The ultimate headlight upgrade H4 (not LED or HID)

Crow Horse · Dec 1, 2020

rolot2 said: ↑

Remember the thread pitch/diameter for the appropriate bolts for these holes? Thanks in advance.
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8m x 1.25

rolot2 · Dec 1, 2020

Crow Horse said: ↑

8m x 1.25
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Thank you much.

rolot2 · Dec 1, 2020

Too Stroked said: ↑

Unfortunately, no. I just rummaged through my metric stash until I found two that fit. BTW, the larger nuts you see are just used as spacers to get the bracket away from the inner fender.
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I figured that’s what they were for. Thank you much.

Not a golfer · Dec 2, 2020

crashnburn80[OP] said: ↑

When running LEDs in a reflector, one of the points often overlooked is the smoothness of the pattern distribution. I refer to this as 'pattern saturation', where the beam pattern should be fully saturated with light in an even distribution out from the hot spot. But using LEDs in halogen assemblies causes significant alterations to the light distribution since they do not uniformily illuminate the reflector, and some parts or the reflector are left dark. I think this is actually the largest challenge for replacement LEDs in halogen reflectors as the light distribution is not nearly as smooth or well distributed as the halogen counterparts, since they are not an omnidirectional light source, leading to undesirable splotchy beam distribution patterns.

Take a look at these pattern examples run in a late model 2nd Gen Tacoma light (each running one headlight):

Philips X-tremeUltinon Gen1 H4 LED

Philips X-tremeUltinon Gen2 H4 LED

Stock standard OEM Osram H4 (yes this is one headlight)

Peak lux readings were higher in both LEDs vs the stock standard OEM bulb at 18', I didn't run a 42' test as I often do to get a more accurate reading for LED focus. But the LED light distribution is poor and the pattern is highly irregular. The Gen 1s have a tall but narrow pattern, and the Gen2s have a much wider but shorter pattern. Whereas the stock pattern has outstanding uniform smooth light distribution and is a far better beam pattern with more coverage. Peak lux in this case is highly misleading. And then look at the cut offs, stock has a very nice flat cut off all the way across the beam, whereas the LEDs do not provide the same broad flat cut off line. The camera settings for light control were not the same in each photo as I was trying to capture the strange patterns from the LEDs, so it isn't the most accurate representation of output. I should have spent more time on it.

When the Gen1s first came out, they were one of the first ones with glare guards, significantly reducing glare from what other brands were selling at the time.

Here is an old test pic of the Gen1s. I wish I had done a better job on capturing beam quality and not washing out the photo so much.

Ultimate vs Philips Gen1 LEDs

Here is an old output shot, Ultimate upgrade vs Gen1 LED

Rather than the LEDs, I'd recommend trying the Philips Racing Vision +200 for a whiter light covered in post #3169. The Racing Vision +150 has nearly identical performance but half the bulb life. They are the whitest performance halogens in the thread and have the best low beam performance which will be far better than the Philips LEDs. They won't be 6000k LED white though. Being in Canada too, a halogen will produce heat to resist your headlights freezing over whereas an LED will not. I'd offer you to sell you mine, but with having to go across the boarder it is probably easier to purchase online.
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Once again your expert knowledge is greatly appreciated. I will rethink my bulb upgrade and look closer at Halogen options.

I can't thank you enough for your valuable time, advise and the offer to sell yours.

This is what makes TW so great.

Experts willing to take the time to share their wisdom & knowledge to help others.

Thank you Crashnburn80

Norton · Dec 2, 2020

Not a golfer said: ↑

Once again your expert knowledge is greatly appreciated. I will rethink my bulb upgrade and look closer at Halogen options.
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If you haven't already done it, you should seriously consider The "ultimate headlight upgrade H4 (not LED or HID)," described in/by the OP of this thread. While not the "whitest," the color isn't bad and it's some of the most USEFUL light available, focusing plenty of illumination WHERE it's needed. The price is reasonable and the install is very manageable.

Not a golfer · Dec 3, 2020

Norton said: ↑

If you haven't already done it, you should seriously consider The "ultimate headlight upgrade H4 (not LED or HID)," described in/by the OP of this thread. While not the "whitest," the color isn't bad and it's some of the most USEFUL light available, focusing plenty of illumination WHERE it's needed. The price is reasonable and the install is very manageable.
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Haven't changed them and now looking at Halogen options. Thank you again for all the input to help me.

Crow Horse · Dec 3, 2020

One issue that I might have shared before and I can't overstate it's importance is the fact that LED's used for headlights can freeze over during snowy and icy conditions. Even if LED's could provide improved lighting without glare, the freezing over is a deal breaker. I've experienced this several times during snow storms and it's downright dangerous and scary.
I currently have the harness upgrade & Osram Premium 100/90 bulbs in our 2012 and couldn't be happier. I'll be changing our 2015 over after the Holidays.......

