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Bulb question

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by 1Tundra5, Jan 11, 2023.

  1. Jan 11, 2023 at 9:13 AM
    #1
    1Tundra5

    1Tundra5 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
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    First Name:
    Junior
    Vehicle:
    2015 White SR5
    I got some aftermarket headlight units, and now the bulb is out. It has halogen bulbs but was thinking about getting LEDs. Question is: would it somehow damage my headlight units if I get fanless LEDs?
    Tech support is not answering my calls ;/
     
  2. Mar 4, 2023 at 2:03 PM
    #2
    bfunke

    bfunke Tundra Curmudgeon

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    Bryan
    South Carolina
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    2018 SR-5 CM 5.7, 2000 SR-5 AC 4.7L
    LED bulbs in halogen reflectors generally don’t work well. Suggest either replaced entire housing with LED or could try LED mini projector bulbs
     
  3. Mar 4, 2023 at 2:15 PM
    #3
    joseph_womack

    joseph_womack @ 4x4bound

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    Louisiana
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    2007 RCLB, 4WD, 4.7L V8
    3/1 Lift, 35s, Front Bumper, etc etc
    I'm running LED bulbs in my factory 2nd gen headlight housings (low & high beam); have been for a couple years now. Make sure you clock the LED chips to shine directly to either side (90 degrees straight up) in the housing, this will make sure the LED chipset shines correctly into the reflectors in the headlight housing (so you get a nice beam pattern and cutoff). I'd also check and make sure your headlights are aimed properly to keep from blinding anyone.

    Current LED's I'm using in my lowbeams: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09JFMWWCN?ie=UTF8

    Attached is what I mean when I say clocking the LED chips

    16766648077_34a24d2a39_b.jpg
     
    D4x4TRD likes this.
  4. Apr 3, 2023 at 2:08 AM
    #4
    artsr2002

    artsr2002 2005 Tundra DC SR5

    Joined:
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    'Yonder
    Vehicle:
    Red-Maroon-Something 05 DC 4.7 4x2
    LEDs have improved a lot over the years. Stick with decent brands and stay away from those multi-sided Chinesium cheapo units and you'll be ok. Yes, clock the bulbs to where the LED elements face the 3 and 9 o'clock positions. You may still need to adjust your headlights down a tiny bit but should be ok. I recommend watching Headlight Revolution videos. The higher cost bulbs they test perform very well in either projector or reflector based headlights and their comparison videos will clearly show the terrible output and how much dangerous glare some of those cheap bulbs out there can create for other drivers on the road.
     

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