The ultimate headlight upgrade H4 (not LED or HID)

Sounds more like a voltage issue than a bulb issue, especially if both bulbs are doing it. If it repeats white the truck running in place you might try putting a multimeter on your battery and see if the dimming coincides with a drop in voltage at the battery terminals.

 

I Did the upgrade today, including the Headlight Services harness and Osram H4 100/90W bulbs. The instructions for the harness were dead on and (almost) everything went without a hitch. I didn't electrocute myself and the lights work so far with no smoking wires or sparks

I can't wait for my first night drive to test them out.

The one issue I ran into was that the plastic thingies (Pic attached) that hold the radiator shroud were brittle (6 year old plastic, not a shocker I guess) and snapped on me when trying to undo the shroud. Does anyone know where I could order some replacements online. I have a 2013 Tacoma, so if you happen to have the part number for those it would be really appreciated !

Thanks ! //dj

 

@DJinVT

Typically the parts department of your local toyota dealership will keep stuff like that on hand (or at least mine has done so regularly). Might want to just give the parts department desk a call and describe them. Usually pretty inexpensive.

 

Believe the part number is Toyota 52161-02020

Wish I could help more since I recently ordered a batch off Amazon and they seem to work, but they are no longer available. Deals can still be found tho. When I bought them, I got a pack of 30 for <$6 Canadian. Sure beats $2 a clip.

Also worth noting that there are multi packs available, that have multiple different clips in one pack

 

Might want to try this site:

https://www.clipsandfasteners.com/Toyota-Lexus-Clips-And-Fasteners-s/13.htm

 

eBay or AliExpress is your friend for clips.

 

Rexka 20pcs Radiator Cover Clips for Toyota Lexus 90467-08217 4Runner FJ Cruiser Tacoma GX470

$7 Rexka 20pcs Radiator Cover Clips Compatible with Toyota Lexus 90467-08217 4Runner FJ Cruiser Tacoma GX470

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BHCNK6G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_L15nEbJG2FZD6

I broke 2 of mine, these worked out great.

 

Found the issue... Apparently my off-roading last weekend jarred the (+) wire loose and it didn’t have full contact. I went to start it early this morning and had no lights. Wiggled the offending wire and lights came on fine. Got it secured tight and have had no problems since. I’m guessing it must of been getting partial contact to keep having it dim like it did. Thanks for your help

 

Glad you found it!

 

Got Mike's harness finally and some of the Osrams and am super stoked to install but didn't realize I might lose use of my driving lights. On Mike's documentation it states that his harness is not intended for my type of lighting system, identified by the light switch/signal arm that I have (2013 TRD OffRoad). Am I reading this right/is this well known? I've looked through most of this thread and did a quick search but can't find much.

Edit: I have seen OP's first page and I understand that it should't effect my amber driving lights that DO NOT use the headlight bulb. Just curious about HLS documentation.

 

Please define "amber driving lights." Are you talking about your Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) which use the amber front parking lights?

 

Just wanted to report that after 130k a stock bulb burned out. I decided to go with the Phillips +150 bulbs mentioned on the first page because they were $20 vs $50 for the GE bulbs.

The description is dead on. The low beams are nice and white compared to the stock bulbs. The high-beams kind of suck though. The high-beams are a bluish tint and not as bright as I'd expect. I won't be replacing them with the same when they burn out.

 

Yeah the DRLs. But I just installed everything and it’s all good. Got myself confused with the wording on the HLS docs! Disregard my previous post.

 

Guess I could just post what I was confused about huh.... I think I’m “type b”. Like I said above though, after install, everything works as should.

 

Headlight Services specialized in 4runner and Jeeps before being adopted by this thread. The instructions are 4runner specific. In an H4 based 4runner the DRL is the headlights on reduced voltage. The harness relays operate as an on/off switch and cannot run at reduced reduced voltage, it will cause the relays to ‘buzz’ rapidly opening and closing till they fail. The headlight stalk pictures are for 4runners, and the DRL setting is referencing headlight DRLs. On the Tacoma, most are equipped with separate ambler indicator DRLs, unless they are from Canada, meaning the DRL function is completely separate from the headlights and not relevant to the harness. The last line is confusing because the Tacoma does use the type B switch, the statement is accurate on the relevant 4runner, but not on the Tacoma.

 

Well that's good to hear. Best I can tell, my Tacoma had the type "C" switch since it's two clicks to headlights. But I'm still holding out hope that it'll work. Thx again for ur wealth of information

 

If you can drive you truck today with the headlights off (unlike Canadian trucks), it will work.

 

oook

 

Just received my new OEM smoked housings yesterday and I spent a couple hours last night reading this entire post. This morning I ordered the Headlight Services harness and Osram H4 100/90W bulbs. I ordered 4 bulbs from the link, so that I will have a pair of spares, it was $50 shipped for the 4 bulbs. I am looking forward to the improved lighting from this upgrade. Thank you @crashnburn80 for all the time, effort and money you have put into the research on this!

 

I'm debating ripping my fuse box open on my truck.. Wondering if i just Run new larger Wires from the factory relay to the headlight (its a salvage yard box. the cut the damn headlight wires off) or do i just fix the connectors with crimps and heatshrink and run the custom harness with dual relays (in all reality i could add a second relay to the factory box i guess too.. hmmm.) Have to fix the corner light too.. assholes.. ITS SO HARD TO UNPLUG A WIRE. oh well it was 50 bucks