Best Upgrade for Headlights

Has anyone on here figured out the retrofit yet for the 2021 leds to fit on earlier models? There's a guy on the other site who did and sold some but I don't think he did a write up

 

Zero illegal glare. So your area legalized glare?

 

Lol yea and please let me know the exact amount of glare that is considered illegal please lmao

 

10 lux at 10 meters. I thought you were the lighting expert?

 

Lol no that is you kid

 

I wonder how funny I look driving with these “Over” my prescription glasses....lol

 

From what I understand the voltage output for at least the lower grade OEM LED headlights is identical to the earlier trucks, so you should be able to use the existing harnesses with a connector swap or pigtail adapter. As far as anyone making kits for the adapters, I have not seen anyone offer them yet.

The higher trim models (Limited, Pro) with the bi-LED projectors have changed the high-beam circuit (it no longer uses PWM to control the DRLs). So I am not sure if anyone has tried splicing those ones in yet.

 

Do we know what is the connector swap ?

 

Me personally, I do not know. The high-beam is the same (9005 halogen bulb connector). No idea where to source new connectors for the LED projector on 21+ trucks.

 

Hey sorry to bring up an oldie but I NEED to accomplish one thing today on the truck
Drove up from DE to PA last night to put my sliders back on at my folks
Forgot mounting plates in DE
Long story why I have to do that in PA

But I was hoping to do the cheap headlight H9 deal
Bought these cause I wasn’t sure if the “basic” version was equivalent to what everyone is talking bout when it comes to ~$10 Philips H9s(can only find sylvania)

This is what I have…are basics the one that will still provide better light like the Philips? Are the ones I got just more white but not really anymore function than basics?
My pack was 45
Thanks for any direction

 

these will work. Supposedly they're brighter and provide more throw than the standard $10 bulbs. But they also don't last as long. Still, nothing wrong with using them. Reminder you need to trim the little tabs to make them fit in the headlight socket.

PS I've been running standard $10 H9s in my 4R for 15K miles and they are a very big improvement over stock. Also I'm on my orig pair.

 

^^^^thanks singleminded
Gonna go trade em in for the basic guys
Like I said least I’ll get one thing done

gotta do some research to see if I can do the same for my moms highlander hybrid

all horrible lighting

 

The OEM low beams really do suck. It's amazing to me that they were spec'd on my rig, it being a 2020 and with MSRP near 50K. The H9s are such a big improvement that in my experience they rival OEM LED headlights on some other cars. For example, the LEDs that came stock on my wife's 2021 Passport Elite are only ok -- far from the best OEM LED systems out there. I'd say my H9s project about as far as her LEDs.

Three other notes:

1. The OEM halogen high beams are actually quite good on the 4R. This has been shown in tests by IIHS. I don't think they need improvement.
2. There is a thread on the forum describing how to swap your entire headlights for the LED ones used on the 2021 and 2022 4Runners. Cost is about $700 per side. These appear to provide great illumination, though many people are bugged by a "dark spot" that appears at the top of the beam, resulting from the way Toyota implemented the cut-off to prevent blinding oncoming drivers.
3. You can round out your lighting very nicely by hacking in the H9s for your low beams and adding LED fog lights. Those will give you a wider field of illumination, which is helpful around corners etc. Even with H9s, the low beams cast a somewhat narrow beam. I went with OEM LED fogs from my Toyota dealer, $300. You can also find them online for much less, and the install looks pretty easy. Then, there are much brighter LED fogs on the aftermarket. RIGID and Diode Dynamics are among them, I think.

 

Just to add..

Diode Dynamics are the best option for fogs. I love my Rigid light bar and ditch lights, but will go with Diode Dynamics SS3 fogs, eventually.

 

Yeah I’m in the process of lighting
It had to happen at some point
I have extremeleds I have to wire up for random night camping trails yaddayadda
But Toyota stock headlights on any vehicle called trail means your getting lost or in an accident
Highs I’m fine with
Headlights gonna do this mod, gotta find that video bout what n where to cut as well as tips for angling the headlights
Fogs…we’ll that’s tricky now since I might be getting a front bumper soon n it doesn’t accommodate stock…supposedly most 3.5”
will work, would prefer amber over yellow more yaddayadda
Diode I’ve heard great things about, still have a lil sale going on

 

Love my HIDs

 

Now to find reasonably priced used 20-22 LED headlights.

https://www.4runners.com/threads/oe...-20-halogen-4runners.25899/page-2#post-354638

 

donyou run these for your high and low?

 

Does it illuminate like a stock yellow/white light or more of a blue/white like some after marker bulbs? Been thinking of trying these as my first attempt at led bulbs as was a big waste!

 

No, you can't. The H9 fits in the low beam housing with a minor modification. It's easily the best bang for buck, and possibly best overall headlight upgrade short of a complete assembly upgrade.

I use upgraded bulbs for my high beams, but I can't recall what type the high beams are. I went with the OEM type, but upgraded to Osram Nightbreaker unlimited. I'm still happy with them.

 

what “minor” mode is that? I am not a car guy by any means, and I don’t want to alter anything myself specially in the wiring department. Just want to find some bulbs that are brighter than stock. Plug and play if you will.

 

The H9 and H11 are almost identical, as far as how they attach. But, you have to trim a little plastic tab where the wire harness attaches. And, I needed to also trim a little piece of metal off with a tin snips. But, maybe there's a trick that I was missing. It was easy enough to do in the parking lot at the auto parts store.

The output of the cheapest H9 the auto parts store had is better than the output of my upgraded h11s that I was using previously.

 

Ok thanks, I may stop by local store tomorrow see if they have any!

 

I believe there are some threads here, specifically dedicated to the H9 conversion. But, I was able to just buy them and make it work. So, I guess it depends on how much time you feel like putting into it.

 

MY hids are Still going strong. Very happy with them

 

Few times I noticed one HID bulb not starting when headlights are turned on. But when I turn back off and on it light back on. If I do the same few times I cannot replicate the issue. And it was not the same bulb this issue happened. While driving on road I couldn't tell because I use Fogs all the time. It was my buddy who was on front told me that one of my low beams were out. I did have a relay powering them too. They were 35W. After few times experience this I changed to LEDs (with new dust caps with no holes).

Just sharing my experience.

 

Had high hopes for the led bulbs with sooo many great reviews. Perfect color, seemed bright until you drove. Didn’t illuminate as far as stock bulbs. Didn’t illuminate evenly and were different brightness from one bulb to the other. Sent back!!

went to local auto store spoke to manager told them what I wanted (cheap plug and play bulbs that were bright basically) he said he tried many and suggestions the below lights and he now used them and they were brighter and wider then stock. Haven’t had a chance to swap yet anyone had any experience with them??





Hoping they are decent as they were double the price or led bulbs but they sucked! Got highs and lows for 99 bucks.

 

I've used Silverstars and found them to be a definite improvement over stock.

 

outstanding! Thanks. Only know a few that have tried the ultras, but they all say they are brighter, shine further and wider, but burn out in about six months. 200 a year is high! Hopefully they last longer than that.