The ultimate headlight upgrade H4 (not LED or HID)

Look no further than Post 1 on Page 1...

 

Well that was easy.... believe it or not I did actually read the first few pages. Clearly brain capacity had already peaked before getting to that part. Thanks a lot that's exactly what I was looking for!

 

Does anyone know what make/model bulbs came stock from the factory in a 2013 tacoma ? I wanted to buy the same ones because they are still going strong but figured I should replace them or have backups on hand.

 

These are the stock bulbs (not sure if OEM or not) I pulled out before doing the ultimate headlight upgrade on my 2013 Tacoma. They survived 6+ years in the desert heat and countless dirt road camping trips, dust storms, rain storms, etc.

looks like "OSRAM hb2 dot 9003 L BILUX 12v 60/55W H4"

 

yeah I was reading the ultimate headlight thread and it seems like the ones only last 200 hours so i was looking for the kind i had in there. i worked early morning and nights and drive in dark all the time so idk how many hours but i know its over 200 over 12 years.
i think i found them on ama.zon they are $7.99 a bulb. isn't 1650 lumens a lot i don't think they were ever that bright

$9 DAMA Automotive Lighting H4 HB2 9003 64193 BILUX Original Standard Halogen Bulb 12V 60/55W 3200K P43t Made in Germany/Pack of 1

https://www.amazon.com/DAMA-Automotive-Lighting-Original-Standard/dp/B0CW1PQZ91

 

Nothing wrong with keeping it stock-- they're super reliable. Trade-offs are 2X Brightness vs length of life with the upgrade. But I've gotten really into working on my truck, so I don't mind replacing them proactively in 12 months time.

I hardly ever drive anymore aside from a few freeway trips a week and a handful of camping trips per year so mine may last longer than others. So far- I really love the brightness upgrade. But, it's definitely a pretty involved job if you're a novice like me, but overall very doable for anyone determined to do it. Most guys will say it's super easy, and in some ways it is. I did it on my 2013 at 116.5k miles- since you have a 2013 too, message me for specific tips on what I ran into during the process (if you change your mind).

 

It's bright enough for an old 2013 stock halogen headlight, and brand new will be slightly brighter (most likely) than your older bulbs since they dim over time subtly. But no it's not really that bright in the current market of headlights and newer bulb options / upgrades. If you want a little extra bump in brightness / light output you should restore your headlights using a kit like the ones from Maguires or maybe 3M.

LED's, which are not recommended with halogen reflectors, have much higher output in terms of lumens. However, I have read statements from Diode Dynamics (who make higher quality bulbs in USA) that their bulbs place the LED's in the same spot as the halogen filament, and in theory reflect similarly (not exactly the same obviously). Could see someone using such a bulb for maybe an H11 fog light that won't be on while driving normally but only used offroad type of thing, but definitely not a headlight in a halogen reflector. I opted to go with these super bright OSRAM bulbs and the custom wiring harness (which you have to do if you use these) instead to maintain the smooth cutoff horizon with the halogens and keep some of that OEM analog warmth and feel.

 

@crashnburn80 .... I have read your stance on leds( or HID bulbs for that matter) in halogen reflectors, and was wondering if you've seen or done any testing on the newer Diode Dynamics led bulbs that allow the ship sets to be clocked for proper orientation in such a housing? As always thanks for keeping us up to date from time to time and the work you do here.

 

LEDs do not accurately mimic halogen filaments regardless of the manufacturers claims and are not recommended, especially in dual filament assemblies like a 9003/H4 headlight that contain both high and low reflectors in the same assembly optic. Slight differences in geometry from a halogen filament vs LED can result in light spill into the high beam reflectors while on low beam causing significant glare. LEDs also do not light the entire assembly, as the light is not omnidirectional like a halogen, leaving dark spots in your beam pattern. The adjustable clocking rotation is needed on some vehicles because the LED isn’t shining light in the correct locations due to some vehicles having non-standard bulb entry orientations, however in most vehicles the adjustable orientation is problematic and allows for error causing significant increase in glare in a reflector, on top of the already high potential for glare in a dual beam reflector and poor performance from a directional light source in an omnidirectional housing. All bad things. If you are looking for a good performing bulb with a longer life span, the Philips Racing Visions +200 have a 400 hour life span and an excellent low beam while not requiring the expense of the hardness.

Morimotos designer (screen name Yoshi I) has some great discussion points in the 3rd Gen thread about how PnP LEDs are poor at mimicking a halogen and will never match the performance of a halogen in a halogen assembly.

 

@crashnburn80

What's your take on adding PPF to a brand new OEM headlight assembly to prevent UV fading/corrosion?

Does that film alter the beam pattern or output at all?

 

@stmpjumper

Do it.. I did on my 14 three years ago and grin every time I turn on my lights!

 

Howdy all! I've got through two pairs of Philips RacingVision GT200 in the past year. I do enjoy their performance but that's awfully fast feeling for burnout...

As far as run time, I have put about 13,000 miles on my truck in the last year and when in doubt I run my headlights. I also live in WA so rain and seasonality also mean I run my headlights. OEM housings, wiring, etc.

Just looking for a gut check if that seems typical or if they are burning out fast. I do not touch the glass with bare hands, but I do touch the metal base.

 

The high output lights last a couple hundred hours of runtime

 

Yea, mostly you trade runtime for brightness, the brighter the filament burns, the less likely it is to continue surviving after 200 hours of vibration and heat.

 

I know this thread is the Holy Grail for headlights on 2nd gen tacoma. I understand the oem headlights, particularly the trd pro mgm chrome headlights for performance and aestetics is King.

However, is there a thread regarding tail lights that would be the holy grail for tail lights. I'd particularly like to find a high quality pair if black out or smoked taillights to be near oem quality. Thanks.

 

I did this mod on my ‘14 Taco about 5 years ago and still holding strong. Love the upgraded quality of light at dark. Everyone should do this.

 

I just did this mod with new OEM TRD headlights , headlight service harness and the Osrams 100/90 super brights. They still seem pretty yellow? compared to the pictures listed in this thread .. I wanted to go back to halogen and had TEQ custom's in prior so maybe I was expecting to much from this mod to make them less yellowish ... Compared to the stock halogens they are better for sure . I might try connecting the harness directly to the battery instead of my distribution block... I'll check voltage first maybe for some reason there's a slight voltage drop but this is wishful thinking .

 

I've been looking for the TRD Pro headlight housing for my 2012 Tacoma, but so far, I've only found the options linked by the original poster. Unfortunately, the shipping costs are over $100. Has anyone come across these headlights from a different source with more reasonable shipping costs?



3) OEM 2012-2015 TRD Pro headlights (optional cosmetic upgrade) - Made in the USA:
Right #81110-04221
Left #81150-04221

 

@crashnburn80 .... and everyone else: I going ahead and buying the oem replacement headlights, and already bought the recommend harness up grade.

But I've noticed that the OEM number being thrown around for headlights in this thread, as well as all others similar ,are for the complete assembly not just the housing. What else in the assembly are you getting that is crucial? Especially when buying the upgraded harness? Just curious as I'm about to purchase the new headlights and would like to know what I'm not seeing here, before I do. Thank you in advance!