Headlight output differences 08-11, 12-15 and 2016+ (2 Viewers)

[Workhorse]

Team,
I searched for this but didn't find anything specific. My question for those that know is, how much more output do the 2016 headlights have than earlier models? Do the stock 08-11 even rate in this conversation? Are the 2012-2015 much better (and by how much)? How do the 12-15 compare to the 2016+?

If someone has real world experience to share and compare I would really appreciate it. Thank you in advance for sharing.

 

[bloc]

08-11.. meh.

13-15 has a much sharper beam cutoff with HID bulbs. With upgraded lamps, even better.

But the LED's in 2016+ are a different level.

 

[dudemancool1904]

08-11.. meh.

13-15 has a much sharper beam cutoff with HID bulbs. With upgraded lamps, even better.

But the LED's in 2016+ are a different level.

All my German car friends (I would say German cars have the best headlight cutoff and output of all OEMs) were shocked at how good the lights on my ‘19 worked while carting us around the back roads of Monterey at night or early morning.

 

[daneo]

I try to avoid being hyperbolic or saying anything is the best but the 2016+ low beams are the best I’ve used.

The high beams feel lacking by comparison, but it could just be because the low beams are very nice to use.

 

[2021 LC200]

All my German car friends (I would say German cars have the best headlight cutoff and output of all OEMs) were shocked at how good the lights on my ‘19 worked while carting us around the back roads of Monterey at night or early morning.

Same experience owning both a BMW and the 2021 LC200. 16+ Land Cruiser is just great due to the design and probably good height able to light up the road ahead + vertical position of the lens vs angled.

 

[CT3]

Great headlights on my 2015. Phenomenal headlights on my 2020.

 

[Workhorse]

I try to avoid being hyperbolic or saying anything is the best but the 2016+ low beams are the best I’ve used.

The high beams feel lacking by comparison, but it could just be because the low beams are very nice to use.

So when you turn on the high beams it doesn't change or doesn't change enough? How so?

 

[Workhorse]

Great headlights on my 2015. Phenomenal headlights on my 2020.

When driving them which light up the road best? Is there a night a day difference or simply personal preference?

For example when going from my 80 series to my 100 series is a major noticeable difference. The 80 has great lights and the 100 is like two birthday candles out front. Seriously lacking.

 

[daneo]

So when you turn on the high beams it doesn't change or doesn't change enough? How so?

The high beams just add a couple more degrees of upward spill. Doesn’t feel “twice as bright” even though you’re turning on a second set of lights. And again, the lows are so good, it’d be hard to compound the impact with the highs.

 

[2021 LC200]

The regular low beams are as mentioned above phenomenal, hardly ever do I have a need to go to high beams. I have also noticed the difference with high beams is less. This does not mean the high beams are not good or less powerful than my BMW high beams. The regular low beams are just outstanding. A real strength of the 16+ LC200.

 

[CT3]

When driving them which light up the road best? Is there a night a day difference or simply personal preference?

For example when going from my 80 series to my 100 series is a major noticeable difference. The 80 has great lights and the 100 is like two birthday candles out front. Seriously lacking.

Honestly both are more than sufficient for my needs. The 2016+ clearly has an advantage but I have zero reservations about driving the 2015 anytime/anywhere.

I have extra auxiliary lights on the 2015 for the really remote stuff, and I would still want more lighting on the 2020 if I were taking it cross country like I do in the older one.

Day to day though both are great

 

[MRego]

+1 on the 2016 and up being the best headlights I ever had in any car. Yes, they are crazy bright.

On a related topic, anyone that installed the OEM front strut spacers to gain 1 inch lift had to adjust the headlights to avoid blinding incoming traffic? I haven't been flashed yet, but just wondering because recently installed the OEM spacers and do not think the dealer adjusted the headlights.

 

[bloc]

On a related topic, anyone that installed the OEM front strut spacers to gain 1 inch lift had to adjust the headlights to avoid blinding incoming traffic? I haven't been flashed yet, but just wondering because recently installed the OEM spacers and do not think the dealer adjusted the headlights.

You’ll definitely need to adjust them, as the front got taller but the rear didn’t. The previous beam angle is now higher up.

Be careful when you do so, someone on here has gone too far and unthreaded the adjustment rod internally. This isn’t fixable. I think they went really far though.

 

[MRego]

You’ll definitely need to adjust them, as the front got taller but the rear didn’t. The previous beam angle is now higher up.

