Morimoto LED XB Headlight review

Puppypunter · Aug 18, 2022

@daveeasa is correct, I have made downgrade harnesses before. I am morally ambiguous at best. I am not sure what the issue with these is though. If it is blowing the fuse, I would start with the assumption you have a dead short. If you have a meter, start checking ground to high beam for continuity. Check the adapter harness as well as the headlight.

bwhiteside5 · Aug 22, 2022

i don’t see any pics on the matter, but i wanted to see how the Morimoto Amber DRL Headlight package looked on all switch options DRL, parking, and low&high beams? everything in regards to the headlight only shows it in the DRL setting.

Duceswilder 22 · Aug 22, 2022

MESO[OP] initial post: ↑

First, thanks to @TRSAndrew for the opportunity to test and review these bad boys.
Second, this is a general review. I've only had them in for 1 night so I am giving my first hand impressions.

The Goods:

Everything is plug and play
LOW beam, HIGH beam, And Side marker connectors

The Turn/DRL harness is nice. It has an adapter harness to plug into OEM LED DRL vehicles(TRD,SPORT,PRO,etc)
But if you have a base model(SR/SR5) just remove it and you will have your regular 3pin connector for Turn/DRL/GND

If you don't care for the sequential style turn signal, this is a bypass jumper to go back to standard flashing

Out with the old, in with the new

OLD VS NEW

INSTALLED

DRL

TURN

NIGHT PICS

(I am on an uneven surface)

Here is my unbiased opinion;

Build quality- 9/10 Molds are clean, plastic looks high quality. Better than ANZO/SPYDER almost OEM grade plastic.
Fitment- 9/10. Everything lined up pretty well. Tiny gap near the hood/grill..but nothing major.
Installation-10/10. Everything was PnP. The pigtail DRL/turn adapter will be nice for users with non OEM-LED DRL. The bypass connector for Sequential turns is a benefit as well
Performance- I'll have to break this down into a few sections;
DRL: 10/10. Great output. Awesome intensity, even with the slightly smoked DRL lens. Great attention to detail on the lens design with the optic design to diffuse the light.
TURN: 10/10. Same as above. Would have liked a little more amber, I'd say they are more borderline of "PC AMBER".. but awesome nonetheless.
LOW BEAM: 7/10 Step is a little too drastic for my taste(reminds me of the D2S 4.0's) I would have liked a more subtle step like 5.0, or RX's. NO COLOR band While the cutoff is very sharp and clean.. it lacks that nice color flicker. Not a deal breaker..but I'm so used to it. After talking with Andrew.. they might tune the projector for a little more color in final production units.
HIGH BEAM: 8/10 Decent. Very concentrated, but it works.

Overall, these are the best "over the counter" drop in lights I have seen. You cannot compare them to retrofits as that's a different class.

I'll update when I get to play around with them more.. but these should pacify everyone waiting for them!
Click to expand...

Duceswilder 22 · Aug 22, 2022

Game changers

MidKnight.Taco · Aug 22, 2022

M_McFly said: ↑

i was thinking the same thing especially with the bulbs not being replaceable.
Click to expand...

Don't worry lol I payed $1550 which I'm mad about. All of a sudden they decide to lower the price lol

bwhiteside5 · Aug 23, 2022

but that’s not the amber unit?..

Tacospike · Aug 23, 2022

bwhiteside5 said: ↑

i don’t see any pics on the matter, but i wanted to see how the Morimoto Amber DRL Headlight package looked on all switch options DRL, parking, and low&high beams? everything in regards to the headlight only shows it in the DRL setting.
Click to expand...

You check here?

OFFICIAL XB LED HEADLIGHTS THREAD 16+ | Tacoma World

mashghetto · Sep 21, 2022

I had swapped out the original halogen bulbs from my 2018 trd or for 55w HIDs both low beam and high beam. Low beam had a clean cut off line and was very bright. High beam was extremely bright making it perfect for oncoming cars with high beams always on. After reading many reviews on the alpharex and morimoto headlights, I finally decided to go with the morimoto amber drl 2nd gen headlights. These are supposedly brighter than the 1st gen. First impression is that the headlights seem well made. Fitment is perfect. DRLs are very bright.

However, after turning on the headlights, I realized that this is nowhere near the brightness of the HIDs. A single pair of 55w HIDs on low beam (OEM projectors) outperform 3 pairs of led low beam + 2 pairs of high beam altogether (morimoto). Morimoto high beam is even spotty (dark spots, not as clean as HIDs on OEM reflectors). I understand that most leds cannot compete with HIDs but a pair of HIDs brighter than 5 pairs of led is disappointing. I never expected the morimotos to be as bright but if I had known it was this weak I wouldn't have bought them.

Now it makes me wonder if I some of these reviews I've read are paid for...

Anyway, not all is bad with the morimotos. I have to say for looks I'd give it 10/10. DRLs are bright and overall it looks aggressive/mordern. Turn signal is bright enough so that even when it's sunny, other drives can see your turn signal. Sequential turn signal is nice, but that's personal preference I guess. My only complaint is that brightness really sucks, and you can't replace the bulbs. But, for those who just wants to look pretty, this could be your choice. Otherwise, I think OEM Pro style headlights (then replacing the bulbs with HIDs) is a better choice.

Chief_CNMI · Dec 15, 2022

Does anyone have issues with the projectors in the morimoto? I just got mine in. Gen in amber.
Not even a month. And i realize the driver side projectors seems to vibrate a lot especially on rocky roads. And yes, the driver side headlight I'd both well fitted and tighten down same as the passenger. But the driver side is where I realize the issue.

crashnburn80 · Dec 15, 2022

mashghetto said: ↑

I never expected the morimotos to be as bright but if I had known it was this weak I wouldn't have bought them.

Now it makes me wonder if I some of these reviews I've read are paid for...
Click to expand...

See non-paid for independent v2.0 review here, in post #4548 here.

hotrod 15 · Dec 15, 2022

Dam that MESO grill is ugly

Smokee_yota18 · Jan 17, 2024

If anyone is curious how the lights look when you are behind the wheel.
1st pic is DRL only
2nd is low beams
3rd high beams
4th is what it looks like when I’m driving behind you

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