Headlight Replacement - bulb only vs full assembly

I want to replace my headlights with LED and I am getting conflicting information on whether I should just replace the bulbs ($100-$200) with LED or bite the bullet and replace the entire assembly ($800-$1,500). I am more concerned with function than style.

 

If proper function is what matters get the assembly. LED bulbs combined with reflectors not designed for the LED bulb style usually makes for odd light patterns with dark spots and a ton of light scatter.

 

I would say from a functional standpoint go with the factory TRD pro LED headlights. They are reasonable priced, look good, and are a huge improvement from stock as far as output goes. LED bulb replacements can cause some scattering of the beams which can be an issue. Sometimes Toyota has specials with % off and free shipping so you can usually get them in the mid $550-$600 range.

 

I’ve been very happy with my $60 3 year old Amazon LEDs. They are much brighter than oem bulbs and I don’t see any dark spots.

 

This. Times 10000000000.

The reflector (housing) is designed specifically for the bulb type to put light where it needs to be and keep light from getting where it shouldn’t be. Flame propagation, I believe, is the term for how the light actually comes off of the bulb; it is different for each bulb type and has a matching housing to focus that light correctly. Most retrofit bulbs for the socket only and aren’t deficient light production, but produce way more light where it shouldn’t be. So while you may be able to see more of the road at night, it is blinding anybody else driving the opposite direction. It is a giant pet peeve of mine as I drive often at night and HATE having blinding lights staring at back at me from the other lane - not usually because they are too bright but because they are throwing light EVERYWHERE - especially in to my eyes. Sometimes they get a hundred or so Hella watts back in return (soon to be a couple hundred…).

For a long while, HID retrofits we’re the big thing. For less than $100 you could get bulbs, a control pack, and a cheap harness to boost your lighting. But in a housing designed for a halogen bulb, they simply blind everybody on the road. The HID bulb flame propagation pattern is entirely different from a halogen bulb so it’s like aiming spot lights out at an angle to passing cars. To add to it, such kits throw so much light everywhere that it actually makes it difficult for the eye to focus on the important parts of the road, so it impairs the drivers vision more than help, even with the additional luminosity. Same goes for cheap light bars (and many less cheap LED light bars..). Fords F250 LED lights are now some of the worst offenders, straight from the showroom floor. Maybe it’s because most people here level the truck but not the headlights, but I can always spot them a mile away and get ready to flash my high beams.

But I’ll get off my soap box for now. IMO, please pick a matching housing and bulb. If your housings are dull or cloudy, simply replacing them with new factory units will make a world of difference.

 

2018+ OEM LED headlights with an @iHacker harness is the way to go.
Don't waste your time with LED bulbs in the halogen housings..

2018+ LED HEADLIGHTS PLUG N PLAY HARNESS FOR 2014-2020 MODELS [V 2.0] | Toyota Tundra Forum (tundras.com)


I have the 'blacked out' TRD Pro LED headlights..

 

I agree with Blenton 100%. Also a pet peeve of mine. I hate it when I see companies advertising their LED bulbs. If I see one on FB or TikTok I will reply with why you can't just slap a LED in any housing. I know my replies have zero impact but it feels good. Do it the right way and replace the housings. I have Profile retrofits in my truck. One of the best things I have done.

 

Pick the wrong bulbs that are poorly engineered and your statement is absolutely true. Pick a well engineered LED bulb that puts the LED in the correct position will give good results. If the cut off line is sharp with no scattered light above the cut off line then you won't blind oncoming drivers.

 

I just replaced the bulbs with LEDs. The pattern is not as defined as the originals. The LEDs are brighter and you can see better over all. I seen my truck from another vehicle and I don't think I'm blinding other drivers.
The high beam pattern is even less defined, but I don't use the highbeams often.
I am happy with the LEDs for the money.

 

Get a housing designed for LED. LED bulbs in a halogen housing, you end up blinding the shit out of oncoming traffic.

