Headlights

[gamefreakgc]

I too am looking to replace my current headlights on my ‘99. Was wondering if I should go the Halogen or LED route and was leaning towards the LED route. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Sorry for Stomping on your question, new to the group and won’t let me post my own thread.

I know this thread is a little overkill but I think your answer lies in the previous 3-4 pages. Lot's of pro's and con's for both. I think it boils down to: LED's can sometimes have a sub-par beam pattern and can blind other drivers. Halogens are not as bright but safer if you drive in urban areas.

I fall in the latter category as I commute on I-80, so Halogen worked for me. New housings + headlight relay + 100W/80W bulbs have worked great for me so far.

 

[RandyBobandy]

That would be true if They didn’t have projectors

I didn't realize you were doing projectors, here is a retrofit thread that shows what the earlier reflectors look like inside

Budget Build Retrofits

basically the same as newer ones without the facets, you can swap clear glass from a cheap set of tyc headlights and retain the oem housings

 

[veleno]

I swapped my 98 housings that were dirty with a cracked lens to the newer, brighter 99-02 style housings, $40 each from Rockauto.com, TYC brand. Made a substantial difference.

Last month I put in a relay system so I can safely run higher wattage lightbulbs for $18: Sorry! Something went wrong!.

Then I put in 100W/80W bulbs (stock is 55W/50W) for $4 a bulb: Sorry! Something went wrong!

Let's just say I don't worry about dim headlights anymore. Plus cheap replacements if they burn out.

Is this a direct swap with no mod? I can barely see anything out of the '97 headlight regardless of what bulb is in there. The housings are not reflective anymore but more like a dull/faded gray.

If I can put the headlights from a 2000 into my '97 with no mods then I'll place the order from rockauto ($33 each, cheap imo).

 

[4Runner4Leon]

Is this a direct swap with no mod? I can barely see anything out of the '97 headlight regardless of what bulb is in there. The housings are not reflective anymore but more like a dull/faded gray.

If I can put the headlights from a 2000 into my '97 with no mods then I'll place the order from rockauto ($33 each, cheap imo).

It's a direct swap, no mods needed.

 

[tito_zako]

If I got the items bellow, is that all i need?
and could you point me to a diagram on how to wire this, please?
thanks in advance

Amazon.com: BEAMTECH H4 LED Bulb, CSP Chips Conversion Kit Fanless Cool White All In One Plug N Play Halogen Replacement Pack of 2: Automotive
Amazon.com: Zento Deals 4 Pieces of 6 Ohm 50W LED Load Resistors – Fix The Flickering LED Turn Signal Light or LED License Plate Lights or DRL: Automotive

I own a 99 and a 98. Per my personal experience.

Even when new-ish (I bought my 99 in 2004 or 5) the 99 headlights weren't anything special, or even close.

The "Off road only" high watt bulbs work decent with an upgraded harness. These secondary relay harnesses have their negatives to consider.

The 99+ clear housings are better than the 98- faceted(?) housings, but not by much.

I've tried most all the high dollar ($20-35 a bulb) H4 halogens. The most expensive are marginally brighter than the mid range ones but their lifetimes are low. In the 99 running the auto setting (lights on all the time) they don't last even 2 years.

For the last few rigs I've run Beamtech H4 LED bulbs (probably no better than other LED bulbs, just the only ones I've used). They are much brighter than any halogen I've tried by a far margin. I haven't had one fail yet in about 2 years.

Pros: They are significantly brighter than any DOT halogen. Very easy to install, no mods necessary. Cheap. Very good bang for the buck. You can run them side by side with halogens. They seem to have a long service life.

Cons: I've had to lower the aim on my lights for other drivers. They need a load resistor in order for the High beam indicator to work($20 plug and play). You can hear the fans when the engine is off(new models don't have these).

I wont argue the experts negative claims about the LED's and their use in housings designed for Halogen bulbs.
For $40 you can go from guessing to knowing, and if you like the knowing you can spend another $20 or less for a load resistor to get a working High beam indicator. Pretty cheap R&D in my estimation.