The ultimate headlight upgrade H4 (not LED or HID)

Wrecked my truck and it ripped out the whole headlight and all the connectors on the drivers side. Should I just buy new connectors And wire those up or move forward with the harness upgrade? What new headlights (preferably aftermarket to save money) do you guys recommend? Kind of want to try a projector headlight but this thread makes it seem like a bad idea

 

I’ll take the harness if we can work something out

 

The best headlight assemblies are OEM. Large reflectors like the 2nd Gen has are the highest performing type of assemblies, much higher performing than a projector. See how the large reflector 2nd Gen assemblies compare to the 3rd Gen OEM projector assemblies here.

Note that aftermarket projector headlights will be junk, and far worse performing than the Toyota OEM projectors which are significantly outperformed by the 2nd Gen headlights.

Do you have the upgraded harness? If you intend to use one just wiring on any basic 9003/H4 plug to the OEM harness will be fine, as it won't see any load, it will just be a 12v trigger for the harness relay. Cheapest option for good headlights is going to be watching the 2nd Gen marketplace section for some good condition OEM takeoffs when someone makes the mistake of switching to cooler looking aftermarket lights.

 

Unfortunate that there aren't any decent aftermarket options. They are crazy expensive for how ugly they are lol

Not yet. Trying to figure out what I'm going to do in regards to fixing existing harness with Rockauto connectors, or bypassing it completely with upgraded harness.

 

The harness only applies to the headlight bulb, not the rest of the bulbs in the assembly. And for the harness to work you still need a 9003/H4 plug on the OEM wires unless you want to cut off the harness connector and hardwire it, but I wouldn’t recommend that. So regardless you’ll need to replace the connectors.

 

Thanks. I appreciate your help. Any recommendation on best connectors to buy? Never had a problem with the OEM ones but don't mind upgrading while I'm in the process of fixing

 

Not wanting to sift through more than 150 pages, which headlight upgrade harness will work for a 2012 with DTRL?
Years ago I had a Painless headlight harness and it made a huge improvement.

I have to be honest with myself. I know I'll sift through all the pages. It'll just take a chunk of time....

 

^ SMH

Painless harness will work... but id get one of the mentioned in the first couple post...

 

Thanks! You're referring to the Headlight Services?

 

Any of them.... My choice Headlight Services....

 

No specific recommendation, something by Dorman available at many autoparts stores should be fine. I saw Ford Motocraft also sells connectors. No need to upgrade the connector though if running the harness, since the connector doesn't really see any load.

The first post is constantly updated with all the relevant info, so no need to scan all the pages. Headlight Services is the way to go, the build quality is top notch.

 

Thank you!!!!

 

Incase anyone is wondering what it’s like driving around with both upgrades here you go. https://youtu.be/9OPJMPkGMjs

 

You're holding that camera on the steering wheel aren't you? It's funky to watch at first!

 

Don’t do a deep dive on this, but I’m curious as to your off the cuff thoughts... how does the second gen reflector with stock bulb compare to 3rd gen projector with the H9 mod?

How about the 2nd gen reflector with +++ bulbs compared to the 3rd gen with H9 mod?

 

I’m still questioning why HIR coating never made it to other bulbs.. seems it would outperform this and with longer life

 

I haven't personally done measured evaluations on uplight between the platforms, but recall that even the 3rd Gen low beam projectors allow uplight in the OEM halogen projectors. Running Philips H9s just exceeds 3rd party testing on the uplight compliance allowance for a low beam. Same is likely true for the 2nd Gen lights running high wattage bulbs. Fact is SAE compliant low beams allow for uplight, and if you magnify the raw output, you'll also magnify the uplight. Running ultra high efficiency performance bulbs like the new Philips +150 Pro of the new +200 GT200 will enhance focus, providing higher intensity low beam without increasinging uplight over the legal limit.

It would be awesome if some performance bulb company made such a product.

 

im genuinely surprised they haven't. if only we could get Philips to do it. granted theres probably reasons beyond my understanding why there isnt

 

It wouldn't be a compiant product, it would be "off road" only.

There are these high performance HIRs:

Larson Electronics 1218OXOQOZY Cml-5 24V Military Spotlight with Handle & Magnetic Base

https://www.amazon.com/Larson-Electronics-1218OXOQOZY-Military-Spotlight/dp/B007KENF42

 

Nice, but it looks like you need ND4's Fog Light Anytime Mod. NO splicing, No Bending, 100% reversible and let's the fogs remain on with the highs. Highly recommended.