LX470 '06 headlight upgrade! Glass/polycarb and LED or HID

[NolaNomad]

Ok, the LX has the factory projectors (I assume it’s still the original one from factory) and you want better output? With the moisture inside, first thing is to fully inspect the headlight assembly, hopefully there’s no holes/cracks. You may end up needing to crack open the lens from the assembly. Since you have it opened already you now have different options.
• Option 1: block off the squirrel finder holes, or just leave it them as it is. Put on another set of reputable LED bulbs.
• Option 2: put on an HID system - different brands, different color temperatures and different ballast wattage.
• Option 3: full retro work, pull the factory project lens, put on an aftermarket bracket to accommodate the aftermarket projector lens you have selected. Match it with a good light source, can be HID system or LED bulb, whatever floats your boat.
• Option 4: inline with option 3, you can opt for an bi-focal LED projector (meaning no need to put in an HID system nor an LED bulb) because that LED projector has an integrated light source.

These are just some of the options you can consider, the rabbit hole of HL retrofitting is deep

Wow lots to look into here, Red Pill Blue Pill!
I noticed also that my lenses on muly 2002 LX Look much better than my current 2006, Same terrible output tho.

Of the options you gave, what's the most low impact route to take if I'm a DIY guy, say a one banana job?

 

[NolaNomad]

I've done a couple of retrofits on LX470 headlights now and thoroughly recommend the full retro. It's a lot of work but well worth it. Most frustrating part is dealing with the sticky butyl sealant but the results are night and day even compared to just a HID/LED bulb. If you're going to open the lenses up to deal with the squirrel finders you may as well just go the whole hog.

Not sure about the bi-LED options but do like that I can change the bulb if anything goes wrong with the lens retrofit.

Nice, do you have a write up or demo on equipment and install? For such a legendary vehicle, the lighting is one of the biggest head scratchers ..

 

[OEMGUY0720]

Wow lots to look into here, Red Pill Blue Pill!
I noticed also that my lenses on muly 2002 LX Look much better than my current 2006, Same terrible output tho.

Of the options you gave, what's the most low impact route to take if I'm a DIY guy, say a one banana job?

I may be wrong but your 02 may have the glass lens, your observation on the 06 was also the ready why I decided to go for the glass lens route, for added protection on the risk of the glass lens cracking in the event it gets hit with a rock I’ve added PPF.

1 job type of DIY I’d say easiest would be is to block off the squirrel finders. After you have cracked the lens from the assembly, reapply butyl sealant (lots of inexpensive options in amazon and video tutorials in YouTube on how it’s done) to address the condensation inside the housing.

Now for your light source, you can go for LED bulb or HID system. This option that I mentioned I think is easiest most convenient one and the least amount of $ involved. Good luck and keep us posted on your project.

 

[NolaNomad]

I may be wrong but your 02 may have the glass lens, your observation on the 06 was also the ready why I decided to go for the glass lens route, for added protection on the risk of the glass lens cracking in the event it gets hit with a rock I’ve added PPF.

1 job type of DIY I’d say easiest would be is to block off the squirrel finders. After you have cracked the lens from the assembly, reapply butyl sealant (lots of inexpensive options in amazon and video tutorials in YouTube on how it’s done) to address the condensation inside the housing.

Now for your light source, you can go for LED bulb or HID system. This option that I mentioned I think is easiest most convenient one and the least amount of $ involved. Good luck and keep us posted on your project.

Yeah this seems a little fussy. Let me ask you, what do you think of the eBay aftermarket headlights? Maybe it's possible to upgrade the bulbs on this?: [Dual LED Halo]For 1998-2007 Lexus LX470 Angel Eye Projector Chrome Headlights | eBay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/274038799986?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=M36zphOaRhK&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=DDm8j2M5RT6&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY


otherwise, yes I think my '02 had glass vs plastic.
Maybe I can search for glass replacement?

 

[OEMGUY0720]

Yeah this seems a little fussy. Let me ask you, what do you think of the eBay aftermarket headlights? Maybe it's possible to upgrade the bulbs on this?: [Dual LED Halo]For 1998-2007 Lexus LX470 Angel Eye Projector Chrome Headlights | eBay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/274038799986?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=M36zphOaRhK&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=DDm8j2M5RT6&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY


otherwise, yes I think my '02 had glass vs plastic.
Maybe I can search for glass replacement?

The housing may be new and shiny but the output is questionable. If your goal is to get the best output possible, the focus point is the projector and the light source.

 

[Magnaman]

I talked to a bunch of sales reps and watched a ton of YouTube videos. The common theme I got was the led technology has gotten a lot better recently and it was a better option than HID. I ordered some OEM glass headlights off eBay and will be putting led bulbs in. I'm waiting on my PPF film so not done yet but I went with Hikari 2023 H1 bulbs and was going to go with morimoto 2 stroke 3.0 for the 9005 but tried out some Fahren Kregis 2023. The reviews said they work with DRL and they were cheap. Here is a picture of the light output from my right side headlights vs stock setup.

