The ultimate headlight upgrade H4 (not LED or HID)

I'm worried about the Oram 100/90's running too hot and burning either the lens or the reflector on my brand new headlight housings. They cost me $500 and I don't want to mess them up. Is there another bulb choice that will be an improvement (with the harness) that is a step or two down in power from the 100/90? I see the Osram 85/80's were discontinued and evidently had a problem with blistering. Perhaps 75w? Basically, I'm looking for improvement over stock, but I don't need the most powerful or brightest on the market either. From what i've read so far, the harness alone is a significant improvement with stock wattage bulbs without bumping up to high output bulbs. Maybe just staying this route would be ok.

 

I believe he keeps the charts updated at the start of all this with the most current information as new bulbs are added, so check back there.

 

The op only compared the temperature difference between the stock set up and the now discontinued Osram.

I believe the Philips +150 bulb was the brightest that could run with the stock wiring so that is an option too. Maybe get the harness and run it with the stock bulbs first then you can test out other bulbs as needed.

I too was a little concerned about the temp increase but so many people have done this mod for long enough with no reported issues that I could find I figured it was worth a try.

I can tell you after finishing this mod earlier this week with the 100/90w Osram, I have 0 regrets. The improvement and more importantly, quality of light is well worth it.

 

Sweet, I appreciate that. I'm going to put the harness on today and run it with the Sylvania SilverStar's I still have in the housings and see how that does. I have the Osram bulbs in the garage right now that I ordered, I'm just hesitant on using them. Thanks!

 

I have new headlights and the Phillips +200's waiting to go in. Harness already installed with little difference with a Hella 100/80 and really bad headlights. The +200 are mentioned by the OP and seen @ post #3381.

 

You're still over-thinking this. @crashnburn80 did extensive testing, including temps, posting results and comments along the way...

Osram 85/80s had no "problem" with blistering, except sometimes on failure, which we've seen with other bulbs too. Most of us would happily use them, if they remained available.

As evident throughout the thread, LOTS of us have run this setup in multiple trucks for multiple years with (I dare say) zero problems - certainly zero problem trends, including temps. If you're not comfortable or your headlight assemblies aren't OEM, run cooler stock or less capable "upgrade" bulbs, but please stop the thrash.

 

You're saying the Hella bulbs are really bad or your headlight housings?

"Stop the thrash"?? I didn't know I was thrashing anything, but ok. I'm just voicing my concerns is all, and rightfully so, since as I stated before I dropped $500 on new OEM housings not long ago and don't feel like F'ing them up. Yes I've done quite a bit of reading up on this upgrade, but you still find differences in people's experiences and opinions, even with Crash's awesome write up. I installed the harness today and am leaving the "crappy" Silverstars in for now to see if there is any significant difference with just that. I'll probably throw some better bulbs in soon enough.

 

The Hella bulbs aren't much to write home about. They don't hold a candle to the Orsam Hypers or the other bulbs that @crashnburn80 has recommended.

Just to set your mind at ease, I've run the Ultimate Headlight Upgrade in my 2014 Tacoma for almost 4 years now and have been through a number of sets of the Hypers (on my very last set right now) with zero issues with excessive heat. You have absolutely nothing to worry about with any of the bulbs mentioned in the original thread. Said another way, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

 

You've asked almost the same question (that's been answered several times throughout the thread and in post #1) three times for over a month and received the same basic answer (not a problem) every time...

I think most of us understand your trepidation, but don't see how asking the same question and receiving similar answers over and over helps. With all due respect, that seems like thrash to me.

 

Gotcha. I'll try to remember that next time.

 

+1 for no worries. I've been running a mix of 100w and 85w "off road only" for a couple years, in new OEM housings I bought at the same time I did the upgrade harness. Absolutely no adverse effect.

 

Installed the upgraded harness from Headlight Services today. I mounted the relays off to the side of the engine bay using two self-tapping screws and ran everything else accordingly. I left in the crappy Sylvania Silverstars for now just to see how much difference the harness alone will make. I have a set of Osram 100/90 bulbs in the garage that I might switch out this weekend. I plan on cleaning up the wiring when I get new battery terminals. I apologize for asking so many questions on the topic over and over again, I sometimes get like that with things. Probably won't be the last time.

I also wanted to point out how good the quality of this harness is. I was immediately impressed by the gauge of wire, the solid connections, and the fittings and plugs. I'm not sure how it compares to other harnesses out there, but the one made by Headlight Services is very nice!

 

This is low beams with the harness and Silverstar bulbs. A definite improvement over the stock wiring. Granted my phone probably gathers light differently than the naked eye, but overall the light output is better. I'm sure higher wattage bulbs would be even more impressive.

 

I'm pretty satisfied with the performance of my headlights now, even with the Silverstars still in. I think I'm going to stay at stock wattage bulbs, but I do want to switch over to Philips +150 or +200 bulbs. I believe with those bulbs and utilizing the HD harness for maximum power, I will be happy with this setup. I'm going to sell my Osram 100/90 bulbs. I really appreciate ya'lls help and patience with me.

 

If I could offer an opinion. Your Silverstars have a fairly short life span. The Osrams also have a fairly short lifespan. Why not at least swap them in and try them? Trust me, you'll be amazed. Yes, the HD harness makes some difference with "stock" wattage bulbs, but it really comes into its own with higher wattage bulbs. If not, the Phillips bulbs are an excellent choice.

 

^^ I’ve got parts for, but haven’t yet started tinkering with, a custom H4 headlight harness for 1st Gen Tundra using GEP for the fuse and relays at puppypunter’s suggestion.

Sourcing parts was not hard. Mike from HS was even gracious with some free advice on the H4 male and female connectors, he is a solid guy. I am not certain that my two choices of mini relays (song Chen and one other brand I can’t remember) will be of utmost quality compared to what Mike’s harness uses but they also won’t be hard to replace. I for sure won’t be able to do it any cheaper than his.

The crimping seems straightforward to me. And wire is no problem. If there is any complexity to the harness at all it’s with the relay setup and mounting location.

Just in case you wanted to consider a combo harness to replace both. The GEP is a nice little option, it’s quite compact.

 

Just installed a set of philips 200+. I definitely was able to see a difference between these and the stock bulb even in the garage with 6 4’ led shop lights on. Granted, my stock bulbs are 2013 “vintage” so they were yellowing a bit. Next is a harness - when I get a “round to it”...

 

Good Morning, The original headlights in my stock 2007 Taco are quite crazed and yellowed. Is it worth the effort to sand & polish them? I've got a micromesh polishing kit from my aircraft wrenching days, , but not sure if I can bring them back to clear. And if this is the wrong thread, apologies. P.ease point me in the right direction. Thanks