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2018 LEDs vs Retros

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by mart1nezdaniel, Jul 7, 2018.

  1. Jul 7, 2018 at 3:22 PM
    #1
    mart1nezdaniel

    mart1nezdaniel [OP] AZ

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    Haven't had much experience with either and i cant seem to get a good solid answer either way with the plethora of information on the existing threads.

    From the looks of it retros are more expensive and may not be as high of quality. But i think they look better.

    Let me know yours thoughts if you've owned both.
     
  2. Jul 7, 2018 at 4:01 PM
    #2
    tomsinamerica

    tomsinamerica New Member

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    Not owned both but have driven both.

    Retros are marginally brighter, LEDs are more reliable, especially if you read up on some of the forums with people's experience.

    I have Retros, I love them, built them myself using @MotoTundra 's awesome guide. I didn't do any of this halo, fancy led strip crap though. Projector, bulb, done. I was meticulous in how I made and wired them since they're super sensitive to poor grounding. I also had a bad experience with a bad igniter... Aftermarket components generally won't have the reliability of OEM.... If you want worry free... LEDs, if you want something marginally brighter and arguably a little better looking, go retro but for the love of all things Holy, build them yourself ...
     
  3. Jul 7, 2018 at 4:18 PM
    #3
    TheBeast

    TheBeast The Beach

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    retros are hit or miss depending on the shop you go with. Best is DIY for retros. They will also cost more. I say OEM LEDs are pretty hard to beat now.
     
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  4. Jul 7, 2018 at 5:28 PM
    #4
    71_340

    71_340 The German

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    I would go OEM LED and enjoy their reliability. As far as looks is concerned, that is strictly subjective and I like them.
     
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  5. Jul 7, 2018 at 5:45 PM
    #5
    Pudge

    Pudge Super Secret Elite Member #7

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    TRD PRO grille, OCD consol organizers, DIY wireless phone charger, 33" Michelin Defender LTX MS, Bak revolver X2 tonneau, weathertech liners, 20% tints. DIY pop n lock, 2018 LED headlights, morimoto fogs, TRD shift knob, DirtyDeeds 8"BAM exhaust, kenwood HU,JL amp, Tech12volts Tundra full speaker upgrade w/sub, Swing case, and lots of fluid film
    A good projector as far as I've seen will outperform the 18 LEDs as far as light output goes. And you can really customize them to whatever you wanna do. I think some look really nice. But reliability is the big issue, especially when it comes to certain retrofitters.
     
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  6. Jul 7, 2018 at 6:23 PM
    #6
    MotoTundra

    MotoTundra The Ocho

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    -TRS Mini D2S Retrofit on TRD Pro Headlights (Apollo 2.0 Shrouds, 35w XB Ballasts, 5500k Bulbs) -Baja Designs Squadron R Sport Aux lights. -TRD Pro Grill -TRD Rear Sway Bar -BakFlip VP Tonneau w/BakBox -Dipped wheels & bumpers -Iron Cross HD steps -Undercover Swingcase -SunTek Paint Protection film -Tinted glass -Bedmat -OEM Towing Mirrors
    I will echo what has already been said.

    I haven't owned both, but I retrofitted my headlights myself, and I have seen the output for the 18's.

    I kept my retro pretty basic. Projector and LED demon eyes, if a demon eye goes out, they both get unplugged, problem solved. I have some spare parts in case something goes but I haven't had any issues since I did them.

    My truck is Black and I fell in love with black bowls and black shrouds on a black truck. I had to do it.

    In my humble opinion.....

    Retro

    Pro- Best performance, ability to customize
    Con- Not as reliable, need the patience/skill to DIY or a very reputable retro shop to get it done right.


    2018 LED

    Pro- Very reliable
    Con- Not as much performance, look like every other factory LED headlight.


    I don't think you can go wrong with the 2018 LEDs.
     
