The ultimate headlight upgrade H4 (not LED or HID)

First post long time lurker. I have upgraded my Tacoma with the help of this thread. I decided to do my other vehicle, a 1988 Dodge B250 hightop conversion van that I couldn't see 10 ft ahead of me. So I replaced the wiring harness with the Headlight services harness. I replaced the sealed beam with Hella E Codes with the included bulbs. Should I upgrade the bulbs to the Osram 100/90? I have the Hella 100/80 bulbs sitting on a shelf as well. This is a camper van that I go off grid with solar, so with short bulb life, I may carry a spare set as light is a must if I go high wattage. What are your opinions?

 

If you already have the harness installed, why NOT. It's just a bulb replacement.

 

I didn't know if the bulb would get too hot for the Hella housing. Went ahead and ordered the osram 100/90w from powerbulb. Got 4 of them to keep extra in the van in case one goes out while in the wilderness.

 

Welcome to TW!

I ran a set of Hellas like those years ago in my '92 Toyota Pickup. Unless something's changed, they're glass. Assuming that's still the case, I don't think heat will be a problem, since it's not in Tacomas' plastic headlight housings.

+1.

 

Done! Thanks guys, you are all a great help! Here is my ride BTW...... Was a one owner I bought off a 92 year old man. Took 3 years to rebuild trans, front end, replace anything rubber, install solar, redo seat foam, basically everything mechanical is new.

 

Damn that's in nice shape! Do you have to wear a Leisure Suit when you drive it though?

 

Talk about a shaggin’ wagon, that thing is bad ass!

 

Please tell me it has an 8 Track.

 

No, I put a Bluetooth radio in. I have an old cb that I hope to get working soon.

 

did just email them and they said that the shipping could take up to 21 days during holiday. Happy they replied and hopefully I end up getting these soon

 

I finally ordered the recommended harness and bulbs and can confirm the XMAS25 coupon code for powerbulbs still works for 25% off. I added a couple back up bulbs while I was at it.

I’m looking forward to this.

Thanks again OP for all the great research and info.

 

Just ordered the recommended harness and bulbs (used the NEW20 code for 20% off the bulbs). Gonna wait on a new housing until my stock set needs to be replaced. Seems like a much better option for real world application than some of the really expensive sets that look cool, but don't perform. Function over form. Im also waiting on the delivery of the deAuto LED fog lights for the cool factor.

 

Congratulations on the Ultimate Headlight Upgrade and welcome to the club. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. The deAuto LED bulbs for your fogs though, you may be disappointed with. If you really want a killer set of fogs, bite the bullet and never look back with the Diode Dynamics SS3s. Even the "lowest" model in their lineup - the Sport - delivers killer lighting with no glare for oncoming drivers. (When properly aimed of course.) Your deAuto bulbs may deliver a lot more glare and no amount of aiming will fix that issue.

The LED SAE J583 Fog Pod & Fog Light Review | Tacoma World

 

That's what I was afraid of. I wish I had done a bit more research before ordering them. Worst case scenario ill be replacing them down the road.

 

Fear not. You won't be the first to make this mistake and certainly not the last. Fortunately, here in Tacoma World, we have one of the world's leading experts on automotive lighting - @crashnburn80. If you read through his posts - which he constantly updates - you'll learn a ton about lighting, what works, what doesn't and why. I've got all of his recommended upgrades in my 2014 Tacoma and the difference is simply staggering.

 

I ordered the same a little over a month ago. They have been great on a previous order but with the holiday load on the USPS and COVID, it takes a lot longer now....

 

Well that is discouraging.....

 

Trouble shooting issue. I just replaced my headlights, upgraded wiring harness and I'm running the racing bulbs until my other bulbs come in. Everything turn on and works correctly except for my fog lights. I recently changed those over to the DD SS3's and they worked correctly until I changed the harness. lights, etc.

When I initially turn them on, they flicker for a half a second and go out. I can repeat this over and over. Before I could tell they were flickering on power up, I checked the fuse and it was fine. What could have changed with the fogs when I replaced the headlights? I did put LED's in the headlights for the turns and running lights.

Ok, I removed the LED's in the turn and running lights, unplugged the headlight bulbs and it still does it. I do have the SmartTap and have been running that for a couple years.

 

Never mind, the high beams were on.