3rd Gen HID vs LED vs Halogen H11 projector headlights

I'm back!!!!!

So, I found this thread:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/h11-halogen-fog-light-bulbs-not-fitting.522830/

I have these H11 lights:

$14 GP Thunder H11 3500K 55W JDM Golden Yellow High Performance Xenon Halogen Light Bulbs for Compatible Fog Light -High Beam - Low Beam SGP35K-H11 PAIR

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BZ5MOIK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

(Yes, I know....)

They fit great and work great in my headlights. I moved them down to my fog lights, and...they won't even rotate into the housing. It seems like there's something that's preventing them from rotating to seal? They are sitting correctly. I have these in the fogs right now:

$17 Alla Lighting Super Bright H8 H11 LED Fog Lights Bulbs or DRL, 6000K Xenon White H16 H11LL H8LL H1155 Replacement, 2800 Lumens 5730 33-SMD 12V for Cars, Trucks, SUVs, Vans

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H6X6PM2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and those go in and out no problem.

Curious if anyone else has any experience with shenanigans of bulbs not fitting the fogs for some reason?

 

Your 2020 take H16 fogs, not H11. And definitely remove those terrible LEDs from the fogs. Unfortunately H16s are very low performing, I’d suggest snagging some Diode Dynamics SS3 fog replacements on an upcoming sale.

 

From the owners manual. TRD OR has the wide angle, H11 for 2020 double cab.






But I do agree on getting the SS3s.

Edit: And found this
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/h16-fog-light-bulb-replacements.572924/#post-18974802

I was just looking around to see if the OM is wrong, it wouldn't be the first time I've seen mistakes....

 

Not to spam but to keep a different conversation chain going. Have you seen these at all? Curious.

https://www.amazon.com/LASFIT-Headl...ds=tacoma+dual+mode+LED&qid=1607722017&sr=8-1

I'm of the "2900-3500K is my happy range" camp anyway but I know a lot of people like/appreciate the white, and the amber in the fog/snow would be cool if it's just a switchback method to get there!

 

okay. Looks like there are mistakes. This is what I had pulled out of the fog lamp from the factory.



So they are H16, Toyota’s owners manual is wrong.

now. On to the fun stuff. I had H11 from Amazon. They’re cheap, but they still went in without a hitch - my guess, either they made the base to fit both.

I was able to get my phone in there to take a picture, SOMEHOW, and this is the Amazon H11 led cheapie light installed on the passenger side.


Note this is upside down.

what you can’t really tell from the picture is that I’m not 100% sure one of the tabs actually went into the slot before it rotated. I would think it would be way off and easily noticeable, though, if that were the case. So, I’m not sure. They are fully plastic so maybe the cheap plastic construction allowed it to fit just fine? I’m not sure.

anyway. So I did find this a few days ago and do like it.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...bulbs-not-fitting.522830/page-2#post-20055842

point is I actually had to take a dremel to the top tab and trim one side on the GP thunder H11 lights. But, I’ve done that and they fit with a bit of effort, my cheapie V2 lights fit.

the picture below is when I had only done one side to show the difference. Less light but well worth it.




so. Long of the short. The Toyota manual and/brochure is wrong. Cheap Amazon lights will be cheap Amazon lights. I’m glad I have H11s in there instead of the H16s, I like the amber, and I’m going to run this until they’re dead. Once my current stash of headlights die I’ll be getting H9 in amber, maybe try an H9 attempt at a white light but the whitest halogen lights are still too yellow for me in terms of thinking “white” (6000k, 6500k etc). When my fog lights die I will replace the entire setup with some led pods. I think the DD SS3 are the only SAE ones but I could be wrong, caliraised might have some. Either way, it will be a better setup. I would get the rigid from a pro if I can get them cheap but people don’t usually let them go cheap

 

I know on the 4Runner, some have tried to put H11s in the fogs to replace the H16, but they don't seem to fit right. They lock in, but don't seat like they should, which isn't good for the beam pattern. I haven't tried it myself though

 

Please don't confuse lights that "look brighter looking into them" with lights that actually put more light where you can use it - and not piss off oncoming drivers. The problem with almost all drop in LEDs is that they have very little beam control and end up scattering light everywhere - including into the eyes of oncoming drivers. And this will be true no matter how much re-aiming you do. I'd humbly suggest that this is the exact situation you are now in.

If you want significantly better fog lights, take a read through this post by our local lighting expert. Trust me when I tell you that the LED pods he recommends kick butt - and don't bother oncoming drivers when aimed properly.

The LED SAE J583 Fog Pod & Fog Light Review | Tacoma World

 

lol go back and see some of my posts. I don’t have LEDs I went from an HID retrofit down to halogen H11s. This venture was to nix the fog light LED drop ins.

I’ve read a lot and am well aware.

 

I thought you put your plug and play HID kit back in this week?

Also, my 3G fogs are H11. I have Hella XY H11s in mine. Maybe they don’t put the H11 fogs into the 2020s since the upgraded lamps are LED assemblies whereas in the early years the upgraded lamps were still halogen. One of those unlisted changes I suppose.

 

I believe the fog breakdown goes:
05-11 had H10/9145 fogs
12-15 had H11 fogs
16-19 US TRD OR/Sport had H11 fogs
16-19 Canadian OR/Sport had H16 fogs
16-19 non-TRD had H16
16+ TRD Pro had Rigid LED fogs
20+ non-TRD Pro has H16 fogs

 

The LED headlight equipped 2020+ trucks should have LED fog lamps as well, likely the generic Tundra/Lexus fog lamps that were popular prior to all the influx of LED options.

 

I think those are the newer projector LEDs: Toyota LED fogs, not the older Toyota LED reflector fogs.

 

shhhhhhhh

I did but with the better fogs I can get around town with just the fogs on. We have streetlights everywhere. I’m basically treating my headlights for highway use or high beams. Once they burn out they’re going into the trash.

 

Oh I almost forgot about this one too. From when I was dicking around trying to get a picture of the light in the housing that might be seated improperly. Bulb size is stamped on the housing. H16.

 

If you have H16 fogs you can usually find 3rd Gen TRD H11 fogs for a cheap upgrade in the 3rd Gen marketplace section from people that upgraded to LED fogs. Although I’d highly recommend the selective yellow SS3 offerings from Diode Dynamics.

 

I've had the XD xtreme HID's for 3 years and my brother on his taco for 1 year. They've held up beautifully. They were a bit pricey at the time but well worth it.

 

these if anyone was curious

 

I keep coming back like the herp.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/H8-H9-H11-...Adapters-Connector-For-Headlight/224246926682

will these handle the load for the H9? It looks like they’re good to go as is, but I would rather have this and not modify the bulb so that if one goes out when I’m 4000 miles from home I can do it without a dremel. Worth the 6 and a half bucks, but wanted to check people who know more than me if the wiring gauge will be able to handle it.

 

I can't tell what gauge those are, but I would bet 14? They would probably be fine. That being said, shoot me a PM with your address and I will whip you up a set of those. I have some extra connectors that are exactly like that. I didn't use them, so they are all yours

 

Ahhhh shit balls man! I checked the gauge and went with it before I checked here

pay it forward my friend! PS I have your license plate light off when in reverse to get to soon. Probably suffer through the winter so I’m not trying to wire in the cold.