LX - Simple Headlight Question

[2002TLCyes]

I see you guys go mad scientist on your headlights and projectors, but I am looking for a nice and easy swappable solution. I did a forum search but it looks like you guys don't even entertain a simple bulb swap! Anway, going to autozone website, I type in what car I got and it says my 2002 LX470 uses an H1 bulb for the low beams. Typing in "H1 bulb" on amazon comes up with all kinds of cool looking bulbs! Has anyone ever experimented with those newer LED bulbs that are advertised as being adjustable? Seems like a perfect compromise.

 

[IanwantsaFJ80]

LED's aren't designed for the projectors on the LX. Also they are loud and the reach of the lights aren't far at all. If you are looking to do a simple swap, you might want to look into an HID swap instead of LED. The LED's lights scatter in the projector and are blinding to oncoming traffic. I just swapped my bulbs for an HID and it is pretty bad. They were a $50 kit from amazon so I don't expect much until I do a retrofit for some better light options. I probably should've just gone with the Morimoto HID kit.

I was thinking of doing an LED retrofit with the Corolla lights because those things are super bright and the housings can be had at 100 a pop. I just need to find a place that is knowledgeable on doing that kind of retro.

 

[saucebox]

It's been researched. The best Headlight bulb on the market today.

 

[Leandro]

I just replaced my halogen with better halogens, Osram Night Breaker. Much better, but still not HID.

 

[jsigone]

I use these DDM hid, you will need to mod the cap to the projector 3/4" drill to get the new harness to pass thru. Its has sealing grommets but added some silicon just in case.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IAXDTNS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

light spread at 60mph, factory cut off is good enough, there are still the squirrel finder reflectors at closer ranges say inside 50yards.

• Sony DSC-RX100M5

• ƒ/1.8

• 8.8 mm

• 1/13

• ISO 800

 

[2002TLCyes]

That looks good. The link you sent looks like they only have 3000K, 6000K and 12000K. Isn't 6000 kind of bluish? I want a warm white, or neutral white at least.

I know you guys say the LEDs dont project well with the projectors that are built for halogens, but I was asking specifically if anybody had any experience with those adjustable LEDS? Somehow they claim you can adjust the beam pattern. It's literally the first link that comes up when you search for them on Amazon. I figured maybe between the adjustable LEDS and adjusting the bulb angle, it would be a decent alternative? I just don't want to drill 3/4" holes and really modify the existing situation. The lumen output of the LED's is so great, I just wish there was a decent way to aim it where we want it.

 

[kpecks]

OPT7 - LED & HID Lighting for Cars, Trucks & Motorcycles

I have purchased several kits from these folks. I really like their product and great customer service. I plan on doing a simple HID install when I get my truck here!

 

[jsigone]

That looks good. The link you sent looks like they only have 3000K, 6000K and 12000K. Isn't 6000 kind of bluish? I want a warm white, or neutral white at least.

I wouldn't run any of those colors at 35watts. I have 6k at 50watt in my evo and its like over driven 5k.

4500-5000 in a pretty good sweet spot for mostly paved driving and not too much foil weather. Go hint warmer if your in allot of rain

 

[2002TLCyes]

Yes, that's what I figured. I usually buy the 2700K light bulbs for my house, because I like that warm tint. So 4000-5000 would probably be perfect for the headlights. That amazon link shows the 4000 looking more like 1000 though!

 

[jsigone]

the yellow (now) LED bulbs I have in the fogs are 2500 and they are yellow yellow. Not for head lights, aux lights yes.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CTMT01G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

before I had nokya halogen yellows that had more throw/distance to them vs LED. LED are brighter yellow though but doesn't match well with OEM fog optics.
the set of Nokya on my Evo are 2-3 yrs old. One bulbs burnt/broke after a yr on the 100.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0064FXCDW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[eagleeyes170]

LED's aren't designed for the projectors on the LX. Also they are loud and the reach of the lights aren't far at all. If you are looking to do a simple swap, you might want to look into an HID swap instead of LED. The LED's lights scatter in the projector and are blinding to oncoming traffic. I just swapped my bulbs for an HID and it is pretty bad. They were a $50 kit from amazon so I don't expect much until I do a retrofit for some better light options. I probably should've just gone with the Morimoto HID kit.

I was thinking of doing an LED retrofit with the Corolla lights because those things are super bright and the housings can be had at 100 a pop. I just need to find a place that is knowledgeable on doing that kind of retro.

I agree. When I bought mine, it had LED headlights that were terrible, and one of the bulbs wasn’t even working. I just switched them out for Sylvania silverstar ultra and the difference was night and day in terms of beam pattern and visibility. LED lights have their place but there is a lot of useless junk out there. The projectors and housings simply are not compatible with them (unless you do extensive research and find a bulb with the exact right location of the diodes). For safety’s sake, I stayed with stock lighting for the head lights (high and low beam), and they work VERY well for me. That being said, my fog lights, DRL, turn signals, tail/brake lights and backup lights are all LED’s because I like the brighter, sharper and crisper appearance (giving the vehicle a more contemporary look/feel), but they will not blind other motorists with absurd amounts of glare.

 

[mmm635]

The adjustable leds are geared for reflector housings like the high beam on the LX and LC (low and high), not the projector low beams on the LX. I use HID H1 55W 5000K for low, HID 35w 5000k fogs, and an HB3 LED for the high beam. Using an HID for the high beam is not a good idea since it takes a few seconds for the ballasts to crank up. The LED bulb is instantaneous for quick high beam use and makes more sense for this purpose.

You can also wire the fogs to work while in high beam mode - factory setting shuts off fogs when high beam is activated.