Headlight upgrade (HIR)?

ARK_SWAMP_RIDER

ARK_SWAMP_RIDER

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I'm looking to upgrade the lights on my 03 4runner. I've looked at all the kits, and it seems the HIR's are the best bang for the buck. I've read all the comparisons, read for hours about the differences using the search, but one question remains. When you guys are upgrading your headlights, what bulbs are you replacing? From what I can tell, it's just the low beams (which is really where I want more light, the brights do pretty well). I was just needed to know which lights I should consider replacing (out of lows, highs, or fogs). Thanks!
 
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ARK_SWAMP_RIDER said:
I'm looking to upgrade the lights on my 03 4runner. I've looked at all the kits, and it seems the HIR's are the best bang for the buck. I've read all the comparisons, read for hours about the differences using the search, but one question remains. When you guys are upgrading your headlights, what bulbs are you replacing? From what I can tell, it's just the low beams (which is really where I want more light, the brights do pretty well). I was just needed to know which lights I should consider replacing (out of lows, highs, or fogs). Thanks!
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id say lows and fogs if anything. Fogs over highs, i mean how often can you really use high beams? I guess id look at what you personally use the most and go from there.
 
Without a doubt lows are used the most. I am pleased with the output of the high beams, but I have to run the lows most of the time. There are a ton of deer around here, and the lows don't reach out quite far enough to see them as is, which is the main reason for the upgrade. I know lows for sure, I just didn't know if it was worth messing with the fogs or highs.
 
the funny thing is after you replace the lows, if you go the HIR route, when you finally do use the highs, they will seem uneventful, most likely dimmer than the new lows, so you might end up getting the highs sometime later anyway. the fogs depend on what you use/need them for. some put real bright bulbs in & adjust em to use as xtra lights with the lows, but if you use fogs for bad weather, then you might want to think about getting yellow bulbs, they're better for that.
 
Low beams, since they're used the most. Fogs next, if you use them in conjunction with low beams. I prefer a yellow color for fogs for foul weather.

Not too many dimly lit roads around me, so little high beam use for me and I'd leave it alone.
 
Me personally, I would do both the highs and the lows. I drive a lot on the highway at night with not much traffic.
 
I know with HID's people don't recommend the high beams because they aren't meant to be "flashed" on and off quickly. From what I've read, this isn't an issue with HIR's. I'm going to contact a seller to see if I can get a discount (even if it's just on shipping) by ordering all together versus ordering one set at a time. I use my fogs more as driving lights. We don't have just a ton of bad weather here, so I've never really had a problem with them. I'd probably upgrade them to HIRs too, IF it won't cause any issues. I'm really thinking about just making the jump and getting the lows, then go from there. Thanks guys!
 
Sorry to hijack the thread, but what size bulb (low beam) is needed for an 06? Mine went out after a few years and I have no idea what I ordered last time. Thanks.
 
06 uses H11 for lows, but you can swap in a slightly modded H9 for much brighter usable light.
 
HIRs

I recommend HIR's for both the low beams and highs. Obviously, the lows get the most work. Why not have the best high's for when you need them?

For fogs, I switched to Hoen Endurance Yellow bulbs and love them. The field of vision with HIR lows and bright yellow fogs is amazing!

Highs, lows and fogs ran me about $150. Well worth it.
 
I have the Philips HIR and I honestly don't really notice much of a difference, the spread seems a little better, but that is really about it. Maybe my headlamps need to be "restored", but I just don't see the big deal over these things.
 
If you really want the best bang for your buck (and the best light output), just go out and buy a set of standard hi-beam bulbs and put them into your low-beam housings. The only catch is that you'll have to modify the bulb slightly to fit. It's a really easy modification that can be done in a minute or two.

I tried this after having the HIRs for a year or so. I just wasn't really that impressed with the light output on the HIRs. They seemed better than the OEM low beams, but not by much. The hi-beam conversion seems just as good if not better, but for a fraction of the price.
 
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rockwall said:
I disagree. My HIR's, Toshiba highs and Philips lows, make a very big difference.
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A big difference from what? The OEM bulbs? If so, were the OEM bulbs old? Most people don't realize that headlight bulbs lose their effectiveness as they age, so swapping in a new set of OEM bulbs to replace an old set of OEM bulbs will make a big difference too.

When I compared my HIRs with the OEM bulbs, I didn't see a big difference in light output. And I certainly didn't see a difference looking at the headlights either. I installed one HIR and left the other side with the OEM bulb for an accurate comparison. Sorry, but there just wasn't that much of a difference.

That's why I think HIR bulbs are a waste of money. You can get similar results by modifying a $7 OEM hi-beam bulb for the low-beam socket. I actually sold my HIR bulbs on ebay and got about half my money back for them from someone looking for a deal on used HIR bulbs.
 
a stock 9005 or 9006 doesnt have the lumen output of the HIR 9011 or 9012, What is HIR?? in fact the new phillips are rated even higher
 
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if ur talking about an h11 to h9 swap for an 06+ i agree, fine u didnt like HIR or think they were worth it, everybodies eyes are different, but lumen ratings dont lie, sorry.
 
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chaz said:
a stock 9005 or 9006 doesnt have the lumen output of the HIR 9011 or 9012, What is HIR?? in fact the new phillips are rated even higher
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The specs on my 9011 HIR (low beam bulb) is 1875 lumens @ 12.8 volts....and the price was $35 per bulb.

The specs on my 9005 OEM bulb (hi-beam bulb) is 1700 lumens @ 12.8 volts...and the price was $7 per bulb.

The difference in lumens is marginal and not enough to make a discernible difference. However, the price is 5 times higher for the HIR. That's why I said a modified hi-beam bulb is a much better bang for the buck. We can argue all day over a few lumens here or there, but I'm not going to play that game. My point is the price difference is too great to ignore for what is basically the same light output.
 
LOL, to each his own. im not gonna argue . :cheers: either way there are those that believe the HIRs are better than stock.
 
What is the life expectancy of a halogen 9005 compared to the HIR

Back when I did the 9005 mod, I found they only lasted about 6 months or so.

I've been looking at these HIR's and wondering how long everyone has had theirs?
 
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