View attachment 3324625

View attachment 3324626

View attachment 3324627

View attachment 3324628

I talked to a bunch of sales reps and watched a ton of YouTube videos. The common theme I got was the led technology has gotten a lot better recently and it was a better option than HID. I ordered some OEM glass headlights off eBay and will be putting led bulbs in. I'm waiting on my PPF film so not done yet but I went with Hikari 2023 H1 bulbs and was going to go with morimoto 2 stroke 3.0 for the 9005 but tried out some Fahren Kregis 2023. The reviews said they work with DRL and they were cheap. Here is a picture of the light output from my right side headlights vs stock setup.

View attachment 3324625

View attachment 3324626

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Exactly which Fahren Kreigis did you get for your 9005 hi beam? Did they actually work with your DRL's?

 

[y5359]

Exactly which Fahren Kreigis did you get for your 9005 hi beam? Did they actually work with your DRL's?

I went with the Krieges Fahren 2023. My DRL do not work with them. I'm happy with the light output.

 

[Magnaman]

I went with the Krieges Fahren 2023. My DRL do not work with them. I'm happy with the light output.

Thanks. Just to clarify, what exactly do you mean by "did not work." You get the high beams on DRL? Or what?

 

[y5359]

Thanks. Just to clarify, what exactly do you mean by "did not work." You get the high beams on DRL? Or what? No light comes out when DRL are supposed to be on. So it’s like an older car without DRL.

 

[Magnaman]

Interesting. With the LEDs I got they worked except when on DRL, the high beams were on.

 

[jerryb]

google.com/search?q=why+won%27t+my+LEDs+work+in+a+serise+curcuit&rlz=1C1RXQR_enUS1023US1023&oq=why+won%27t+my+LEDs+work+in+a+serise+curcuit&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQIRgKGKAB0gEJMTcyMjFqMGo5qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8



google.com/search?q=landcruiser+100+LEDs+Daytime+running+lights+site:forum.ih8mud.com&sca_esv=3ce1258c96567b3a&rlz=1C1RXQR_enUS1023US1023&sxsrf=ACQVn09sP0KTRD_FheFESs92BU-1T3yLMQ:1707993389186&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiQx_aZk62EAxVQIUQIHd7NAO0QrQIoBHoECBYQBQ&biw=1920&bih=929&dpr=1#ip=1

 

[Magnaman]

google.com/search?q=why+won%27t+my+LEDs+work+in+a+serise+curcuit&rlz=1C1RXQR_enUS1023US1023&oq=why+won%27t+my+LEDs+work+in+a+serise+curcuit&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQIRgKGKAB0gEJMTcyMjFqMGo5qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8



google.com/search?q=landcruiser+100+LEDs+Daytime+running+lights+site:forum.ih8mud.com&sca_esv=3ce1258c96567b3a&rlz=1C1RXQR_enUS1023US1023&sxsrf=ACQVn09sP0KTRD_FheFESs92BU-1T3yLMQ:1707993389186&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiQx_aZk62EAxVQIUQIHd7NAO0QrQIoBHoECBYQBQ&biw=1920&bih=929&dpr=1#ip=1

Thanks Jerry very helpful.

 

[bentambling]

Welcome to the deep rabbit hole of HL retrofitting lol.

Yes all LX470 HLs are interchangeable to all year models.
If you have the bracket from LB, I believe it’s design is for Mini H1 projectors only (2.5 inch diameter lens). I know this because this was my previous setup, I used the LB bracket, Morimoto 50W ballasts, Morimoto 6000 Kelvin HID bulbs and Morimoto Mini H1 8.0 projector lens - for me it was a decent setup, it was actually good. Did all the work myself, here’s an output photo:
View attachment 3322896

Glass vs Polycarbonate lens;
• glass doesn’t yellow however doesn’t flex as much and would potentially crack if hit hard than polycarbonate.
• glass is heavy and requires careful handling, that being said if this is your first retrofit work, proceed with caution and patience.
• if the glass lens have pitting, it’s their permanently.
• if the polycarbonate lens have pitting, which is not as deep as the glass because PC flexes on rock impacts, it can be repaired by wet-sanding 600, 800, 1200 and 1500 grit finished with a fresh coat of 2k clear.
• glass HLs cost more than polycarbonate.

HID vs LED;
• HID has more options in terms of color temperature, LED I believe has only one (6000 Kelvin).
• HiD - when you use a higher wattage ballast, the color temperature of the output of the HID bulb steps down (towards the yellowish range).
- HID pre-heats (analog), while LED is light on demand (digital, either on or off).
- Aftermarket projectors like Morimoto are designed for HID, not LED. Although it will atill give a decent output spread, to get the full potential of the optic design of the projector, HiD will give that, not LED.

