3rd Gen HID vs LED vs Halogen H11 projector headlights

https://www.goodmoneysense.com/h11-to-h9-conversion/

 

You trim the tab or you have Jedi powers like crash. I trim.

 

Yep, always just trimmed the tabs (warning, some seem to use a more brittle plastic than others, use a shar pair of small sidecutters and take small snips of material at a time until you're sized down appropriately)

 

Just need to get the angle right, or you can trim the tab. But it will fit without trimming, as demonstrated here:
https://youtu.be/FXL8LahHiuI?si=9GHnHHXvsdOvvgoG

 

it's not Philips H9 is out of spec, H9 is different from H11. Top is H11 ( with ceramic paint shade at bulb top) and bottom is H9 without paint. Main top base tab need to be trimmed to match H11, and also input socket, connector locator ribs need trimming to fit.

 

It’s worth reiterating that for 3rd gen Tacoma, no base plastic tab trimming is needed. Simply remove the green insert and it plugs right in.

The metal rib / tab / fin is the one which I trim to match h11 as it makes insertion much easier. Not 100% mandatory but worth the 30s effort. Flush cutters make quick work of the job and it’s pretty obvious where to cut. I usually score more than cut and then flex to snap, makes for a slightly cleaner edge than pure cutting does, at least for me. Also ideal to avoid multiple snips as that’s what can lead to thin shards which might then separate, potentially inside the housing.

Lots of mods look easier than they are. This one is even easier than it looks and very satisfying.

 

Is there a surefire way to identify an OEM LED headlight? I found a pair locally for $500 total...but I need to verify they are legit OEM lol. I could toss my H9s out!

from the pictures it looks like they might be actual OEM…idk though.

 

I think you can count the reflectors. I remember seeing the copy cats have more reflectors than OEM. Not sure where I saw that info specifically but I'm sure Crash knows

 

Well, they looked legit enough to me and I bought them! Going to order the harness from @daveeasa now and hope that the lights actually work lol.

stoked to have hopefully the best performing led housing out there!

 

Photos looked legit to me. Some people don’t realize what they cost.

 

Yep, $500 is a steal if they work. Anywho, you’ll be seeing an order from me for a harness

oh, the guy swapped to Anzo headlights..I felt bad.

 

Please swap out the fin trim plates with something nicer. Oh how those bug me.

 

Who makes an aftermarket one? I may as well while I have it out of the truck.

 

https://mesocustoms.com/products/headlight-trim-plates

That’s option 1 and you may find the same elsewhere if you check all the partners.

Then there are some which can feed from the sidemarker (which is otherwise capped) and light up:

https://www.aspireautoaccessories.c...bezel-kidney-trim-for-2016-2023-toyota-tacoma

 

The copycats used to have less reflector buckets than OEM, meaning less emitters. However there are now some that use the same amount, though their output is significantly worse and doesn’t compare in the slightest, even though at first glance they look the same.

Those units look to say Toyota and made in Mexico on the back. All copycats are going to be made in China and not stamped with Toyota branding.

 

Very happy with these in my high beams, IMO they are just too bright for mains.

 

And how far do they light up? In my experience, LED lit up the 10, 15 ft at max ft in front of the car, and nothing up up ahead, not to mention the glare they created.

 

I have cheap LED's in my S10 and while better than stock they splatter light all over and are difficult to get focused. These SL2 Pros are tight and focused with clear cut off lines and took very little adjusting to get them straight up and down in the headlight lens. They blast way way down the road, and well up the sides of the road too so I can see deer and other animals before they run out in front of me.

I wanted the stock LED's but my truck wasn't built with them. Now with great options like this I'm glad it didn't come with them.

 

I no longer have to wait for a “good” LED for the halogen housing. My $500 OEM headlights work great! Stoked to test them out tonight in the dark.