95-97 Headlights, H4 conversion

So I am planning on switching out the stock sealed beam headlights on my tacoma for some new housings that will accept an H4 style bulb. The goal of this is to be able to replace bulbs not entire headlights, have a better looking housing and get a brighter headlights. Probably going to buy these or something similar:

$73 Vision X Lighting VX-57 Hi-Lo Sealed Beam Replacement Light, 5" x 7"

https://www.amazon.com/Vision-VX-57-Hi-Lo-Sealed-Replacement/dp/B000ES6N72

Since the housings I am looking at don't come with bulbs, I was wondering kind of H4 bulbs I can use in this housing and what wattage.

The old H6054 sealed headlights seem to be listed as 35w however, most H4 bulbs are see to be rated much higher and have a mixed ratting like 60/55w or 100/90w.

$17 SYLVANIA H6054 Basic Halogen Sealed Beam Headlight 142x200, (Contains 1 Bulb)

https://www.amazon.com/SYLVANIA-Halogen-Headlight-142x200-Contains/dp/B000BLGPEI

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200mm-H6054...ash=item4d41ba3f31:g:FBAAAOSwPcVVtyLC&vxp=mtr

The headlights above come with H4 60/55w bulb. And were offering higher wattage bulbs for more money.

If I understand correctly H4 refers to the style of bulb that will fit into the housings I am looking at. What I am wondering about is what kind of bulbs I can plug into my stock wiring harness with out hurting my electrical system? Also I see some h4 bulbs rated with one number like 55w and others like 60/55w, is one for blubs that are only you head light and the other for blubs that do your brights as well.

Also any bulb/housing recommendations would be appreciated trying to spend 100 max.

 

Going with higher power might require an upgraded harness that will put you over your $100 threshold. This is just a guess, but I would think you could go 60/55 watt without a new harness. 85/80 and higher will need one.

@crashnburn80 might be the one to provide some feedback on this.

See https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-ultimate-headlight-upgrade-not-led-or-hid.398066/

 

I did this on my 1993 Dodge W2500 I had. I upgraded the harness, made it myself easy enough, and put in 100/55 bulbs. I loved it and would really like to do it on my 97 tacoma.

 

As stated I wouldn't go over 80w with stock wiring unless you use a upgraded harness with relays like this.....

$47 Putco HD Wiring Harness and Relay, H4

https://www.amazon.com/Putco-230004HW-Premium-Automotive-Lighting/dp/B001P29X4G

You can use practically any H4 bulb . Do research on H4 bulbs to pick your flavor osram ,piaa ,hella, ect .ect everybodies is the best!
I upgraded my harness and use IPF Fatboy II clear's which are 60/80w and very happy with the light output and are not over the top bright/never been flashed............. http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/off-...er-clear-and-max-white-h4-bulb-pair-pack.html

Never heard of those Ebay ones,probably chinese,what isn't these days but hard to get feedback from actual people using them and of course the seller is going to say they are the best.

My 4 recommendations AFTER researching/reading ....................alot.
I did the front end conversion to 95-97 front end.

What I have....ARB IPF 820H great cutoff and light output... $88/pair shipped on Amazon but here also http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/ipf-h4-rectangular-headlamp-insert-820h.html
Buy bulbs from them and combined shipping would be just as cheap/cheaper as Amazon. Especially since Amazon is charging me tax on all orders as of March 1st.

Hella E-codes has the most fan boys but they are not DOT and borderline street legal ..but who checks lights these days. Every other child is burning HID's in a lens designed for halogen these days anyways.What I'm buying next time to compare them to IPF's

$120 Hella 200mm Rectangular E Code H4 Halogen Replacement Headlight Kit with Standard 60/55W H4 Bulbs

https://www.amazon.com/Rectangular-...8&qid=1489963539&sr=1-5&keywords=hella+e+code

Hella Vision Plus.....supposed US legal ECE/DOT version of above

$93 HELLA 003427811 Hlmp Kit 190X132Mm H4 12V Ece, Multi

https://www.amazon.com/HELLA-003427...=1489965549&sr=1-6&keywords=hella+vision+plus

Vision X because a good friend runs/recommends and Marlin is a Toyota Superhero https://www.marlincrawler.com/air-electronics/lighting/high-performance-replacement-headlights

 

Hey everyone, thanks for all the help!

I'm planning on sticking with the stock harness (at least for now) so I wont go of 80w, I will do w a little more reading up and let everone know what I decide.

 

Retrofits!!!

 

With trying to spend $100 max, your best bet IMO is the Hella E-code H4 conversion. I've run several H4 conversions (Including Vision X) from sealed beam trucks in the past. Some lesser expensive units were thin glass and easily got rocks through the lens, poor fit so the lens shook in the headlight bucket causing the beam to bounce whenever hitting bumps in the road, and just not as good of optics as the Hellas. The Hellas extremely high quality and perfect fit, like they were OEM and had heavy duty glass lenses.

E-code is not DOT. E-code is a more strict European lighting standard that is superior to USAs DOT for putting light on the road and keeping it out of the eyes of oncoming drivers. DOT regulations say so much beam pattern must be scattered overhead to the right side for sign illumination. E-code basically regulates sharper cut offs and require more light to be focused on the road, with no scatter for overhead sign illumination. This upgrade alone, with stock H4 bulbs will be a massive improvement over the sealed beams.

I would not recommend running higher wattage than stock H4 55/60w on the stock electrical system without a standalone harness.

The Hellas will be near your $100 budget with bulbs, but well worth it to buy quality the first time and not have to buy a product a second time. They also provide an amazing platform to build on later, if you so decide to further upgrade with a standalone harness and higher wattage bulbs, your lights will actually be brighter (more focused) than mine with better cut offs.

 

Do NOT run hids in a halogen housing!