Be careful when you do so, someone on here has gone too far and unthreaded the adjustment rod internally. This isn’t fixable. I think they went really far though.

Humm...possible. Since I have a HE, the rake was already so pronounced that I thought it would auto level (as discussed in some other threads here) or at least not be as bad as when you install the OEM spacers in the Base model.

 

[bloc]

Humm...possible. Since I have a HE, the rake was already so pronounced that I thought it would auto level (as discussed in some other threads here) or at least not be as bad as when you install the OEM spacers in the Base model.

The auto-leveling system isn’t very advanced. It doesn’t actually measure true level, only ride-height changes at the rear axle.

So when yours were adjusted from the factory to include the rake, they would auto-level if you added passengers or cargo to the rear which is considered normal use.

But on a LC there is no way to sense that change in the front.

Also note that this needs to be approached differently than the 16+ guys with a lift, that need to alter the length of the rod on the sensing arm in the rear. In their case the front end went up (raising the angle), but the rear did too, so the leveling system will point them up even more. They usually can’t get things back into range with the adjusting screws, so they change the length of the rod to make the new rear static ride height the default level for the lights.

 

[MRego]

The auto-leveling system isn’t very advanced. It doesn’t actually measure true level, only ride-height changes at the rear axle.

So when yours were adjusted from the factory to include the rake, they would auto-level if you added passengers or cargo to the rear which is considered normal use.

But on a LC there is no way to sense that change in the front.

Also note that this needs to be approached differently than the 16+ guys with a lift, that need to alter the length of the rod on the sensing arm in the rear. In their case the front end went up (raising the angle), but the rear did too, so the leveling system will point them up even more. They usually can’t get things back into range with the adjusting screws, so they change the length of the rod to make the new rear static ride height the default level for the lights.

Cool. Thanks for the explanation. Looks like I will have to head back to the dealer - I am not mechanically inclined and do not want to mess this up, since the bill for that might be high.

 

[bloc]

Cool. Thanks for the explanation. Looks like I will have to head back to the dealer - I am not mechanically inclined and do not want to mess this up, since the bill for that might be high.

Any time.

And: if you haven’t seen me say it a bunch before, lock your glove box and keep the key blade with you. Only way to avoid a broken recirc door at the dealer.

 

[2021 LC200]

There are a couple of options to overcome auto leveling issues when you install front OEM spacers and or lift the LC200:

a) Adjust with the screws at the units itself

b) Adjust the arm on the rear axle sensor, there are some aftermarket arms around as well

c) There maybe a way to add a height adjustment switch, although not clear this is just plug and play with an existing unused connector and it all just starts working (sounds to easy... )

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256802915497102.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt#nav-specification

or the same so it seems via ebay

Fit for Land Cruiser LC200 2016-2020 Headlight height adjustment switch | eBay

Before you purchase, pls confirm it is suitable for your car. Or pls leave the model, year, picture, VIN and other necessary information of the car, we will help you confirm, thank you! Item Fitment: For Land Cruiser LC200 2016-2020 Conditionï¼100% Brand new Installation positionï¼Headlight...

www.ebay.com

 

[MRego]

There are a couple of options to overcome auto leveling issues when you install front OEM spacers and or lift the LC200:

a) Adjust with the screws at the units itself

b) Adjust the arm on the rear axle sensor, there are some aftermarket arms around as well

c) There maybe a way to add a height adjustment switch, although not clear this is just plug and play with an existing unused connector and it all just starts working (sounds to easy... )

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256802915497102.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt#nav-specification

or the same so it seems via ebay

Fit for Land Cruiser LC200 2016-2020 Headlight height adjustment switch | eBay

Before you purchase, pls confirm it is suitable for your car. Or pls leave the model, year, picture, VIN and other necessary information of the car, we will help you confirm, thank you! Item Fitment: For Land Cruiser LC200 2016-2020 Conditionï¼100% Brand new Installation positionï¼Headlight...

www.ebay.com

Wow...this is wild. So, supposedly behind one of those blankets in the left side panel is a plug and play male connector to use this switch? Can anyone confirm this?

 

[2021 LC200]

Wow...this is wild. So, supposedly behind one of those blankets in the left side panel is a plug and play male connector to use this switch? Can anyone confirm this?

That is possible the million dollar question here

Last time I had it open was to connect my red arc brake controller. Seemed there was an unused connector sitting there but not sure, nor do I know it will work on all 16+ model years and the 200’s we got here in the US.

We need somebody to try and provide some feedback. Since I have no need for this yet I am not volunteering yet.