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LED headlight conversion - How to?

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by stephenjn, Aug 11, 2020.

  1. Aug 11, 2020 at 10:21 AM
    #1
    stephenjn

    stephenjn [OP] New Member

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    Has anyone with a 1st Gen updgraded to LED headlights? If so, what does it take to accomplish the task (besides money I mean). :) Thanks.
     
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  2. Aug 11, 2020 at 1:26 PM
    #2
    rock climber

    rock climber New Member

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    There's quite a few different options from simple plug and play new led bulbs to retrofitted projectors. I had the plug and play LED lights for a while but didn't really care for the light scattering I retrofitted HID and it's been my favorite mod ever!

    I've been really tempted to try something like these which have a built in projector https://www.amazon.com/Headlight-Bu...13&sprefix=h4+led+mini,electronics,176&sr=8-4

    You'd need to remove the reflector in your headlight which is simple. It's the little thing in the center of the headlight and you pull it through the hole.
     
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  3. Aug 11, 2020 at 2:05 PM
    #3
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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  4. Aug 11, 2020 at 2:20 PM
    #4
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    I’m waiting for a nice affordable quality LED Projector to come out. Morimoto has a set for around $400. No harness wires, ballasts, etc. taking up room. The LED is low energy draw, too. Instant on. Blows my skirt up.

    I have a feeling the LED Projector market will grow soon. They (reportedly) are easier to install and adjust. Still have to bake the headlight assys, but the Projector Assy itself is self contained.

    Your link projector looks sketchy. :rofl:

    Katanas makes an LED bulb (not projector) for around $37 which is a decent bulb (better than incandescent bulbs). I like the light and color temperature of them. Never been flashed by others like some report with their. Only draw back was my first set lasted 14 months with day time running lights.

    Disabled the DRL connector with this new set which is a fanless design. Light seems better than the originals. Not earth shattering light with perfect cut off like quality Projectors, but it does the job well.

    Also, I’ve noticed the Projector Sellers/Vendors are requiring you check some boxes stating that you are aware Projectors aren’t LEGAL in any state except for off road use.
     
  5. Aug 11, 2020 at 2:39 PM
    #5
    Rex Kramer

    Rex Kramer Vinyl Spinner

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    I installed S-V.4 LED H4/9003 bulbs in my new OEM housings, they are plug-n-play and work great. No scattering effect or blinding of other drivers, they even have the proper cut-off.
     
    Last edited: Aug 11, 2020
  6. Aug 11, 2020 at 2:42 PM
    #6
    SouthPaw

    SouthPaw The headlight guy

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    There's quite a few plug and play version available. Anything that is an H4 style will fit. As previously mentioned, installing an HID/LED bulb in a standard reflector housing, your light is going to be scattering EVERYWHERE. Will bright, you are most likely going to be blinding on coming traffic. You can aim them down to help but it's still going to be really bright. The mini H4 projector bulbs are a great idea and I've always wanted to see how the look in person. I think these might be some but I can't tell from the description or pictures:https://www.amazon.com/DZG-Motorcyc...lja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1

    Your best bet but not cheapest option is a properly fitted H1 retro fit. It gives a much better light output without blinding on coming traffic. The beam is also more focused and easier to align.
     
  7. Aug 11, 2020 at 3:04 PM
    #7
    shifty`

    shifty` Is the Gila Copter a love machine?

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    Spendy, but it's interesting, and you're right. Looks like they have a built-in light dam to prevent spillage. Seems like with our bulbs, wouldn't there be a risk of installing them off-angle?

    upload_2020-8-11_18-4-47.jpg
     
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  8. Aug 11, 2020 at 3:09 PM
    #8
    Rex Kramer

    Rex Kramer Vinyl Spinner

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    I got the pair for under $100 using a coupon... it is possible to install them off angle, but you can clock & lock them in position, so that's what I did.
     
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  9. Aug 11, 2020 at 3:16 PM
    #9
    shifty`

    shifty` Is the Gila Copter a love machine?

