.

I swapped in H9 bulbs into low beams right after buying the truck, and that definitely helped some, but it's still far from ideal. I've been trying to avoid putting LEDs or HIDs into the halogen projectors, but yesterday gave in and bought a set of Hylux Tek HIDs. Online reviews are sparse, but positive. According to specs, these give out ~3000 lumens, while my H9s are good for ~2000, and the original H11s for ~1000. Projector's cut-off still looks good, doesn't look like there's much leakage outside of it that would blind people.

I've been driving with my H9s for 7-8 months now and haven't been flashed once. Similarly, I don't expect to be getting flashed with these HIDs, either. If it starts happening and is frequent, I'll adjust the lights downwards a tiny bit.

This is definitely a step closer to being a dick, but I'm caring less and less about that lately, and in the end, as far as other drivers go, I don't think it'll be much/any worse than what I already have. Time will tell!

 

I just installed the Opt7 FluxBeam X LED lights tonight in my low beam and fogs. I was a little nervous given the mixed reviews, but WOW! I can positively confirm these lights are twice the output as the crappy halogens. I found the factory halogens to "wash out" and I couldn't even see the painted lines on the road. Now I can see several hundred feet down the road and everything seems bright and crisp. Best $200 safety upgrade I've done yet.

 

I also did the H9 mod a few months ago, which was a hell of an improvement, but still not the end all to be all. Like you, I think I will order the
Hylux Tek HIDs and try them out. At that price there is nothing to lose, so not much point in waiting 3 weeks to hear how they worked out for you, before ordering.

 

Hey guys I'm planning to buy hid's but a quick question Not related to the thread..

How can I adjust my projector headlights? My right light is lower than my left one..

 

The OEM lights are not a problem for me. I usually take uber at night because I like beer.

 

No need to wait ;-)

I just updated the thread for the Hyluxtek/CNLight kit:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/hyluxtek-hid-kit-with-cnlight-ball-bulbs.457461/

 

Strange, I have that exact setup and I don't have any shaking. Just an amazing setup.

You live in the Vancouver area... so that sums it up. I'm so used to being blinded by idiots here. I had to adjust my headlights after the installation of my Xenondepot HID kit and I haven't been high beamed once. I will say this isn't a "fuck em all" upgrade at all. Now if I turned the little 8 mm bolt a little more counter clockwise it could be.

 

If by right, you mean the driver side, they are supposed to be that way. Driver side aims a little lower as to not shine in the opposing car's windshield.

 

All this complaining, I've owned 4 second gens (no turd gen fwiw) and swapped in Sylvania lamps, it's night and day difference .. no pun intended. It's probably twice the output without an oncoming glare.