The ultimate headlight upgrade H4 (not LED or HID)

When you guys ordered your harness from headlight services, did you guys receive a tracking number? It’s been two days and haven’t gotten an email.

 

I used Paypal, and got an email from them the day after ordering that had a tracking number in it. But I never got anything from Mike.

The Harness was delivered quite quickly for me - just a few days.

 

Think mine came Canada Post so no tracking #. Mail comes super fast here for some reason from Aussie Land. Came in now time at all. Very well made.

 

Oh okay. Guess I’ll just have to wait patiently

 

He does all the harness stuff in addition to his day job. I waited about a week or so before he made my harness.

 

I believe I got an email pretty quickly. But I remember being shocked at how fast mine showed up. About 3 days after I ordered, and it was in my box. The material and workmanship are very good. But I couldn't help but wish I would have looked into a self-build. Having a fuse and relay power block back behind the battery then discreetly running the wire in the same layout design adding my horn run with it would have shouted me fine. But that's me being with me, the harness they provide is excellently assembled and works flawlessly.

I should add that that I am very happy with my harness. And that I am not negatively criticizing any part of their products or operation. It's simply a realization of the potential of the construction design. I don't know if you have ever seen a DC fuse/relay box. This in place of separate inline placement would make for a cleaner or more OEM-looking install IMHO.

Frankly, I am surprised that this is not being offered as an option as of yet. I imagine it may have something to do with universal fit, meeting marketability cost-wise, or simply may have been tested and found not reliable in that configuration, etc.

 

FWIW, sourcing the H4's (one male, two females) and crimping large gauge is something of a PIA really. Then tubing and of course the wire itself (3 colors) and ground/power hoops, fuse holder, etc. Then tools for large-ish gauge.

It's rather surprising what a giant effort it becomes. Took me about a year before I finally got @Shadowhunter a harness.

I'd imagine Mike probably pre-builds so he can ship some as soon as orders are received. That's how I do my LED headlight conversion harnesses.

I'm working (actually stalling is a better word) on a combo for @Empty_Lord w horns but it requires an outboard fuse/relay holder which sorta sucks too.

TLDR: Not a great plan for those who do not seek the suffer.

 

Thank you @daveeasa!!! Can’t wait to see how much better the sealed relays hold up to
the test of time. Well worth the wait.

 

I think we all would agree, that this can be true with most anything we attempt. It really all comes down to "want to and state of mind" whether intrigue or dread. One is an enjoyable adventure and the other is punishment endured.


Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking. Marcus Aurelius

 

Just got the bulbs yesterday. They came in way faster than expected shipping/delivery date given. Got here in about 5-6 business days and thank god they are ‘Made in Germany’.

 

When I ordered mine, I got the order confirmation, but not the shipping confirmation. I paid via PayPal. When I checked PayPal, it did show a tracking number was provided but somehow didn't get emailed to be. When I checked, it was already delivered in my lockbox. I think from ordering to receiving, it was about a week.

 

Brother remember that if your concerns were counterfeiting that they all will be marked "Made In Germany". Not to insult your intelligence but there is a difference between actual OEM manufacturing location and counterfeited merchandise. Your boxes look like mine ordered from a known distributor and are most likely ligament. But for true peace of mind contact the manufacture and confirm your individual serial numbers.

I remember a while back there was some dust kicked up about pretty much the same thing with NGK spark plugs. People in the know were saying "buy only from Toyota directly". Frankly, I felt like this was a lot about nothing until I look into it a bit closer. My eyes almost popped out of my head when I saw an actual counterfeit box /plugs and how indistinguishable they were from the actual OEM. I even thought the counterfeit box was sharper and better-designed graphics-wise. I could not tell the plugs apart until the difference was pointed out.

Yet they according to the information I found, and the input from a few mechanics here was causing serious damage in the cylinders by coming apart and scaring the cylinder walls or coming in contact with the valves. The point is, we are in a new era in the sophistication of counterfeiting most anything. And being sure of what you have is always a good idea.

 

There is a Chinese version of the Superbright bulb, which I think more are concerned about receiving vs convincing knock offs, depending on where you order from.

 

crashnburn--

Vietnam vet here, just now learned about and joined this site because of your generous and highly professional contribution which is this thread and some of your other related work linked to it. Though I have not yet had the time to read it in its entirety -- great job sir. An admirable piece of work.

The headlight lenses on my 2000 Tundra 4x4 (which I love dearly) have become so hazy that it compelled me to begin some research on the proper approach to take. Thought of just trying to polish them out or replace, but search showed up problems with aftermarket replacements. And this led me finally to your thread and the idea of a more thorough upgrade, the choice of which will be made after I've had a chance to read more of your thread(s).

Looking at the charts in your first post tempts me to do something simple, like select a somewhat higher performance bulb to go with new or CAPA replacement housings. But I want to learn more.

 

I have an '02 Tundra. Recently replaced with OEM housings and added a harness. haven't yet procured 100w bulbs. The housings were not terribly expensive and make a big difference. AC/RC are one style and DC is different so be careful when shopping.

There are other options as well, e.g. bxbuilt which have long lead times.

I'm contemplating SS5 driving lights if I can figure out mounting.

We would welcome you over on Tundras.com if you are so inclined.

 

Thanks Dave.
Hope this is not too OT, but have seen OEM lights for $176 ea.
https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/oem/toyota~headlamp~assy~lh~81150-0c010.html

 

Yeah, mine were not back-breakingly expensive and they are nice and appear to be genuine OEM, purchased from oempartsource.


I am not enough of a parts guru to know if your 2000 uses the same as mine. I do know there are some newer ones with a DRL lamp in the corner which may well be compatible but I purposefully did not pick. The Tundras.com guys are great for parts compatibility questions.

 

Thanks again for that. I've placed an order for a pair of headlight housings. Thinking about just adding a couple of the Phillips +150 or GT200 bulbs for an immediate improvement without going for the ultimate upgrade.

 

I really can’t wait for my SS5’s to arrive…super excited!

 

OEM housings are indisputably the way to go for best performance. Even CAPA housings can be questionable, check out post #2541. Using the Philips GT200s would be a great improvement paired with the new assemblies, with the exception that the high beam on the GT200s has reduced output due to the blue coating over the high beam filament. Great place to start though and see if that fits the need, or decide if you want more.

Thank you for your service.