The Toyota Tundra has headlights that work just fine from the showroom. They’ve got high beams, low beams, daytime running lights and perform as well as you’d expect a factory headlight to perform. But perhaps you want more.
You want your Tundra to evoke images of a Baja race truck as you thunder through the darkened streets, lighting every corner with thousands of lumens. You want the sheer magnitude of brightness to make light pollution look like a joke.
Have no fear then: in this article, we’ll go over the best Toyota Tundra after market headlights for a Tundra, and recommend which one you should buy. Let’s get started.
OEM Toyota Headlights
Sometimes one of the best upgrades comes from a later model of the same make. 2013-2018 Tundra headlights are much brighter than those on previous generations while retaining that factory look.
The general consensus among the aftermarket community is to get the 2018+ headlights if you are switching to more modern lights. They look more aggressive and are brighter, unless you get them with smoked lenses. The same goes for the taillights.
You’ll find OEM Tundra lights everywhere. Ebay is an obvious candidate, with varying prices depending on the auction.
One thing worth noting is that you can get brighter bulbs in the aftermarket without needing to replace the entire assembly; that will save lots of money and the job can be done in the Autozone parking lot.
The best place to buy them is not the Toyota dealership; that’s where you’ll spend the most money. Ebay works, although there are too many places to list that sell lights for Tundras. If you are swapping 2018 headlights into a pre-2018 model, you will need a wiring conversion for the lights.
There are harnesses out there that basically plug and play; no modification is needed. Amazon and headlightrevolution.com have plug n play harnesses for the Tundra, to name a couple.
Pros
- Swapping in OEM headlights means some compatibility is built-in
- Often plug and play with little to no modification needed
- If you buy them from the Toyota parts counter, they’ll at least have a warranty
Cons
- Not all options are high quality; some are not great and have no serviceability to boot
- Some aftermarket options require wiring modifications to get the 2018 headlights to work on older Tundras; not exactly for beginners
- OEM headlights can be quite expensive
Morimoto
Morimoto makes great updated headlights for 2007-2013 Tundras. While the current generation Tundra has been around for a while, it received a significant refresh for the 2014 model year, so the headlights and most other exterior components were changed.
The updated headlights are much brighter and so are great for the earlier Tundras and their aesthetics.
The Morimoto XB LED headlights cost a solid $1,034 and fit 2007-2013 Toyota Tundras regardless of trim level. They even come with optional fog lights.
They also are designed to work with the factory wiring and come with all necessary connectors and hardware to make that happen. The headlights can also be set up to run as sequential or regular LEDs if you want.
Not only that, they are quad projector LEDs too. These headlights also do not void the regular warranty
Pros
- Easy to install, comes with all necessary hardware
- Designed to work with factory wiring
- Quad projectors are very bright
Cons
- Very expensive at over $1,000
- Will not fit pre-2007 Tundras
AKKON
Akkon produces headlights for 2000-2004 Tundras, in either black or clear lenses. A set costs $125.00, making it a good value for those on a budget. While Akkon is not a big brand name, the product will work just fine regardless.
Both low and high beams are H4 bulbs for simplicity, and the assembly is a direct bolt-in replacement, with no wiring or modifications are needed.
One unfortunate thing to note is that these headlight assemblies are not compatible with 2004 Tundra Crew Cab models, as a heads up. While it does say that the lights are non-adjustable, they are adjustable vertically with a screwdriver; the gears are tough to reach but usable.
Pros
- Cheap
- Easy to install
- Improves sight and overall looks over the stock headlight
Cons
- Will not fit 2004 Tundra Crew Cab models
- While they are a direct bolt-in, no instruction manual is provided
Akkon
Akkon makes headlights for 2000-2004 Tundras, but they also make headlights for Tundras 07-13. A set costs $210.00, so the price is a little higher, but still a great value. Both low and high beams are H11 bulbs for, and the assembly is a direct bolt-in replacement, with no wiring or modifications needed.
While it does say that the lights are non-adjustable, they are adjustable vertically with a screwdriver; the gears are tough to reach but usable.
Some trim levels of Tundra have headlights that are adjustable side to side as well as vertically; this headlight will not work with those models.
However, it will work with all others. They are available in clear backing, blacked-out backing, or chrome. The design is the same regardless, so your decision will be personal preference.
Pros
- Cheap
- Easy to install
- Improves sight and overall looks over the stock headlight
Cons
- Will not fit Tundras with electronically adjustable headlights; you cannot use the in-cab adjuster after installation
- While they are a direct bolt-in, no instruction manual is provided
- Only a 90-day warranty
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: I have a 2004 Tundra. Can I Adapt 2014-2020 Headlights to Fit?
Answer: Probably, but you will need to have a professional do that. The headlights and the wiring harnesses are very different over that large of an age gap, and installing them improperly could set off a chain reaction of problems.
Question: I Want to Install Aftermarket Lights, But my Budget is Limited. Which Headlights Should I Choose?
Answer: If you’re on a budget, you should go with the Akkon headlights for your model year Tundra. They’re relatively cheap and look great, plus they are a direct bolt-in.
A heads up, however, you cannot adjust them from inside the cab. You need to set the desired angle with a screwdriver by turning the adjuster gears in the light housing.
Final Thoughts: Which Are The Best Toyota Tundra After Market Headlights?
At the end of the day, you should buy the best headlights your budget will allow. The overall best choice in this article is probably the Morimotos; they are fantastic for the price, very tough, and will last as long as the truck is taken care of.
The OEM Toyota headlights are great for a swap that you know will work, but you may need to do some modifications to fit certain models with those.
If you are on a budget, then you should probably choose the Akkons for your Tundra, if it is pre-2014. While they’re not as fancy as the Morimoto or even the OEM headlights, they are dependable, bolt right in and will no doubt do the job just fine.
The bulbs can also be replaced without replacing the entire headlight, and they are much cheaper.
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