Let’s talk 7” headlights

[sofj45]

Two rigs im running those same lights halfwacked is running but bought off temu at 42 a pair. In 3 of the rigs did 7” glass led converison lights on Amazon can’t remember price but they are just a 7”
Round glass housing and then add whatever h4 led bulb you desire. Think I was about 120-150 a set that way. (Yellow pig) The temu/amazon ones like halfwacked I personally don’t like the look of but do love the look out the windshield. (Wife’s pig)

 

[J Mack]

only problem in Montana is the LED’s usually don’t have enough

I drive a bit on Idaho winter roads with LED headlights and I don't really have a problem until I've been driving in the snowy conditions on the highway with the other cars kicking up the half melting ice back at me, I have had to wipe that off several times and fuel stops on winter trips. Other than that I think they're great.
Some information here.. LED light suggestions - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/led-light-suggestions.1247940/

Also @wngrog posted a test he did a while back with some excellent pictures, I looked but couldn't find it. It's worth looking for as he really shows what scattered light looks like.

 

[wngrog]

Using LEDs in non LED designed housings will always be messy.
The 7" lights that look OEM and have a good low beam cut are Holly Retrobrite.

 

[wngrog]

Y

Thread 'FJ40 Head Light Upgrade - LED Bulbs'

Nov 15, 2019

I recently decided it was time to upgrade the lights on the 46 and really didn't want to bolt a light bar on the front. On the other side while I love the LED Technology I love the classics head light look of the 40 and adding some angle eye'd weird looking thing was not for me.

In the past what i would do is upgrade the reflectors to some H4's and then use some 100 /130W bulbs . This of course means I need to make a piggy back loom and add an extra two relays to get the power direct from battery as the factory loom and switching will not support the amp draw.

After doing some...

• YoYoHo
• Replies: 107
• Forum: 40- / 55-Series Tech

• 

 

[Ry24000]

Using LEDs in non LED designed housings will always be messy.
The 7" lights that look OEM and have a good low beam cut are Holly Retrobrite.

I definitely considered the Holley. Those look good. I had to modify(cut) the mount to accommodate the Sealed 7 Morrimoto. Had to adapt the connection too.

 

[bobm]

I drive a bit on Idaho winter roads with LED headlights and I don't really have a problem until I've been driving in the snowy conditions on the highway with the other cars kicking up the half melting ice back at me, I have had to wipe that off several times and fuel stops on winter trips. Other than that I think they're great.
Some information here.. LED light suggestions - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/led-light-suggestions.1247940/

Also @wngrog posted a test he did a while back with some excellent pictures, I looked but couldn't find it. It's worth looking for as he really shows what scattered light looks like.

Thought you bought yours from toyota matt???

 

[bobm]

Mines

Have directionals inside too! Wired to toggle switch

 

[J Mack]

Thought you bought yours from toyota matt???

Ha....NO

I'm still in Florida typing on a tiny cellphone keyboard....
But I do have the Holley lights and the OEM halogen Toyota lights and I'm not super impressed with either for quality light output if that's important to you.. the JW Speaker lights are the best lights for driving.

 

[bobm]

Florideah . Tell Deo @cruiserjunktion Hey! Aint nuffin impotent to me anymo cept gittin up in da morn . Me duzzin care bout lights cuzz me duzzint dribe at night or in da Snow anymo, since me splodded

 

[REZARF]

Ha....NO

I'm still in Florida typing on a tiny cellphone keyboard....
But I do have the Holley lights and the OEM halogen Toyota lights and I'm not super impressed with either for quality light output if that's important to you.. the JW Speaker lights are the best lights for driving.

Interesting @J Mack I’ve got a set of JW speakers on the shelf I got from a military surplus sale. I just don’t like the look. May need to give them a shot since there already in my hands.

