The ultimate headlight upgrade H4 (not LED or HID)

M8x 1.25

 

The harness is only needed for the high wattage bulbs. The stock wattage performance bulbs benefit with increased output, but it is not a requirement. See output charts in the thread for the peak intensity comparison, the charts do not include the bulb in voltage the high wattage bulbs receive from using the harness. Best stock wattage low beam if the Philips Racing Vision, but they have reduced output high beam due to the blue coating over the high beam filament. Best stock wattage bulb that does not have a high beam coating is the Tungsram Nighthawk Xenon +120, but their low beam isn't as strong as Philips Racing Vision. The outlier is the IPF Fatboy H4s, which are an 60/80w bulb, meaning stock high beam and 80w low beam. They are excellent performers with the best low beam currently available and completely plug and play without the need for a harness, but also stupid expensive.

 

I took some photos tonight


Low beam


High beam, you can see the roadsigns on the left in the distance


Low beam


High beam


Low beam


High beam, the red "light" on the right is the reflection from a roadsign, the others as well, no lights here, only signs being lit up by the Superbrights probably a kilometer away


@crashnburn80

 

What are your driving thoughts/impressions? I don’t think you have the Hypers though as they have been discontinued for a long time, I believe you have the Superbrights.

 

I received my harness today, just making sure it’s the right one. It specifically says it’s for a 4Runner. Do I have the right one??

 

that is not what it says
read again

Alright they're in
noticeably brighter than stock
feels like it can keep up with other cars on the road if not exceed them, but I still have to improve the headlight aim
I have the cut-off set too low from the last time I quickly aimed them against a wall, and right side crooked higher than left

gonna order a 2nd bulb set to have as backup
I still have to:
-fine tune aim
-warm and soften the harness, find best way to route it and mount relay block and read posts here to see how people did it
-replace the plastic clips I broke off holding radiator shroud trim piece to ziptie harness underneath
All I can think of right now
might go back in after a week or two for that
just glad to have it operational in the meantime

I wonder if these are good or usable with their high wattage
many good reviews on Amazon

$9 HELLA H4 130/90W High Wattage Bulb, 12V

https://www.amazon.com/HELLA-H4-130-90W-Wattage/dp/B000VUB4CW/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=12v+100%2F90w+h4&qid=1612846260&sr=8-2&th=1

 

That is the correct one for 2nd Gen.

 

I re-read it, you are correct

 

Sweet, thank you. Simple install, can’t wait to get it done when I get back from my snowboarding trip. Looking forward to this one.

 

Corrected, sorry long Monday at work ☹️

Driving impressions is better visibility especially on both sides of the road on low beam.

It is very helpful as Blacktail deer tend to be active just before sunrise and just after sunset.
Now the area next to the road where they tend to be in just before running in front of you is brightly lit.

You also see cyclists sooner

It makes driving at night much safer

 

Those bulbs are covered in the original thread. The have poor focus and poor low beam performance, among the worst in the thread. Going very high wattage requires heavier filaments which dilutes focus and reduces output intensity resulting in rapidly dimensioning returns to lower than the 100/90w bulbs with greatly reduced bulb life. Not a recommended bulb.

 

Well, I'm back here after a long time of having upgraded H11 and H9 bulbs on the shelf, but not getting around to the install. The thread has really grown since I ordered the GE +130 bulbs from the UK! I had forgotten a bunch of details, it was nice to be able to come back and puzzle things out.

I was finally motivated to upgrade because the Hikaris I installed before this thread existed had started to act up - one side of the driver's side emitter went intermittent. Most unpleasant.

Thanks to crashnburn80 and all who have contributed. I have gone with the upgraded H11 for low beams and the higher output Hella H9s in the high beams and fogs (after tab modification and with an adapter harness). I was going to install Morimotos (have them on the shelf) but didn't get around to it and this swap is good enough so far ... anyone want to take them off my hands?

 

I think you meant to post in the 3rd Gen headlight thread.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-hid-vs-led-vs-halogen-h11-projector-headlights.589465/

 

Eek, you're right! Sorry all y'all...

 

Truck was encased in about 1/4" of ice when I left work tonight
Halogens cleared themselves wail I worked on the windshield and side windows for the win

now I need to look at the heated side mirrors mod

 

I've driven through some brutally sketchy conditions with this upgrade, those Osram's will incinerate anything mother nature throws their way.

 

Yea... I got one car with heated mirrors... now I want it in all of them.. the windshields with heater grids where the wipers sit are nice too.. but I can’t think of a way to retrofit that.

 

Why stop where the wipers sit? My brothers Land Rover has the full windshield resistance heated. Just hope it doesn't break or have the element go out... like his did...

 

Unless it’s warranty, could be the Bend Over option. Plenty of resistance there.

 

LOL! He bought used and opted to upgrade his insurance glass policy to 'full coverage'. Pretty sure the insurance company didn't realize what they signed up for and took the Bend Over option in that case.