The ultimate headlight upgrade H4 (not LED or HID)

The . You know, the . Kinda like a taunt but with just a ‘lil more poke.

 

Finally getting my headlights in stock next week. What a wait! But did get some diode dynamics goodies in the meantime, so worth it... Did get the Osram 100/90w and also the Osram 100/90w Cool Blue boost. I'll get some comparative pics up once they're all installed.

 

I'm interested to see how the high wattage CBB H4 does. My buddy had the H9 CBB (75w) in his 3rd gen and then compared them to the Philips H9 (65w). The Philips H9 was far better, the CBB H9 was hardly brighter than the stock H11's but they did look nice.

 

New here, so please bare with me, as I don't want to read through 182 pages. I don't know enough to know what I don't know.

What I do know is, I want to upgrade my 2014 OEM headlight assembly to an LED or a projector, unless there are things I don't know about either which makes it a bad idea. I like the look of the 3rd gen lights.

I don't want to build anything. Just a swap.
Are there quality options out there?

Heck, can I even post this in here?

 

This thread is specifically not about LEDs. The reason is that LEDs won't give proper focus in a housing designed for a halogen filament bulb. You'll only cause a lot of scatter and glare for oncoming traffic.

 

Do yourself a favor and read at least the first page of this thread. Aesthetics aside, I think you'll find that the halogen recommendations made here will give you the best bang for the buck.

 

I’ll help ya a ton. I’ve talked to the OP a ton. He’s a lighting GOD.... Oem is the way to go. And legit oem from the Stealership, not those $150 pair on Amazon. Next best is going to be doing a retrofit with quality parts. Anything else, like tacomabeast, spyder, anzo, the new alpha Rex, etc... you’re just wasting money... I know.
I have the anzos currently, waiting on my oem upgrades and without HIDs in them. They suck. And they have poor range, foreground light is unreal (which is not what you want your headlights to do) BUT it blinds people as well... not good. It'll always leave you desiring more and better.

If you’re going to spend that much, do it this way as stated on the first page. I’d definitely read through it. But realistically. Crash’s way is going to give you THE BEST light output. Period. Just won’t have the “flair”.

I am going to be curious myself. I hope they do decent but I’m not expecting much. But since they haven’t had a review yet. I figure hey why not. I’ve thought about checking out the newer Phillips +200 too.

 

You just saved me a bunch of cash. I assumed someone made a quality LED.

I guess I'll just stick with the stock assemblies.

Thank!

 

If you’re looking to improve the light output, consider some of the recommended bulbs and harness.

 

Welcome to TW!

As others said, page 1 is the place to look for the best bang-for-the-buck headlight upgrade.

This is why you don't want LEDs.

 

You’re welcome! Definitely good call! If you want an upgrade, upgrade your harness from page 1 and upgrade the bulbs. If you want a little modern flair, I have switchback leds and leds for the parking lights from JumpersLEDs. Closest I think I want to get to the “modern look” anymore personally.

 

I'm glad you are open to suggestions and welcome!! There is A LOT of info/pages to sift through in this thread and all other lighting threads created by crash. Most of us on these lighting threads are very helpful and mature as well. Glad you got a good answer to your question as well.

I am on the side of doing a projector retrofit, but thats purely personal choice. I never did the high wattage H4, but before I did my retrofit I had the Philips Racing Vision H4 and that was a massive improvement. What made it even better was when I added my AGM battery and bumped up my charging voltage to 14.7v (vs stock usually around 13.8-14v once stabilized). I know it doesn't sound like much, but it increase halogen lighting output quite a bit. Do not increase charging voltage unless you have an AGM battery though.

If you have OEM headlight housings currently and the lens is just sun faded you can also restore the lens if it's not starting to show fissures in the lens (tiny hair line cracks). The best method is remove the headlights, wet sand with 340, 600, 800 (do not sand finer than 800), clean well and clear coat the lens using Spraymax 2K Clear Glamour in multiple layers. This is a permeant solution lasting longer than a new OEM housing/lens. It is an automotive 2 part clear coat like your paint has so it is tough stuff!!! I have done cars that are very neglected and do tons of gravel road driving that are still crystal clear after 4 years and counting. If you want more info, shoot me a PM.

 

Just installed this mod. Super easy (although I broke the chassis ground bolt in the process of wiring it)

Huge difference in brightness. Thanks OP!

 

Which harness should I go with? I'm slightly confused. I have a 2010 Tacoma which has the amber DTRL that is on when the headlights are not on. When I turn my headlights on they turn off. Help is appreciated, thank you.

 

You need the power switched harness. Our DTRL's don't use the headlights so you're good to go with the harness.

 

Thanks for the reply

 

May as well post results from the philips GT200 bulbs with the harness in my truck (now that I got that all working. I’ll do the 100 watt bulbs when these burn out)
2005 tundra, new OEM housings and aftermarket fog lights. Fog lights are running 9012, they need to be aimed down, but the aftermarkets adjustments don’t work.. so looking for some clean used one ls (new are over 300 each!)

low beam

High beam (fog lights do stay on)

 

Driving impressions?

Aftermarket assembly adjustment aiming not working is a very common problem. I've put a few assemblies i the trash for that reason way back when I thought you could actually get a decent aftermarket product.

 

driving its wonderful. no ones flashed me yet, put the new tundra LED headlights on my buddies truck to shame in my opinion. throw is perfect, and high beam performance with the fog lights staying on is WONDERFUL. extra vision off to the sides is great out here with the deer.

added side benefit of the any time fog light mod is that theyre awesome for working outside to have on just for a flood light at night.

i'll be 100% happy once i locate some good used OEM fog lights, or bite the bullet and pay 600 for new... we'll see. these are useable. just not ideal

 

$600 for new, ouch! For fogs I'd highly recommend checking out the SAE fog thread. You can get the highest output fogs in the industry with the SS3 Max which are absolutely phenomenal for less than new OEM. That seems like a no-brainer.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-led-sae-j583-fog-pod-fog-light-review.554813/