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H11 to H9 headlight bulbs, what's the difference?

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by surferbear, Dec 5, 2022.

  1. Dec 5, 2022 at 3:19 PM
    #1
    surferbear

    surferbear [OP] Member

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    I recently purchased a '16 Tacoma TRD and have heard that a common mod is to switch from the H11 headlight bulbs to the H9 style and that you really only have to file down a pin to make it fit. What is the reason for switching? Is one really better than the other?
     
  2. Dec 5, 2022 at 3:21 PM
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    Firn

    Firn Well-Known Member

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    There is a good thread on this in the stickies

    In short the h9 is the exact same dimensionally but it drives the filament harder and as a result it puts out significantly more light (and lasts much less)

    Basically, it's the same bulb just much brighter
     
    GoldenBrew likes this.
  3. Dec 5, 2022 at 3:23 PM
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    dklehman

    dklehman Well-Known Member

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  4. Dec 5, 2022 at 3:26 PM
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    Toyoda Tacoma

    Toyoda Tacoma Do or Do not there is no try.

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  5. Dec 5, 2022 at 3:29 PM
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    Firn

    Firn Well-Known Member

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    These generally will not be favored around here, or most places really. There is a good thread in the stickies as to why and it's a good read on lighting in general
     
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  6. Dec 5, 2022 at 3:30 PM
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    GoldenBrew

    GoldenBrew Insufficient Privilege

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    look in the "sticky" at the top of the gen three page - has a topic for you question and answers. The conversion only requires the plastic adapter on the connection to be removed to allow H9. No filing required. Too bright of a light is a PIA on the eyes - I'd stick with the oem style Halogen that came in the truck. JMO. There are H11's that are as bright as H9 if you are concerned about modifying the connection by removing the green adapter.
     
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2022
  7. Dec 5, 2022 at 3:43 PM
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    na8rboy

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    H11 55 watts, H9 65 watts
     
  8. Dec 5, 2022 at 3:56 PM
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    eurowner

    eurowner Duke Sky

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  9. Dec 7, 2022 at 10:56 AM
    #9
    TacoGranny

    TacoGranny Well-Known Member

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    I did the H9's, you are correct that there is a short "tab" that needs to be removed to make them fit (right side of the connector, already removed). I was able to remove them with a small razor blade tool and some light tapping with a hammer. There's also some conversion harnesses out there that are plug and play, but for 5 minutes of work to shave the tabs, I figured the harness wasn't worth it.

    They are significantly better than the stock H11's, but as others have said, the price for brighter lights is shorter bulb life. I think the tradeoff is worth it though, I remember when I first put them in, I could barely distinguish the difference in brightness between my low and high beams, with only the scatter of the high beams being noticeable between the two, the H9's keep the stock cutoff though so you aren't blinding people. Pretty cheap upgrade for the payoff IMO, just gotta remember to shave the tabs off the spares that I keep in my glove box. Price is $10-11 bucks per bulb.

    https://www.amazon.com/Philips-12361B1-Standard-Replacement-Headlight/dp/B003YMPN3A

    Edit: You can simply remove the green plastic insert in the bulb connectors and then the H9's are directly plug and play, no tab shaving or harness required.
     
    Last edited: Jan 3, 2024
    Weekend@Bernie's likes this.

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