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Want to improve headlights, but can't do a full retro yet...Recommendations?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by DavisBladeWorks, Sep 13, 2013.

  1. Sep 13, 2013 at 12:39 PM
    #1
    DavisBladeWorks

    DavisBladeWorks [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hey guys, I had nice HIDs on my car I had before I got this truck about a two weeks ago. (13 Nissan Maxima)

    This truck obviously doesn't have HIDs which is ok, but I cannot stand the piss yellow beam that it throws out. Without doing a full retrofit which I can't do right now (starting a business, money is TIGHT!), what are my options for getting headlights which are a tad bit brighter, but also look much cleaner and whiter?

    Hopefully there are some good plug and play options. Thanks in advance everyone!

    John
     
  2. Sep 13, 2013 at 12:45 PM
    #2
    Blueitrgsr

    Blueitrgsr Well-Known Member

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    Some bilsteins, OME 885's, and an AAL.
    I've been using the sylvania silverstar zxe. There are the whitest of headlight bulbs I've tried.
     
  3. Sep 13, 2013 at 12:48 PM
    #3
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    PIAA Extreme White bulbs or Philips Xtreme Power bulbs will both do the trick.
     
  4. Sep 13, 2013 at 12:49 PM
    #4
    Blueitrgsr

    Blueitrgsr Well-Known Member

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    Some bilsteins, OME 885's, and an AAL.
    Are you using either of those pugga?
     
  5. Sep 13, 2013 at 12:56 PM
    #5
    Eldowr

    Eldowr Well-Known Member

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    Find a bulb without any blue coating. The blue bulbs will give off whiter light, but they will not produce the same lumens as a non-coated bulb in the +30 / +50 range.
    Phillips / Osram / Sylvania, etc.
     
  6. Sep 13, 2013 at 12:59 PM
    #6
    JTS2016TACO

    JTS2016TACO Well-Known Member

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  7. Sep 13, 2013 at 1:03 PM
    #7
    Oregon TRD

    Oregon TRD "GO DUCKS" Edition

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    Last edited: Sep 13, 2013
  8. Sep 13, 2013 at 1:03 PM
    #8
    neonlazer

    neonlazer Mechanically Goofy

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  9. Sep 13, 2013 at 1:05 PM
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    JTS2016TACO

    JTS2016TACO Well-Known Member

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    I was just throwing it out there as an option I dont know if they exist or not but I know he has fog light bulbs because I got a quote from him just trying to throw it out there haha :)
     
  10. Sep 13, 2013 at 1:12 PM
    #10
    Eldowr

    Eldowr Well-Known Member

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  11. Sep 13, 2013 at 1:15 PM
    #11
    fyremanpat

    fyremanpat Well-Known Member

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    OME 886x and 5100's all the way around. Toytec AAL. Phillips x-treme vision headlights. 886 reverse lights. Borla exhaust. 20% tint. Hi 6 mod. 285/65/18 Nitto TG on 18" Moto Metal 955's. Airaid intake. Scanguage2.JBA LT's.GC Grill..more to come.
    phillips xtreme are hands down the best ive used yet. check ebay, sometimes they have good deals on them.
     
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    #11
  12. Sep 13, 2013 at 1:18 PM
    #12
    DavisBladeWorks

    DavisBladeWorks [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Awesome, thanks for the suggestions guys!

    Are any of those available to pick up at your local auto parts stores?
     
  13. Sep 13, 2013 at 1:36 PM
    #13
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    I went from stock to Philips Extreme bulbs and felt they were a nice upgrade. I then got hit and one blew so I replaced the Philips bulbs with the PIAAs. Having them back to back, I prefer the pattern and light output I got with the PIAA bulbs.

    I actually had a full blown retrofit and yanked the projectors out and went back with the PIAA bulbs. Obviously, the retrofit was better but I was having solenoid problems that I got tired of dealing with and felt that the PIAA bulbs were plenty bright for dark backroad driving.
     
  14. Sep 13, 2013 at 1:37 PM
    #14
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    The Philips ones maybe but I haven't found them around me. I ordered all of mine off Amazon. The Sylvania ones you can usually find at Advanced or Autozone but I don't particularly like the color of those. The Philips and PIAAs are more like a 4300K HID bulb where as the Sylvania seem to be more like a 5000 or 6000K (more blueish).
     
  15. Sep 13, 2013 at 3:41 PM
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    Blueitrgsr

    Blueitrgsr Well-Known Member

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    Some bilsteins, OME 885's, and an AAL.
    I might have to give those a try. I'm due for a set of headlights.
     
  16. Sep 13, 2013 at 3:44 PM
    #16
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    Some people have complained about shorter bulb life with the PIAA bulbs but my first set lasted 1.5 years and I took them out to do my retrofit (both were working perfectly fine still) and my new set only has a couple months on them so far.
     
  17. Sep 13, 2013 at 4:41 PM
    #17
    RPD STARS

    RPD STARS Turn up the good, turn down the suck!

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    Go Faster Retrozzz... Drop in Dry Flow, Blowfaster Delta 50, 315/70/17 BFG Stock Action
    ^ This... I used them until i retro'd.
     
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  18. Sep 13, 2013 at 5:59 PM
    #18
    DavisBladeWorks

    DavisBladeWorks [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Well, my local auto parts store had the silverstar zxe bulbs so I picked them up and installed them a while ago. Just a tip, removing your battery and washer fluid reservoir makes it MUCH easier to change out the headlights.


    Anyway, on to the bulbs. They are a marked improvement over the stock bulbs as far as color, but I can't tell if they are any brighter since I haven't driven with them at night.

    The bulbs do have a slight blue coating on then, but they don't look blue when the lights are on. They are just a very neutral white color. Not blue, and not yellow. Right in the middle on the color spectrum. Overall I'm happy with them, but since I can change the bulbs so fast I may try the Phillips bulbs.
     
  19. Sep 15, 2013 at 8:33 PM
    #19
    ABA180

    ABA180 It burns when I pee....

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    The Sylvanias are also in WalMart..I've seen the Phillips in there sometimes but it's hit or miss.
     
  20. Sep 15, 2013 at 8:38 PM
    #20
    jw1983

    jw1983 Well-Known Member

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    I've had Piaa bulbs in 2 vehicles I owned. The first car they lasted for a year and a half without issues. I sold the vehicle. My second car I had them in, they lasted 9 months and I got a replacement(warranty) set from Piaa. Sold the car shortly after.
     

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