Thinking about converting my SUV headlights to LED.

[John Schmidt]

I have an '08 Toyota Highlander and all the examples I've seen they are only changing the bulb, not the entire assembly. I'm curious, has anyone done this on their vehicle....not necessarily the same as mine. Did the change live up to all the hoopla? I'd think the reflector would also need to be changed out that's why I was surprised when I saw YouTube videos just changing out the bulb. Thoughts, suggestions?

[Bighead]

Cant help John mine came with LED’s.

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

Some LED bulbs are built to mimic the position of the corresponding halogen bulb's filaments. Those are said to be a direct fit, without changing housings. The quality of LED headlight bulbs is all over the place. I do a lot of research through Youtube (good or bad), in the hopes that someone has already done the same on whatever vehicle I'm working with. These guys are pretty solid with their testing: https://headlightrevolution.com/

[cookiedough]

I would think the reward is not worth the cost unless you really feel your halogen bulbs on your SUV do not shine bright or far enough forward. 

They make different degrees of halogen bulbs and I would just get the furthest shining one that is brighter usually the more expensive ones.  Beware though the brighter you go, usually the less longevity you get out of the bulb, or so it says on the back of the packages I have bought. 

In 60K miles I have only replaced both bulbs on our 2014 hyundai sonata while at 85K the OEM bulbs in our 2014 hyundai santa fe surprisingly are still not burnt out, but have heard that the longer the bulbs stay in there, the less bright at night they are and I would agree our headlights on dim anyways at night are not very bright anymore, but brights are fine.

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

Hey John. I have a set of LED bulbs that are for the H4 setup that your Highlander uses (I believe). Xenon Depot. They are the heat sink style. They worked well in my older Tundra, but the older Tundras with fog lights are wired a bit different than most, which caused a loss of fog light function unless I did a relay system conversion to conventional wiring. Long story short, I just put my Silverstars back in. You're welcome to them if you want. Just PM me your address and I'll get them sent out. Then you can try them without potentially wasting your money.

[John Schmidt]

Hey John. I have a set of LED bulbs that are for the H4 setup that your Highlander uses (I believe). Xenon Depot. They are the heat sink style. They worked well in my older Tundra, but the older Tundras with fog lights are wired a bit different than most, which caused a loss of fog light function unless I did a relay system conversion to conventional wiring. Long story short, I just put my Silverstars back in. You're welcome to them if you want. Just PM me your address and I'll get them sent out. Then you can try them without potentially wasting your money.

PM coming your way. I'm leaving next Friday for a few weeks, would be nice to have them to try on the road.

[Rams]

Won't knock LED bulbs, they are brighter.   Since it appears you're getting a free set of bulbs, give them a shot.  
But, most vehicles will see one heck of an improvement in lighting if the headlight assembly lens is cleaned and polished.   Plastic lens turn yellow with age due to ultra violent rays from the sun and get abrasions and scratches from debris impacting them while driving.   In the case of lens that need to be polished, some of the light the bulb is putting out is reflected back by those abrasions and therefore the light is not directed as designed.   Regardless of the new bulbs, my bet is, your headlight lens probably need to be polished.

I have seen a tremendous difference in the amount of light cast once the lens is polished.   Unfortunately, the polishing kits to not contain "elbow grease".   I highly recommend using a buffer versus polishing by hand.  

Rams

[John Schmidt]

Rams, I agree completely. I give the lenses some attention 3-4 times a year on average, it does make a difference. I'll report back on the difference the LED's make when installed.

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

Sent out this morning, John. Expected delivery on Monday.

[John Schmidt]

Thanks, I'll keep you all posted re. results....good or questionable. 

[DarkSideR]

I 2nd Headlight Revolution. Upgraded my 17' Civic to all LED's via Headlight Revolutions V.4 LED's. Here is a link to the LED that fits your Highlander.

https://headlightrevolution.com/v-4-led-headlights-h4-9003-bulbs/

[JFaje1]

Hey John, I replaced all my lights on my 2000 F250 superduty, headlights, tail lights, and back-up light with LED's and have been really happy. I bought them on E-Bay at a place called Headlightsdepot. They took some work to get them in, but it was worth in the long run. It has been about 2 years now, still Happy.
John

[John Schmidt]

Sent out this morning, John. Expected delivery on Monday.

Came today, if I have time I'll try getting them installed. Seems to be taking me longer to get myself ready and packed than it did to get the car and trailer ready. 

Stupid mailman put them on the porch right in front of the door step. You couldn't see them until after I stepped on the box, apparently he wasn't the class valedictorian.    I opened the box and nothing is damaged. Thanks for sending them, I'll reimburse you for the shipping...do you have a PayPal account? If so shoot me a PM or email with it.

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

Don't worry about the shipping, John. Valk people helping Valk people. Hope they work out well in the Highlander.

[John Schmidt]

I appreciate that but it was over $11 and since I'm benefiting with the lights I feel I at least owe you for the postage. I did get them installed just now, had to cut a couple slits in the boot to get them over the base of the LED bulb. Also cut a small hole in one side to run the wire harness out. Left one was a breeze, good orientation on first try. Went to do the right side by the w/s washer filler, the breeze had died. The filler tube slips out of the way but you still need 10" fingers on baby hands. Didn't get the position right the first time so pulled that everloving clip again and turned on the lights. I was then able to turn it to match the other side beam on the garage door, and was immediately astounded 'cuz the clip went into place on first try. I double checked to make certain it was actually in place. Slipped on the boot and zip tied everything down so there's no vibration of the harness...did both sides. I turned the lights on after the first one was in place....what a difference. The left was bright white and the right was bright yellow. Going to wait for dark and run a couple errands as a test run. Will post back later.

[shortleg]

  I have changed both my bike and my honda pilot changed to LEDs.
My bike(f6b) was a huge improvement, so was pilot.

[John Schmidt]

Well, gave it a test run this evening, doing some last minute errands prior to my trip Friday. Wow, what a difference....a nice bright white light that really lights up the road. Flick on the brights and it's really wow. Just hope the external heat sinks work indefinitely cuz I really like these LEDs. I might take the time to polish the lenses if I have a chance over the next couple days.

A side note here, I ordered the LED headlight kit from Josh...Darksider. Having it shipped to my daughter's place in Wisconsin and will make the switch when I get there in a week or so. Next change will be the running lights, then everything will be LED on the bike except the 3 indicators on the headlight bucket.

[Bighead]

John you will Love the daymaker on the Valk. 

[John Schmidt]

John you will Love the daymaker on the Valk. 

I'm looking forward to it, hope to get the install done while at my daughter's place. Had to laugh at her and her family, the temps hit 80 deg. and they were complaining how devastating the heat was. Down here with temps in the upper 90's and indexing at 105 or higher, you can't walk to the mailbox without sweating through all your clothes. I'm going to love riding up there for a few weeks. 

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

Glad they worked out well for you, John. Again, I'm not worried about the shipping, or the light kit. It was sitting on a shelf in my garage, and if I can help someone out, so be it. I've blown way more than $11 on less worthy things way too many times to count.

[John Schmidt]

Glad they worked out well for you, John. Again, I'm not worried about the shipping, or the light kit. It was sitting on a shelf in my garage, and if I can help someone out, so be it. I've blown way more than $11 on less worthy things way too many times to count.

I certainly do thank you, they looked great last night while on a test run to the store. Really light up the signs much further down the road. I hope they last a long time. Thanks again. 

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

I used your pdf to replace my plug wires, so we'll call it even 

[John Schmidt]

I used your pdf to replace my plug wires, so we'll call it even 

OK then.