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3rd Gen HID vs LED vs Halogen H11 projector headlights

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by crashnburn80, Jan 25, 2019.

  1. May 18, 2021 at 10:44 AM
    #4861
    daveeasa

    daveeasa FBC Harness Solutions Vendor

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    Anyone wishing to procure a pair of H9 connectors, thread is here and also in my sig.
     
  2. May 24, 2021 at 10:11 AM
    #4862
    blaklabl

    blaklabl Well-Known Member

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    So as a follow up, I did install both the Hella 2.0 H9 in the low beams (got the yellow plastic inserts from @daveeasa, highly recommended) and the amber Lamin-X film for my stock fogs. I am pleased with both - sorry this isn't a great forward looking comparison, but the color of the Hella's is definitely "whiter". Overall happy with the changes.IMG_9905.jpg IMG_9904.jpg
     
  3. May 24, 2021 at 10:20 AM
    #4863
    tclavell

    tclavell Assistant to the Assistant Manager

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    i don't like 'em. You need to go OEM LED :D:boink:
     
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  4. May 24, 2021 at 9:25 PM
    #4864
    daveeasa

    daveeasa FBC Harness Solutions Vendor

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    Question for crash and the gang, of all the best halogen bulbs for 3rd gen projector, which do we suspect has the longest lifespan?

    I ask because I just did H9’s and Toshiba HIR high beams in my bro in law’s 2017 Ram. He has a bull bar and to change a bulb requires removing the assemblies but they don’t fit through the bars. So you have to stand in front of the truck and wrench for 20 ish minutes. It’s quite the hassle.

    As for the HIR’s, when it comes to high beam performance, they simply rule. Check out these photos of me blasting my house with light from the minivan.

    H9 low beams

    E0FC1565-E84F-409D-A44E-DD07DC7DBE9F.jpg

    Toshiba HIR 9011 high beams
    C71C041F-26AC-43D9-8EDD-4EAEA2206451.jpg

    Oh, and yes, I bought on a T with a hill then proceeded to have not one but two kids so for sure I’m a dumbass. :)
     
  5. May 24, 2021 at 10:03 PM
    #4865
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

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    The Philips H9s are rated at 400 hrs, as are the Philips Xtreme +100 H11s and the Philips Xtreme Pro150s H11s. The GE/Tungsrams are pretty low. Night breakers lasers are only 250 hrs. Short of staying with something close to stock performance for maximum longevity the Philips H9s seem like the way to go for performance vs lifespan.
     
    Toy_Runner and daveeasa[QUOTED] like this.
  6. May 24, 2021 at 10:07 PM
    #4866
    daveeasa

    daveeasa FBC Harness Solutions Vendor

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    And the green LL bulbs I replaced, looks like they are spec'd at 2000h. The thing about this specific truck is that it does long hauls with lots of night driving. I think they have put 10k on so far, maybe 15k. I'm guessing 20% of that is night driving, maybe more. I'm thinking I might have put myself on the hook for annual bulb changes now :)
     
  7. May 24, 2021 at 10:16 PM
    #4867
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

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    Ugh LL bulbs. Last forever, but that seems more like a curse than a benefit.
     
  8. May 24, 2021 at 10:22 PM
    #4868
    daveeasa

    daveeasa FBC Harness Solutions Vendor

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    These dodge headlights are not built for quick bulb changes.

    Steps to replace a bulb:

    1. Open trap door inside wheel well
    2. Push white tab up (NOTE: you cannot see this tab unless you mash your cheek on the tread or you are 3 years or younger so you go by feel)
    3. Unbolt from the rear, 10mm but you need a medium extension
    4. Pop hood, unbolt top bolt, no extension, only easy one
    5. Unbolt the hidden bolt facing down securing the inside lower tab. This requires a very long extension. Also you have to somehow extract this bolt. So you need tape or a magical socket which is also magnetic? Perhaps such a thing exists. This one takes several turns too so you might want a cordless driver to do the twirling for you
    6. Pull out the headlight from the outside edge rotating around the inside edge to release the retaining pin (much like the Tacoma taillight)
    7. Once loose from all bindings, wiggle the inside lip out from the edge of the grille and now you can finally extract the assembly. Note that some bull bars apparently do not allow you to extract it so you may wish to have a towel handy to avoid scratching or cracking the lens on the bar
    8. Remove 3 retaining pins for the harness and 2 sealing plugs to access the bulbs

    Swap bulbs and reverse the process to reinstall, ending with pulling the hidden white tab down to lock it in place.