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    I'd do it all day for $100, but HR is asking $179/pr for H4/9003 in this day and age. If no mods are required, no need to remove the light housing and bake or re-seal, no need to install resistors, etc. I'd be all over that.

    I see there's knockoffs of the S-V.4 from "Trueland" already on AMZN. But you can clearly see the knockoffs aren't using the same LED chip, not even close, just some crappy small cells.
     
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  10. Aug 11, 2020 at 3:34 PM
    #10
    Rex Kramer

    Rex Kramer Vinyl Spinner

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    No knockoffs here, I got the real deal.
    Simple installation, no extra work or resistors, etc.
     
    Last edited: Aug 11, 2020
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  11. Aug 11, 2020 at 3:44 PM
    #11
    SouthPaw

    SouthPaw The headlight guy

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    Couple of questions regarding those bulbs. How is not scattering the beam if you still have the OEM housings that rely on reflection for light output? If you could post a picture of them against a wall, that would be great. I am always curious to learn about other options but at that price, you are almost reaching retro fit territory. My plain jane set for a 00-04 AC runs right about $180 with new housings.
     
  12. Aug 11, 2020 at 3:49 PM
    #12
    Rex Kramer

    Rex Kramer Vinyl Spinner

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    I don't know how they made these new LEDs work with OEM housings, but they did. I bought them from Lightwerkz, and they told me these were an updated design. I think I purchased them in Feb. or March... the light dam that shifty pointed out is part of the new design.
     
  13. Aug 11, 2020 at 4:54 PM
    #13
    shifty`

    shifty` Is the Gila Copter a love machine?

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    Yep. @SouthPaw look at the picture I posted. Notice the shiny silver part? Looks like they're using that to prevent light from throwing at the reflector that would shoot it up high. I was watching a review of the bulb Rex is talking about and the cutoff is pretty clean in a non-reflector housing. Was in private mode when viewing, so I'm having a hell of a time finding it now.

    @Rex Kramer wasn't saying you got the knockoffs. Just that I see the design has already been copied, poorly, at a fraction of the cost - AS USUAL!
     
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  14. Aug 11, 2020 at 5:11 PM
    #14
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Decent cut off from 23ft away (Toyota Test Spec Distance) on the first set of Katanas. Its the same on the newer fanless $37 ones. There is/are some scatter shooters, but those exist with the incandescents too! The LED shows a few more because the little is brighter. I swear I am not trying to sell these bulbs, but I don’t get the whole ‘blinding other drivers thing’ as it doesn’t happen with these. Never been flashed!

    I’m sure there are others out there that work just as good as Katanas (same as HR?), but I ain’t buying and being the guinea pig!:rofl:I also see no need to spend over $50 or $60 for these bulbs as its such a competitive market.

    LOW beam with Fogs


    upload_2020-8-11_20-1-36.jpg

    upload_2020-8-11_20-10-15.jpg
     
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  15. Aug 11, 2020 at 5:15 PM
    #15
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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  16. Aug 11, 2020 at 5:18 PM
    #16
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Looks just like Katanas per reviewers I’ve read two years ago.
     
  17. Aug 11, 2020 at 5:22 PM
    #17
    shifty`

    shifty` Is the Gila Copter a love machine?

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    I'm a little confused, I see there are "S-V.4" bulbs and "Supernova-V.4" bulbs. I saw a video saying Supernova-V.4 is now called "S-V.4" but I clearly see at Supernova's website a bulb which clearly looks the same here: http://www.supernovaleds.com/index.php/h4-v4-x.html?fitment=140221

    HeadlightRevolution has a video "Nope, we don't sell the Supernova-V.4" but they sell the S-V.4

    Anyway, specs on the SuperNova-V4 and S-V.4 look to be the same specs. But the Supernova bulb is $10/ea cheaper, which comes out to about $80/bulb and comes with a 4yr warranty.

    Hmmm....
     
  18. Aug 11, 2020 at 5:24 PM
    #18
    shifty`

    shifty` Is the Gila Copter a love machine?

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    No doubt these are all probably made in the same factory by the same people with different component specs for different names and markets.