What is LB bracket?

 

[OEMGUY0720]

What is LB bracket?

It’s a bracket product by one of the forumers here specific to support aftermarket projector lens for LX470s.

 

[TTN]

It’s a bracket product by one of the forumers here specific to support aftermarket projector lens for LX470s.

@OEMGUY720 - Hello, I am new to this forum and hopefully you and all in this thread will help. I've just bought a 2006 LX470 with 97K miles - excellent condition all around with the exception of, you've guessed it, the halogen low beam. Well, before tackling the low beam, decided to buy brand new OEM light housings; I've since tried new halogen (OSRAM) and a plethora of LEDs off of Amazon to no prevail - the best one that I am trialing now is a Sealight H1 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FG2SPXBS?tag=ihco-20). However, still not bright enough with dark spots and blurry cutoff. I've also talked to Morimoto, and a tech told me that their H1: Elite HID System would work with my new OEM housing without having to replace the projector module (https://www.morimotohid.com/morimoto-elite-h1-hid-system?quantity=1). Questions for y'all are:
(1) Have any of you used the the Morimoto H1 for your LX470 without having to replace/modify the module where the HID bulb is inserted into?
(2) If you have, are you satisfied with the brightness and the top cutoff boundary?
(3) Other than the Sealight LED that I've mentioned above, have any of you better luck with any other LED bulbs. Please note that I'd like to keep things as stock as possible but this stock/OEM low beam has got to go and am willing to compromise a little.

Thank you, all for your help.

 

[OEMGUY0720]

@OEMGUY720 - Hello, I am new to this forum and hopefully you and all in this thread will help. I've just bought a 2006 LX470 with 97K miles - excellent condition all around with the exception of, you've guessed it, the halogen low beam. Well, before tackling the low beam, decided to buy brand new OEM light housing; I've since tried new halogen (OSRAM) and a plethora of LEDs off of Amazon to no prevail - the best one that I am trialing now is a Sealight H1 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FG2SPXBS?tag=ihco-20). However, still not bright enough with dark spots and unclean cutoff. I've also talked to Morimoto, and a tech told me that their H1: Elite HID System would work with my new OEM housing without having to replace the projector module (H1: Elite HID System - https://www.morimotohid.com/morimoto-elite-h1-hid-system?quantity=1). Questions for y'all are:
(1) Have any of you used the the Morimoto H1 for your LX470 without having to replace/modify the module where the HID bulb is inserted into?
(2) If you have, are you satisfied with the brightness and the top cutoff lines?
(3) Other than the Sealight LED that I've mentioned above, have any of you better luck with any other LED bulbs. Please note that I'd like to keep things as stock as possible but this stock/OEM low beam has got to go and am willing to compromise a little.

Thank you, all for your help.

Example of an HID system in an OEM projector lens:

Notice those 2 dots above the light cutoff on each side? Those are squirrel-finders aka road signs illuminators, that’s a feature of the OEM lens made by Koito. Notice the hotspot of the projected light as well, it’s not that efficient spreading it.

Example light output of an HID system using Morimoto projector lens:

Clear, crisp and efficient light foregrounding.

 

[TTN]

@OEMGUY0720 - thank you very much for your quick response. Yep, the Sealight LED bulbs also gave me the squirrel finders/halos. The result of your HID set up is very impressive. I thought you've since sold the HID set up and are now on a self-built LED. I would prefer the LED (more efficient, less heat) if the result is as impressive. Would love to have your notes if you'd be willing to share. Thanks again for your advice.

 

[OEMGUY0720]

Bi-LED (low-hi) projectors is the better option. Less components, less troubleshooting (no more ballasts, no more faulty wiring harness, no more burned-out xenon bulbs and best of all no more “pre-heating” which defeats the purpose of the high beam flash if needed). Retrofitting your LX with aftermarket bi-LED presents a lot of options: pair of bi-LED (10,000-15,000 lumens) or a quad-LED setup like mine (25,000 combined total lumens). You can go with a 2.5” diameter lens or 3” like what I used. Brands: Morimoto and NHK are the top shelf brands.

 

[TTN]

@OEMGUY0720 - thank you again for your advice. If you are in the DFW, I'd be taking my LX over for you to help corralling the low beam in shape ! I'd love to go all in for an as bright as possible scenario without some cowboys whippin' out their guns blastin' at me. I spoke with TEQ Offroad but didn't get a good answer on the longevity of their BILED other than something along "they don't go out for a long time and if they did, send the lights back in to TEQ . . . lead time is 4-6 weeks . . . Would you mind sharing the links to these 3 inchers and your DIY clip notes on the process? I don't think Morimoto offers the mod service. Thank you!

 

[OldManJ]

Is there a Bi-LED or Quad-LED build thread. Seems like these are the best two options. For those who have done an upgrade or two, if you were to offer your buddy advice on what to go with based on your experience what is the "just do this and don't look back" best option?