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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

    #1
    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?
     
    Rusty_but_Trusty, Jun 13, 2016
    #1
  2. Jun 13, 2016 at 10:15 PM
    #2
    crashnburn80

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    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
    crashnburn80, Jun 13, 2016
    #2
  3. Jun 14, 2016 at 2:33 PM
    #3
    devinzz1

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    devinzz1 Well-Known Member

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    lewisporte Newfoundland
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    Whats budget?

    Silverstar h6054 $20
    Retrofits. $600
     
    devinzz1, Jun 14, 2016
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  4. Jun 14, 2016 at 6:46 PM
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    Rusty_but_Trusty

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    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.
     
    Rusty_but_Trusty, Jun 14, 2016
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  5. Jun 14, 2016 at 6:49 PM
    #5
    devinzz1

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    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
     
    devinzz1, Jun 14, 2016
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  6. Jun 14, 2016 at 8:50 PM
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    crashnburn80

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    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.
     
    crashnburn80, Jun 14, 2016
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  7. Jun 14, 2016 at 8:56 PM
    #7
    TheSpeediTurtle

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    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.
     
    TheSpeediTurtle, Jun 14, 2016
    #7
  8. Jun 14, 2016 at 8:57 PM
    #8
    crashnburn80

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    crashnburn80 Vehicle Design Engineer

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    Glad you liked them! :thumbsup:

    Edit: Did you swap to E-codes as well?
     
    crashnburn80, Jun 14, 2016
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  9. Jun 14, 2016 at 9:01 PM
    #9
    TheSpeediTurtle

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    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.
     
    TheSpeediTurtle, Jun 14, 2016
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  10. Jun 14, 2016 at 9:06 PM
    #10
    crashnburn80

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    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:
    $130 Hella 200mm Rectangular E Code H4 Halogen Replacement Headlight Kit with Standard 60/55W H4 Bulbs
    https://www.amazon.com/Rectangular-...dp/B000FLWSX6?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0
     
    crashnburn80, Jun 14, 2016
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  11. Jun 14, 2016 at 9:10 PM
    #11
    TheSpeediTurtle

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    TheSpeediTurtle Tappin' kegs, Spreadin' Legs

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    OHHHHHHH gotchya, Yes I did go with the E-codes.
     
    TheSpeediTurtle, Jun 14, 2016
    #11
    crashnburn80[QUOTED] likes this.
  12. Jun 15, 2016 at 6:35 PM
    #12
    Rusty_but_Trusty

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    Rusty_but_Trusty [OP] Active Member

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    Sounds like that is what I am going to try then.
     
    Rusty_but_Trusty, Jun 15, 2016
    #12
    crashnburn80[QUOTED] likes this.
  13. Oct 30, 2019 at 2:58 PM
    #13
    1997tacomav6

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    1997tacomav6 V6 5sp,RegCab,TVS1320 Supercharger,Haltech, 800k

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    V6 5sp,RegCab,TVS1320 Supercharger, 56mm pulley, methanol injected Haltech ECU, AC Tvs1320 supercharger,(MUST DO) every 125,000- 150,000 needs rebuild Projector headlights HID 5 speed manual Amsoil for all drive train Smaller 56mm custom pulley, (MUST DO) 2004 DESNO fuel injectors, zero ping ping, 2004 side door mirrors Dick Cepek Rims, Michelin tires LTX, ATM Pathfinders Dynopro ATM ( that last 100,000 miles) Now running Dynopro ATM mud and snow tires KN cold air intake Cat back dual 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 JBA UCA 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, Haltech stand-alone ECU,
    Did you use the stock harness?
     
    1997tacomav6, Oct 30, 2019
    #13
  14. Oct 30, 2019 at 3:59 PM
    #14
    RysiuM

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    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
    RysiuM, Oct 30, 2019
    #14
    1997tacomav6[QUOTED] likes this.

Products Discussed in

Hella 200mm Rectangular E Code H4 Halogen Replacement Headlight Kit with Standard 60/55W H4 Bulbs
$129.99
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