The ultimate headlight upgrade H4 (not LED or HID)

Read the first post. Bulb options/recommendations for both the harness upgrade and stock wiring are there.

 

Got me there. Ya, I'm re reading it atm. Thanks.

 

You should not run the Osram Superbright 100/90w bulbs without the harness. The voltage will be inadequate so they won't get the power they need causing performance to be poor and they may melt your OEM wiring connectors. If opting to not run the harness, I'd suggest the Philips Racing Vision bulbs for best low beam, acknowledging the high beam has a blue coating which will reduce output.

Regarding projectors, projectors themselves are actually lower performing than large reflectors when comparing quality components. Take a look at post #3787 that combines measurements from 3rd gen projectors vs 2nd Gen reflectors. If you use proper OEM grade HID projectors and OEM grade HID components it is a different story as shown in post #5506, but that is pricey and complicated and requires a custom built headlight. There isn't anything you can buy off the shelf. This headlight upgrade will provide excellent performance at a reasonable cost and is incredibly simple which adheres to the engineering KISS principle for reliability.

 

Thanks for the response. I'm sure my question gets old. I'm not opposed to the harness, it's just even more simple if I just go with the +150 bulbs. And you said it best. Kiss. On a side note though. Has there been a solution to removing the colored tint from the bulb? Rubbing alcohol? Gasoline? Ky jelly?

 

I'd look at the +200 version which has about the same output as the +150 but double the bulb life. See updated +200 review in post #3169. I think a few have tried removing the coating, of course the risk is damaging the glass and causing premature failure. Tungsram Platinums will get you better than stock low beam (slightly better than the Xenons) without sacrificing the high beam, but they won't match the low beam performance of the Philips.

 

Thanks for your patience. I'll look into everything. Truck shows up Monday from carvana, so I have a couple days to research some things. any preference/suggestions for the fog lights. I'd prefer yellow, as I drive in bad fog sometimes...

 

He has a whole nother thread just about fog light options most are for led pod style lights but they also have the best output options
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-led-sae-j583-fog-pod-fog-light-review.554813/

 

Damn. Someone has been busy. Thanks for the link. Headed that way right meow

 

so,
installed the harness approx 2yr ago, as well as Flosser 100/90W
which have finally burnt out. Just installed my 2 backups (usually keep in glovebox to change in parking lot)

time to restock the backup supply

Should I order the same again?
Or is there something new now since then, that is the best or better?
I would imagine it's hard to beat something as powerful as a 100/90W bulb from a reputable German brand

just want to check before pulling the trigger on a pair again

 

@roehoe72, I've done both the Philips Racing Vision +200 bulbs and more recently the wiring harness and the Osram Superbright 100/90W bulbs. Go with the harness and Osram bulbs, it is way brighter.

 

Sounds like Osram Superbright 100/90W is the best.
Maybe that's why I originally went with Flosser 100/90W; it was half the price. $7/bulb vs $15(Osram)

what's the best source in terms of price and not being counterfeit?
I'm seeing them $15/ea on Amazon

curious to try new stuff. Maybe it's worth it to see first hand and compare them all to figure out what's best
1st ones were: Flosser
2nd time: might go Osram
3rd/future: could try others like Hella, etc.

 

I got mine from Headlight Services along with the harness to save on shipping costs (I'm in Canada). Mike at Headlight Services was great to deal with. But crashnburn80 has a link to the bulbs in his original post and they are cheaper there. No experience dealing with Powerbulbs though I'm sure they are legit or crash wouldn't be recommending them.

 

Lol. That is only a fraction. Are the fogs for your 04? I have an 03. I think the DD SSC1s may be the most ideal fog in that platform. Watch that SAE thread for a review post on them soon.

I've admittedly not tested the Flossers. But just because something is higher power doesn't mean it is better as demonstrated by the Hella 80/100w. Based on what I have tested the Osram Superbright 100/90w bulbs are the highest performing high wattage bulb that is readily available. The Superbrights are made in Germany.

Bulb America sells them for surprisingly cheap domestically:
https://www.bulbamerica.com/product...super-bright-premium-off-road-automotive-bulb

Power Bulbs out of the UK is a personal favorite for bulb purchasing:
https://www.powerbulbs.com/us/product/osram-super-bright-premium-h4

Headlight Services can also provide the bulbs domestically, convenient if ordering a harness or the big name stores are out of stock.

