Headlight Upgrade

[The Real Maverick]

You're not understanding. LEDs for headlights have inherent problems. The light is the wrong wavelength, it's too blue and it essentially turns off your night vision. The high frequency blue light causes more glare, and becomes less perceptible to the human eye over distance. The short wavelength is more easily absorbed by water (rain, snow, sleet, ice) than long wavelength lower frequency yellow (red) light.

Yes, it's true that LEDs are more efficient, last longer, have a higher power output than incandescent/halogen bulbs, and are very easy to package in creative styles. But that extra power is not useful energy. HIDs have a tremendously better and a tremendously more useful light output than LEDs, but cost much more, have higher input power demands, and shorter lifespans, as well as being more challenging to package. In a market where people want zero maintenance, lower entry cost, and have to comply with unrealistic government mandates, the LED fits the bill even though it's not the best option.

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[The Real Maverick]

You also need to adjust them with a load in the back or a trailer attached.

So keep a screwdriver in your glove box or center console.

Rule of thumb:

Turn the adjustment screw 1/2 revolution for every 100 pounds in the back.

I have found through experimentation this setting needs to be very precise for best results. But the improvement for my truck was DRAMATIC.

 

[surfstar]

You also need to adjust them with a load in the back or a trailer attached.

So keep a screwdriver in your glove box or center console.

Rule of thumb:

Turn the adjustment screw 1/2 revolution for every 100 pounds in the back.

I have found through experimentation this setting needs to be very precise for best results. But the improvement for my truck was DRAMATIC.

But which way? Right to lower?

 

[The Real Maverick]

But which way? Right to lower?

When shining on a wall at close range it will be apparent.

Mine were 4 revolutions of the screw out of spec from the factory. I drove around for months just thinking the lights were crappy. Then a few twists of the screw and WOW! Like a whole different truck.

Best of luck, but I think you'll like it.

 

[bigcat1185]

They are more than bright enough.
The factory AIM is off, apparently in many trucks that hit the street.

Try adjusting them first.

I adjusted mine and the stock ones are TWICE as good now.

No joke.

Did you have to lower them? I feel like mine could be aimed a little lower.

 

[The Real Maverick]

Did you have to lower them? I feel like mine could be aimed a little lower.

Lower yes!

Most of the bright light was missing the road. Only the diffused light was on the surface.

Down for me was the fix.

 

[jewc75]

If you want better light output, adjust your headlights. Several people on this forum have adjusted the beam down and had more light, light up the road. Ive done a couple and adjusting them down 1.5 turns has been night and day. Now instead of lighting up road signs down the road on low beam the light is where it needs to be, lighting up the road. It also let the high beams do their job.

I dont think people read all the way thru a thread. If you want better light output adjust them. Its easy and takes a couple minutes.

 

[Draiders]

I think we get flashed not because they are so bright but because there are two low beam leds per side with a divider between them which mimics the look of older cars that when brights were on there would be two lights per side on, one dim one bright. Ive looked at them lit no way we should be getting brightlighted they are not as bright as most hid/led headlights i see. They are nice but i think the design fools others to believe bright light's are also on when they are not. and mine are not aimed near as high as id like, sharp cutoff just doesnt reach out far. Id say they are nice and bright but the beam doesnt shine far enough for deer county. Not adjusting mine, I get bright lighted enough. Ordered diode dynamic fog light kit. Hopefully people see fog lights on and wont flash since there is fog lights on which usually means brights off. They are terrific for in town use or open highways but deer spotting not good. My wifes 2017 Camry is waaay brighter, reach farther and we never get bright lighted driving it. And we can see the deer with ease. dont get me wrong though i love this little truck. Like it far better then her car more versatile and identical mpg for the hybrid as we get with the 4 cyl camry sometimes truck outdoes it. But its headlights could sure reach out farther. My 2012 kia sorento was better, 2005 tacoma wasnt as bright but shone farther, 2017 expedition was incandescent and shown farther as well as my 2014 ram.

 

[Ven]

I will give that a shot. When the brights are on, lighting is great. But otherwise I find the normal lighting rather dull. Looking at the headlights from the front, they look nice and white and bright. But it doesn’t seem to translate to the blacktop.

I have the same feel, the LED headlight looks pure white and glaring, but when I drove in the night, the road is not so clear as those cars with regular yellow light bulb.

 

[AlsMaverick]

So I can see the road better.

Oncoming traffic regularly find these lights a little too bright. And you want to make them brighter so you see more. Why would you want to blind the driver of a 3500lb vehicle coming at you?

 

[bigcat1185]

Oncoming traffic regularly find these lights a little too bright. And you want to make them brighter so you see more. Why would you want to blind the driver of a 3500lb vehicle coming at you?

uh no, as long as the light is accurately directed where it’s supposed to be, it doesn’t matter how bright they are, it will have no impact on oncoming traffic.

 

[AlsMaverick]

uh no, as long as the light is accurately directed where it’s supposed to be, it doesn’t matter how bright they are, it will have no impact on oncoming traffic.

YOU STATED: " I’m talking about wanting brighter headlights, I thought that was clear in my original post. "
So, YES!

 

[bigcat1185]

YOU STATED: " I’m talking about wanting brighter headlights, I thought that was clear in my original post. "
So, YES!

Correct, brighter headlights. I figured the headlights being aimed accurately was a given. What’s the point of brighter headlights if they are not aimed at the roadway?

 

[The Real Maverick]

Correct, brighter headlights. I figured the headlights being aimed accurately was a given. What’s the point of brighter headlights if they are not aimed at the roadway?

Check the aim on your stock ones.
Aim is not great from the factory sometimes. Mine were WAY off.

Brighter is always going to be brighter to oncoming traffic. But it's really not needed unless you have eye trouble, and then, maybe you should not be driving?

These lights ARE like spots though. Wider angle or the addition of fog lamps can be helpful WHEN NEEDED but please don't run them in the city. Please be courteous to others on the roads.

 

[gp1200x]

I will give that a shot. When the brights are on, lighting is great. But otherwise I find the normal lighting rather dull. Looking at the headlights from the front, they look nice and white and bright. But it doesn’t seem to translate to the blacktop.

Add the DD fog light kit and your problems are resolved! Trust me

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