Headlight mods

I have a 2021 Tacoma sr double cab so it’s the basic model. Should I be able to just buy led light bulbs and install them instead of getting a whole new house unit as well to get led headlights ?

 

You'll be able to run LED bulbs in your current headlight housing, but the light output will be subpar. There's a very detailed thread about this: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-hid-vs-led-vs-halogen-h11-projector-headlights.589465/

 

If anything, consider just looking for a solid HID plug and play install for the low beams only as that bulb housing and setup won't blind anyone and would be a nice upgrade over the stock halogen bulbs.

 

I've been running philips H9s for about 2 years per @crashnburn80 's testing and evaluation. it is cheap, easy, and made a huge difference without blinding other drivers. if I were to go with LEDs, I would buy the factory LED headlamps from toyota.

 

SEALIGHT 9005/HB3 H11/H9/H8 Powersports Fog Bulbs Combo for ATV, Plug and Play, Pack of 4

https://www.amazon.com/SEALIGHT-900...1&keywords=H11+LED+bulb&qid=1626298815&sr=8-7


Plug and play. All 3rd gen projector housings fit the same type bulb.

 

It's virtually impossible to mimic the halogen filament size and placement (which needs to be within approx .3mm from ideal) with any LED emitter. Well, let's say that it's not impossible but it's impossible to do it with emitters that have enough output. So stay away from aftermarket H11 LEDs. They're illegal no matter what they sellers claim, and they're illegal because they either don't meet the mandated luminance levels or cause excessive glare or both. Headlights are one of your major safety related items on your truck. It's important to see effectively but equally important to not create unsafe scenarios out there on the road. The H9 halogen option is the least expensive and one of the most effective upgrades your can make. Or you can run the halogen H11 +130 bulbs from Philips and GE and possibly others, giving up bulb life for performance. Those +130, etc. bulbs are still the standard 55 watts but have increase output due to smaller much more precise filament structure and placement. The H9's are 65 watts and are generally interchangeable, with minor modifications with the standard H11's.

 

Just purchased these, since we have a "projector" style headlight and not a reflector so they should work well: https://www.theretrofitsource.com/2016-tacoma-morimoto-elite-HS-TACOMA?quantity=1

 

Don't be cheap with headlights. GET OEM LED or Morimoto XB units (not bulbs). You're welcome.