Headlight Upgrade

[BoulderT4R]

My 16 year old drives our old ‘04 and I’d like to do something to improve the headlights. The headlights have no haze as I completely sanded them a year ago. The light output just isn’t that great, even after putting new halogen bulbs in.
Does anyone have any strong recommendations for either a new headlight assembly and/or bulb replacement?

 

[Parks Junkie]

I would contact Daniel Stern. I bought some lamps from him recently for my '08 and they are definitely better. Not like new stuff, but a definite improvement. I think he lives, breathes, eats and sleeps lighting, he really knows his stuff.

No affiliation etc, blah blah blah.

 

[AuSeeker]

I would contact Daniel Stern. I bought some lamps from him recently for my '08 and they are definitely better. Not like new stuff, but a definite improvement. I think he lives, breathes, eats and sleeps lighting, he really knows his stuff.

No affiliation etc, blah blah blah.

It would likely help if you gave more contact info other than just Daniel Stern, I googled than name and all I got was a TV/movie actor who was one of the burglars in the movie "Home Alone", does he sell headlights??

 

[fourwd1]

It would likely help if you gave more contact info other than just Daniel Stern, I googled than name and all I got was a TV/movie actor who was one of the burglars in the movie "Home Alone", does he sell headlights??

Possibly, I haven't seen him in anything since 'Home Alone'.

 

[Boort]

It would likely help if you gave more contact info other than just Daniel Stern, I googled than name and all I got was a TV/movie actor who was one of the burglars in the movie "Home Alone", does he sell headlights??

BoulderT4R

I've worked with Daniel for about 20 years. Helped me fix the headlight system on my 97 Tacoma. Agree with Parts Junkie better than stock but not as good as the latest glare bombs out there. Haven't needed to update the 06 4 runner yet but will likely get there soon. I really like the fact that the upgrades look stock and fixed the issues that I was having with the 97. Relay system triggered by the stock switch fixed the low voltage at the bulbs and the upgraded housings (in place of sealed beams) resolved the need to remove the whole front of the truck every time the bulb needed to be changed. Overall the system resulted in better light output and putting it in the right places on the road.

His website is at https://www.danielsternlighting.com/ He's an old school consultant who wants to understand what you are looking for before making recommendations.

Boort

 

[4Rover]

I use Diode Dynamics SL2 LEDs in aftermarket projector housings after using Phillips Xtremevision 55W Halogen H9s in 06-09 projector housings for several years from reading Daniel Sterns and other write ups like on TacomaWorld. The science is correct but the market does not support the technically right answer and unfortunately caters mostly to 6000k LEDs. That said, Diode Dynamics at least put some real engineering behind their product which others have tried to copy so I went with their product as the best alternative in an LED after using nothing but halogens for years.

On my rig, the halogens last about a year before they burn out because I use my headlights all the time. I swapped in the H9 bulbs for more wattage and used flush cutters to remove the extra keying tab in the bulb connector to fit with the stock H11 harness connector. For all the money I spent on halogens I was still not impressed with the output so I decided on the SL2 units as a better than anything else option if not halogen and wasn't interested in tracking down HID options which are harder to source. I wish the LEDs had an option to come in a warmer color like DD offers for their interior bulbs (great product btw) but they aren't terrible. I've run them for a few months so far and have noticed that after being properly aimed, I have crisp cutoff in my aftermarket lenses and have more output on the road where I want it. The contrast between lit and unlit areas in front of me is greater (worse) than what I am used to with halogens but that's to be expected. I haven't had them long enough to try them in snowy weather but the heat spreader on the back gets plenty hot so I think they will perform okay.

I'm waiting for the day someone prioritizes a better color option closer to Halogen instead of 5800-6000k but Lexus Xenon HIDs might be the only non LED option for this platform for significantly more output over stock. OEMs seem to be moving forward with integrated LED units that are non serviceable and require CANBus so I took it as a sign to grab the only product on the market that had some thought put behind it for retrofit applications. I ditched my TEQ Customs mock TRD Pro LED Dynamic Taillights as well and went with the R2 Pro Taillights seen on 4Runner Customs because it brings back the stock style LED Brake lights w/ reflectors, independent of the running lights. I was getting into to weird situations with the TEQ units where other drivers behind me couldn't tell I was braking in bright daylight so it was either go back to stock LED tails or these and I like the Lexus inspired look better. I bought directly from the warehouse overseas (HCMotionz) for about 20% off the influencer price before tariffs went into effect. They are much more functional all around and the reverse light/sequential turn is bright, much better than the TEQ and stock reverse light. I still have halogen high beams and fogs but am looking to move to an SAE LED Fog to get better foreground and side lighting in the appropriate color temperature. To me LEDs aren't perfect yet but they are much better than they used to be, last longer, are more durable, and I like the efficiency improvement which lets me run more lighting where I need it at the same time as my low beams. The trick is finding the products that are designed well and, like home lighting, have high CRI ratings as well which leads to a better quality output in the first place.

 

[Parks Junkie]

It would likely help if you gave more contact info other than just Daniel Stern, I googled than name and all I got was a TV/movie actor who was one of the burglars in the movie "Home Alone", does he sell headlights??

Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

North America's Premier Automotive Lighting Consultancy and Supply House

www.danielsternlighting.com

 

[Parks Junkie]

OK, that's weird, all I posted was the link, which really doesn't even show, although it's there.

 

[4Rover]

OK, that's weird, all I posted was the link, which really doesn't even show, although it's there.

Its the default formatting settings after the site upgrade which have terrible readability on light or dark browser settings. There's a preview option now though that should be helpful going forward.