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Affordable LED suggestions

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by Toyoda Tundra, Oct 26, 2020.

  1. Oct 26, 2020 at 10:25 PM
    #1
    Toyoda Tundra

    Toyoda Tundra [OP] Boxing and Tundras

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    Hello everyone, I’m am having trouble seeing at night. I was wondering if anyone can recommend some good Led bulbs for my headlights, (2004 Tundra access cab) preferably under $50, plug and play, let me know if it’s a good idea to switch to LEDs or not since they would be going into the OEM halogen housings. My headlights aren’t yellow/faded.
     
    Rica25 and YardBird like this.
  2. Oct 26, 2020 at 10:34 PM
    #2
    YardBird

    YardBird Native San Diegan

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  3. Oct 27, 2020 at 4:03 AM
    #3
    GavinG83

    GavinG83 New Member

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    I swapped everything over to led last year I think. I ordered some beamtechs 35 for the headlights 35 for the fog lights off of Amazon. I did need to add a load resistor from super bright leds H4-RL650-M: H4 Connection Load Resistor 10 bucks because the fog lights stopped working. I have not had any issues with this setup since I installed it and they work great. Next step is adding ditch lights and a light bar behind the grill.
     
  4. Oct 27, 2020 at 4:41 AM
    #4
    Professional Hand Model

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

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    Katana makes bulbs for around $35-40. One is fan cooled (with compact heat sink without driver box) and another is plug and play shape like an OEM bulb.

    I had their original version on (fan with driver box) last year and they lasted 14 months with daytime running lights on. The light was nice. No flashing from other drivers.

    These new Katanas are a few months old and can’t attest to their longevity. The light is better than the original which was really nice. Better light than the new Sylvania filament bulbs ($40) I had in prior. Another member @Tundra2 just bought the OEM style shape.
     
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  5. Oct 27, 2020 at 6:59 AM
    #5
    Gmillz85

    Gmillz85 Ski Bum Extraordinaire

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    She's a Pro
    I used the mock retrofit kit below and am thoroughly pleased with the results.

    Screenshot_20201027-075729.jpg
    IMG_20200919_212403_8.jpg
     
  6. Oct 27, 2020 at 12:04 PM
    #6
    Tundra2

    Tundra2 Zoinked

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    I like the plug, and play of these new lights. There is no way to "clock" them or rotate them to adjust the beam of light. Personally, I like this.

    My gut instinct is that these new style H4 headlights aren't as bright as ones I've had in the past. I have no way to objectively measure the lumens per headlight, other than gut feeling, and comparing headlights.

    Here is a shot of old lights.
    20191113_101408.jpg
    Here is a shot of new lights.
    20201023_100152.jpg

    Editing in: you will need load resistors for the headlights to keep operation of your foglights. I tried without load resistors because mine are plug, and play on new bulbs. Still need them.

    I have these. (Pic is link)
    Screenshot_20201027-152411_Chrome.jpg
     
    Last edited: Oct 27, 2020
    trueblue1981 likes this.
  7. Oct 27, 2020 at 1:17 PM
    #7
    Tundra2

    Tundra2 Zoinked

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    20200831_183954.jpg
    Old lights on pass side. Projector on the drivers side.

    I still have my projector housings, and a spare set of ballasts/bulbs if anyone wants to shoot me an offer. I'm just trying to get rid of them.
     
  8. Oct 27, 2020 at 1:30 PM
    #8
    SouthWestGA

    SouthWestGA New Member

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    If you do get any type of load resistors

    DONT let them touch plastic

    They get hot and will melt it

    Mount to a metal surface using self tapping screws,or adhesive tape
     
    Tundyfundy and Tundra2 like this.
  9. Oct 27, 2020 at 1:41 PM
    #9
    Tundra2

    Tundra2 Zoinked

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    20201027_154023.jpg
    Forgot to include that. Yes, you're basically installing heaters (resistor) so they get hot. Real hot.
     
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  10. Oct 27, 2020 at 2:05 PM
    #10
    Toyoda Tundra

    Toyoda Tundra [OP] Boxing and Tundras

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    Thankyou everyone for the suggestions, I really just want LED’s or something brighter for my headlights, just plug and play, I just want to be able to see better.
     
    Tundra2 likes this.
  11. Oct 27, 2020 at 3:24 PM
    #11
    Professional Hand Model

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

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    These are the newer ones I just installed. Good light. No resistors. You’ll need to work them onto the boot of your assy with a little Hand Jujitsu, but I think you’ll be happy.



    upload_2020-10-27_18-22-37.jpg
     
  12. Oct 27, 2020 at 3:28 PM
    #12
    Tundra2

    Tundra2 Zoinked

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    If I had a do-over I think I would go with these just based on my gut feeling that the fanless ones I have, while providing adequate light are not as luminous as these.
     
  13. Oct 27, 2020 at 3:39 PM
    #13
    Professional Hand Model

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

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    My older Katanas were ‘rated’ 12k lumen and aren’t as bright as these 10k lumen. I like these because they don’t have a driver box (different from resistors) which saves space. They have a really nice cut off line, too.
     
