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Anyone regret upgrading headlights?

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by broken-giver, May 11, 2023.

  1. May 11, 2023 at 11:09 AM
    #1
    broken-giver

    broken-giver [OP] BFD

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    particularly looking for owners who already had LED headlights (MY 2020+ I think?). I like the look of morimoto and other headlights but want to get others opinions on whether they regretted it after replacing OEMs with it.

    Nothing is broken in my 2023, and part of me wants to just use the stock lights -- they work good in my mind. But looking at after market options, they do seem to make 4R appear very cool! So the vain person in me wants to consider upgrading...

    I am aware of many reporting no real lumen gains with an "upgrade". I am wondering if anyone thought it was so bad, they wish they hadn't.
     
    22LimeRush likes this.
  2. May 11, 2023 at 11:14 AM
    #2
    CalcityRenegade

    CalcityRenegade New Member

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    I have pondered the same, but do not want to mess with Toyota reliability. I had a nice set of high quality Volant LED tail lights on my Titan. Multiple diodes burnt out within a couple years and looked bad.

    I have modified enough vehicles to become very picky what I modify. I would not sacrifice reliability and money just for looks.
     
  3. May 11, 2023 at 12:33 PM
    #3
    JETSPD1477

    JETSPD1477 New

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    i wanted to improve forward lighting on my 2019 which had halogens. i wrestled with the idea of going with morimotos but the price was a real tough pill to swallow. this lead me to retrofitting OEM led headlights which came in much cheaper (used). sure there is zero aesthetic improvement but i have the benefit of good performing lights and OEM quality with a potential of lifetime service.
     
    donnermel likes this.
  4. May 11, 2023 at 12:38 PM
    #4
    Rocko9999

    Rocko9999 New Member

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    What did that cost?
     
  5. May 11, 2023 at 12:53 PM
    #5
    STrooper

    STrooper Let’s Go Places!

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    I heard that alpharex headlights are very good quality as well.
     
  6. May 11, 2023 at 12:55 PM
    #6
    JETSPD1477

    JETSPD1477 New

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    i picked up pristine 2022 take offs from someone who went with morimotos. all said including the relays i paid a little over $600.
     
    donnermel and Rocko9999[QUOTED] like this.
  7. May 11, 2023 at 12:55 PM
    #7
    HuskerRunner

    HuskerRunner New Member

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    Same. I really wish the drls in 4runners were leds in the place of that chrome piece in the headlight. Our Outback is like that and it looks so much better
     
  8. May 11, 2023 at 1:01 PM
    #8
    STrooper

    STrooper Let’s Go Places!

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    Depo headlights have the LED drls and they are comparable to OEM and cost way less than any other brand.
     
    HuskerRunner[QUOTED] likes this.
  9. May 11, 2023 at 1:03 PM
    #9
    2020 4Runner

    2020 4Runner New Member

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    Here is the wife's 2020 with the Morimoto XB in amber DRL. We originally had halogens for OEM.

    Compress_20221220_131807_7507.jpg
     
  10. May 11, 2023 at 1:28 PM
    #10
    bigshmoop

    bigshmoop New Member

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    LT255/80R17 ATW3's, Westcott Designs DOM/TIG sliders, low profile roof rack, ladder, preload collar lift, Baja Designs 40" S8 lightbar
    I replaced the head and tails lights with Morimoto's. My '23 ORP came with LED already but I wanted to change up the look of the front end and have it match my Baja Design S8 lightbar. It has amber backlights so it matches the amber DRL on the Morimoto. No regrets. That being said, I kept my factory units in case they shit the bed.

    IMG_1831.jpg IMG_1768.jpg
     
    broken-giver[OP] likes this.
  11. May 11, 2023 at 3:13 PM
    #11
    broken-giver

    broken-giver [OP] BFD

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    Is it possible to just update DRLs and leave head lights as is? I like morimoto DRLs (both white and Amber) a lot, and maybe that’s the compromise for me.
     
  12. May 11, 2023 at 4:21 PM
    #12
    21NCRunner

    21NCRunner New Member

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    Morimoto headlights, tails and fogs, Cali Raised sliders, Gobi roof rack no riser
    No regrets here. 21 OR with LED. Wanted to change it up and have LED DRL’s. Did Morimoto heads, tails and fogs. Kept OE just incase. Perfect cutoff line after second adjustment by installer. DRL’s are extremely bright. Bright enough that I tend to forget to turn on my headlights at times.

    IMG_0623.jpg
    IMG_0635.jpg

    IMG_0621.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

  13. May 11, 2023 at 4:41 PM
    #13
    Gamma Ray

    Gamma Ray Be excellent to each other

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    Who cares? This never shows everything anyway.
    I have a 2020 which is the last year of the non-LED headlights. I replaced the atrocious awful stock halogen bulbs with the Lasfit 4Runner-specific headlights. They're awesome.
     
    donnermel and Ironguy like this.
  14. May 11, 2023 at 4:43 PM
    #14
    Rocko9999

    Rocko9999 New Member

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    Have a link?
     