Crow Horse · Dec 3, 2020

Norton said: ↑

If you haven't already done it, you should seriously consider The "ultimate headlight upgrade H4 (not LED or HID)," described in/by the OP of this thread. While not the "whitest," the color isn't bad and it's some of the most USEFUL light available, focusing plenty of illumination WHERE it's needed. The price is reasonable and the install is very manageable.
Click to expand...

It's interesting that you brought up "color". Years ago I had "krypton" bulbs in another vehicle. While they were "whiter", in low light conditions they were worthless. Standard halogens provided more light in those conditions with their "yellower" light. Maybe it is just how my eyes perceived it but there was a significant difference.....

Not a golfer · Dec 3, 2020

Yea someone had the nerve to turn the dimmer switch down on my eyes when I turned 50. And now at 58 I find the whiter light helps me see better. Want to make a well informed purchase of new bulbs and with all the help here I know it will happen.

Too Stroked · Dec 3, 2020

Not a golfer said: ↑

Yea someone had the nerve to turn the dimmer switch down on my eyes when I turned 50. And now at 58 I find the whiter light helps me see better. Want to make a well informed purchase of new bulbs and with all the help here I know it will happen.
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You might be surprised to find that light a little further down the spectrum actually improves your vision - especially in conditions like rain, fog or snow. For instance, selective yellow fog lights are more effective in the above conditions than white. And they're significantly more effective that the blueish white that's so popular these days.

I'm going on 65 and I have the Ultimate Headlight Upgrade with "All Season" Osram Hyper bulbs (that have a yellowish tint) as well as a set of Diode Dynamics SS3 Pro (soon to be Max) selective yellow fogs. I too thought whiter light would be better, but have since completely changed my mind. I wish you could take a ride in my truck to see the difference more light in the correct color temperature makes.

Also, don't be fooled with LED (or any other) bulbs that flood the foreground with light giving you the illusion you can see better. This fools your pupils and actually hinders your distance vision.

JasonLee · Dec 3, 2020

Too Stroked said: ↑

You might be surprised to find that light a little further down the spectrum actually improves your vision - especially in conditions like rain, fog or snow. For instance, selective yellow fog lights are more effective in the above conditions than white. And they're significantly more effective that the blueish white that's so popular these days.

I'm going on 65 and I have the Ultimate Headlight Upgrade with "All Season" Osram Hyper bulbs (that have a yellowish tint) as well as a set of Diode Dynamics SS3 Pro (soon to be Max) selective yellow fogs. I too thought whiter light would be better, but have since completely changed my mind. I wish you could take a ride in my truck to see the difference more light in the correct color temperature makes.

Also, don't be fooled with LED (or any other) bulbs that flood the foreground with light giving you the illusion you can see better. This fools your pupils and actually hinders your distance vision.
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Well stated. I started to type out a similar response but it wasn't concise so I didn't post it.

Not a golfer · Dec 3, 2020

So if I choose the Ultimate Headlight there is a harness needed correct

I know it's in this thread but may I get the link for it

Harness is needed for better voltage to Ultimate bulbs correct

crashnburn80 · Dec 3, 2020

Not a golfer said: ↑

So if I choose the Ultimate Headlight there is a harness needed correct

I know it's in this thread but may I get the link for it

Harness is needed for better voltage to Ultimate bulbs correct
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The harness will boost performance of all bulbs, but it is needed for high wattage bulbs like the Osram SuperBright 100/90w.
http://www.headlightservices.com/Wiring.html

Crow Horse · Dec 3, 2020

Correct. I believe it's in the first post by C&B80

Not a golfer said: ↑

So if I choose the Ultimate Headlight there is a harness needed correct

I know it's in this thread but may I get the link for it

Harness is needed for better voltage to Ultimate bulbs correct
Click to expand...

If you pull the trigger for the harness you'll want to select the conventionally (power) switched harness for your 2012. It's an easy install. Budget about an hour or so unless you're OCD as I am and then multiply that by 2.6x's as a minimum install time.

Not a golfer · Dec 3, 2020

Hats off to all of you

Ultimate sounds like the way to go

Can't wait to see better

Thank you again my TW brothers

Not a golfer · Dec 3, 2020

YUP
OCD I'm

Toywoodsguy82 · Dec 3, 2020

Getting antsy waiting for my harness and bulbs to show up...

TacoM3Meister · Dec 4, 2020

this work for 2011 tacomas as well?

crashnburn80 · Dec 4, 2020

TacoM3Meister said: ↑

this work for 2011 tacomas as well?
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Yep, 1998-2015 Tacomas. And even earlier trucks with a sealed beam to H4 conversion.

TacoM3Meister · Dec 4, 2020

thank you sir, hopefully they ship that kit to canada, unless you know of any canadian supplier

crashnburn80[OP] said: ↑

Yep, 1998-2015 Tacomas. And even earlier trucks with a sealed beam to H4 conversion.
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