New Headlights and DRLs from VLEDS.com for 2nd Gen Taco

Just installed new Micro Evolution 5K High/Low H4 9003 LED headlights and a V6 Triton 5K White/Amber Switchback 3157CK DRL/turn signal combo from VLEDS for my 2014 Taco. Really like the brightness on these. The replacement was very simple: disconnect and remove old headlights and DRLs, connect and install new headlights and DRLS. Everything you need to make it work, including the hardware for the DRL dimming function when the headlights are turned on, is included when you order the bulbs. There is no delay when switching from low to high beams and the output is similar to HIDs. The DRLs I ordered are switchbacks, they stay white and only turn amber when I hit the turn signals, and return to white after about 1-2 seconds after turning off the turn signals. Here's some pictures of the bulbs and harnesses before I installed them:

Headlight harness


DRL harness

 

Well wheres the "in action" pictures!?

 

Here are the pictures from after the install.

Passenger side lights. The passenger side headlight took a little twisting around to install since there was not a lot of space between the socket and the windshield washer fluid tank. You can see the resistor needed to eliminate hyperflash on the DRL/turn signal combo mounted on the left side of the picture. The rest of the wiring I just bundled and ziptied with other wires in the vicinity to clean up the area.


Here is the resistor for the driver's side mounted in the flat spot just in front of the battery.


A closer look at the driver's side headlight. Simple install: just fit the light into the socket then clip the spring mechanism in.


Here is a close up of the driver's side DRL/turn signal combo. Really simple to install, just push then twist to lock it in.

I will get some action pictures tonight and get them posted on here

 

Hard to tell in the pics but make sure there is no wiring touching the hyper flash resistor. It can become extremely hot if you have your blinker on for an extended period of time.

 

Got some "action pics". VLEDS designed the headlights and DRLs to coordinate with each other: when the headlights are in low beam mode, the DRLs are dimmed; when the headlights go into high beam mode, the DRLs go full bright. This is as best as my phone camera can get it; the distance from the truck to the second set of speed bumps is about 400 feet.

Low beam


High beam

 

All that light up high on your low beam pic is why most drivers hate people who install LED in a reflector housing. All that extra glared light is going into other drivers eyes either directly or from the rear view mirrors. You may as well be driving with your high beams on.

 

Yup

 

Just did some reading on reflector vs projector housing. Would switching to a projector housing solve the scattered light issue?

 

Negative....kinda. Any of the aftermarket projector housings are junk no matter the bulb put in it. You can’t change poor optics. VLEDs is a fantastic company and you didn’t get swindled. Those triton V6 bulbs are the BEST on the market, period! And realistically the Micro bulbs are very good, but like you’ve learned it’s not such a “one size fits all” kind of fix. You may be able to return them. FYI.

Your best bet would be to do a retrofit and install a projector in your current housing. I would go with the G5-BRT, but any of the D2S (that’s the bulb style) projectors are really good. Either lightwerkz.net or theretrofitsource.com are great sources for retrofitting.

If you are on Facebook, check out a page called “Headlight Junkies”. Lots of good advice, ideas, how-to’s and lighting nerds that are very willing to teach. If you search Tacoma on that page you will did TONs of builds. Fun fact the the owner of the retrofit source is a Toyota nut and is on this page.

 

So I'm looking at the G5-BRT from Lightwerkz and the Morimoto Mini D2S Stage III from theretrofitsource. From what I'm reading and understanding so far, those projectors would work with the H4 VLEDS headlight bulbs I have and also work with the stock headlight housing?

As for installation, I could not find an installation guide for the Lightwerkz projector but found one for the retrofitsource projector. I am assuming both projectors have similar installation steps looking at pictures of both. Can someone confirm? If there are differences, any tips or things I should watch out for on installation or why I should pick one kit over the other?

Also, the instructions for projector installation does not show how the projector assembly is mounted inside the old housing and I am having a hard time visualizing how it will be completed. Is the projector assembled and inserted from the front side of the housing, the bulb is then inserted from the back side of the housing, and the stock spring clasp holds the whole thing in place? Or is the old projector assembly JB screwed or welded in? Has anybody worked with this or a similar retrofit before give some pointers on this?

 

I guess I’m assuming you have the factory headlights still which is an H4 bulb. The H4 bulb will no longer work in the projector setup you choose if you go that route.

The Stage lll kit you are talking about has the G5-BRT as an option. Which makes it very easy to piece together.

As far as installation/how to. There are some good videos on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/QraExPO2jKM

This is a very good Tacoma specific one. Goes from start to finish!

https://youtu.be/qWw-9cR8JS4

 

Got it, looks like I have a new project to work on. Thanks for the help so far!

 

No problem! I was going to try and explain it, but the videos do it so much more justice with visual references. haha

If you have questions go ahead and shoot!