Time for new headlights

Is that N6EAJ? White truck?

 

Yes, that is me. N6EAJ is my ham radio call sign and I use it on Youtube. I have a few Tundra related videos I have done besides the headlight adjust / Morimoto video.

 

It is a Top Gun brand grill guard. It was already on the truck when I bought it, and I kind of liked it, so I kept it. It is time to replace it as it is starting to lose the powder coat, and it is starting to rust. A weld on one of the mounts has popped loose too. I tried to contact Top Gun to purchase another one, but it looks like they may be out of business now. I've sent multiple emails and made a few phone calls to the contact info on their website, but no response.

I am planning on replacing it with this one: https://www.extremeterrain.com/barricade-tundra-hd-grille-guard-black-tu1050.html

 

yes it was, hopefully someone here got it... I just bought all my paints from tamco to repaint my truck factory super white with high solids euro clear (Im a painter myself) ! also ordered 8 oz of grey leather dye so time to make this thing look brand new again!

 

Morimotos and Spec-D, full LED tails seem to be playing nice together.

Full sequential on both and working flawlessly with no additional resistors.

Gitcha some:

 

-3 heavy frost this morning. Just wondering since I have Morimoto’s on their way. Do they create enough heat to melt ice on with high beam?

 

Pretty sure it was the same set I bought. With the holes in the lenses. Haha. Did a write up on my build thread to fix them. Turns out OE style lenses don’t fit the housings. Used a high uv resistant epoxy to fill them and put them back together. Working great now!

 

About to pull the trigger on Morimoto XB's (20% off BF/CM deal). If you have issues, I am assuming you can warranty them with Morimoto even if they were not purchased directly?

 

I was told by @rcsbguy that Morimoto is updating their XB Tundra headlights. Mine were already ordered. So the new ones might be different / better? I don’t know. I looked at their site but couldn’t get indication of differences of new ones and mine are already shipped. Just thought I’d pass it along if you wanted to see but to get them cheaper you might have to wait until next year!

 

Good info, thanks! I am going to hold off then and see if they roll out a new/updated version in 2025.

 

That's a Top Gun brush guard. Says it on the plate, but kinda hard to read. They offer NO protection in a crash and can actually cause more damage than if the truck didn't have one. Just giving info so you don't buy it for the wrong reasons.

 

They give off some heat, but not like an incandescent. I would say they are fine for preventing ice buildup, but will not be great for melting much existing ice.

Ice isn't a HUGE problem in CO, but I've never had to Scrape my headlamps to date.

 

Well if you don't have the money to buy new headlights just to get them scratched up, go to harbour freight and pick up their headlight renewal kit. I used it on my truck and DAMN they look almost brand new.

I'll send some before and after pictures.

 

My Morimotos' arrived today!!

 

Well I thought I had some old photos...but I don't. My lights were pretty yellow. If you decide to go this route, just don't sand it too hard or else you end up melting your lens like I did. I used water the second time around and the results came out better. 1st attempt (right side)


2nd attempt (left side)

 

My Morimoto adjustment "kit". (8mm)



Vert adjustment are closer to the engine. (I use the driver and socket for those). Horiz adjustment are closer to the fenders. (I use the wrench for those). FYI

 

Thanks for the help, makes that unknown a lot easier. I really should get a set of those extended flexhead ratchet ends. Probably
the only tool I don't have yet.

 

I actually started my flexhead ratchet collection from needing to adjust my Morimoto's. As a matter of fact, here is the link to the one pictured.

$29 TEKTON 8 x 10 mm Long Flex 12-Point Ratcheting Box End Wrench | WRB36408

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNTTB92X

The horizontal adjustment can be a little awkward to get to, and that tool makes it a snap.

 

The "teeth" you can see on the adjusters from up top are designed to be engaged by a large Philips tip screwdriver.

I battled the adjustments in much the same way till I realized they are actually designed pretty well (vertically with the Philips).

Hope this helps others with their Morimotos.

 

I saw that approach posted in another thread, and I tried it. I can hit the vertical adjustment that way, but I couldn't hit the horizontal at the correct angle to get a Philips into the teeth. So I went the wrench route, and it was quick and easy.

 

Low beam output photo
(High beams illuminated all the way to the sign at the top of the crest)
Blown away with how great these Morimoto XB work!


Comparison of OEM and Morimoto XB:

 

When you adjust the low beam vertically, does it have any effect on the high beam adjustment?
Mine are pathetically low right now.

 

Yes. When I adjusted mine, it moved both low beam and high beam together. I had my low beams way too high at first, and my high beams were in the trees. They are spot on now.

 

Thanks. The whole install was easy. For people with factory DRL already inside the factory wiring harness under direction of Morimoto Tech make sure you still install the extra DRL IGN connected wire.

 

I’ve got them adjusted. Nice light for close in work. Here in BC when I pull up behind some left lane hog with the halogens, they ignore me like I’m not there. Apparently these are more effective at transmitting the signal that I’m behind you and faster. So far I’m happier.

 

This morning I plugged in my trailer and all the signal/hazard/brake lights work fine. The tail light signal does not. I’m having weird info thru the factory plug. I am using the 4 pin connector. My trailer actually has LED w/back up wire. So I have a 5th wire for the Land Cruiser cause in the bush turning can be enough trouble. Have not had time to add the extra wire to the tundra.
I just installed Morimoto lights and their jumper DRL wire. Is there any reason this could affect the electrical signal to the trailer wiring harness? My brain and common sense say not, but could this electronic LED wiring up front have some kind of effect? If all the lights didn’t work I’d feel better. But I know this worked a couple weeks ago as I just had it hooked up.

 

Hmm.. That's kind of annoying.

I haven't had any trailer lighting issues with my Morimotos, but apparently ALL of the trailers I pull have a 7 round.

 

I disconnected the DRL wire to see if any effect, just lost the DRL lights. I might leave them off in the future, since
no tail lights with forward DRL lights a stupid omission on the part of Toyota and all manufacturers. For now all hooked up.
I've been advised I need a converter but if it worked before no reason for that now. Next is pull the tail light harness and
check each the wires. Frustration stupid waste of time when I'm trying to organize a winter road trip in the mountains and
have better things to attend to.

 

I have also done the "anytime fog light mod" by grounding out the fog relay. So I am always running "city/parking lights", or headlights on.

Allows to run fogs without the headlights on.

 

Problem solved - fuse and connection doubled up on me.