  15. May 11, 2023 at 4:49 PM
    #15
    Gamma Ray

    Gamma Ray Be excellent to each other

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    Who cares? This never shows everything anyway.
  16. May 11, 2023 at 5:02 PM
    #16
    Ironguy

    Ironguy New Member

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    New pine scent hanger, new sun shade
    Same here. No problems,
     
  17. May 11, 2023 at 5:09 PM
    #17
    Gamma Ray

    Gamma Ray Be excellent to each other

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    Who cares? This never shows everything anyway.
    They really are the witch's tits.
     
  18. May 11, 2023 at 7:26 PM
    #18
    FN2187

    FN2187 Stormtrooper

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    I looked at aftermarket headlights since I have a 2019 before upgrade to LED. Many look good but there were a lot of stories of rapid flickering on DRLs due to reduce voltage (not an electrical engineer, I think that was the problem?).

    I think they look great but ended up too low on the cost/benefit analysis scale. Also why I don't have light bars - I don't do a lot of night driving and I think I'd be just fine in an emergency situation with stock lights and a cheap flashlight
     
  19. May 11, 2023 at 8:00 PM
    #19
    semprenissart

    semprenissart Mèfi

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    I have the morimoto. Main reason I got them is because there was a big sale at the time (I saved almost $400).
    I wanted nicer DRL than the OEM. Other than that I really liked the OEM and don’t have a preference. If OEM had DRL instead of the chrome part I wouldn’t have removed them (like what Alpha Rex did)

    I still have my OEM in case morimoto’s fail in the future
     
  20. May 12, 2023 at 4:56 AM
    #20
    ValK83

    ValK83 New Member

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    In other threads I have read all the aftermarket headlights ended up performing worse than even the OEM halogen’s. I just did an H9 bulb upgrade but if a set of LED headlights pop up used I will snag them.
     
    donnermel and ace96 like this.
  21. May 12, 2023 at 5:54 AM
    #21
    kmeeg

    kmeeg LionRunner

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    I clicked the link questioning myself "what headlights they have?". LOL. I too very happy with one of thier LED bulbs on OEM halogen housing. If there's any issues just a matter of replacing just the bulb vs the entire housing.

    But I didn't comment before since this post talk about headlight housings. :):) I had that thought of changing housing but not anymore since I have perfect light output even compared to OEM LED housing. After that I upgraded the halogen fog housing to Toyota OEM LED "like" fogs from Amazon (video not published yet) , and I'm all set now.:D
     
  22. May 12, 2023 at 2:21 PM
    #22
    Mrkothegigolo

    Mrkothegigolo New Member

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    I love the Morimoto look but have heard way too many issues with the DRL burning out. Then it happened to my friend so I can't justify spending $1300+ for headlights that will eventually fail. I'm currently watching a company called Coplus that makes almpst identical headlights. I heard they used to make Morimotos for them but branched out. Their US dealer seems to be Underland Offroad and they are about $200 cheaper than morimotos. Hopefully I hear good things about them so I can jump on a pair
     
    donnermel likes this.
  23. May 12, 2023 at 2:39 PM
    #23
    steelevo

    steelevo Not so new anymore...

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    The only regret I had with my 2020, was not upgrading to OEM led lights sooner.
     
    Boogeyman and donnermel like this.
  24. May 12, 2023 at 3:26 PM
    #24
    2020 4Runner

    2020 4Runner New Member

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    Haven't hear of any DRL failures. Did they both go out at the same time?
     
  25. May 12, 2023 at 4:15 PM
    #25
    Steely123

    Steely123 What's the new trend? I'll do it!

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    i have no regrets with my alpha rex. Such an upgrade from stock halogens. Yeah probably coulda went less expensive with bulbs or some vland housings. But the stock chrome check mark instead of drl was killing me.
     
    21NCRunner likes this.
  26. May 13, 2023 at 7:49 PM
    #26
    Mrkothegigolo

    Mrkothegigolo New Member

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    Just a portion of one headlight went out
     
  27. May 14, 2023 at 9:33 PM
    #27
    wax poetic

    wax poetic New Member

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    This right here... I keep finding myself looking at every Lexus or other vehicles on the road with a close to checkmark led so I can try and retro fit it into the stock housings ... someday I may do so, especially if I could find a set of Alpha Rex with that were broken with the checks still functioning.
     
    Steely123[QUOTED] likes this.
  28. May 15, 2023 at 9:51 AM
    #28
    donnermel

    donnermel New Member

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    Hey, how long has the H9 worked for you? I did this about 1.5 years ago, and I’m feeling like they are really dim (again). I’m wondering if the halogens need to actually be replaced before they burn out.
     
  29. May 15, 2023 at 9:53 AM
    #29
    broken-giver

    broken-giver [OP] BFD

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    Thanks, appreciate the response.
    I have 2023 so already have LEDs.
    I am beginning to think its just vanity (for me) and not really worth it to upgrade.
     
    donnermel likes this.
  30. May 15, 2023 at 10:02 AM
    #30
    Slopemaster

    Slopemaster Slope Survivalist

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    I have a question for those of you with LED headlights. Do they produce enough heat to keep the light assembly thawed out when driving in freezing slushy conditions?

    Thanks

    4BDDF0E7-84AD-4F8D-A140-2CD063808406.jpg
    54EB1B0B-6184-4FC5-BCFF-3A90B37C4C23.jpg
     
    2Toys and donnermel like this.

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