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headlight bulb recommendations

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Hadataco, Dec 22, 2020.

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  1. Dec 22, 2020 at 1:04 PM
    #21
    DGXR

    #21
    DGXR Well-Known Member

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    I think many approach bulb replacement as an opportunity to upgrade, since they are buying new ones anyway then why not get better ones, right? Obviously there are brighter-than-stock bulbs available, but I don't know if they actually improve the driver's visibility. A bulb can be brighter, but if it doesn't focus the light properly or make good use of what it's putting out, then it might be no better than the stock replacements. That's why I always go with the stock ones if they work good enough.
     
    DGXR, Dec 22, 2020
    #21
    Sprig and Island Cruiser like this.
  2. Dec 22, 2020 at 1:06 PM
    #22
    spitdog

    #22
    spitdog Well-Known Member

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    I must be living right, I have never had a headlight go bad. I’m on my 4th Toyota truck. Last one I had 17 yrs.
    OH chit, I just jinxed myself.
     
    spitdog, Dec 22, 2020
    #22
    Sprig likes this.
  3. Dec 22, 2020 at 1:09 PM
    #23
    Burica

    #23
    Burica Raptor Deracinator

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    In my 2020 TRD Off-Road I have Sylvania SilverStar Ultra halogen H11. Excellent throw/distance with these compared to stock. Easy to install. About 4 minutes for both.
     
    Burica, Dec 22, 2020
    #23
  4. Dec 22, 2020 at 1:30 PM
    #24
    busychild

    #24
    busychild Well-Known Member

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    as great and important as that post is. i hate it, i really wish in the first post or two there was a really dumbed down summary of what has worked best as there is updates throughout the post but its daunting. but with that being said i went with a set of these... based on recommendations on that post. i really wanted to go down the road of after market with a projector / DRL setup mostly for looks. but really after doing the research going with a halogen was the way to go. i live in a snowy cold area, where having the necessary heat to keep them somewhat clear. as well some additional clarity/brightness for those early AM drives.

    https://www.powerbulbs.com/product/philips-racingvision-gt200-h4-twin
     
    busychild, Dec 22, 2020
    #24
    DJ IslandBoy, kidsmoke and Crow Horse like this.
  5. Dec 22, 2020 at 1:33 PM
    #25
    Unchained 5150

    #25
    Unchained 5150 Rick

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    I have those myself but have not put them in yet. Running the Race Vision 150's right now.
     
    Unchained 5150, Dec 22, 2020
    #25
  6. Dec 22, 2020 at 1:35 PM
    #26
    busychild

    #26
    busychild Well-Known Member

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    busychild, Dec 22, 2020
    #26
  7. Dec 22, 2020 at 1:37 PM
    #27
    Unchained 5150

    #27
    Unchained 5150 Rick

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    Unchained 5150, Dec 22, 2020
    #27
  8. Dec 22, 2020 at 1:40 PM
    #28
    Wyckedan

    #28
    Wyckedan Well-Known Member

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    I use Hella 130/90w. Replace them about once a year but they are brighter than anything else listed here. Gotta run a harness and make sure the aim is correct though
     
    Wyckedan, Dec 22, 2020
    #28
  9. Dec 22, 2020 at 3:29 PM
    #29
    Too Stroked

    #29
    Too Stroked Well-Known Member

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    I think you will find that Silverstar bulbs (all varieties) are not actually brighter than stock - and Sylvania lost a court case to prove it. I'll let our resident lighting expert @crashnburn80 fill everyone in on the details on how, why and what the best current bulbs are.
     
    Too Stroked, Dec 22, 2020
    #29
    Nevin likes this.
  10. Dec 22, 2020 at 3:54 PM
    #30
    Crow Horse

    #30
    Crow Horse Well-Known Member

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    Edit*** copy/pasted from "The Ultimate Headlight Bulb" thread......
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Dec 22, 2020
    Crow Horse, Dec 22, 2020
    #30
    crashnburn80, Toy_Runner and Too Stroked like this.
  11. Dec 22, 2020 at 4:00 PM
    #31
    Too Stroked

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    Too Stroked Well-Known Member

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    Notice. Silverstars are not even on the chart.
     
    Too Stroked, Dec 22, 2020
    #31
  12. Dec 22, 2020 at 4:04 PM
    #32
    Nevin

    #32
    Nevin Well-Known Member

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    I was part of that class action lawsuit.
    Got my money back for the pair of bulbs I bought, and haven't bought a pair since.
     
    Nevin, Dec 22, 2020
    #32
    Too Stroked[QUOTED] likes this.
  13. Dec 22, 2020 at 4:09 PM
    #33
    Wyckedan

    #33
    Wyckedan Well-Known Member

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    Woohoo, update time for me
     
    Wyckedan, Dec 22, 2020
    #33
  14. Dec 22, 2020 at 4:10 PM
    #34
    TireFire

    #34
    TireFire Superunknown Member

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    I used these after my stock ones went out last year. They lasted about a year during which I’ve driven less than 10k miles and less than half that time with head lamps on.
    Light output was better than OEM but considering how short their life span they’re not worth it
     
    TireFire, Dec 22, 2020
    #34
  15. Dec 22, 2020 at 4:13 PM
    #35
    Crow Horse

    #35
    Crow Horse Well-Known Member

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    It's amazing what marketing can do. I fell prey on previous vehicles I had. If it wasn't for the the knowledge shared by crashnburn80 I'd still be wandering aimlessly in the fog of ignorance.
     
    Last edited: Dec 22, 2020
    Crow Horse, Dec 22, 2020
    #35
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  16. Dec 22, 2020 at 4:18 PM
    #36
    ataco4x4

    #36
    ataco4x4 Well-Known Member

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    tonneau cover upgraded dome lights tail gate filler cup holder cover bed math oem
    I have a pair of brand new silver star ultra gold I can give you a amazing deal on. Pack of 2 used once can’t use with new headlights
     
    ataco4x4, Dec 22, 2020
    #36
  17. Dec 22, 2020 at 4:21 PM
    #37
    Interbeing

    #37
    Interbeing A Canadian living in Texas

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    Try the H9's in place of the H11's for about a 30% increase in brightness, makes a noticeable difference. With a little modification you can fit them to the H11 connector, takes about 2 minutes, and costs less than $20 for both.
     
    Interbeing, Dec 22, 2020
    #37
  18. Dec 22, 2020 at 4:22 PM
    #38
    Crow Horse

    #38
    Crow Horse Well-Known Member

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    I respectfully disagree. On average, at a cost of approximately $30 a year to see better is cheap insurance and tips the scales of possibly avoiding a "situation" in your favor. I live in deer and critter country and my eyes are always sweeping to catch movement, shadow or a body silhouette. Early hazard detection works in my favor and I'm willing to pay the premium.....
     
    Crow Horse, Dec 22, 2020
    #38
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  19. Dec 22, 2020 at 5:26 PM
    #39
    crashnburn80

    #39
    crashnburn80 Vehicle Design Engineer

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    Note that the new Racing Vision GT200 offer the same level of performance as the +150 but double the life, as covered in post #3169 here.
     
    crashnburn80, Dec 22, 2020
    #39
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  20. Dec 22, 2020 at 5:31 PM
    #40
    ABA180

    #40
    ABA180 It burns when I pee....

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    Exactly..happened to me twice in my old vehicles
     
    ABA180, Dec 22, 2020
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Page 2 of 5

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