The ultimate headlight upgrade H4 (not LED or HID)

Actually no. I just looked at my order and found I got what I thought was the 85/80's.

 

I figured, I’d be really surprised if anyone found them for commercial sale at this point.

 

I think I'm going to deposit my spare stash of these in my 401k account.

 

After several days to go through all 137 pages of posts, I've narrowed my selections to upgrade my US Spec 2008 Toyota Tacoma X-Runner (without DRLs - don't think that was an option)

- a conventionally switched version of the Headlight Services harness:
http://www.headlightservices.com/Wiring.html

- the best bulb option with this harness, that is still available for retail sale without needing a secret handshake with the manufacturer is the Osram 100/90 Super Bright Premium bulbs:

$15 OSRAM 62204SBP Premium Off-Road Super Bright H4 Headlight Bulb Vibration-Proof Technology, Yellow

https://www.amazon.com/Osram-Premium-Off-Road-Headlight-62204SBPQTY/dp/B00NRA91XM

- Until I purchase the above harness, the best bulb option for my stock Tacoma wiring is the Philips Racing Vision 9003:
https://www.powerbulbs.com/us/product/philips-racingvision-h4-twin

Is this correct? Did I miss anything? Would prefer not having to return any merchandise...lol

Thanks!

 

Want to throw out a huge thanks to crashnburn80 for bringing us this thread. I jumped out with my DVOM this morning to confirmed I have a "conventionally switched" headlight circuit. I just placed my order with Headlight Services for a harness.

One question though, how the heck to you remove your driver's side headlight bulb without removing the battery...lol. Crap that's a tight squeeze! My truck is officially 12 years old, and I just lost my first headlight bulb (low beam filament). I'm thinking I won't get off that easy again, but the improved headlight performance is well worth the tradeoff.

One thing that would be nice in this thread is to list the years and options of 2nd gen Tacomas that have conventionally switched headlight harnesses, and the ones that have negatively switched harnesses. My 2008 (non-DRL) Tacoma has a conventionally switched harness. Definitely keep the steps on how to perform a DVOM check, because that removes all doubt.

Thanks again crashnburn80!

 

If you think the driver side is bad, wait till you try the passenger side! Most people - me included - use more bad words there. In fact when you do remove the passenger side bulb, you'll find it easier to remove the Windshield Washer Reservoir (two 10mm bolts) and even the Power Steering Reservoir (three 10 mm bolts) to give you some room to work. (Most folks just remove the Windshield Washer Reservoir.)

 

@crashnburn80
Is there any interest in testing a H19 bulb and seeing how one performs in comparison to a +100 or better h4/9003? From what I've read it seems to be designed for use in small format lamps, so it should be highly precise. I'm wondering if this increased precision would carry over to higher peak intensity readings in larger h4 lamps, like the 2nd gen tacomas.

 

After pulling the plug to check the power type with my DVOM, pretty sure I'll pull the battery to swap the driver's side bulb. I'll most definitely pull the washer bottle to swap the passenger's side bulb. When I first looked at the back of the headlight assembly, I thought "wow this is going to be easy"...then I noticed I was looking at the plug for the parking light...lol

 

I'm currently running the Philips +130 I bought probably about 2 years ago. I may upgrade to the Racing Vision +150 for now. But I'm not sure how much improvement I'll see.

 

Mostly correct. Depends on how you define best for the Philips.
-Philips Racing Vision +150 provides the highest intensity low beam at stock wattage, but reduced high beam due to to the coating.
-GE Xenon +120 produces the highest intensity low beam at stock wattage without reducing the high beam.
-IPF Fatboy60/80w bulbs produce the highest intensity low beam and stock performing high beam at above stock wattage, but capable running without a harness.

Most 2nd Gens are conventionally switched, 1st Gen and earlier are ground switched. But I believe there have been exceptions.

As @Too Stroked mentioned the side with the battery is actually easier! Just don't knock the clip off or things turn into a real headache.

That is interesting. Check out this comparison from Lumileds, they test performance comparing a small format vs a large format and side by side in the same format lamps:
https://www.lumileds.com/uploads/499/9-H18-demo-leaflet-pdf

The only place I can seem to find the H19 is from Amazon UK, with an estimated ship date of 1-2 months.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Original-H...lb+halogen&qid=1578072856&s=automotive&sr=1-3

 

from what i understand is the h19 sheild for the low beam is smaller... even at low its like having highs on in a h4 reflector

im surprised HIR coatings havent found their way onto non 9012/9011 bulbs

 

Ive read the H18 bulbs are a suitable replacement for H7, but H19 might not be for an H4. But haven’t been able to find out why, so that would make sense.

 

heres the links i saved

H4: https://imgur.com/a/Hx599R9

H19: https://imgur.com/a/EFgh7Ba

 

Quick question...which bulb in the headlight is supposed to be the turn signal?
I just installed the tinted oem headlights recommended in the OP and I was testing it out and only the inner Amber bulbs blink. I never paid attention to it before but I would think the outer amber would make more sense....or just both ambers

 

That is correct. The inner bulbs are your DRLs and signals, the outer bulbs are your running lights. The behavior would not change with a headlight assembly swap.

 

Ok thanks. I still think something is wrong though. When I turn on the headlights all three illuminate. Inner is turn signal which I still think is odd because if its outer you can see it from the front and the side. But I just double checked and nothing comes on when I'm in DRL mode

 

Just wish I could find those GEs on Amazon. A pair of Philips Racing Vision +150s are only $25 on Amazon, so they are the best deal I could find.

 

They are on Amazon. The Racing Vision are great bulbs though if you don’t heavily utilize your high beam, they outperform the GE low beam.

GE Lighting H4 NHX/BP2 Nighthawk Xenon Replacement Bulb, 2-Pack

GE Lighting H4 NHX/BP2 Nighthawk Xenon Replacement Headlight Bulb, 2-Pack

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GZHC2DU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_gy0eEbP1FP097

 

Good to know! Thanks!

Guess people can decide if they're 2X as good as the Racing Vision bulbs, since they cost 2X as much.

 

Watched the YouTube video on how to release the clip, so I did the bulb change without moving anything out of the way. It's tight, but really not a problem if you've seen it done before (thanks YouTube!). Almost psyched myself out there...lol

My only advice is to watch the video where they swap both bulbs, so you know exactly what to expect.