LED vs HID, the good, the bad, the ugly

This is all I have (phone camera doesn't do it justice):

 

The setup seems similar to the morimoto hid kit

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/all-products/2016-tacoma-morimoto-elite.html?carDisplay=2017+Toyota+Tacoma&preselect=51866,50562,51505,47309&preselect_restrict=1

They look like the "ball" style bulbs as well as far as I can tell.

Stupid question but the number associated with the color of the light doesn't correspond with the brightness?

 

Digging it!

 

The xb bulbs do have the ball shape..as that seems to be what all the quality suppliers are moving towards.

You're right that color doesn't necessarily indicate brightness, but the visible light to our eyes sees better use of 4300k than 6000k though the differences are likely small.

 

you didn't read the whole thread. he identified the issue and the solution is a Diode Dynamics waterproof relay, which i also have. it's as solid a solution as you'll find.

mine's been installed about 2 weeks, no issues at all, no vibration, normal HID performance. excellent and clear light with a perfect spread. matches the drl's more than the oe halogens, too.

 

2x upgrade:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...de-not-led-or-hid.435419/page-8#post-14379869

 

Just Like Scooby24 and StGermain, I also have only great things to say about the Hylux system. Easy Plug and play installation with excellent lighting results. Been running these HID's in my truck since last Oct. and find it impossible to say anthing bad about them. Awesome setup! Only time I've ever been flashed at is when my truck was loaded to the nuts coming home from a Moose hunting trip, pulling my trailer with the 8X Argo in it. And even then it was only a few times on the 12 hr drive.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/hyluxtek-hid-kit-with-cnlight-ball-bulbs.457964/

 

Led headlights do not have the throw that hids do. If you feel like really upgrading, have a retrofit done (higher quality projector designed for hid bulbs.) Otherwise you can use a re-based hid bulb "drop in" kit in your truck now. It will be the best upgrade you'll do for that price range. Also, I'd HIGHLY recommend you look at morimoto products if you do decide to go hid.

 

@crashnburn80 I would like to say I like your alternative setup and kudos to you for your ingenuity. However, from just briefly looking at your threads it looks like you are getting 2900 lumens out of a 100/90W bulb. The Morimoto Elite bulb I am using (6500K) driven with a 50W ballest is netting about 4080 lumens per bulb. Here is how I got that number:

Morimoto Claims 3200 lm for a 6500K bulb driven at 35W.

Morimoto also claims that by running 50W ballasts you lose 1000K in light temp and gain 20% in "intensity" which I would assume means lumens.

The 5500K bulbs deliver 3400 lm at 35W. So take 3400 lm multiply by 1.2 for the 20% gain and you get 4080 lm for the 6500K bulb driven by 50W. Even if you do 3200 lm multiplied by 1.2 you get 3840 lm.

So it seams HID gives more light at a lower Wattage than the halogen upgrade.

Links to TRS/Morimoto Data: https://www.theretrofitsource.com/a...Toyota+Tacoma&preselect=&preselect_restrict=1

 

i looked into details and specs, but in the end i had to ask how my setup of 35w / 4300k / round bulbs performed, and if it was satisfactory. unquestionably yes, i am a light nut but have no need to push beyond 35w / 4300k. it's an amazing bit of output and clarity, wouldn't change a thing.

 

@St.Germain I understand where you are coming from. I too feel satisfied with my setup. I just went big off the bat because I didn't want buyers remorse later if I wasn't satisfied with the 35W setup.

 

Yep, just putting out options so people are informed. With the slick OEM projectors on the 3rd Gen the halogen upgrade is admittedly less appealing for sure compared to the earlier trucks that utilize reflector technology which then require a more expensive projector retrofit to go to an HID upgrade. Some people though are put off by running supporting components like ballasts and would rather have a stock technology upgrade. There is no question that HIDs will outperform halogens for a given wattage in an HID compatible housing.