@bobm what are you using there in those pics. I’ve also thought about tying the gold Halo feature into the turn signals. Could be a cool mod.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Using LEDs in non LED designed housings will always be messy.
The 7" lights that look OEM and have a good low beam cut are Holly Retrobrite.

Do you need the switched ground harness?

Holley H840 Holley RetroBright switched ground harness

Many Toyota vehicles will have a switched ground that doesn't allow the RetroBright headlights to work right out of the box. This harness is designed to switch the ground back and then the RetroBright headlights can be plugged into this harness. We wanted to expand the great RetroBright...

www.holley.com

 

[tucker74]

I really like the Koito H4 kit @cruiseroutfit sells, it’s super cheap and you can put whatever fancy bulb in them you want and they still look stock.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I really like the Koito H4 kit @cruiseroutfit sells, it’s super cheap and you can put whatever fancy bulb in them you want and they still look stock.

Pretty sure that is the same Toyota upgrade kit that @timmyisinthewell posted earlier in this thread. Usually less than $20 FWIW.

https://toyotaparts.ourismantoyotaofrichmond.com/oem-parts/toyota-land-cruiser-headlamps-set-of-two-8111060p70?origin=pla&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adtype=pla&utm_id=18136585399&utm_adgroupid=&utm_targetid=&utm_matchtype=&utm_network=x&utm_device=c&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17336403747&gbraid=0AAAAADMCfmURksmXqLH0K2RXyqRJzG80k&gclid=Cj0KCQiAvOjKBhC9ARIsAFvz5lj0Q1yd3ZhyYIIT0OzX5qyIc9hLBt9jyWUo2BI0L4EdQAoxdVllFEEaAoonEALw_wcB

 

[wngrog]

Do you need the switched ground harness?

Holley H840 Holley RetroBright switched ground harness

Many Toyota vehicles will have a switched ground that doesn't allow the RetroBright headlights to work right out of the box. This harness is designed to switch the ground back and then the RetroBright headlights can be plugged into this harness. We wanted to expand the great RetroBright...

www.holley.com

On a 60 and 70 you do. Yes.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

On a 60 and 70 you do. Yes.

Assume it would be required on a 55 as well then. Or?

 

[wngrog]

Assume it would be required on a 55 as well then. Or?

40s and 55s don't have that issue.

 

[tucker74]

Pretty sure that is the same Toyota upgrade kit that @timmyisinthewell posted earlier in this thread. Usually less than $20 FWIW.

Dang - thats super cheap, I’d go that route on yours as nice as you are making it. The newer projectors are better, but just don’t look as good on a pig IMO

 

[PabloCruise]

Nothing new here:

• The Toyota kit is nice because you get new wiring and run current straight from the battery, controlled via relays
• @RUSH55 may have been thinking of ignitors needed for HID retrofits
• Morimotos are very nice. I did a retrofit on a non-cruiser and sourced everything from The Retrofit Source
• As Nolan says - you need the proper lens and housing, don't slap LED inserts into a lens designed for incandescent bulbs
• Angel eyes w/ switchback fcn for turn signals are very cool. Some of them can be set up to run as daytime running lights which are a great safety feature in certain light and weather conditions.

What I do have for you that is new - after you try some new lights, or even now w/ the old, aim your headlights!!! It makes a difference. Sometimes it can make a big difference. Do it for two reasons - maximize the light output for you, and minimize the light you are shoving into oncoming traffic.

 

[J Mack]

I’ve got a set of JW speakers on the shelf I got from a military surplus sale. I just don’t like the look.

You're right the JW lights don't look as good as the Toyota Koito H4 lights or the Holley lights on an older car and I have both of them on cars and pickups that rarely get driven at night and especially at night on mountain roads with wildlife.
We have had a Jeep with their factory LED's, a 4Runner with their factory LED's and a Ram with factory LED's and they are all better than the Holley but not as good as the JW Speaker in my opinion living out here driving dark country back roads.

 

[J Mack]

Pitcher for @bobm