Head light? for my new 4runner

L

look171

New member
He all,

Bought a 2010 limited early this week only to find the head lights lacking. The light is actually yellow like an older car. I was screwing around all day searching and not working. I read a bunch of stuff and I am totally confused. I use to have a 93 Land cruiser. The light on that seem better then the 4 Runner with the Silverstars, but I had to replace them about once a year. What are these HIR lights? I am just looking for a little brighter usable light and don't care for the deep blue color. I think the lenses are really good, but the bulb is poor? I am not thinking about going to HID route, yet. Please help this confused owner. I have to drive up a long winding road without light to get home.

Wow men, that 4 Runner is like a Cadillac compare to my old LC that has pretty well beaten. I should have waited this long.

Jeff
 
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You just need to replace the bulbs. The owner probably drive it with the lights on all the time, wearing them out. My 2004 was the same way when I got it, lights were very dim and one burned out, so I went to Walmart and got some new bulbs. Now it's super bright!
 
I recently purchased new bulbs for my 4Runner. They are a brighter white than regular bulbs, but don't cast the blue color. I really like them. I'll find out the brand and post back soon.
 
look171 said:
He all,

Bought a 2010 limited early this week only to find the head lights lacking. The light is actually yellow like an older car. I was screwing around all day searching and not working. I read a bunch of stuff and I am totally confused. I use to have a 93 Land cruiser. The light on that seem better then the 4 Runner with the Silverstars, but I had to replace them about once a year. What are these HIR lights? I am just looking for a little brighter usable light and don't care for the deep blue color. I think the lenses are really good, but the bulb is poor? I am not thinking about going to HID route, yet. Please help this confused owner. I have to drive up a long winding road without light to get home.

Wow men, that 4 Runner is like a Cadillac compare to my old LC that has pretty well beaten. I should have waited this long.

Jeff
Click to expand...
you could start here for some helpful reading material re: automotive lighting: Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

and you can always modify a set of H9 bulbs (way more output—lumens—than stock H11) for your lows and modify a set of HIR bulbs (9011) for your highs. i've been running this exact setup for nearly 3 years; same bulbs, no problems to report.

good luck.
 
look171 said:
He all,

Bought a 2010 limited early this week only to find the head lights lacking. The light is actually yellow like an older car. I was screwing around all day searching and not working. I read a bunch of stuff and I am totally confused. I use to have a 93 Land cruiser. The light on that seem better then the 4 Runner with the Silverstars, but I had to replace them about once a year. What are these HIR lights? I am just looking for a little brighter usable light and don't care for the deep blue color. I think the lenses are really good, but the bulb is poor? I am not thinking about going to HID route, yet. Please help this confused owner. I have to drive up a long winding road without light to get home.

Wow men, that 4 Runner is like a Cadillac compare to my old LC that has pretty well beaten. I should have waited this long.

Jeff
Click to expand...

Check out: This place
Lots of choices. And as others have mentioned, modify an H9 to fit the H11 socket...will almost double the lumen output without putting a burden on the wiring (65w vs 55w).
 
Last edited:
It's funny because I never noticed how yellow they really were until I installed the Rigids to compare against.
 
sandcrawler said:
you could start here for some helpful reading material re: automotive lighting: Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

and you can always modify a set of H9 bulbs (way more output—lumens—than stock H11) for your lows and modify a set of HIR bulbs (9011) for your highs. i've been running this exact setup for nearly 3 years; same bulbs, no problems to report.

good luck.
Click to expand...

just did the H9 conversion tonight, took 45 minutes total, and very happy with it! Light is much whiter and brighter.
 
Any specific brand I should be looking for? I will start hunting around all the auto parts store tomorrow for the H9 bulbs. Cheap enough to do. Where are you guys getting the Osarm H9 bulbs? What do you think of those Silverstars at the local auto parts place like Autozone?
 
Anyone notice the difference between the standard H9 compare to the H9 xenon bulbs? My truck is all stock, wires and all. thanks

jeff
 
look171 said:
Any specific brand I should be looking for? I will start hunting around all the auto parts store tomorrow for the H9 bulbs. Cheap enough to do. Where are you guys getting the Osarm H9 bulbs? What do you think of those Silverstars at the local auto parts place like Autozone?
Click to expand...
Narva H9

look171 said:
Anyone notice the difference between the standard H9 compare to the H9 xenon bulbs? My truck is all stock, wires and all.
Click to expand...
don't know specifically what you're looking at/referring to but often those xenon bulbs have a blue coating that makes them look white but effectively reduces their usable light output... *cough* Silverstar *cough*
 
Sorry for newb ? here but on the stock bulbs there is a black coating on the end of the bulb. Why is that on there? Is that some kind of coating to prevent the bulb from heating up and melting the housing ?
 
sandcrawler said:
it's super easy. pop the hood; accessible right from the rear of the headlight housing(s).
Click to expand...

Yeah, I saw it this afternoon when I parked while the wife and kids went on ahead to get a table at the restaurant. I ordered just now from the link you sent me. As soon as I get them, I will report back after my midnight cruise.

No blue light from the xenon then. I found the Silverstars were a lot brighter then my standard bulbs in my 80 series Land Cruiser. Do you have the HIRs in the highs and how do you like them? Why can we install the HIRs in the low beam? Too blinding for on coming traffic?
 
Ok guys,

I just ordered the HIRs for my highs. I was thinking , why not use the HIR2s instead of the H9s for my low beams. What are the pros and cons for the HIR2 for low beam compare to the H9. Thanks again.

Jeff
 
look171 said:
Ok guys,

I just ordered the HIRs for my highs. I was thinking , why not use the HIR2s instead of the H9s for my low beams. What are the pros and cons for the HIR2 for low beam compare to the H9. Thanks again.

Jeff
Click to expand...
Jeff,
the 4Runner lows are H11 bulbs, but you can modify an H9 bulb for more output. the 4Runner highs are 9005 bulbs, but you can modify the 9011 HIR for more output. the modified HIR won't fit in the low socket as you're suggesting. and even if you could, it would be extremely obnoxious to drive around with high beams as operating as your lows. enhancing your own ability to see what's coming shouldn't come at the expense of your fellow drivers.
 
Gotcha, but I am still wondering about the wattage out put of the two lamps? they are both 65W and all high beams are 65W, right? The reason they are high beams is because of the reflector and the way they are aimed. Am I correct. I am jsut trying to get a handle on this.
 
Excuse my ignorance - A search for "H9 H11" did not reveal any hits on the 5th Gen Forum.

What is exactly is modded to get the H9 bulb into the stock H11 Plug and Reflector assembly, and what is modded to get the 9011HIR bulb into the stock 9005 Plug and Reflector assembly?

Is it really as easy as trimming a plastic tab on the bulb, and they become a true "Drop in" replacement (after trimming the tab)? Plugs will all match up and stock relays and fuses will be happy?

This seems like a much easier path than swapping to $$$ HID's for further improvement. I'm not displeased with the stock output on my '13 T4R, but more lumens are always welcomed :) .

Would these 9011HIR's be a good choice for High Beams if using the Narva H9's linked to above for Low-Beam? (also from store.candlepower.com)
NEW Philips 9011 (HIR1) - (12.8V 65W - PX20D)

Thanks - Might just get the set of (4) Phillips bulbs from candlepower.com for a discount if what I currently understand is accurate...

Thanks in advance :cool:
 
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