Recommendation for LED Head Light Bulbs for 2017 TRD PRO

I personally run a Xenondepot H11 kit with 4300k Phillips bulbs. I will say this ahead of time so you don't think I'm crazy biased. They are absolutely terrific in terms of light output; however the installation was a bit of work. If you are not comfortable playing with wiring and doing a neat installation DO NOT go HID. LED are plug and play, if you can't do that you really shouldn't be touching anything under the hood.

Here are 3 videos that will help you decide. They are slightly biased towards the GTR3 brand as they sell them; however they are still valid videos.

Running LED bulbs in a projector lense (this is why it isn't recommended): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utrYcpXDwJ8

LED bulb comparison if you decide LED is for you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQF5ESBHLrw

HID bulb comparison. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO2O-2PavSs

They even admit that the Phillips bulbs are the brightest in the HID comparison. However they are also the most expensive. I run 1 kit on my Tacoma and 1 kit on my wife's CRV. She won't run anything else at this point and has made it perfectly clear to me. Probably shot myself in the foot with that one.

*Also when watching the videos note the number of lumens they quote/find with their testing equipment. If you note the number for LED actual vs claimed the highest I believe they got was 1400~ where as HID can easily hit in the 2200 range.

 

Rofl, and OPT7 is regarded so well here... smh.

 

They're cheap and appear really bright until you realize they just disperse light everywhere rather than directing it down the road.

I looked at them before I decided to spend more money.

 

I keep flipping back and forth like a flag in the wind. So I found this video from HeadLight Revolution that compares the beam pattern and output from stock halogen and V3 LEDs from GTR and SuperNova. Now although they are not up to HID capability they are not bad. I am not trying to convince anyone given the passion wrapped around this but they maybe a decent alternative. However, I have little interest in disassembling the truck to get a GTR installed. I am going to give the SuperNova V3 a shot and will let you know. By the way, the reps from HeadLight Revolution where great to talk with and straight up on their advice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGl2Mz0bUA4

 

Definitely report back on your experience with your purchase. I'm mentally flip-flopping between HID and LED.

 

Ok so I just installed the Super Nova V3. First installation was a slight challenge on the passenger side. I decided to remove the windshield washer tank that made it a bit easier. Even with that the low beams on both the driver side and passenger side its tight and tough to get the bulbs positioned at the right angle to get them in. Be carful, the Super Novas do not have a metal facing on the male tabs, its plastic. Because of the tight fit if you attempt to many tries to get them in place, the tabs get damaged when rotating the bulb. How do I know this you ask I did it. ugh. The vendor Headlight Revolution does not mention this in the demo video since the assembly is off the truck. They are plug and play once you get them in, no fouls no errors. The lights are a close match to the rigid fogs but not perfect on the 2017 PRO. First picture looking at the lights from 20 ft away, low beam, and high bean, yes I replaced both. My garage isn't wide enough but tried to show the beam pattern from 24', low beam first image, high beam on the second. I am no expert but the beam pattern did not seem to far off from the stock halogens. I took it out when it was dark and very happy with the light output.

 

Agree and disagree.
Disagree that LED's will catch up.
BMW and Audi are abandoing LED and going to laser because of the downsides that you mentioned about LED's.
Last time I was at the dealer waiting to pick up after service, the new Audi's have 5 led bulbs in the case to match the performance of 1 HID. they are all positioned slightly differently and slightly different angles. Something about BMW and Audi, they seem to lead in automotive lighting technology.
Was in front of a porsce caymen and that had 4 LED bulbs in the casing.
All LED lenses are very small, narrow, focused lenses versus 1 central projector like you mention.



I agree. I think for converting, HID is the way to go. Not sure how you have 9 LEDs per headlight, at 18 heat sinks and fans operating in a hot engine bay.

I do like LED's in the tail light and turn signals. but they are different casings so work better.

 

Supernova v3 LEDs easy install, and wanted the GTR but didn't like the hassle to install.

This is 20-25 ft away this is with rigid fog lights off a TRD pro.


10-15ft away

 

My Morimoto 2-Stroke LEDs are great and plug & play. I have them for low beams and high beams.

 

Here's a thought. Has anyone tried using a factory Toyota HID system from another Toyota that has them? My brother is a parts manager for Lexus and says it will work since majority are all h11 set up. I know it will cost more but at least it would be factory.

 

Yeah, I used the projectors from a Lexus Rx350 in my Tacoma headlight. NO REGRATS.

 

I ended up going with Supernova V3 after watching a ton of video by Headlight Revolution. They found the OPT7, loved by many here on the forum, to be one of the worst LED headlights. The Supernovas will be here on Friday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQF5ESBHLrw&t=720s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGl2Mz0bUA4

 

How

Much did that cost you?

 

How much scatter are you getting? From what I have read, the housing doesn't support LEDs well and emits light worse than the stock halogens at farther distances (20-50 feet).

 

About $500

 

Halogens are better in the stock housing. A lot of people are doing LEDs for the color and "cool" effect.

I'm obsessed with more light, but I'm on a budget.

HID's do work better and I've tried both. I have Morimoto 5500K 35w HIDs from The Retrofit Source.

I have a grill LED bar and ditch lights. Next up is a full projector retrofit (bi-xenon using halogen high mixed with a shutter low/high that's replacing the stock low beam.

So low beam will have HID with a shutter down.

High beam moves the shutter to give a no-cutoff HID beam and a halogen 55w (or a 95w offroad swap)

 

The SuperNova V3s appears to have the exact same throw as stock lights. Very happy with them so far. Watch the video I posted above. Some LEDs do emit worse than stock, particularly the OPT7 that everyone on here recommends.

 

I agree with this. Definitely worth the pick up IMO.

 

I'm personally a fan of HID over LED for the headlights. Some LED kits are better then others, but I personally find the warmer tones of a 4300k HID kit more functional, and you simply won't find an LED kit that has the throw that an HID kit does... Be careful when looking at various LED kits, as most vendors simply state the maximum theoretical lumens that the bulbs are rated for -- which is nowhere near the amount of light that the bulb is actually putting out.

Hope this helps,

Steve

 

Amen..ran OPT7s LEDs for my lows because I wanted to be awesome and they were terrible for night time driving. Ended up with TRS 35W HID- what an improvement.