    Tundra2[QUOTED] likes this.
  14. Oct 27, 2020 at 3:44 PM
    #14
    Professional Hand Model

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

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  15. Oct 27, 2020 at 9:55 PM
    #15
    Toyoda Tundra

    Toyoda Tundra [OP] Boxing and Tundras

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    @Professional Hand Model, did you have to do any mods in order for the Katanas to fit? Like did you have to cut the rubber booth or anything like that? Or do they just need to get pushed in there
     
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  16. Oct 27, 2020 at 10:14 PM
    #16
    fighthedude

    fighthedude New Member

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    Toyoda Tundra[OP] likes this.
  17. Oct 28, 2020 at 6:14 AM
    #17
    Professional Hand Model

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

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    I did not cut the boots, but have read of others reviewers saying they did on their different vehicles. You’ll need to take your time and work the boot on in the proper position. Not difficult if you take your time and think it through. Remove the boot and install the bulb in the boot and then snap the boot/bulb into place. Start on the pass side as its more open. The driver battery side is tighter.
     
  18. Oct 28, 2020 at 6:20 AM
    #18
    Professional Hand Model

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

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    Plug and play on 2002. I do have LED PerfectFit Fogs (high dolla) and supposedly those,in conjunction with the Katanas, allow a resister-less set up. No funkiness on the high beams like others report in the later model 1st Gens. Later 1st Gen seems hit or miss on other LED. The Katana should work as it has a built in driver.
     
  19. Oct 28, 2020 at 11:30 AM
    #19
    Toyoda Tundra

    Toyoda Tundra [OP] Boxing and Tundras

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    Thankyou! Also let me know how the work for you @fighthedude.
     
  20. Oct 28, 2020 at 3:37 PM
    #20
    djhase

    djhase New Member

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    Seems to me that most retro fit led's in old housings do more to blind oncoming traffic than they do to light up the road. Old housing are not designed for LED's and thus do not put out the light properly. I'd either replace with a complete led fixture or stick with the brightest halogen style. Others on the road will thank you.

    I have a 19 tundra with the LED lights and they are awesome but they also have an awesome price.
     
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  21. Oct 28, 2020 at 3:54 PM
    #21
    Professional Hand Model

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

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    You are wrong in my case. Now exit back over to turd gen section. Thank you.
     
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  22. Oct 28, 2020 at 3:57 PM
    #22
    Toyoda Tundra

    Toyoda Tundra [OP] Boxing and Tundras

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  23. Oct 28, 2020 at 3:59 PM
    #23
    Professional Hand Model

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

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    You may need to re-aim your assys with the new lights. Someone put up the long screw driver picture in the hole adjustment a few weeks back. Its easy. Just follow the instruction.
     
  24. Oct 28, 2020 at 5:00 PM
    #24
    Charliebrn

    Charliebrn New Member

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    I bought the Auxbeam S1 series from Amazon. The form a decent beam and make for very bright lights but I don’t get other drivers flashing at me. It’s an easy install and no fans to go south on you. They’ve worked really well for me for less than $50.
     
    Toyoda Tundra[OP] likes this.
  25. Oct 29, 2020 at 9:15 AM
    #25
    djhase

    djhase New Member

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    Your probably one of those blinding the rest of us.
     
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  26. Oct 29, 2020 at 9:42 AM
    #26
    Professional Hand Model

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

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    Wrong again bud. 0/2.
     
  27. Nov 7, 2020 at 9:31 PM
    #27
    Toyoda Tundra

    Toyoda Tundra [OP] Boxing and Tundras

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    Just installed the katanas on my 04 Tundra. I’m happy with them so much better than stock halogen, now I can see when driving at night. The installation was very easy, I didn’t have to cut the dust boot, I just pushed the led into the dust boot. The only issue i have is my high beams indicator is not showing and my fog lights aren’t working, I contacted katana and they’re sending me a resistor to fix the issue, you just plug it and should fix the issue.

    D61D8A9A-96E9-40E6-AF81-DC9161766B0C.jpg
     
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  28. Nov 7, 2020 at 9:33 PM
    #28
    Toyoda Tundra

    Toyoda Tundra [OP] Boxing and Tundras

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  29. Nov 8, 2020 at 5:46 AM
    #29
    Professional Hand Model

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

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    Cut off looks good. Solid evidence of no blinding. Glad the light is brighter for you. Keep in mind I had the first generation Katanas and they only lasted 14 months. My 2002 has day time running lights and didn’t do much night driving. These second generation seem to have a better design and the light is brighter. We’ll see how long they last. I did disable my day time lights.

    For anyone reading, the 2002 doesn’t need resistors and has no high beam problem. I do have LED Fogs as well.
     
  30. Nov 8, 2020 at 9:05 AM
    #30
    Toyoda Tundra

    Toyoda Tundra [OP] Boxing and Tundras

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    Thank you. Big difference vs the stock halogen bulbs. I will report back if ever run into any issues with these, I have disabled my day time running light as well so they should last longer. We shall see.
     

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