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  7. Jul 7, 2018 at 6:25 PM
    #7
    MotoTundra

    MotoTundra The Ocho

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    -TRS Mini D2S Retrofit on TRD Pro Headlights (Apollo 2.0 Shrouds, 35w XB Ballasts, 5500k Bulbs) -Baja Designs Squadron R Sport Aux lights. -TRD Pro Grill -TRD Rear Sway Bar -BakFlip VP Tonneau w/BakBox -Dipped wheels & bumpers -Iron Cross HD steps -Undercover Swingcase -SunTek Paint Protection film -Tinted glass -Bedmat -OEM Towing Mirrors
  8. Jul 7, 2018 at 6:31 PM
    #8
    ninjajay

    ninjajay Posting from the toilet

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    If you avoid doing anything fancy in the housings (namely LED accent lighting), a good HID setup will significantly outperform the 2018 LED and be just fine on reliability
     
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  9. Jul 7, 2018 at 6:39 PM
    #9
    Shaggypeach

    Shaggypeach New Member

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    Retrofits brightest less reliable and if you are not going to do it yourself most likely cost higher.

    Leds not as brighter as retrofits but still kicks halogens butt and the most reliable option.
     
  10. Jul 7, 2018 at 6:53 PM
    #10
    Pudge

    Pudge Super Secret Elite Member #7

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    Was driving home from Rhode island last night on some pitch black roads. I was shocked how bright my 18 LEDs were. They really shine (no pun intended) in very dark conditions. I actually had to turn the high beans off a few times because the street signs lit up so bright it was bothering my eyes.

    20180706_214301.jpg
     
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  11. Jul 7, 2018 at 7:11 PM
    #11
    atxtundra

    atxtundra New Member

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    I have retros with Morimoto LED projectors. I really like them, but I bought mine second hand. The angel eye quit working so I unplugged the other. I’m fine either way on that. I really like the output but if I did it over again... I’d just get the 2018 LEDs and call it a day.
     
  12. Jul 7, 2018 at 7:31 PM
    #12
    Masher59

    Masher59 New Member

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    I love my new 18's LEDs. I drove home from the dealership after sundown and man they are impressive. If the others are bright then kudos.
     
  13. Jul 7, 2018 at 7:34 PM
    #13
    nowayout

    nowayout New Member

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    Retros are the brightest in my option. And you still can use OEM parts for them. Like the RX350 set I have uses OEM Ballasts and igniters. A lot of cars have stock HID and never have problem. Use OEm parts and you will get the same reliability with the best performance.
     
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  14. Jul 7, 2018 at 9:49 PM
    #14
    1UPPER

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    Flux capacitor!
    My retros on my truck. I love the diode dynamic switchbacks and drls. They’re definitely bright!03956680-E61B-4286-97CE-2F7E939337D7.jpg
    I just installed the 2018 leds today. I really like the drls on them! I still want to retro the 18s though.
    3372D1D8-4714-4B5C-AF64-FA3CB83AB556.jpg
     
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  15. Jul 8, 2018 at 1:24 AM
    #15
    Boosted4runner

    Boosted4runner Join the NRA please.

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    I agree. I couldn’t believe how bright the 2018 LED’s are (headlights and brights). Even the DRL’s are bright enough to see going down my driveway at night (pitch black).
    I was very impressed.
     
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  16. Jul 8, 2018 at 7:49 AM
    #16
    ruiner

    ruiner New Member

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    You have (3) choices right now as I just went through this same decision earlier this year:
    (1) retro HID projectors - brightest of the solutions for the most part, but the most components and uses an HID bulb. Widest beam pattern as well.
    (2) retro LED projectors - almost as bright as the HIDs, but more reliable as you are using LED diodes instead of bulbs. Not as wide of a beam pattern as the HIDs, but still close.
    (3) OEM 2018 LED reflectors - the least brightness of the others and uses a reflector housing, but the most reliable

    I'm currently running retros, but LED projector retros and not the HID projectors. The HID retro projectors have more components which is why they are more hit-n-miss on reliability. The HID retros are brighter, however, than both the LED projectors and 2018 LED reflectors. The LED retros are a little less complicated and the LED diodes will (supposed to) last for well over 10 years (maybe even closer to 15) depending on how often you use them. Keep in mind that the 2018 LEDs from Toyota are reflectors and not projectors, so if a nice 'cut-off' line is important you will want to go with a retro projector setup. If you don't care and just want reliability with a little less light output than either retro option, then get the OEM 2018 LEDs.

    Since my truck is black, I wanted the internal housing to be black and match my exterior paint to an extent. I wanted the reliability of LEDs, but a nice, bright cutoff as well so I went retro LED projector.

