Retrofit or OEM headlights?

Same guy, it was me.

While they did better than other LED headlights, they still failed to outperform a halogen upgrade. And then there was the fact their cutoffs were reversed from what they should be as they were never intended for North America, so they are not recommended.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-ultimate-headlight-upgrade-vs-philips-led-headlights.460313/

 

Just to add to what crashnburn said above, there just really aren't that many options, especially for the 1st gen trucks. At least with the 2nd gens you can get the TRD Pro housings (which, iirc, is what he used in the ultimate upgrade); they are high quality, but still only designed for halogens and still don't add functionality beyond halogens (IMO, mostly for looks).

Our 1st gens are just old trucks, and there just really isn't a good solid upgrade (over oem) headlight housings unless you go with a genuine retrofit, and those are hard to DIY and not have them leak.

Another drawback (aside from being right hand drive) to the LED bulbs crash reviewed is the cost: $220. Including new housings, the HD harness, and bulbs, my "upgrade" was a hair under $200. I needed new housings as mine were faded and UV damaged, so it wouldn't have mattered what bulbs I put in. Plus, if you read the description in the link in Crash's review, even Phillips says it's not a perfect match.

Hey @crashnburn80, do you know if that link you posted for those Phillips bulbs is still for the right hand drive bulbs? I was looking at it and is says NOTHING about being RHD... Seems kinda shady to sell those like that if you ask me...

 

I'll be doing a retrofit on the 1st gen using the d2s morimoto 4.0's, shouldn't be hard because you basically screw them in but I'll also be using steelstik per TRS's youtube video to ensure its secured in there good. They also sell headlight seal kits too but I also buy these moisture packs and toss them in the headlights.

 

I wish I had captured more pics and better documented before selling them, or not sold them to be able to reference in the future.

If you look at Philips international site, the LED H4s are listed as products in Asian markets, however when looking at the Philips North American site they are not listed as an available product.

Most LED vendors don't list the fact that the vast majority of their products are not properly engineered, blind everyone and are a downgrade in performance. So being properly engineered but for reverse drive is a significant step up in shadiness from the norm.

 

Retro's all the way. Won't go back...

 

Nice looking truck kamaaina,truck looks like it's ready for anything that get in its path!

 

Thank you! I'm planning on a "build" post soon.
Thanks again!!

 

How much to mount it on a wiper blade

 

I like even numbers, $1,000 Should do. Should I PM you my paypal, or are you too much of a noob to know where PM's are found?

 

Kamaaina1, are you talking "build post" for your projector headlights? Just wondering which projectors & size that you used?

 

Looks like the square D2S 3.0 projectors

 

No, "Street Ambitionz" did the install. Over the past few months, I've done a lot of long overdue R&R and upgrades to my rig.
Sorry...