Brightest headlights..?

Ok, so I think these retrofit headlights are awesome looking and I’m seeing that people are getting some insanely bright setups with them. As cool as I think they are, I don’t want to spend that much money on my headlights. Unless I’m missing something and that can be a cheap mod...?

So here’s my question: what is the brightest, most cost-efficient method to getting the brightest, best look out of my headlights? I’m not opposed to getting a different housing if I have to, but didn’t know what everyone was running. Any suggestions. Looking for bright! I’m noticing a slight shadow in front of my truck early in the morning and late at night. Mine are toooo dim.

Help!

-Cody

 

The Philips Xtreme Vision H4 bulbs are a good stock wattage replacement. As far as headlight housings, stick with OEM unless you're gonna do a retrofit. You can buy upgraded wiring harnesses to run higher wattage bulbs as well, but it's expensive, and could get you a good chunk of the way to a retrofit at that point if you were to do it yourself.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/proper-headlight-upgrade.407879/

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

 

Or if better lighting directly in front of your truck is what you want, you could look into getting some fog lights. Just make sure they have a proper fog light cutoff of you'll blind other people (no offroad lights).

The Rigid Industries SAE Fog Lights are great, but are expensive at almost $200.

 

silverstars. Sorry, can't have the brightest and cheapest at the same time. Pick one.

 

If you go with Silver Stars, be prepared to buy them again on a regular basis. Every time I've run them I was replacing them every 6-8 months.

 

Osram Night Breaker H4 - 12V-60/55W @ Xenon Depot .com- "stock" Replacement -No wiring upgrades needed

 

I never had this problem... did you clean the bulbs before install? Did you touch the glass with your fingers?

 

FWIW you can get knockoff Mini H1s on Amazon for like $30. Then get cheap relay, HIDs, and ballasts. Though you are really pushing it with the quality/longevity of the components. Best to buy once. But here's some options on the cheap... total cost $63. How long these parts last or how good they are... who knows.

Projectors Mini H1 knockoffs $23

$23 Nilight - 10041P 2.5" Mini Projector Lens for H1 Bulb Headlights Retrofit, Custom Headlamps Conversion:Chrome Shround,2 Years Warranty

https://www.amazon.com/Nilight-Mini...=1516290872&sr=8-1&keywords=mini+h1+projector

H1 HID kit $30 (get 4300k as this is the best output)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H8S89PY/ref=twister_B00WZSFFIC?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

H4 bixenon Relay $10

$12 O-NEX HID Relay Harness H4 (9003 HB2) 12V 35W/55W Bi-Xenon Hi/Lo H/L Wiring Controller

https://www.amazon.com/NEX-Harness-...8&qid=1516291047&sr=1-5&keywords=h4+hid+relay

 

I've tried cleaning them first, not cleaning them, made no difference. And no, no touchy da glass. Silver Stars don't last because they're so bright. The way that they get the extra light output is by burning the filament at a higher temperature. The higher the temperature the shorter the filament life, so they burn out after a fairly low number of hours. I do a fair amount of driving at night, so they don't last very long for me.

 

Osram h4 85/80W bulbs are easily the most light per dollar. Just stick them in your stock housings. The stock wiring will work but I'm sure you'd get even more light if you upgraded the harness too

http://www.rallylights.com/h4-12v-osram-hyper-bulb-not-legal-for-highway-use.html

 

I just had my Silver Star Ultras both burn out within 2 days of each other but after 6 Years of DD use. Still going strong in my other truck after 10 years DD use.

 

That's remarkable. The only set of Silver Stars that I ever had that didn't burn out before the 1 year warranty was up were the ones that were in the truck when I traded it in.

 

Good for you! And always remember 'bright' doesn't always mean usable light. Kewl LEDs, halos, black out stuff and all the other geewhiz stuff are just that. Geewhiz.

1) if your OE lens are not pristine, as in 'like new', but yellowed/hazed like most several year old vehicles are, cleaning or better, replacing them will get you instant results. With an improved daytime appearance as well.

2) are they aimed per specs? Most aren't. Or I should say too many aren't. Particularly if the truck is modded in anyway with lift/tires, etc.

3) Let's see if lighting guru @crashnburn80 might have a suggestion on an optimal PnP upgrade for you.

Even though this thread is 2nd gen based, there is some good learning to be had here.

 

The sight you linked too states:
Osram H4 12v Hyper Bulb. NOT LEGAL FOR HIGHWAY USE CP64206

 

I never claimed they are dot approved but then again

Neither are any of the HID options

Edit; didn't realize i quoted twice

 

Never Claimed you Claimed anything......simply added to your post!

 

Thanks for the responses so far. To answer a couple of things - my housings are clear and almost new. The front clip had to be replaced right before I bought the truck in July (deer damage). I haven’t actually checked the aim of them, per spec (didn’t know there was a spec!). I’ve also run the Silverstars in the past; the most recent ones I used were the Silverstar zXe bulbs. I always wear disposable, clean gloves and never touch the glass. I’ve never (knock on wood) had to deal with super premature burnout of them.

I really want to stick with a plug and play option. I’m not completely against upgrading the harness and enabling more light that way, but I’m pretty crunched for time.

Side note: do you experience lighting issues (blinkers not working, bulbs lighting when they’re not supposed to, etc) in these cold conditions? I’ve never really had much issue before, but my little 02 TRD work truck is keeping me on my toes with little issues around every turn.

 

if you want plug and play then you're limited to whatever you can buy at Autozone. Sorry.

 

This is DARN reasonable. Any idea where I can find that upgraded harness?

 

Yes and No. Amazon has a large variety

But what about LED bulbs...I’m finding direct 9003 replacements. Do they need any special upgrade or can I try those?