We are already halfway through winter, but with Spring around the corner, it is never too early to be shopping for lighting accessories for your vehicle. What is on our minds are these brand-new LED light pods from Morimoto. They have outdone themselves with their first foyer into the off-road lighting market with their 4Banger LED pod lights.
Today we will be giving an overview of the Morimoto 4Banger lineup and taking a look at how the vehicle-specific mounts make the 4Banger LED pod light line-up one of the most versatile on the market today. Not to mention, we will also be going over how to install these pod lights on a 2007–2013 Toyota Tundra.
What Is a 4Banger?
Available in two different trim levels, the Morimoto 4Banger LED Pod lights bring a mixture of design, output, and versatility to the LED pod light market.
-
4Banger NCS (Entry-Level):
Uses a Nichia LED chip spec for its output source. -
4Banger HXB (Premium):
Uses an Osram HX Boost LED chip paired with TIR optics, which are found on both models.
Beam Patterns
The NCS and HXB models both come in three different beam patterns:
-
Wide Beam
The most popular option. Ideal for fog light applications and legal for road use when aimed at -3°. -
Combo (Driving) Beam
A favorite among off-road-minded buyers. Balances width and distance. -
Spot Beam
Designed almost exclusively for off-road use where maximum forward distance is required.
Color Options and Optics
Each beam pattern for both the NCS and HXB models is available in white or yellow.
-
Yellow NCS:
Uses a Nichia true-yellow LED chip with a yellow-filtered lens. -
Yellow HXB:
Uses a white Osram LED chip with a yellow-filtered lens.
When comparing HXB white vs. yellow output, expect roughly a 30% reduction in brightness when switching from white to yellow. This also produces a slightly different shade of yellow between the two lights.
TIR Optics Explained
TIR stands for Total Internal Reflector. Instead of the LED chip creating the beam pattern, the lens itself forms the pattern. This design allows for better control, efficiency, and consistency in output.
Which 4Banger Is Right for Me?
-
Maximum performance:
The HXB is the clear choice, especially in the Combo beam, which provides strong width with improved distance. -
Mixed-use setups:
Many users run a wide beam for fog lights and a combo beam for added forward lighting. -
High-speed off-road use:
The spot beam delivers long-range visibility for aggressive driving.
Morimoto’s vehicle-specific A-pillar, internal, and universal mounts give the 4Bangers exceptional versatility across many vehicle platforms.
THE TUNDRA
To show how easy the 4Bangers are to install, Morimoto created an install guide using their A-pillar and internal fog light mounts for the 2007–2013 2nd-gen Toyota Tundra.
Tools Needed
-
10mm bolt
-
High-impact drill
-
Pry tool
-
Blade
-
Screwdriver
-
Needle-nose pliers
A-Pillar Install
-
Place masking or painter’s tape over part of the OEM hood bracket.
-
Draw widthwise lines across the tape and split it down the center with a razor blade.
-
Insert the plastic pieces into the 4Banger bracket.
-
Remove the upper 12mm bolt, place the bracket, and hand-tighten.
-
Repeat for the lower bolt and realign the tape marks before fully tightening.
-
Install the U-bracket loosely and ensure it faces forward.
-
Slide the 4Banger into the U-bracket and lightly tighten with T30 screws.
-
Repeat on the opposite side.
A-Pillar Wiring
-
Use the included wiring harness with Morimoto switch, relay, power, ground, and Deutsch connectors.
-
Connect the closest pod to the shorter Deutsch lead.
-
Mount the relay with wires facing downward to prevent moisture issues.
-
Route and install the Morimoto switch through the firewall.
-
Connect power and ground using the factory 10mm bolts.
-
Clean up excess wiring with zip ties.
Fog Light Mount Install
-
Assemble the fog light mount using the four T10 screws.
-
Slide the 4Banger through the front of the mount.
-
Secure with T30 screws and connect the fog light harness adapter.
-
Remove the wheel well pins and lower 10mm bolts.
-
Unplug and remove the factory fog light assembly.
-
Transfer the adjustment screw and plastic backing to the 4Banger assembly.
-
Align clips, reconnect the factory harness, and test all lighting functions.
Before final tightening, confirm proper aim and ensure the hood closes correctly.
Conclusion
Now that you have your Morimoto 4Bangers installed, you can experience the full potential of Morimoto’s first entry into the off-road lighting category. The 4Bangers impressed us with their quality, design, and performance.
Until then, keep an eye on this space for future Morimoto product releases. If you have any questions about the 4Banger, drop a comment below or contact Morimoto’s customer support through the contact form on their home page.
To stay up to date on fog light bulb fitment, lighting upgrades, and installation guides, be sure to check back here regularly. You can also follow along on our Facebook page and say hello. And as always, the Better Automotive Lighting Blog is your source for clear, practical information in the automotive lighting world. Why not give this a read: The Importance of The Unboxing Experience: Morimoto 4Bangers
Meet the people behind Better Automotive Lighting
John Tobias, Headlight Junkie and Industry Veteran
Before managing pricing and product categories for the DLG brands, John worked directly with customers in customer service and tech support, then spent several years in marketing creating content like this and the videos published online. Today he takes more than ten years of aftermarket automotive lighting experience to events all over the USA, meeting customers and talking to real people about what they care about. He is focused on understanding the market, the trends, the big players, and what matters to lighting enthusiasts. John has tested thousands of lights, works directly with lighting engineers to evaluate the technical performance behind every recommendation, and is one of the foremost experts on everything happening in the world of aftermarket automotive lighting. LinkedIn
