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**Brand New Morimoto XB Evo Headlights are here!

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by memario1214, Aug 22, 2024.

  1. Aug 28, 2024 at 2:34 PM
    #31
    memario1214

    memario1214 [OP] Hotshot Offroad Staff Member Vendor

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    Admittedly, MM did a pretty bad job of "showing" the difference between the lights in this one graphic that they have pre-prepared. The fact that they only showed off the low beam didn't help either. I'll hopefully have some free time in the next week or two to capture some images of my own with the production units, but I can tell you that they're not the same. I have some formal test data from them that I am not allowed to share quite yet. The low beam between the two lamps is honestly somewhat similar in terms of performance (assuming you're not using the supercharger module), with a candela increase of around 20% at nearly every test point. The high beam, however, is not even a comparison. The XB Evo is miles ahead in terms of performance there at around a 35% boost in power from OEM LEDs. Comparing to OEM halogen is not even a contest, as they are unfortunately a quite poor performing lamp altogether.

    Again, I understand that $1,500 is no small ask. That said, if someone is converting from OEM halogen, breaks a light, or wants an upgrade from even OEM LED to have a bump in performance and aesthetics that they can see, this is the only lamp on the market that will complete that task. No to mention they have really good styling to them IMO, and come equipped with a lens heater which is certainly a nice feature for those of us up north who know all too well what snowpack on headlights during a snowstorm is like.

    As an aside, comparing new to new - A quick call to my local dealership revealed that they wanted $2,200 for a set of OEM LED headlights for a 4R. The cheapest place that I was able to find a set of new OEM LEDs with a quick search online was at "Wholesale Direct Toyota Parts" in NC, and they wanted $751 per side + $216 shipping... I'm not the manufacturer so I don't set the pricing, but they're not completely out of line compared to what's currently out there in the performance sector.
     
    raimieb, michow87 and PVT Pablo like this.
  2. Aug 28, 2024 at 2:55 PM
    #32
    Spare Parts

    Spare Parts New Member

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    I agree if you need to replace, worth it.
     
  3. Aug 28, 2024 at 3:43 PM
    #33
    joshdub

    joshdub New Member

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    I'd be interested but I have had awful luck with the longevity of components from morimoto. Any experience on how well the projectors in these will hold up? Are they using commonly known off the shelf morimoto led projectors? I feel like if I buy these I am going to regret it within 2 years just as I have with ever other morimoto product I've purchased. But they seem like they perform the best
     
    Rocko9999 likes this.
  4. Aug 28, 2024 at 5:08 PM
    #34
    memario1214

    memario1214 [OP] Hotshot Offroad Staff Member Vendor

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    Since they're a brand new projector built from the ground up I can't put a stamp on them and say for certain that they'll be better for longevity than the outgoing models. Every other lamp on the market (including the outgoing XBs) use an off the shelf projector. These lamps are built in a different facility than the outgoing models, and Morimoto had much more granular control over all aspects of the production. My hands on experience with them is that the materials used throughout as well as the fit and finish on them is a pretty large step up over the outgoing model. The lead engineer on the project (Yoshi) is a very, very detail oriented individual. During the prototyping stage of these he'd be sending me updates/revisions of minor optical changes, hotspot adjustments, power draw values, etc well into the wee hours of the night. To be honest, the last generation of Morimoto XBs were essentially a while label product made by someone else that Morimoto purchased exclusive US distribution rights for. These ones are a truly in-house product for Morimoto. They also carry a 5-yr warranty on them.

    If you really want to get lost in the technical sauce, Yoshi also just released a page that explains some of the methodology that was used when trying to create the perfect (and still road legal) lamp.
    https://www.morimotohid.com/multipoint
     
  5. Aug 31, 2024 at 1:35 PM
    #35
    Mr. Snuffleupagus

    Mr. Snuffleupagus Light Runner

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    I got my set yesterday and got them installed last night. They look freaking amazing! The performance on the low beam is marginally better than the stock LED. The high beam is a huge step up. I can only imagine how they would be with the super drivers. I wanted to stay street legal so I opted for the regular drivers. I'll post a longer term review after I have really had a chance to test them out.
     
