Are LED headlights worth the trouble

Hey crash how are these factory LEDs in the 3rd gen’s compared to the ultimate headlight mod for second gens? I just went from a second gen truck with the ultimate headlight mod done to a ‘21 pro with the LED headlights. I think my old truck still had slightly better light output but maybe I’m just crazy?

 

A friend has a Tacoma with the optional LED lights. He has issues with them icing over this winter. Funny how I didn’t have that issue the same day with standard lights.

 

I was disappointed in myself for not getting the OEM LED Headlights installed before I took delivery...a $480 add-on.

After-the-fact, I bought my LEDs from Sparks:

L - $664.92
R - $661.00
H - $85
Total - $1410.92
Total includes shipping

Install date Feb 2022.

I am very happy with the results!

Delivery May 14, 2021



Harness - $85


Kick-ass LEDs



Install



Result



How she looks today.

 

My Kawasaki Mule has 2 sets of headlights right next to each other, one standard and one LED. Because LED's ice.

 

@daveeasa made a nice chart comparing the Gens and bulb options from all my measurements in post #4477. You are correct, the ultimate 2nd Gen upgrade outperforms the OEM LED in 3rd Gen in peak intensity. What's also interesting though is seeing how poor the 3rd Gen halogens are compared to 2nd Gen, the OEM LED is definitely the way to go for 3rd Gen.

 

If I ever get my headlights properly aimed I could maybe do a comparison shot of first gen Tundra vs 2nd gen Tacoma vs OEM LED 3rd gen Tacoma. That might be an interesting one.

 

I followed this video for my Form Lighting headlights, and it worked pretty well for me.

 

Good info. Thanks

 

Growing up in the pre-Halogen era of head lights, I find the stock projector headlights to be amazing...

 

After reading so much headlight info on here for a longtime (thanks Crash for the scientific data, much more valuable than just opinions) I’ve almost saved enough pennies to get the OEM LEDs. Checking current prices and Sparks seems to be winning.
Seems odd the TRD Pro assemblies are about $20 cheaper. I assume these are the same as standard assemblies with PRO badges?? I don’t think my TRDOR wouldn’t mind the PRO badge on the headlights if it saved me $40.

 

I believe the PRO headlights have no chrome as well.

 

I know this is a 3rd gen thread, But I have to chime in. I replaced the housings on my 2006, OEM style, and I put the Fahren Termitor LEDs in it, along with LED turn signals and parking lights, and the foglights. I put in the relay that stops the hyper blinking also. Actually I've replaced every bulb on the truck (except for dash lights) with LEDs. The headlight bulb temp is 210* vs 750* for halogen, and the bus module only gets to 120*, so no heat issues. I have had Zero issues aiming or with cutoffs or weird beams etc. The reason I say all this is because the replacement bulbs seem to have made huge strides in the past couple years. The reviews I have watched have also tested them in projector housings, and had fantastic results. If a guy wanted to spend 50 instead of 500, I wouldn't hesitate to try bulbs first.

 

They are, by far, the best headlights I've had on any car I've owned.

 

It is a very nice comparison. Have you tested HIR bulbs? I used to run the original round Toshiba HIR bulbs in my Isuzu Axiom (reflectors with light shields) and they were amazing. Switched wife's' RAV4 projectors from side inserted 9005 to side inserted Phillips HIR1 9011. Cut off is the same and filament size and placement are the same as with 9005.

 

Yeah, the Toshiba HIR's are awesome, ran them in the '18 Odyssey at @crashnburn80 's suggestion and they were the best high beams I've ever experienced. I want to buy a T4R just to have that option again Latest testing reveals the Sylvania Korean made 9011's slightly edge the Toshibas, I have some, but no rig to put them in right now as the wife traded in the minivan.

Time is my constraint, next most critical item on the list of work to do is replace O2 sensors on the '02 Tundra which is throwing a CEL. And I have to get the bulbs right on the gauges, some halogens burned out and I tried LED's but you have to guess and check polarity with LED so right now I can't see MPH and gas gauge at night without using my phone as a flashlight. I even have a pretty flat space to do headlight aiming, just don't have the time to spend on it.

 

Hold out. We are coming up on sale season. All of the Toyota parts sites will be having sales for the summer holidays and up to $200 in free shipping. I caught 25% off when I got mine. It was 1.15k shipped to Alaska. Any normal state would have been just over 1k

 

Thanks for the heads up. I’ll definitely wait…longer days means less headlight time anyway.

 

OP I did LED bulbs and it was a huge upgrade but you have to make sure you are getting a good LED bulb. . do your homework.