Any issues running headlights w/out the rubber seal?

Replaced my oem headlight bulbs with LED bulbs but the new LEDs have dedicated fans and heat fins too large to get the rubber boot over (seals the back of the headlight receiver and bulb) and lock via the metal spring retainer.

Currently I'm running them with no rubber boot but was wondering if there might be future issues down the road? Or immediate issues?

 

Rubber boots keep water out of the connector, lamp, headlight housing, etc. Cheap item to replace if torn or whatever, expensive to fix later when water damaged.

 

I haven't ran any in years. If you wheel in dusty environments you may collect dust inside your fixtures.

 

They're called dust boots.

You'll get some dust inside as time goes on, how much varies on where you drive.

 

Can you trim the stock dust boot, so it'll fit around the LED but the fan will be sticking out? May not be a total seal, but some is better than none.

 

i had issues getting water in mine... but im in rainy Canada.

 

Over time, the combination of dust and moisture will contaminate the active parabolas and insides of the lenses, eventually degrading light output.

 

OP, what LED's did you install. I just did the same today, installed OPT7 Fluxbeam LED's and I was wondering the same thing. Although I have been thinking that the fans need to be in the open to allow for adequate cooling. If you install the boot, you don't want to cover the fan area. I would consider doing installing the boot and doing all I can not to cover the fan area. something to consider

 

Unless you have retrofits, please read this to see why those are a bad idea:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/why-leds-should-not-be-run-in-halogen-reflectors.454371/

 

I don't have retrofits, and I have read this thread previously, although I don't notice "light scatter". I parked my truck on my street (in the dark), hopped in my wifes car, parked at the other end of the street facing my truck (about 100yrds) drove slowly towards my truck and I did not find the new lights on my truck blinding at all. sooooooo, idk?

 

Put bulb through boot first then install. Your headlight will condense

 

I tried that, the collar actually twists off. It was re-applying the spring tension bar that was the issue while the rubber seal was on. There wasn't enough room.

Final thoughts - I've uninstalled them and put the normal H4 bulbs back on. I've run them for one night and the color bothered my eyes. Oh well, it was an impulse Amazon gift card buy and I can send them back.

 

Run this instead, similar color to stock and 2x the output:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-ultimate-headlight-upgrade-not-led-or-hid.398066/

 

Use an led with a removeable heat sink. The led bulb goes in, then the boot and then screw on the heat sink. Ive been running these for a coupoe of years with no issues. No scattered light and the the pattern is the same as the stock bulb. I never get flashed.