  6. Aug 31, 2024 at 11:36 PM
    #36
    LA260

    LA260 New Member

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    These look pretty good and I'll probably get them once my current setup stops working which will most likely happen in the next 6-12 months.
     
    memario1214[OP] likes this.
  7. Sep 1, 2024 at 6:34 AM
    #37
    MikeS

    MikeS New Member

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    > I wanted to stay street legal so I opted for the regular drivers.

    Morimoto should have added a switch so you could select the normal mode for on-road usage, but flip the switch when going off-road. Having to make that decision at time of purchase is very limiting.
     
  8. Sep 1, 2024 at 8:36 AM
    #38
    Spare Parts

    Spare Parts New Member

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    I was wondering about that, that would be a great selling point over factory.
     
  9. Sep 1, 2024 at 9:14 AM
    #39
    PVT Pablo

    PVT Pablo

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    The fed has a lot of requirements for headlights. I imagine a switchable super high beam over the low and high beam wouldn't of made them compliant.

    I also agree it would of been cool however.
     
    22LimeRush and memario1214[OP] like this.
  10. Sep 1, 2024 at 12:36 PM
    #40
    ace96

    ace96 New Member

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    TRD Pro wheels, TRD pro valence and grill, black out lettering.
    Subbed. Have a 2016 needing new lights as lenses are fading.
     
    memario1214[OP] likes this.
  11. Sep 2, 2024 at 8:27 AM
    #41
    memario1214

    memario1214 [OP] Hotshot Offroad Staff Member Vendor

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    Heck yeah! The first-hand feedback is awesome to see. Looking forward to your full review.
    As others have alluded to, the supercharger module cannot be preinstalled (or even included in the same box) if Morimoto wants to retain legality and get certification for a road-legal lamp. The SC unit isn't a full on retina burner either. The light still has well-controlled upward limiters so oncoming traffic isn't going to get blasted. However, it does still fall outside of legal limits for intensity.

    You also aren't required to purchase the supercharger module upon your initial purchase. It can be purchased later, and the modules can be swapped with the headlights installed in the vehicle!
     
  12. Sep 28, 2024 at 4:24 PM
    #42
    michalik.piotr6837

    michalik.piotr6837 New Member

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    Hello, quick review and question about these.
    First, some background, this is my 3rd 4runner (85, 01) and and 6th Toyota (95 Supra, 71 fj40, 06 lx470) and all have had headlight mods, retrofits etc.

    My trdp is a 17 and untill these lights I didn’t think any other lights out there were worth the $ in terms of actual improvements with output vs just cosmetics so I just plugged in some hid bulbs and ballasts and ran with that, then did several different led bulb set ups and all of them were marginally better then oem set up. Was about to do a retro with bi led projectors for the lows when these came out.

    Review: I have the ones with the led hi’s and the superchargers (silly name). Lows are better than anything i have had in the truck till this point. Clean, clear, white, no hot spots, wide. Hi’s are damn impressive. I have 4 5” round Rigids on the roof with spot and drive beam patterns and really don’t need to use them all that much. When I do, just brightens things up a little. I also have early morimoto fogs which now on lows are not that noticeable where as before they were needed. So that’s the performance. I have had them for about 3weeks and around 400mi. Half on dark county highways with zero street lamps, that’s why I spent the money on these. Esthetic and styling? They are fine. Look oem’ish. Drl’s are kinda ricey but whatever, nice that you can plug in the different plugs and change colors. That’s actually what my question is about….

    question: in the “auto” position are the drl’s or any lights supposed to be on? Oem sends a weaker voltage to the hi’s so they are on dimly.

    Will try to post some pics or vids. After aiming, I have had zero ppl flash me anywhere fyi and I’m lifted on 33s. Seems I can’t upload vids. Sorry.

    IMG_6078.jpg
    IMG_5725.jpg
     
    ace96 and michow87 like this.
  13. Sep 28, 2024 at 7:26 PM
    #43
    Ais4awesome4

    Ais4awesome4 New Member

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    How much can these possibly cost to produce? Maybe $100 a pair? I could be wrong here just thinking out loud.

