When it comes to upgrading your headlight housings, there aren’t too many options out there for the 6G, but Alparex delivered. This is their top-tier housing with the Ice Cube 3D projectors, premium LED chips, and all the modern lighting features everyone wants on a newer truck. If you have been looking at headlight upgrades for your 6G 4Runner, this one might be one of the cleanest, most complete options out there.
Big shout to Customs Unlimited for hooking it up with a set for us to test. If you guys have never worked with them before, they specialize in lighting. Most resellers sell just about everything, but Customs Unlimited has an insane knowledge of lighting in general. Solid company to check out if you’re considering any light upgrade for your 4Runner.
Primary Specs:
- Ice Cube 3D projector layout with a sharp, clean cutoff
- Osram Oslon Black Chip LEDs on low beam
- AlphaRex LUXX LEDs on dual beam
- DOT and SAE compliant for proper LHD beam control
- Startup activation light sequence
- Sequential amber turn signals
- Bright DRL light tube for day and night
- Selectable white or amber DRL
Find it online:
- Customs Unlimited: Check Price
Can’t decide between the NOVA vs LUXX?
- NOVA: Ice Cube 3D projectors, stronger optics, higher-end chip selection (more premium finish)
- LUXX: Rectangular projectors, Alpharex chipset (more affordable but still great for OEM-plus builds)
Table Of Contents
Video Installation Guide & Review
Headlight Tech
The NOVA Series is built around AlphaRex’s patented Ice Cube 3D projector system, paired with Osram Oslon Black Chip LEDs for the low beam and AlphaRex LUXX LEDs for the dual beam setup. The low beam output is incredibly impressive with a dramatic cutoff line, but the high beams leave a little bit to be desired.
These housings provide a sharp cutoff, tons of usable low beam light, and an OEM plus look for the 6G.
Ice Cube 3D Projectors
This is the signature AlphaRex look. I’ve run Alpharex and Morimoto on many 4Runners and Tacomas in the past, and I’ve always liked the look of the cubes inside the Alpharex housings.
On the 6G housings, you get three square projectors stacked in a clean layout that gives the front end a modern, high-end look.
Beyond the looks, the 3D projectors help focus the beam, tighten the hotspot towards the center where it’s needed, and again… the cutoff is perfect on these straight out of the box, no adjustments needed on my end.
LED Chips, Low Beam & High Beam
Low Beam
High Beam
Output is where these really shine… on the low beam side.
You get Osram Black Chip LEDs on the low beam, and AlphaRex LUXX LEDs running the dual beam for the high. The low beam is a super controlled, tight pattern that actually puts light where you want it, not just light everywhere for the sake of brightness.
A lot of aftermarket housings look bright in photos but fall short on the road because the beam isn’t shaped correctly. That’s not the case with these housings.
The NOVA low beam has a very defined cutoff, a strong hotspot in the center, and a wide enough spread that you’re not hunting for lane markings or shoulder lines. And because the beam is properly tuned for LHD (left hand drive) patterns, you’re not blinding oncoming traffic.
The high beam does throw more light, but I wouldn’t say it’s the most impressive part of the housing. It’s good, it does what it’s supposed to do, but the real upgrade is the low beam.
DOT, SAE And Cutoff
A lot of aftermarket headlights claim to be “street legal” but don’t actually meet the requirements.
The beam pattern is tuned for American LHD regulations, so the cutoff is sharp, clean, and not blinding to oncoming drivers.
If you’ve been flashed constantly with other aftermarket housings, you’ll appreciate this section.
In the photo above, I am parked a bit close to the warehouse, so it appears to be pretty high, but once you back up from the wall, the cutoff gets lower and the driver’s side comes down a bit.
Activation Light Startup Sequence (Video)
This is one of those small touches that make the truck feel new. Even though these new gens are technically “new” the LED tech is still somewhat behind.
The activation light is a startup animation that kicks on when you unlock the truck or turn on your parking lights.
Depending on the version of Alpharex model, you get a clean, flowing light sequence that runs for a couple of seconds, then settles into your DRL. It’s subtle but very cool to see in person.
Sequential Turn Signal (Video)
The sequential signal gives you a modern sweep pattern instead of a basic blink.
It flows from one side of the tube to the other, and it’s super visible from different angles. If you’re building the truck with a more updated front-end look, this feature makes a huge difference… especially when paired with other front end backlights or amber lights.
DRL Light Tube
The DRL tube is your daytime signature look, and this is probably my favorite feature of this housing.
Bright amber LEDs run during day and night, and they completely transform the presence of the 4Runner from the front end. It’s crisp, clean, and matches well with the KC fog lights or any other aftermarket lighting you might be running; Baja, Diode, KC, etc.
If you want to change the color of the DRL to amber, you have to open the backside of the headlight housing and connect the wires that are left unclipped.
White Or Amber DRL (Video)
Both the Luxx and Nova series offer the Amber DRL so no matter which option you choose, you still get the same DRL and sequential turn.
Most of choose to run the amber, but white gives you that polished OEM look.
Amber is more off-road inspired and pairs well with amber backlit fogs or marker lighting. The only real difference between the Luxx and Nova is the amount of LED cubes inside the housing, the general light output, and the finish of the cubes inside the housing as well.
Final Thoughts
The NOVA Series is easily one of the nicest headlight upgrades you can run on a Tacoma or 6th Gen 4Runner if you’re looking for a killer design with a lot of output in the low beam.
You get killer low beam optics, decent high beam output, and all the modern lighting features you’d expect today.
