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Can anyone recommend some good aftermarket headlights for my 97?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by SkunkMan17, Jul 12, 2018.

  1. Jul 12, 2018 at 8:03 PM
    #1
    SkunkMan17

    SkunkMan17 [OP] Jerry-rigging everything

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    I'm looking for a new pair of aftermarket led headlights for my 97... I've been looking at a few options on Amazon for 7x6 headlights, but I don't know which ones to choose, i dont wanna spend too much, and i want some headlights that have a lo-beam/hi-beam option on them. Don't have to be DOT approved, just led ones that are pretty good quality and preferably under 100$.
     
  2. Jul 12, 2018 at 8:42 PM
    #2
    2BeersPlease

    2BeersPlease Well-Known Member

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    Sure you want LEDs? I think @crashnburn80 might be the guy to give you some input.
     
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  3. Jul 12, 2018 at 8:48 PM
    #3
    lukester78

    lukester78 Well-Known Member

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  4. Jul 12, 2018 at 9:28 PM
    #4
    SkunkMan17

    SkunkMan17 [OP] Jerry-rigging everything

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  5. Jul 12, 2018 at 11:05 PM
    #5
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 Vehicle Design Engineer

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    This is the downside to LEDs: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/why-leds-should-not-be-run-in-halogen-reflectors.454371/

    These E-codes are going to be by far the most effective mod per dollar for increased light output in a sealed beam truck. I cannot recommend these enough.

    But the E-codes are only a base platform, you can then step it up to high powered halogens and have extreme performance, better than what is shown in this thread with DOT housings:
    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-ultimate-headlight-upgrade-h4-not-led-or-hid.398066/
     
  6. Jul 12, 2018 at 11:13 PM
    #6
    aeok18109

    aeok18109 Well-Known Member

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  7. Jul 12, 2018 at 11:38 PM
    #7
    whitetaco01

    whitetaco01 Well-Known Member

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  8. Jul 12, 2018 at 11:49 PM
    #8
    Speedytech7

    Speedytech7 Toyota Cult Ombudsman

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    I've done a mod or two
  9. Jul 13, 2018 at 12:08 AM
    #9
    UnderFire

    UnderFire Well-Known Member

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    My preference is the H4 halogen conversion lights, they drop in and look somewhat factory, but have a clear lens and full reflector inside instead of the chrome lining and foggy lens of sealed beams.

    Overall you get better light output and the ability to drop in a better set of bulbs if needed. I ran the yellow tinted lens eBay ones that are about 40$ a pair and dropped in GE nighthawk bulbs for another 15$ and they worked great.
     
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  10. Jul 13, 2018 at 10:11 AM
    #10
    SkunkMan17

    SkunkMan17 [OP] Jerry-rigging everything

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    Thanks for sending those. Those look like a pretty good option for me.

    I just gotta worry about my front struts and my shock absorbers before i buy some new headlights.
     
  11. Dec 20, 2018 at 4:25 PM
    #11
    SnowroxKT

    SnowroxKT Well-Known Member

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  12. Dec 20, 2018 at 4:48 PM
    #12
    Babybluetaco

    Babybluetaco Well-Known Member

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    29$ clear 7x6 housings and 29$ ebay LEDs. Ran them in every truck I’ve had always liked them

    593CA69E-DF1C-4516-9B40-4B2903450005.jpg
    FBC353BC-8820-4282-86E8-DD7EDF301CC2.jpg
     
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  13. Dec 20, 2018 at 6:11 PM
    #13
    Speedytech7

    Speedytech7 Toyota Cult Ombudsman

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    I've done a mod or two
    Need a 20 dollar harness to convert it from ground side switched to positive switch. But it's all plug and play no splicing
     
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  14. Dec 20, 2018 at 6:24 PM
    #14
    RysiuM

    RysiuM Well-Known Member

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    Was Golden State, now Poland EU
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    DD Deck+backup camera, LED DRL, All LED except H4 Hella
    But you may not be liked by the other drivers. ;)

    Unfortunately our 95-97 trucks came from the factory with headlights that belong to automotive in 1950 - that what the stock H6054 is. The first thing to do is to replace H6054 with quality 6x7 H4 lamp. It is easier to replace H4 bulb (just opening the hood and pull the bulb off) than H6054 which requires to pull out the grille.

    For drop in replacement of stock sealed beam housing I recommend e-coded Hella (very good light pattern, very strong glass) or E-coded Autopal lamp (for half price is quite close to Hella for the beam pattern and decent glass). Stay away from sealed beam H6054, plastic H4 conversion, sealed LED or projector-like looking lamps. All these don't perform, regardless what seller is claiming.

