The ultimate headlight upgrade H4 (not LED or HID)

Why is the lux output in the comparison to the superbrights so much higher with the all-seasons compared to that of the std hypers?

 

Good question! I forgot to mention in the post that the distance is not controlled between the two comparisons. The comparison between the 100/90w SuperBrights vs the 85/80w AllSeasons is at a closer distance to the wall, giving higher lux numbers. As the distance is not controlled, the comparisons are meant to only be relative to the other bulb being compared in the measurement. I’ll add that to post.

 

Good to know

 

With the new harness and bulbs, I realize I need to adjust my headlights again. High beams are still too high and too far left. I thought I had them adjusted after cranking the shit out of the adjustment bolts, not sure how much adjustment is left. You would think a dealership would check/adjust them after installing a lift, guess not.

 

85/80w AllSeasons on a dark unlit road.



Not the best picture, and I’m not sure why it looks like there is a hot spot close to the truck as there isn’t in person. This is facing up a very mild hill, the photo is likely a bit overexposed but I didn’t want to stay parked in the street trying to get a perfect shot.

 

Headlight aiming should be based on the low beam. If your low beams are on target the high beams will too. Careful with the horizontal adjustment, count your screw rotations, it is very easy to get lost messing with the horizontal adjuster.

 

This is one of the several reasons I love-love-loved my 2005 STi. It had a knob inside the car for adjusting headlight height! (It was actually Subaru's el cheapo way to comply with European laws regarding HID lighting, but let's not let that get in the way.) I could crank the lights down in traffic and never ever get flashed, then crank them up when I got out on the empty, bambi-infested hinterland roads. I seriously miss that little knob.

EDIT: It was wonderful for fog too.

 

I've not heard of that before, that sounds very convenient, especially compared to trying to use the lower adjustment screw on the back side of the Tacoma headlight!

 

We rented a Sienna for vacation this year and it had that to compensate for passengers/luggage in the back.

 

I just dread the 1/4 ratchet with a piece of water pipe attached to reach the adjustment bolts!

 

Most other carmakers put auto-levelling in place to handle the situation (see below). Subaru chose a simpler path, bless their Nipponese souls.

Awesome, they're still at it! The cool thing is that, of course, you can upwardly adjust the bejeezus out of your lights; a heck of a lot of lighting power goes straight into the ground a few feet in front of the car. The downside is you have to keep reaching for the knob. (I didn't find it to be a downside but then I'm not actually human.)

 

Nothing is easy about the headlights on the 2nd Gen. I just use the 1/4" ratchet and I think the 8mm shorty and just sacrifice your hand to get it down there, then turn a couple clicks at a time.

I'm familiar with auto-leveling, I had just never head of manual leveling. I prefer using manual intermittent wipers rather than a defined setting so I understand not seeing it as a downside.

 

That’s where the short piece of 1/2” pex water pipe comes into play!

 

@crashnburn80
You did not mention if your photo is low or high beam, am curious...
Please advise
JL

 

Low beam, no fogs.

 

The 85/80w bulb has really started to grow on me, I think I actually like it better than the Osram 85/80w clear bulbs. I really look forward to testing these on the passes.

 

You have the power to pass plenty of cars with your lights off too.

 

Tried today on the highway, even at highway speeds I broke the rear end free and drifted it to the side as the tires squealed for traction before getting it back under control. Power to traction ratio is not good. Need that Truetrac.

 

Sign me up too. Either that or I'll need an awd conversion.

 

There is a guy on here who has done the awd conversion and has a mechanical limited slip in the front diff. Not 100% bolt in but pretty close, and I have to say it really has my attention.

Looking forward to an indepth review from you on these. I have been considering swapping my stock housings back in from my current projector setup. The projectors are plenty bright with 4300k hids and 55w ballasts, but the actual lense is starting to peel the clear coat, and moisture got inside from a bad seal on one of the marker lights, so it looks nasty inside. That and I could never get these hids adjusted correctly I feel like.