    Id consider buying these at the $800 range. What would yall pay?
     
  14. Sep 28, 2024 at 11:30 PM
    #44
    FourBelugas

    FourBelugas New Member

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    There is cost to the distribution, certification, and ultimately, what the buyers are willing to pay. The fact that OEM lights are so expensive means aftermarket makers have a decent floor to price from.
     
  15. Sep 28, 2024 at 11:31 PM
    #45
    FourBelugas

    FourBelugas New Member

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    I am a pretty big defender of the OEM LED lights but I am not a fan of the OEM high beam. My 20 year old Corolla's highbeam demolishes my 1 year old 4Runner's, that's just sad. If these hold up I am actually tempted now.
     
  16. Oct 9, 2024 at 2:59 PM
    #46
    monkeystomach

    monkeystomach New Member

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    I bought these from hotshot offroad along with some fogs and other stuff. Amazing customer service, great guy to talk to and nerd out about lighting.
     
  17. Oct 10, 2024 at 3:38 AM
    #47
    memario1214

    memario1214 [OP] Hotshot Offroad Staff Member Vendor

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    :rofl: I am in fact a nerd of many things. Lighting is absolutely one of them. Greatly appreciate the support! :fistbump:
     
  18. Oct 11, 2024 at 8:52 PM
    #48
    michalik.piotr6837

    michalik.piotr6837 New Member

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    Can’t post vids but few more pics and a few hundred miles more on em. Love em even more. Zero complaints. To answer my own question from my first post…. You have to connect the heater wire to have Drl in the auto position. There is no way to turn drl off, they are on when the car is running. Good cs from morimoto, answered my questions.

    They are expensive yes but to everyone complaining “how much can it cost to make them”? How bout how much did it cost to design, test, all those salaries and r&d cost, shopping, taxes, the company has insurance rent employees and salaries etc. c’mon. And they are not a non profit charity either.

    IMG_6431.jpg
    IMG_6078.jpg
     
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  19. Oct 12, 2024 at 7:16 AM
    #49
    SlvrSlug

    SlvrSlug Slightly bent.

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    They look marvelous.
     
  20. Nov 26, 2024 at 4:00 PM
    #50
    Heffern

    Heffern New Member

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    Hi all, anyone got first hand experience of the XB EVO vs XB EVO Hybrids?

    I primarily interested in the XB EVO improvement in HB/LB lighting and not the DRL and Turn Signal bells and whistles.

    Are the XB EVO’s $800 better than the XB EVO Hybrid (Canadian dollars)?
     
  21. Nov 27, 2024 at 2:21 PM
    #51
    yoshi i

    yoshi i New Member

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    Low beam performance is identical between Evo and Hybrid, but Evo come with quad D optics high beam booster.
    So high beam performance is much stronger and broader with Evo.
    Below is measurement comparison, left is driver impression impactful data point, and the right is road illuminance mapping ( per lamp, unit=lux at standard aim)

    Green is Evo, Blue is Hybrid measured value.
    upload_2024-11-27_14-0-6.png


    Evo high beam is much broader and full-bodied massive coverage.


    This is D optics array position at inner most

    upload_2024-11-27_14-7-13.png
    This is output of D optics only, it shoots thick band of mainly above cutoff ( horizontal line) beam coverage
    top is designed(simulation) and bottom is actual product beam photo.
    upload_2024-11-27_14-14-6.png

    This is relative position of D optics output to low beam, because Hybrid already approaching DOT high beam beam center allowable max intensity, D optics roll is mainly to enhance "volume and coverage" of upper distance zone.
    upload_2024-11-27_14-16-28.png


    Lastly, here is comparison reference of OE performance.
    upload_2024-11-27_14-18-37.png


    Hybrid is plenty strong improvement over OE system. Evo gives massive high beam impression punch. The rest, utility difference. Lmk if you have any technical related questions, I designed new XB Evo line up.
     
  22. Nov 27, 2024 at 3:08 PM
    #52
    2Toys

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