 

Wait for a holiday sale on Toyota parts, pickup LED headlights for around 300 dollars a piece and buy the ihacker harness and be done with it.

 

You just picked the wrong bulbs. What LED bulbs are you using? Did you test them against a wall to check for scattered light? There should be a defined cutoff line with not scattered light and a hotspot similar to the original halogen light bulb.

 

I don't think I have ever seen someone post an actual picture of a good light output from LEDs in a halogen housings. And then you have the high beam issue. Regardless, I don't see why people cheap out on headlights but will spend thousands on suspension to be a mall queen. I did my OEM LEDs for under $700 and no led bulb in a halogen housings will ever come close to light output and beam pattern.

 

It's just hard to get a decent picture of headlights. I have no issues with my highbeams. Distance is the same as the halogen bulbs but much brighter. My bulbs were around $60 and I'm completely satisfied with them and they are a vast improvement over the halogen bulbs. There are some very bad LED bulbs so if you choose poorly, you end up with crap lights.

 

LED bulb sellers want you to believe their bulbs work fine in halogen housings. Change the housings and do it the right way.

 

All LED bulb manufactures are not the same. Some are crap and some are good. Find a good set and there is no reason you have to change the headlight housings.

 

I think your price estimate on the new oem assemblies is off. You can regularly find each TRD Pro LED assy for under 300 bucks each with free shipping. You may have to wait for a sale. Thats 600 for the oem lights, plus 100 for iHackers harness, so thats 700, then you can sell your take offs for 100-200 depending on year, style, condition, etc.

I think the OEM upgrade is the way to go. You are going to get the oem look, ease of install, functionality, and you wont have to mess with adjustments, bulbs, reflectors or anything.

 

Such a hot button topic

 

Do this for the win

 

Yeah a set of OEM LEDs or even Alpharex are going to be a far superior option versus just a bulb swap, and they’re surprisingly inexpensive compared to full LED headlamps on other vehicles

 

Yup, people trying to justify alot of money spent tend to get hot under the collar.

 

It is when people start putting LED bulbs in housings not designed for them and blind oncoming traffic or light up your cab from the rear.

 

If people did their homework and checked their light pattern after installing this wouldn't be an issue.

 

Definitely replace the assembly! Night and day difference. There are other options besides factory ones, I bought some for around $3-400 been about 3 years. They have been great and look like the factory Toyota ones basically.

 

Just yesterday, I put LED's in my 2000 Halogen housings. They look great, good cut off.
If you buy quality LED's there is no reason to spend money on new housings. The quality of light from the LED's compared to the Halogen is Dramatic +++
Paul

 

I have a 2014 CM and replaced the bulbs and was extremely displeased with the way they worked out. The alignment was off, and I could never get it dialed back in. I eventually got a new 2018 or 2019 OEM assemblies (whichever was the first year LEDs), and the plug n play wiring harness and it was a game changer. Now my truck looks newer, both headlights are level and bright at night. I definitely recommend upgrading the whole assembly.

 

you are missing the point. There is a reason why automakers didn’t throw LED bulbs in halogen housing.

Well written article on TacomaWorld.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/why-leds-should-not-be-run-in-halogen-reflectors.454371/

 

..

 

I used Philips brand LED replacements in my halogen housing for a while. The low beam performance improved, rarely got flashed, and the beam pattern looked similar to the standard bulbs just whiter and slightly brighter. The high beam wasn’t great, not much distance improvement over low beam just higher up throw.

I just recent swapped to OEM TRD LED headlights with iHacker harness for less than $600 and the improvement was worth the cost in my opinion. The low beam output is much more full compared to the LED bulb blotchy pattern in the halogen housing. The high beams actually throw farther down the as well not just higher up.

If cost isn’t an issue OEM LEDs are worth it in my opinion for performance and styling, but if you are on a budget quality LED bulb replacements do improve slightly.

 

If anyone cares to watch how bad and how good some LED bulbs are in reflector housings.
https://youtu.be/LT-s4Eg7cyw?si=tij7jZRPGCudiMTI