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Headlights for '96 Tacoma

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Rusty_but_Trusty, Jun 13, 2016.

  1. Jun 13, 2016 at 8:14 PM
    #1
    Rusty_but_Trusty

    Rusty_but_Trusty [OP] Active Member

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    1996 Toyota Tacoma LX Extended Cab
    2" lift, 31x10.50 A/T tires
    My headlights are currently stock and they are terrible. I recently found a hole in one so I finally have the motivation to upgrade. I am having a hard time finding what people are saying is the best OEM replacements.

    Anybody have any good suggestions?
     
  2. Jun 13, 2016 at 10:15 PM
    #2
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 Vehicle Design Engineer

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    Welcome to TW!

    If you want a substantial upgrade over stock, replace your sealed beam lights with Hella H4 E-code conversion. Significantly more useful light will be put on the ground.

    Then look at doing the Ultimate headlight upgrade, here is the Gen 1 thread version:
    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/proper-headlight-upgrade.407879/

    With E-codes, your light output improvement will be greater than pictured.

    Edit: If the full upgrade is not in the budget the e-codes plus the 70w bulbs will make a huge difference alone.
     
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2016
  3. Jun 14, 2016 at 2:33 PM
    #3
    devinzz1

    devinzz1 Well-Known Member

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    lewisporte Newfoundland
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    cxr turbo, fic6, methanol injection, king coilovers, jba uca, skyjacker leafs, rear 12" 5125s, no-slip rear locker, 35" grabber x3, magnaflow muffler, retrofit headlights, trans cooler, bed lined exterior, etc...
    Whats budget?

    Silverstar h6054 $20
    Retrofits. $600
     
  4. Jun 14, 2016 at 6:46 PM
    #4
    Rusty_but_Trusty

    Rusty_but_Trusty [OP] Active Member

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    I have heard about those. Would I have to redo the wiring harness? In that link for the ultimate upgrade, did that guy use the Hella H4's?




    Right now my budget is probably $200 max.
     
  5. Jun 14, 2016 at 6:49 PM
    #5
    devinzz1

    devinzz1 Well-Known Member

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    you dont have to redo the harness no (unless you want to upgrade to get less voltage drop). these are the bulbs he used. http://www.rallylights.com/h4-12v-osram-hyper-bulb-not-legal-for-highway-use.html
     
  6. Jun 14, 2016 at 8:50 PM
    #6
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 Vehicle Design Engineer

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    He had an 03, so they had updated composite headlights that were not sealed beam, no E-code conversion is available, so he did not use the Hella H4 conversion. I've done the E-code conversion on my 90 and 94 Toyota pickups, alone the housings are a significant improvement over stock as E-codes put significantly more light onto the ground vs DOT lamps. If you are not looking to do the harness I would recommend the Hella E-codes with the 70w bulbs, which also last longer. If you want maximum performance I would recommend the 85w bulbs with the standalone harness in conjunction with the E-codes, the improvement will be greater than the before and after pictures in the 1st gen headlight upgrade thread. You will not be disapointed. Either route will be a noticeable upgrade over stock.
     
  7. Jun 14, 2016 at 8:56 PM
    #7
    TheSpeediTurtle

    TheSpeediTurtle Tappin' kegs, Spreadin' Legs

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    I did this and I love my headlights now. They are super bright and the install only took 30 minutes. Also, you don't have to rewire.
     
  8. Jun 14, 2016 at 8:57 PM
    #8
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 Vehicle Design Engineer

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    Glad you liked them! :thumbsup:

    Edit: Did you swap to E-codes as well?
     
  9. Jun 14, 2016 at 9:01 PM
    #9
    TheSpeediTurtle

    TheSpeediTurtle Tappin' kegs, Spreadin' Legs

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    Not sure what the E-codes are. I only did the hella conversions and the osram 85w bulbs.
     
  10. Jun 14, 2016 at 9:06 PM
    #10
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 Vehicle Design Engineer

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    I think the size was 200mm, it has been a while though so double check. E-code is European standard, which focus more light onto the ground with sharper cut offs than the US. US standard is DOT. E-codes will have an E in a circle stamped on the lens, DOT will have DOT stamped on the lens.

    E-codes:
    https://www.amazon.com/Rectangular-...dp/B000FLWSX6?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0
     
  11. Jun 14, 2016 at 9:10 PM
    #11
    TheSpeediTurtle

    TheSpeediTurtle Tappin' kegs, Spreadin' Legs

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    OHHHHHHH gotchya, Yes I did go with the E-codes.
     
    crashnburn80[QUOTED] likes this.
  12. Jun 15, 2016 at 6:35 PM
    #12
    Rusty_but_Trusty

    Rusty_but_Trusty [OP] Active Member

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    Sounds like that is what I am going to try then.
     
    crashnburn80[QUOTED] likes this.
  13. Oct 30, 2019 at 2:58 PM
    #13
    1997tacomav6

    1997tacomav6 V6 5sp,RegCab,TRD Supercharger,Haltech,meth, 750k

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    V6 5sp,RegCab,TRD Supercharger, 1.9” pulley, methanol injected Haltech ECU, AC TRD supercharger,(MUST DO) TRD supercharger ported, every 125,000- 150,000 needs rebuild Projector headlights HID 5 speed manual Amsoil for all drive train Smaller 2” pulley, (MUST DO) 2004 DESNO fuel injectors, zero ping ping, 2004 side door mirrors Dick Cepek Rims, Michelin tires LTX, ( that last 100,000 miles) Now running Dynopro ATM mud and snow tires KN cold air intake Cat back exhaust with ss exhaust tip, Raised exhaust tail pipe to 2" below body line Optima*dry cell battery,red top Alpine sirius radio, 200 watt amp, focal is165 split door pod speakers Focal door speakers Subwoffer behind seat Viper alarm, Electric Locks Dark tinted windows, bucket seats corbeau lg1 Tacoma Rubber floor mats TRD fender extenders, Bilstien shocks, King shocks nerf bars, add a leaf for rear springs trailer iv hitch, electric brake control, Drilled slotted brakes, High carbon steel (MUST DO) EBS green stuff 7000 series pads(MUST DO) TRD engine oil cap TRD stick shift, Marlin crawl shift kit. Rear sliding window 2002 4Runner functional hood scoop cut into Tacoma hood, 4Runner dual overhead map light Gentex Auto dim + Compass + Temp, garage,rearview mirror Snow Methonal kit stage 2 Custom 3 core aluminum radiator Linex bed liner Haltech stand alone ECU, Intake supercharger gauge. Stainless steel brake lines, Custom leather wrapped steering wheel,
    Did you use the stock harness?
     
  14. Oct 30, 2019 at 3:59 PM
    #14
    RysiuM

    RysiuM Well-Known Member

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    If you didn't you put a lot of stress on your light switch connector. The entire current from both 85W bulbs will run through one single contact that is already stressed by the stock wattage. In my opinion the harness upgrade is not that much to reduce voltage drop on wires but take away the high current from the stalk at the steering wheel.
     
    Last edited: Oct 30, 2019
    1997tacomav6[QUOTED] likes this.

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