    Only major differnce I see is Katana claims to have a ball bearing fan, S- and Supernova say their fan is magnetic (?)
     
  19. Aug 11, 2020 at 5:38 PM
    #19
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    They ‘supposedly’ share the same light chip. Not sure about the fans. Maybe why mine fizzled out. The new Katanas have no fan. I do have the HR PerfectFit (fanless and no longer available) in my Fogs. They are very nice. Been strong for two years and I paid $170ish 2 years ago for them. Seems there are better options now in the bulb market.

    I remember someone selling their 2 years old ‘never used’ bulbs 2 years ago here for around $200:rofl:You could see even then the better changes in the bulb design etc. between the two.


    My hopes are on super nice affordable LED Projectors being released soon. I think that is where Projectors are going to go if you read between the lines.
     
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  20. Aug 11, 2020 at 6:10 PM
    #20
    shifty`

    shifty` Is the Gila Copter a love machine?

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    It would be really cool. But, teeing back into a comment you made earlier - because I don't understand quite what it means, I'm ignorante au l'lumière, what is this about "baking the light housings" for projectors?
     
  21. Aug 11, 2020 at 6:14 PM
    #21
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Turn oven on. Insert assys into oven to soften the Butyl Rubber Sealant. Remove and pull lens off off housing. In my case, I used a skinny padded rod and pushed the lens off thru/via the bulb hole. Makes more sense than prying around the edges.

    Assemble ‘Projector X’ and rebake assy lens back on.
     
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  22. Aug 11, 2020 at 6:38 PM
    #22
    shifty`

    shifty` Is the Gila Copter a love machine?

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    Gotcha. I've never installed a projector, so not sure what's involved. Cracked open my fair share of headlights to mod them though. I've used Morimoto RetroRubber to seal opened headlights in the past. Works really well. Once you separate the lens, slide it in the channel push the lens on, heat lens-up for 10min in oven, pull out and clamp until cool.
     
  23. Aug 11, 2020 at 6:43 PM
    #23
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Yeah. I have an extra set of new assys. I unbaked the lenses because I was on the verge of buying Projectors and wanted to make sure I could do the initial process without mangling. Decided to wait on Projectors. Went cheapo Katanas. I will do Projectors in the future and use that Morimoto Butyl. Heard its good stuff!
     
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  24. Aug 11, 2020 at 6:53 PM
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    Darkness

    Darkness Allergic to white

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    Those LED light beams look nice!
     
  25. Aug 12, 2020 at 5:28 AM
    #25
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Thanks. That was from my old phone. In think pics make these lighting examples brighter than in person. The actual light doesn’t seem as intense in person, but its still pretty good!

    I’ve seen Projectors on a neighbors Honda S2000 at night and that is some very nice lighting! Pure white. Perfect cut off. Nice projection fullness. Thats what I want for the truck, but just have to wait for things to come together a little longer.
     
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  26. Aug 12, 2020 at 7:21 AM
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    Darkness

    Darkness Allergic to white

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    I think this is the big difference with projectors, the light becomes like a curtain from the cutoff down.
     
  27. Aug 12, 2020 at 8:36 AM
    #27
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Exactly. These LEDs (like incandescents) wash out. The Projectors do not it seems from observations.
     
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  28. Aug 12, 2020 at 9:17 AM
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    SouthPaw

    SouthPaw The headlight guy

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    Very interesting. I bet it is that shield that provides a cut off from keeping the light from scattering everywhere. That's a pretty slick unit, I like it.
     
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  29. Aug 12, 2020 at 10:21 AM
    #29
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Yeah. If you look at an OEM incandescent they are naturally like that. I have mine packed away, but the low beam is located in that Cup. The incandescents have a similar Cup if IIRC, except the cup isn’t blocking the forward element light projection. LED can’t do this because of the body nose tip and inherent design of a Chip being flat.

    This is all on memory and may be missing something or wrong.
     
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  30. Aug 17, 2020 at 9:52 AM
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    DDUNK77

    DDUNK77 New Member

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    Anyone notice DRL flickering with either the Katanas or the S-V.4s?
     
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