The ultimate headlight upgrade H4 (not LED or HID)

and almost 2x the price of the GT200

 

Works out if they last twice as long.

 

I don't believe that most data supports this conclusion.

 

have the same 400 hour expected life span

 

The very next paragraph talks about the context of that statement - and indeed the entire response is in context of Alpharex rebranded hot garbage, not an overall sentiment of performance for projectors vs reflectors. So I mean, don't go chasing waterfalls?

 

I think you've misread the post, that read like a generalized statement, but maybe the person I quoted can clarify.

 

Neat.

 

Fair critique as the DSL +250 low beam is only slightly better in peak intensity. Comes down to if you value high beam performance, where the GT200s coat the high beam reducing performance and the DSL +250s do not. When I daily drove the Tacoma I'd use my lights 200 hours a year, so based on my use a 400 hour bulb lasts about 2 years. Is it worth ~$30/2 years for better high beam performance? As the DSL +250s are made to DSL specs and not mass produced to the extent of the GT200s, the cost will be higher.

Since high beam performance is a significant difference here, I'll add a high beam comparison test tomorrow to better quantify the difference.

 

There are a lot of variables, including the quality of the assembly, the light source, the lumen output, etc. Obviously a quality OEM grade reflector with a 1300 lumen H11 halogen bulb is not going to outperform an OEM grade 3200 lumen D2S HID projector. All things being equal though, larger reflective surfaces are more efficient than smaller ones, the internal of a projector is a reflective surface. Low beam projectors also use light shields to block output (waste). While it is difficult to have any kind of direct comparison, because lamps vary in quality, the principle is accurate. As an imperfect example, the 2nd Gen reflector assemblies using a lower output 9003 bulb significantly outperform the 3rd Gen projector assemblies using a higher output H11 bulb. Projectors are utilized for their compact size/packaging in modern automobiles for more modern styling. Nobody is looking to have massive reflectors on the front of their vehicle anymore.

 

Could be a fun concept vehicle to have a massive projector. Like 7” jeep round style.

I do have to say, the “bug eye” look initially seemed so ugly to me when 2nd gen Tacomas first came out. But over time, with more and more LED headlights and thin DRL’s, particularly post R1T and CT, there is something uniquely honest about 2.0 Gen headlights that really grew on me. Function over form if you will, but in that pursuit of function, a certain beauty if you’re willing to embrace it.

 

Your welcome @crashnburn80 and thank you for testing them.
I'm glad this worked as advertised.

I hope TW and the wider enthusiast community appreciate this and I'm sure Mr. Stern does too

 

High beam performance testing added to the DSL +250 post.

 

Something to be aware of I suppose - but I installed my Headlight Services harness recently. The harness is well made and the wire is indeed nice and heavy; but also quite stiff - it's pretty easy for it to keep the bulb from sitting squarely on the housing as the wire retainer doesn't put very much tension on the bulb housing. My presumption is that there's not a lot of wiggle room in the filament position relative to the reflector before things get compromised.

That said, is there any sort of off the shelf "more robust" form of retention that can be used on a bulb of this type? It would either have to be that, or splice in some finer strand conductor close to the housing so it's not putting as much of a strain on the bulb.

 

Use a couple small zaps to tie it off so it is sitting square

 

Mines solid & doesn’t really move any. Once the lamp goes into the 3 tab socket & the retainer’s set.

 

This works for driver's side easily but I don't have enough slack on the passenger side to do much short of fabbing a little bracket for it or something. It's currently tied to my radiator neck and "bent in place" so it's not off kilter, but I think these were intended to go on smaller 1st gens based on the instructions I got.

 

Great work crash!

Would you have in stock something else with a clear high beam like the 64205 or 64206 to test out to give us a closer comparison considering the Superbright is such a big difference in specs to the DSL +250?
This thread is going to go another 274 pages now you will doing all the high beams

 

Final update to the DSL +250 post. Added high beam spectrum comparison loss vs the GT200s and peak intensity comparison vs Osram Superbrights. Incredible results, definitely worth reviewing.

Best I've got in house is the GE Megalight/Xenon +120, which was the previous best performing bulb that did not coat the high beam filament after the Osram Hypers were discontinued. Low beam performance was mediocre compared to the Philips bulbs. No comparison to the DSL bulbs.

 

I have the headlight services harness the lights have been a game changer for me. However, my PS light stopped working this week. The bulb looked good. The fuse is good. I also swapped those and the PS still doesn't work and DS does.

I'm curious on next steps to troubleshoot? It's -6* outside so I'm hoping to do this as efficiently as possible
1. swap relays and see if the relay is bad?
2. check / verify wiring looks good?
3. then start some continuity testing and voltage to the plug?
4. ????

Thanks!

 

Same happened to me a while ago, for me it was a relay that was on the harness that needed replacing.