Regarding Hella, see the link posted above and the original one in the thread of their 90/130 bulbs. Both are very poor performing and not recommended.

 

No, I don't own the 04 anymore. Worst thing I ever did, getting rid of that truck. Im buying a 2011. Just waiting for carvana to drop it off. Prempting a few things. I just remember my 04 having meh headlights, and the 11 looks the same, darn near. Im gonna give the headlights a good shining and replace every lightbulb in the truck with l.e.d. unless it already is. Apparently now minus the headlights...

 

I know the feeling. I got rid of this, for this.

2nd Gens actually have great headlights, the larger reflectors are better than 1st Gen. With good fresh bulb upgrades good improvements can be had from both platforms. If the headlights are hazed, that certainly reduces output. Remember that if you use anything abrasive to remove haze, you will also remove the headlights UV protective coating which will cause them to rapidly haze much worse than before. You need to re-apply a UV protective coating after any kind of headlight restoration. Most the coatings are only good 6mo-2 yrs, so it becomes a maintenance item. If the headlights are badly hazed it is best to pickup a new OEM set.

For early 2nd Gen I'd recommend the DD SS3 Sport or Max in selective yellow. Max will be needed if the ability to clear snow is desired, otherwise the sports are great.
Reviews here: Diode Dynamics SS3 Max, Diode Dynamics SS3

Regarding switching every bulb to LED, this isn't actually often beneficial. You'll already have OEM LED brakes. Putting LEDs in the signals often doesn't distribute light the same way since you are putting a directional light source in a reflector designed for an omnidirectional one, and in addition will typically cause hyper flash. The stock incandescent long life bulbs may last 8-10 years often longer than the Chinese LEDs people replace them with. Replacement reverse LEDs are improving, but they still have the different light distribution than stock, some are better than others. I did this instead. For interior overhead lights ahead of the driver, you don't want super bright 6000k lights that will negatively affect your night vision. Lots of things to consider when looking at lighting upgrades.

 

I went from an 04 Tacoma that I bought in 04 with 2716 miles on it to selling it 12 years later to the day (valentine day) with 180k. Stepped up to an oh 10 tundra. The biggest baddest one for that year. Every option available, but I ended up stepping down cause it was to much $. Bought a 12 Camry, which has some heat, but I miss the truck. So back to a taco I go. I switched all the lights in my original Tacoma to led. Minus headlights. I know they come with their own issues, i.e. blinkers, but I like the continuity. Basically why have half led and half incandescent. I changed every bulb in my 69 Datsun 510 and it made a HUGE difference. But that is old school. As for the done lights, I prefer the warm light of the incandescent from an led. Tried blue, and warm in the 04, liked the warm better.. thanks for the help

 

Been running the HD harness for over a year now with Philips Racing Vision bulbs and have been very pleased with the low beam output and color of them. I figured the harness would allow every bit of available wattage to the bulbs due to less resistance from subpar factory wiring. I've been getting a year's worth of life out of these bulbs down to the month. My driver's side bulb went out the other day and I know the passenger side was likely right behind it. I decided to install the Osram Super Bright 110/90W bulbs that I bought with the harness but have been reluctant to use. We'll see how they compare later tonight when I use them. They are definitely a warmer white than the Philips which I don't like, but if the output is better than I'm fine with that. My headlight housings are OEM that I replaced about a year and a half ago. According to @crashnburn80 this should be the ideal setup. I'll try to get a night shot of the headlights soon.

 

Running the harness will boost performance even on stock wattage bulbs. Both those provide great low beam. The high beam on the Osrams though will be substantially better than the Philips. Curious to hear your thoughts after testing it out.

If your Racing Visions were the +150, those are rated at 200 hours just like the Osrams. I’d get exactly a year out of mine as well. The Racing Vision +200 are not any better performing in terms of output but do have an improved 400 hour life span.

 

Here's an unfiltered nighttime shot of the Osram 100/90W with the HD harness and OEM headlights traveling about 25 mph. I have to say that the picture doesn't do this justice. The light output is excellent, and the shadowing is very minimal. The Philips Racing Vision +150 are really good also and I would run them again if I needed to, but they still don't compare to these, especially the high beams. Two thumbs up to @crashnburn80 for sharing this upgrade to everyone. The HD harness is well worth the money.

 

Will this harness work with aftermarket projector style headlights? Bulbs are H11 I think. High beam and low beam are 2 separate bulbs.