    As far as LED drop-in H4 bulbs in reflector housing, they just don't cut it. It does not matter if LED bulb has shield or not - the problem with low beam is in the LED chip size, position and orientation - it is wrong for reflector housing. Some owners may say they are OK, but it does not mean they do perform better than good quality halogen bulb in quality housing, and for sure none of them would pass EU inspection. Sorry, as much as people want LED in all cars, the technology is not there yet. LED chip does not work the same way as halogen filament does. The main issue is that when people want it, there will be others who will take advantage on them and will offer shitty products with BS claims and incorrect information. But I still blame uneducated buyer, not sneaky seller.

    If someone needs more light off road (or open road with not traffic), by all means put as many LED light bars as needed, but for DD in the traffic where most of the driving is with low beams, just stick to solid cut-off and low beam pattern spread on the road directly in front of the truck - that good quality H4 halogen bulb can give. I did the same in my 4Runner quality halogen bulb in stock reflector housing for low beam and added 28 inch LED bar (145W) between headlights turned on together with hi beams. That additional 14000 lm from LED bar helps when driving in woods or open roads ( ). Still looking for similar solution to my Tacoma.
     
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  15. Dec 20, 2018 at 6:25 PM
    #15
    Babybluetaco

    Babybluetaco Well-Known Member

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    I don’t get flashed running the ones I have. Aim the headlights down and call it a day
     
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  16. Dec 20, 2018 at 6:27 PM
    #16
    RysiuM

    RysiuM Well-Known Member

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    That defeats the purpose. The other solution would be to never take them out of the box:rolleyes:
     
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  17. Dec 20, 2018 at 6:29 PM
    #17
    Babybluetaco

    Babybluetaco Well-Known Member

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    To each there own I guess. Ran them in plenty of trucks. Never been flashed. I understand the cut off isn’t right and all that. But they work do there job and are better than factory. Never had issues in my full size Cummins being flashed and it sat higher than my Tacoma
     
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  18. Dec 20, 2018 at 6:33 PM
    #18
    DaveInDenver

    DaveInDenver Not Actually in Denver

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    The Hella E-codes are one of the things I miss most about my 1991. Stock headlights pretty much suck across the board and those housings rocked. Very distinct cut off, very even light field below. I had them with slightly bumped 85W/80W Osram bulbs and a relay harness. Loved those lights. HIGHLY recommend those.
     
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  19. Dec 20, 2018 at 9:24 PM
    #19
    aeok18109

    aeok18109 Well-Known Member

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    Check my post from earlier with the link. The lights were easy to install in hindsight and to this day are super bright without blinding anyone.
     
  20. Dec 21, 2018 at 3:38 AM
    #20
    RysiuM

    RysiuM Well-Known Member

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    Just to bump up an expectations let me state this: most of H4 or LED will have better lighting than stock sealed beam (especially 8 dollars basic H6054 lamp). But if the base line for comparison is set to quality Phillips or Silvana (Osram in Europe) halogen H4 bulb in Hella housing the "upgrade" to LED does not look so good. The only thing that you can be sure LED "upgrade" will give you is "whiter" light color, but while it looks "cool" it is not necessary better for visibility. Actually the optimal color for your eyes is less than 4000K (you see more at night when using lower Kelvin color). It does not have "modern look", but it is better for visibility and safety at the same time.
    Low beam cut off and light pattern is still the big obstacle for LED.

    Researching the LED 6x7 lights I see some new products pop-up from time to time. I'm talking about dedicated and designed from scratch the whole lamp, not H4 bulb (like I wrote before the H4 LED bulb substitute is the wrong path). Something like the newest "GENSSI 7x6 LED Projector Headlights Sealed Beam Replacement DOT"

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu8C1CZ8W20

    This is really the only way to go if you want LED and be safe: specially designed housing for dedicated LED chips. We are getting closer but still not there yet (in my opinion). The good thing is that we have the same lamps as Jeep, and really the Jeep market is driving 6x7 lamps development, not 3 years Tacoma models. So maybe one day we will have some good LED 5x7 lamp.

    By the way if you want to see what the "low beam cut off" should look like in reflector housing check the video (different car, but will give you idea how we do it in Europe). Skip the boring introduction just watch the light pattern and cut of line. This is not projector, but standard reflector housing. Actually the similar cut off you have with Hella 6x7 with H4 halogen bulb.

    https://youtu.be/q1T1RfwIGv0?t=249
     
    Last edited: Dec 21, 2018
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