    Totally nuts on the design. Not something you want to be doing on the side of the road.
     
  9. May 25, 2021 at 1:34 AM
    #4869
    Toy_Runner

    Toy_Runner Well-Known Member

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    ^^^ If thats the process, regardless of the bulbs rated lifespan, I'd suck it up and change them out annually. Better to do it a nice afternoon/evening in my driveway than wait and have to try and do it on the side of the road or in a random parking lot somewhere (because odds and luck would probably make it a night when the weather is shite).
     
    crashnburn80[OP] likes this.
  10. May 25, 2021 at 7:13 AM
    #4870
    daveeasa

    daveeasa FBC Harness Solutions Vendor

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    Yes, I think this became my problem. Because a bulb burnout mid horse haul would be a pain. One complication is they are in Seattle and I’m in San Diego. This is the first time I’ve had mod time on that truck while it’s parked down here. We haul up on Tuesday.

    The LL’s, as lousy as they are, do provide one small piece of value by reducing frequency of this cumbersome task.
     
  11. May 25, 2021 at 7:22 AM
    #4871
    Aws123

    Aws123 Well-Known Member

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    I have to agree with Toy Runner. Just do annual changes. Good lighting is important. Its been a while since i worked on one, but can you get the grill off with the grill guard on? Even just unbolting the top and pulling it forward? It makes for pulling headlights much easier.
     
    Last edited: May 25, 2021
  12. May 25, 2021 at 7:32 AM
    #4872
    DaveHasTacos

    DaveHasTacos Active Member

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  13. May 25, 2021 at 7:55 AM
    #4873
    skierd

    skierd Well-Known Member

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    My Outback had to change headlights from the wheel well too, and unfortunately it ate bulbs for whatever reason. Trying to pull the wheel well liner down at -30F so I can see driving home was one of the reasons I traded it for a Tacoma. You shouldn’t have to take half the car apart to change headlights, it’s stupid.
     
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  14. May 25, 2021 at 1:36 PM
    #4874
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

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    If set on LED, you're going to be far better off with one of the ones recommended in the thread. Hikari Ultras, Morimoto 2stroke 3.0s or Philips Ultinon Pro9000. Poorly designed LEDs may seem bright, but they just produce a bunch of misleading foreground light and loss of distance light which looks brighter but does not illuminate as far as stock.
     
  15. May 25, 2021 at 3:50 PM
    #4875
    replica9000

    replica9000 Das ist no bueno

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    I don't understand why manufactures would make access to what is basically a maintenance item so difficult. I recently replaced the bulbs in my father's F-250, which is probably more involved than this. I'm glad Toyota keeps it simple.
     
  16. May 25, 2021 at 4:44 PM
    #4876
    replica9000

    replica9000 Das ist no bueno

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    I was going to do this on my 4Runner, but I forgot that mine doesn't have these plastic bits.

    IMG_20210525_191407~01.jpg

    Also, I let this adapter go a little too long...
    The plastic flaked off like burnt paper. :eek:
    IMG_20210525_192629.jpg
    Even the bulb looks a little burnt on the back
    IMG_20210525_191236.jpg

    I have a fresh of H9s to install, going to trim the tabs rather than use any adapters.
     
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  17. May 25, 2021 at 5:17 PM
    #4877
    daveeasa

    daveeasa FBC Harness Solutions Vendor

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    If you de-pin and get a photo of the terminal I can tell you if it’s a match to the ones I have.
     
  18. May 26, 2021 at 6:00 PM
    #4878
    travadol

    travadol Well-Known Member

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    A couple theories:

    1)Design and engineering don't always align with maintenance. I used to work at an oil change place in high school and I was blown away by how difficult it was to change the oil on some vehicles.

    2) Because a large majority of car owners wouldn't take-on something like that and would go the dealer and pay to get the bulb replaced.
     
  19. Jun 3, 2021 at 12:27 AM
    #4879
    Yodastacotruck

    Yodastacotruck Well-Known Member

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    Just ordered me a set of the hikari ultras off Amazon there on sale right now, anyone running these have luck with them lasting over a year?
     
  20. Jun 3, 2021 at 6:58 AM
    #4880
    blaklabl

    blaklabl Well-Known Member

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    Mine lasted about 3 months, maybe a little less. They looked great and performed well, but ultimately I went with the H9 low beam swap and am happy with it.
     

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