The ultimate headlight upgrade H4 (not LED or HID)

You won't be disappointed. The difference from stock was impressive! Make sure you adjust your beams if you're running a lift...You'll blind oncoming traffic otherwise

 

I need to replace my 2006 headlight housings. After the OEM lights were ruined by acid etching the previous owner's insurance would not cover OEM lights so they installed el cheapos. I have no idea what brand they are but the lenses have started developing small surface cracks so it is time to replace them. I've priced OEM and the best price I have found is $302 for the chrome or $360 for the sport versions. This is before tax. I'm feeling a bit cheap after Black Friday and I'm wondering how bad TYC CAPA housings are? I can get those for $121 shipped for the chrome. For some reason I can't locate a right TYC CAPA housing in the black chrome (sport) but I found a set of non-CAPA sport housings from AM-Autoparts for $116 shipped. I have the ultimate harness and I'm currently running Phillips +130 bulbs but I just purchased a set of Super Bright 100/90 bulbs so I want to make sure I'm not blinding anyone. My truck is lifted on 35's so it is even more critical that the headlight optics are not wonky and blinding on coming traffic. Are the TYC CAPA or AM-Autoparts going to be good enough to maintain proper cutoff? Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

Spend the extra coin and get OEM. They will perform far better, last longer and have less glare. You can upgrade the light source all you want, but without proper optics from a well designed reflector assembly it isn't going to be as effective. See the post below on 'OEM equivalent' TYC.

 

That's what I was thinking but I needed someone to talk me out of being a cheapskate. Since I spent too much on Black Friday I will probably wait until next month and pick up the OEM locally for $300+ tax. Being that I have generic housings now it will be interesting to see how much better the OEM are.

 

We're normally on the same sheet of music, and I like OEM, but I respectfully disagree that (certified) aftermarket automatically means inferior. FWIW, I don't recall seeing an answer to my question:

As I said, my son and I were both happy with CAPA-certified versions in our 1st Gens. That said, it's also possible manufacturing/certification processes and/or quality control have slipped since we bought ours. In the end, I see this as a YMMV scenario where I'd want a good return policy if going (certified) aftermarket.

 

As long as we are gonna go down the rabbit hole of aftermarket housings. What can I do with my 96’ that has the sealed beams? I can hardly stand driving it at night after upgrading my 13’.

 

I’ve had great luck with these on buddies cars.
http://www.myhellalights.com/index.php/products/auxiliary-lamps/sealed-beam-conversion-headlamps/

 

+1. I was happy with these on the '92 Pickup I had before my '04 Tacoma.

 

Hands down the Hella E-code 200mm H4 conversion. The lamps produce less up light with sharper cut offs and focus more light onto the roadway where it is actually useful. It is not a DOT light, it is a European standard light pattern. The E-code headlight swap alone will be a massive improvement in usable output. Other brands make them as well, I've run a few different versions, and the Hellas were by far the best in terms of output, fitment and build quality.

Edit: FYI E-codes are labeled "ECE" vs the DOT/SAE

 

Going to second these. I had a set in my '00 XJ because the sealed beams were abysmal. Unfortunately I still managed to hit a deer leaving my base, which crumpled the passenger fender, kinked the hood and crushed the lamp. Deer came down off the steep bank on the right shoulder, I never had a chance to see it before I hit it.

@crashnburn80 I'm sending you a PM

 

+1 on these. I did a H4 conversion on my old Fiero. Huge difference in light output, plus swapping a bulb was much easier/faster than disassembling the sealed beam setup.

 

Thanks for the info guys.

 

Since my 85/80w bulbs burn out like clockwork at almost exactly the 1 year mark, I’m proactively replacing my headlights a couple weeks early. This time of year sucks to have a headlight go out, and I’d rather replace early in a dry heated garage knowing the lifespan of my last several sets vs having to do it somewhere in the dark cold likely rainy or snowy environment outside.

I almost feel bad for using these, but my last complete pair of clear 85/80w Hypers are ultra rare bulbs from the very first limited production run of the 85/80w Hypers. The bulbs are not even labeled on the base and reside in unmarked boxes.



These bulbs have waited a very long time for this day.

 

I’m extra glad I did this early.

This is apparently my first bulb swap after installing my AFE intake to better support the supercharger. There is now almost no room to be gained by unbolting the washer reservoir on the passenger side for greater access, meaning very tight working quarters.



While looking through the front lens is great to check alignment, since I can no longer see the bulb, I shoved my phone down behind it to snap a pic and make sure all the tabs were seated properly.



Checking the old bulb, they had started to blacken and blister the glass, which is not uncommon near end of life in these exotics. Glad to have fresh bulbs in so I don’t have to worry about it for another year.

 

how long do the Osram Super Bright 100/90w last vs. Osram Hyper 85/80w ??

I need to get me one of those fancy intakes for my SCer...

 

They are both rated at 200 hours on low beam. Calendar life will depend on your usage practices.

 

+1. While @crashnburn80 gets a year from his, mine last about twice that. This is definitely a YMMV thing.

 

yeah i have a depth perception problem in low light. aka night or low visibility. only reason ive been on dayshift the whole time ive been in Kuwait working.

 

You really know how to make a grown man cry. I too have just one set of those left in my stash. This leads to some interesting behaviors on the road where I don't turn on my headlights until it's really dark.

 

What are your thoughts on Kustom 54 retro headlights in regard to build quality and performance?