The ultimate headlight upgrade H4 (not LED or HID)

@Medina33

 

I finally installed my harness and lights. I got the 85w and the upgraded harness. Not very bright at all.

 

Then you've done something wrong... Or you're not getting out where it's DARK?? When I lost my drivers side 85w I popped a stock bulb back in- and it looked completely dim in comparison.

I think if you're expecting a big color change or pattern change this may disappoint you, it's the same color light, same exact pattern... But a shit-ton more light on the road.

 

I agree with this. The goal is to improve brightness, improve safety margin (to not fry OEM wiring, with higher output bulbs) and most importantly(IMO) to keep same light pattern, especially the same cut-off pattern in order to not blind oncoming drivers. This mod accomplishes all of that.

 

You would be the first person in 17 pages on this thread, and 3 pages on the gen 1 spin off thread to not be impressed by it.

Looking at the before and after photos, it is very clearly much brighter.

While admittedly my side-by-side photo isn't great, it also clearly also shows the light output is much brighter.

The lumen output of the bulbs exceeds HIDs and is almost double that of stock, so I am not sure what you were expecting. As others mentioned, this upgrade doesn't give your lights a 'cool' looking HID color. Color does not equate to brightness. This upgrade is about pure functional performance.

 

Subed
Still no issues OP?

 

Question 4 you.
Did you just change the fog lamp bulbs or did you upgrade the wire harness as well?

 

Never expected a color change. The light output from these headlights and wiring harness is not worth the money imo.

I plugged the harness into the existing brown headlight plug and the battery and ground

 

Can you put your stock back on and do a sidexside left light stock, right side with new harness and bulb.?
I would like to see a second comparison plz?

 

Everyone running conventionally switched harnesses for 05-15? I've been running just the upgraded bulbs (with no ill effects) but I want to get the harness for added protection. I want to make sure I get the right harness and I don't have the knowledge to test for it

 

At least one Tacoma with daytime running lights that run on the headlights (not amber indicators) was ground switched. The test procedure is not difficult, could easily walk you through it if you have a multi-meter, or even a bulb voltage detector. The harness will also add efficiency which will get more power to your bulbs causing them to burn brighter.

 

Thank you for the help, multi-meter ordered from Amazon so I will be asking for you assistance in about a week when it gets here. Thanks again.

 

No problem. Shoot me a PM or post in here with your questions when you are ready.

 

I don't have my stock bulbs anymore. I had LEDs before

 

Care to show us anyway just out of curiosity? LED vs Upgraded Halogens.

 

Crap.

 

The light output of your previous LED's undoubtedly was the same or even greater than the Osram halogens that you just installed. But that was not the point of doing this Halogen Mod.

From the Original Post:

"Why not HID/LED?:

LEDs have recently become popular, but most that improve light output over stock use microprocessor cooling fans to cool the LED circuit. Not a very durable design for off-road use, or any use. The cooling fan versions also require cutting of the rear headlight boot to fit, meaning the seal is shot and condensation inside the lens could become an issue. The optics may be questionable as LED light is directional vs Halogen being omni-directional, though some respectable manufacturers have claimed to recently solve the issue. The LED bulbs will also have lower CRI than Halogens. Numerous threads on TW have had people go to LEDs only later to return to Halogen due to the lack of reliability, the incorrect optics, and superior spectrum of the Halogens."

 

Yeah I had to cut my boot and I did get water inside

 

+1 to ALL of this. Now that I've got a fair amount of night-time driving with my "ultimate headlight upgrade," I want to say thanks (again) to crashnburn80 for posting and advising on it. I've tried a number of other upgrade options (including LEDs). While this one was the most expensive, it also provided the best results. IMO, a great example of getting what you pay for. Highly recommended.

 

FOR SALE:
$30.00 Shipped to your Door.

Brand New.

I installed these lights to test the quality and decided its not for me.