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Best LED bulbs for Low and High beams

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by shanekss415, Jan 25, 2021.

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  1. Jan 25, 2021 at 2:24 PM
    #1
    shanekss415

    shanekss415 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hey there guys, thinking about trying to brighten up my stock headlights. I've been currently using the Hikari bulbs for a couple years now and they work well but was wondering what everyone else is using and how they like them.

    I am using stock housings.

    FB_IMG_1606500565771.jpg
     
    =JSG= likes this.
  2. Jan 25, 2021 at 2:27 PM
    #2
    CT Yankee

    CT Yankee Well-Known Member

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    Only aesthetic mods so far Leer 180 cap & Clazzio covers on order.
    There are a number of threads on TW covering headlights. If your stock headlights did not have LEDs, then the reflectors are not configured for LEDs and you'll gain no real benefit. Chase the threads here for more background.
     
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  3. Jan 25, 2021 at 2:29 PM
    #3
    chstaco

    chstaco Well-Known Member

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  4. Jan 25, 2021 at 2:47 PM
    #4
    VaToy

    VaToy Life Long Member

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    Diode dynamic sl1 for my high and low beams and to me they out perform the stock halogen and the ge mega 130. I will never go back to halogen despite what the test have shown and what people may say or think. I'm happy and satisfied with them.
     
  5. Jan 25, 2021 at 3:15 PM
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    wayne0

    wayne0 Well-Known Member

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  6. Jan 25, 2021 at 3:47 PM
    #6
    chstaco

    chstaco Well-Known Member

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    Every single truck, semi, tuner car around here.

    [​IMG]
     
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  7. Jan 25, 2021 at 3:56 PM
    #7
    oyemengitsamie

    oyemengitsamie amie.

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    been considering these. they’re that good?
     
    shanekss415[OP] likes this.
  8. Jan 25, 2021 at 3:59 PM
    #8
    Tigris99

    Tigris99 Well-Known Member

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    Only 2 things come from led bulbs in halogen reflectors, eye strain due to too much blue light and pissing off everyone in front of you. Not to mention actually illegal in most states (and police enforce it when you blind them)

    Leds would work great if they would use the proper ones, but everyone uses basically cool white.
     
  9. Jan 25, 2021 at 4:07 PM
    #9
    hiPSI

    hiPSI Laminar Flow

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    The brighter the light, the shorter the bulb life.
     
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  10. Jan 25, 2021 at 4:24 PM
    #10
    RedWings44

    RedWings44 Well-Known Member

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    This goes down significantly when you actually do research before arbitrarily throwing in bulbs
     
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  11. Jan 25, 2021 at 4:32 PM
    #11
    RedWings44

    RedWings44 Well-Known Member

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    There are a lot of factors at play with LEDs. The most important is you need to research and find a good bulb. There's several threads on this. But, the main thing you need to look for is for the position and size of the LED chip to closely match the size and location of the filament of the stock halogen since that's what the housing was designed for. Otherwise you won't project light very well and will produce a lot of glare (thus the complaints). Foreground light is often great with all of these, but projection is where they fall short. None of them perfectly match the positioning and size, but a few get close.

    I also find your environment and your visual perception also play huge factors. My LEDs are a massive upgrade over stock, in my experience. No, I haven't used a lux meter or anything. However, I can tell you I can spot deer much easier and see the side of the road much easier, all without ever being flashed a single time (I used to get flashed all the time in my GMC with stock halogen bulbs and stock alignment). Personally, I like the S-V.4 from Headlight Revolution and I did a review on it on here. As of that review, it had not yet been tested in the mega thread.
     
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  12. Jan 25, 2021 at 4:54 PM
    #12
    VaToy

    VaToy Life Long Member

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    LEDs are changing everyday, so the test are not always up to date. I have read the thread but my LEDs are clearly better, I see further, see more of the road, and the side of the road. My LEDs are far superior to the GE mega 130s all day long. Now this is my opinion and review. Test are one thing and I have never been flashed by on coming traffic, ever! Buy a reputable led from DD or I think hawkins lights. I may have the name wrong. Personally if you see an improvement and you like them go with it!
     
  13. Jan 25, 2021 at 5:04 PM
    #13
    RedWings44

    RedWings44 Well-Known Member

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    That's what happens when you don't bother to research the proper bulbs at all. I've never once been flashed with my LEDs. However, I had a GMC Canyon with stock halogens and was flashed all the time. Stock alignment and no lift or leveling kit either (for anyone claiming that's not a big deal these days).

    They aren't illegal in "most states." They're illegal in all states for on road use per the NHTSA. However, outside of an inspection or other civil issue, if you do proper research you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who actually cares.
     
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  14. Jan 25, 2021 at 5:43 PM
    #14
    Tigris99

    Tigris99 Well-Known Member

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    I simply didn't check to verify because some states don't enforce. Many states do. I know many officers that do.

    Most people have no clue wth they are buying, do no research and so on. Thus tons of idiots blinding everyone. I have a good grasp on LED systems. More than most, kind of an "obsession" or geeking out, however you want to word it. One of my good friend was an optical engineer for Diode.
     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2021
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  15. Jan 25, 2021 at 7:28 PM
    #15
    RedWings44

    RedWings44 Well-Known Member

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    It just depends on the place and what kind of things they have to deal with. Plus, it is kind of hard to write a ticket against a NHTSA rule without a motor vehicle code statute to go with it.

    I definitely agree about that second statement. I won't sway people away, especially when they're here actually asking and trying to do some research rather than buying the cheapest Amazon set they can find. None are perfect, but they're constantly improving. But I do inform them that they are illegal per the NHTSA for on road use in halogen housings.
     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2021
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  16. Jan 25, 2021 at 7:32 PM
    #16
    shanekss415

    shanekss415 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I've never had anyone complain about blinding anyone and my cutoff is still clean. If you buy the right led bulbs you don't necessarily have glare and blinding. I've been behind my friends that have lowered cars and even said my lights were bright but not blinding.
     
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  17. Jan 25, 2021 at 7:36 PM
    #17
    shanekss415

    shanekss415 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Ive drive through many nights with leds and no eye strain, also been behind plenty of cops and highway patrols in washington, oregon and california even Nevada and no issues... ‍♂️
     
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  18. Jan 25, 2021 at 7:38 PM
    #18
    shanekss415

    shanekss415 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I've seen some and read them but I have gotten some benefit with my current bulbs but I was seeking if there might be a better option than I have currently.
     
  19. Jan 25, 2021 at 8:13 PM
    #19
    RedWings44

    RedWings44 Well-Known Member

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    If you have time to read a bit, check out my review here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/headlight-revolution-s-v-4-led-review.695576/

    As noted, they measure a little closer to the halogens than the Hikaris do according to the mega thread, but you have to take that with a grain of salt. I love them, but they cost more than the Hikaris.
     
  20. Jan 25, 2021 at 9:41 PM
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    VaToy

    VaToy Life Long Member

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    I don't believe everything I read however I believe what I see. Driving on the dark roads where I live prove otherwise. My DD outperformed the halogens by far. I know what I see, these lights are better, this is my opinion and you won't change that no matter what test you show me. Its very simple, if I see a difference thats all that matters!
     
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