Headlight Upgrade

Anyone know of some good headlight options that use the stock harnesses or an easy install upgrade?

 

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

 

I checked out the thread. Im a little confused because he suggested getting new bulbs alone and the headlights in my 96 are incased so Id have to get a set of headlights with changeable lights first then?

 

For early second gens you need to get the H4 conversion from sealed beam. This switches your headlights to a fixed lens where you can then change out the bulb, which is far higher performing. While more expensive, I highly recommend Hella E-code 200mm lenses. E-codes put more light on the ground and less in the air, alone producing drastic improvements in lighting on top of the improvements from switching away from sealed beams. Hella makes some of the best ones out there. Those alone with a quality bulb with make a massive difference over your sealed beam setup. Once you are ready you can then switch to a harness and high wattage for insane headlight output with the E-codes.

 

You mean first gens?

 

Habit. Yes, Early 1st Gens.

 

figuered thats what ya ment. U werent kidding about the price 95 bucks for 1 headlight. My luck they will find a rock on the 2nd day of install

 

I've been using some led conversion lights. I like them and they aimed well.

$100 BICYACO 1 Pair 105W Rectangular 5x7/ 6x7" Led Headlight High Low Beam Headlamp Compatible with Jeep Wrangler YJ Cherokee XJ Kenworth T300 1997-2010 Replacement H6054 H5054 H6054LL 69822 6052 6053

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B074LT5B1M?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_pd_title

Need this harness too because toyotas use ground side switching and the LEDs cannot deal with that because they're diodes.

https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/321185541524

 

Funny thing. I've run them as well as 'bargain' versions. The bargain brands would have rocks go right through them, glass was super thin. The Hellas were tanks, they weighed significantly more than the bargain brands and the lenses appeared to massively more robust. Went through 2 bargain E-codes lost due to rocks though the lens. Once switching to Hella, over many years never once even cracked a lens.

 

Just bought a set of 200mm Hellas on Amazon 100 for the pair. Came with 100/80w bulbs. Also got a grounded harness

 

Running Hella Lens also, yes the glass is very thick, no chips or cracks, big difference over stock

 

If installing the 100/80 bulbs I would check the heat generated at the 3 prong plug... it just might melt. They make ceramic plugs just in case.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/why-leds-should-not-be-run-in-halogen-reflectors.454371/

Is the ‘grounded harness’ a high wattage standalone harness?

 

You see signs better because light is shining where it shouldn’t. High beams show signs better too, but that doesn’t mean they are acceptable for oncoming traffic. And the short wave blue light from LEDs refracts and scatters more (a bad thing) which causes light to bounce back to the driver making reflective signs appear hyper illuminated. This also reduces vision in rain/snow/fog for the same reason.

The correct way to upgrade lights in a halogen reflector housing is to use a halogen source designed for the housing which drastically boosts output while maintaining beam pattern and cut offs:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-ultimate-headlight-upgrade-h4-not-led-or-hid.398066/

 

If they have the little cutoff pieces that most led conversions do then it's fine, it won't shine on the bright portion...



See the little outcroppings that hang over the diode face?

 

Negative ghost rider. Tried kits like that too, while the glare is better than those without, there is still excessive glare. Even the H4 version of the Hikari kit that everyone raves about still had glare and poor performance.

 

Guess it all depends on what you get, those hella headlights he got have the focusing element on the front which helps a lot. But I've only tried Philips H4 conversions and they aimed beautifully and even sitting in a lowered 300zx didn't blind us oncoming. Cheaper ones are usually a no go though, the Philips weren't cheap. I like my LED sealed beams, they were cheap and aimed very well but they have a special reflector design.

 

The Philips are actually the best ones I’ve seen. Haven’t seen other brands do nearly as well.

 

Got any output shots? Looks interesting.

 

I can take some tonight, they're pretty even, just one hotspot but it is low so it doesn't affect oncoming traffic