    With just the LED DRL strips running:
    [​IMG]

    Retro LED projectors on low-beam and NO fog lights - very bright with a great cut-off (where the light ends and the darkness begins):
    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2018
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  17. Jul 8, 2018 at 7:54 AM
    #17
    Yzed608

    Yzed608 New Member

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    @1UPPER Are those LEDs I see mounted just inboard of your wheels!?

    @Boosted4runner Stop it. Stop it right now. You're making this decision to spend my money way too easy. I was already going to get the 2018 fogs and refrain from the 2018 heads, but you JUST HAVE TO say they're sooooo good :lalala:.
     
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  18. Jul 8, 2018 at 8:08 AM
    #18
    Boosted4runner

    Boosted4runner Join the NRA please.

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    Yep! They’re awesome!!

    03A82CE7-9AE9-400E-B954-6B007207BE54.jpg
     
  19. Jul 8, 2018 at 8:48 AM
    #19
    1UPPER

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    Flux capacitor!
    @1UPPER Are those LEDs I see mounted just inboard of your wheels!?


    @Yzed608 Yes sir. Rgb led rings around my rotors and over 200 light pattern options. I love the look of them! They even have an option to tie a led wire into your brake lead and they will turn red when you brake. 53949AC3-3CEA-4DD0-A9F8-ADBBD67A40CA.jpg
     
  20. Jul 11, 2018 at 10:34 AM
    #20
    myt1

    myt1 New Member

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    I have a gen 2.

    What are my options to upgrade my headlights to LED if merely swapping out the bulbs isn't a good idea.

    I assuming the 2018 LED won't fit gen 2 Tundra.

    Thanks.
     
  21. Jul 11, 2018 at 10:38 AM
    #21
    Shaggypeach

    Shaggypeach New Member

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    You can fit the 18 sequoia headlights into yours. I've seen a couple and they are amazing. Posts on this forum as well. I've also seen 2nd gen with spyders and they look great too. You can probably do hid retro on those. Thats what I've done with my 3rd gen.
     
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  22. Jul 11, 2018 at 10:41 AM
    #22
    Pudge

    Pudge Super Secret Elite Member #7

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    This ^^^
    The 2018 sequoia lights are so nice. I like them better than the tundra ones. They will fit into a 2nd gen (with the addition of a trim piece I think)

    df3b4a4a2d9ed24c8502bc79db50687e.jpg
     
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  23. Jul 12, 2018 at 9:02 PM
    #23
    vq35721

    vq35721 New Member

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    CDA93EFE-1EE9-4FEC-BB2F-D88A433F7E8E.jpg 0ECAB17E-B942-41A2-82CB-488113D428AD.jpg
    Totally agree :thumbsup:

    A1E0D218-CFC2-488C-B843-55BA09D7E7B5.jpg
     
  24. Jul 12, 2018 at 9:03 PM
    #24
    vq35721

    vq35721 New Member

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  25. Jul 12, 2018 at 9:14 PM
    #25
    TTU19

    TTU19 Wreck 'Em

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    I've had both Retro's and now the '18 LEDs. I had so many problems with my retros, the light output is great, but NOT worth the problems. I will say, the '18s on low beam are far superior to the retros. I honestly hated the harsh cutoff of them and maybe because I had a bad set, seemed really low. So for low beam, the '18s win.

    As far as high beam, I'd say the retros where a tad brighter, but that it's only by a very slim margin.

    So my 2cents, unless you want to spend A LOT and have them really done well, dont do retros, and for the love of God, don't get them from Leo. If you are coming from stock, you will absolutely love the '18s, and get the harness from @iHacker
     
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  26. Jul 12, 2018 at 9:15 PM
    #26
    TTU19

    TTU19 Wreck 'Em

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  27. Jul 12, 2018 at 9:19 PM
    #27
    TXRailRoadBandit73

    TXRailRoadBandit73 YOTAS,RAILROADER,RÖKnRÖLLN',BEER,MAX/GEMMA

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    None yet

    Nice!
     
  28. Jul 12, 2018 at 9:22 PM
    #28
    vq35721

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  29. Jul 12, 2018 at 9:30 PM
    #29
    moonshineheadache

    moonshineheadache New Member

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    I think you might have missed a spot to install a light.
     
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  30. Jul 12, 2018 at 9:53 PM
    #30
    GAknight

    GAknight New Member

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    Too many…scratch that…not done yet.
    Leavin' the color aside...
    That's one sick ride! Those lights set it off...best 2nd Gen I've seen. Very nice brotha!
     
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