Any fog light recommendations for someone running H9 headlights?

2018 SR5P.

Replacement bulbs are H16 halogens. Thought about going H11 halogens, but it doesn't sound like a good idea for the small housing and the heat they could generate.

LED is an option but I don't know much about them. Not interested in changing headlights to LED's as the H9's work fine.

Should I consider LED fogs or will they look terrible when paired with halogen headlights?

Any recommendations?

 

I run H9s in my headlights with the OEM LED fogs that I got installed by the dealer soon after purchase. You do notice the difference in color temp, but I don't find it to be a problem. Then again, I'd really really like to upgrade my headlights to the new OEM LEDs that debuted in 2021.

 

Did they just put the LED bulbs in your existing housings or did you have to buy new fog light housings?

 

They're complete units with housings. It's def not a bulb swap. But not that pricey -- $300 dealer installed, as I recall. And I've seen them for sale online for not much more than $100. eg here:

https://www.amazon.com/Toyota-PT413-42191-Fog-Light-Black/dp/B07DBMT9NT?ie=UTF8&language=en_US

 

I will add that in my WRX I swapped H16 LEDs into my halogen fogs and it worked great. As has been documented, LED bulb swaps don't work well in headlights. But this worked fantastically in the small reflector fogs. A really bright and wide blanket of light, and no worry about blinding anyone since they're so low to the ground. Honestly, this setup produced much better light than the OEM LEDs in the 4R. Though I guess I don't know how well this would work in the 4R, with the fogs being higher off the ground. I suppose that could be an issue?

But I would suggest this -- if you know someone who has some decent H16 LEDs lying around, toss them in your fogs and see what you think. If they work as well as mine did in my WRX, that might be a better solution than going OEM.

PS my experience was with GTR LEDs.

Edit: I just looked through my records. It was the GTR Ultra Series, and they were actually H11 not H16. As I recall, I got them to try out as headlights, that was no good, then I discovered they fit in the fogs despite the fogs specing H16. And like I said, the results were outstanding.

 

This. I installed these on my 18 ORP with yellow Lamin-x coverings. I like them and usually use them only in fog or dusty conditions, as fogs are intended. The beam pattern is great and the yellow makes a difference to my eyes in adverse weather or dust. You may want to leave them clear if you’re concerned about looks.

 

2018 SR5 here. I use the Philips H11/H16 LED fog bulb from Amazon (the version without cooling fans ~$130). They’re incredibly bright. Great beam pattern. LED’s can generate some glare in halogen housings, so I never run them with oncoming traffic.

If I could do it over again I’d get the Diode Dynamic SS Sport or Pro. Much brighter than what I have now for a modest increase in price. Or I’d just get the OEM fogs for less money.

Osram also makes a drop in LED fog bulb now, too. Probably available at your local big box or auto parts stores.

Diode Dynamics is prob the best after market option out there that maintains SAE compliance.

 

This is arguably the best “low cost” option. Is the beam pattern pretty wide? Does it light up the ditches?

 

Oh yeah. It’s much wider than the OEM halogens. And sharp beam cutoffs. I use them sometimes to light up ditches on trails and sharp turns on dark city streets.

But as you mentioned, the Diode Dynamics are reportedly the best SAE compliants right now.

 

Diode Dynamics has new fogs coming out soon

 

These are the new Diode Dynamics pods and they're designed to look much more like OEM units for folks who don't like the looks of their current SS3 pods. That said, the SS3's (Sport, Pro and Max) are the best performing LED pods on the market right now and from a performance standpoint, this new offering will have a tough time beating them. They might come in at a lower price point though.

 

Thanks fellas.

These Diode Dynamics drop in LED bulbs looks like they would work for me and give me a nice bump in performance.

https://www.diodedynamics.com/h11-xp80-led-bulbs.html

However, they're pretty close in price to the OEM LED replacement housings from Amazon.

Should I just get the OEM LED housings?

 

As much as I like Diode Dynamics products, I highly doubt those bulbs are going to give you an actual increase in performance. This is especially true since you would be putting and LED bulb in a housing designed for a halogen bulb.

As for Amazon "OEM LED" housings, beware. If they are true OEM, you will get decent (not great) performance. Most of the Amazon and eBay stuff - particularly the cheap stuff - is not true OEM though.

If you really want increased performance, I'd suggest the Diode Dynamics SS3 Sport fogs with the clear lenses. (The Selective Yellow ones actually perform better in poor weather, but you mentioned that you wanted the light output to match your headlights.) Trust me, this option will totally blow away any drop in bulb. Want proof?

The LED SAE J583 Fog Pod & Fog Light Review | Tacoma World

 

Those will throw glare all over the place in a halogen housing. Not a good option imo.

 

If you're considering fog light upgrades, I would definitely opt for replacing the entire housing vs putting different bulbs in the existing halogen reflector.

Save your pennies up and get the SS3 sports, on sale they're only a little more expensive than OEM LED units. The SS3 is the current market leader at all levels (sport, pro, max).

 

Sounds good.

Thanks for the help gents

 

I have some oem led fogs for sale that are brand new if you want.

 

Thank you. I think I'm going to go for the SS3s.

 

I can tell you, my DD amber fogs look TERRIBLE on my Halogen headlight 4runner. Same fogs look great on my LED headlight Tacoma.

The fogs outshine the halogens. overwhelm them. I could show you a pic if needed.
Everything is just yellow now. I do NOT have this issue on Tacoma. The bright Pro headlights look good with the bright fogs.

White fogs on Halogen 4runner may have looked better. I ordered a brighter Halogen light bulb and hope that improves it.

 

Fog lights are meant to illuminate the immediate foreground with a wide pattern for low speed navigation in poor weather. In other words, if aimed properly, they should absolutely overwhelm the near field pattern of your headlights. Headlights are designed for distance projection with some fill light, but if you run your fogs at freeway speed then your distance vision will be compromised- that is why you shouldn't really run your fogs much at all except for inclement weather at low speeds.

If you're talking about aesthetic- true, some people don't seem to care for selective yellow or LEDs in general. And if they seem to wash out the 4Runner halogen projector headlights, the real reason is that the 4Runner headlights are not exceptional (with stock bulbs they're barely acceptable). I think the only two viable options are using performance (or H9) halogen bulbs, or replacing the assemblies with the newer OEM LED units.

 

I bought some H9’s. Hoping that helps. i usually keep the fogs on all the time on the LED Tacoma and barely notice them.
not on the halogen 4runner.

 

There's a big difference (at least in my mind) between looking terrible and performing terrible. Which is more important?

I have the DD SS3 Max selective yellow fogs in my T4R. I don't care what they look like because the perform beyond my wildest expectations.

 

True. I posted pics. They look bad but they do work well.
Id prefer look and perform good. Same as what i look for in a wife.

 

You probably should have ordered the fogs with the clear lens. You would give up some poor weather performance, but they would match the color of your headlights much more closely.

 

Yup. I should have got white for 4runner.
too late now.

I even added that light bar in pic to fix it but it didnt help. Its those awful headlights. Im not spending a grand for new headlights!

 

What kinda light bar you got in there?

 

DD on 4runner. Specific kit for 4runner. easy install. Baja on Tacoma

 

Oh the SAE driving bars. How do you like those? I made some of my own, but with SS3s in 4000K.

 

Really like them. Easy install kit. You can get 2 or 3 beam patterns. I got driving so essentially focused straight ahead.
Bright. Easy to aim how you like. Spliced in a cali raised button
They also have a full bar you can put on lower section of inside grill.

 

Those are nice and likely better aiming exactly where u want it. I didnt want to do any cutting though.