HID vs. HIR?

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

After several close encounters with animals on the back country roads, I'm ready to upgrade lighting, although I'm unsure which to get. I love the idea of HIR's. They work well in the housings, glare isn't an issue, and they provide a good amount of light. However, HID's I hear have better output. My question is, how big of an improvement is there between stock and HIR, then HIR and HID? I like the fact that the HIR's you just swap bulbs and have no extra wiring to run (something I'm not great at). Right now my two main thoughts are HIR's in hi/low/fogs, or HIR in high/low, and HID in fogs (since I have an 03 that has the "projector" type fog housing. Is it even worth upgrading fogs? They don't reach out too far, so I'm wondering if I'll notice much of a difference with them. Any input between the two is much appreciated.

 

[CookieRoe]

You got two big pluses for the HIRs, they don't blind people and you just plug them in. You mention that wiring isn't your thing, sowhy complicate your life? Although close , HIRs are a great upgrade. I almost went with them with my former Grand Cherokee. HIDs are great only if ya go retro. I had pnp HIDs on my surfs and blinded everyone (never again)!

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Blinding oncoming traffic is my biggest concern, along with ease of install. Price wise, either way I go it's all about the same. $158 shipped for HIR's throughout the vehicle, whereas a "budget" HID kit is about the same. If I wanted something better like XenonDepot, then there would be a bigger difference. I'm just not sure if the added lighting of HID's is worth the hassle/potential for issues.

 

[CookieRoe]

Which one? Depends on your circumstances

Blinding oncoming traffic is my biggest concern, along with ease of install. Price wise, either way I go it's all about the same. $158 shipped for HIR's throughout the vehicle, whereas a "budget" HID kit is about the same. If I wanted something better like XenonDepot, then there would be a bigger difference. I'm just not sure if the added lighting of HID's is worth the hassle/potential for issues.

There ya go! Sounds like you already made up your mind (and a good choice)

I, myself am considering getting the factory projectors and putting in something like 3500k HIDs. I hear they do a pretty good job (of not blinding oncoming traffic).......this will be expensive though. (I'm a sucker for a cool project). I might just get the projectors and be done with it.

Edit: sorry for sounding hypocritical

 

[bowhunter53]

HIR's are AWESOME! I have them in both low and high beam. You cant beat the performance for the money.

 

[810moto]

funny you mention that swamper. i have been looking into the HIR vs HID myself. I have decided that HID's are more so everyone wanting "that look". I think th if I can find me some HIR's, they are going to go in the runner.

 

[Scoobs]

Use H9s for the low beams and HIR1 for the hi beams.

Here is one of the many threads that discusses using H9 in the lows and HIR1 in the hi beams

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/57508-h11-silverstars-4.html

HIR2 low beam has @ 1875 lumens and the light is still relatively yellow

H9 low beam has 2100 lumens and the light is white

Sorry, just realized you have a 2003, so you will probably have to go with HIR2 in the lows instead of the H9. My bad.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

If you're doing projectors, HID's are no doubt the way to go. However, I'm looking for a more simple/straitforward setup, so HID's may not be the best. I've done tons of research, was actually gonna run HID's in my Mustang but then I sold it to get the 4runner. I had smoked headlights on the Mustang (which had poor lighting to begin with), and the 4runner is night and day difference, just leaves a little to be desired. It seems like HIR's are the favorite thus far, and it goes with what I was leaning towards. I just wanna make sure if I spend $160 on light bulbs that there will be a noticeable difference. I tried SilverStars in my Mustang, didn't help at all IMO, don't wanna go down that road again. My second thought is adding a Westin bull bar (which I kinda want anyway) and a set of off-road lights. Most of the time I find myself needing more lighting is on rural roads with very little traffic. I'd have them on with the hi beams, and then cut them as needed. However, I think there could be potential legal issues with that, so don't really want to take a chance, but it's a thought. Thanks for all of the helpful input!

 

[chayos00]

Use H9s for the low beams and HIR1 for the hi beams.

Here is one of the many threads that discusses using H9 in the lows and HIR1 in the hi beams

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/57508-h11-silverstars-4.html

HIR2 low beam has @ 1875 lumens and the light is still relatively yellow

H9 low beam has 2100 lumens and the light is white

Sorry, just realized you have a 2003, so you will probably have to go with HIR2 in the lows instead of the H9. My bad.

I totally second the HIR's, I actually as the guy guy that started the thread that Scoobs is talking about. I wish you could get the H9's but the HIR's ought to be better all around than just spending 160 for just the lows of HID's.


Truly now I like my H9 lows and HIR highs's versus my wife's factory HID's in her Acura TL. I would say my setup is brighter than her car.

 

[cdoyle]

Did you guys see that Phillips has released an 3rd generation HIR bulb?

<font color="red">NEW Philips 3rd Generation 9012 (HIR2) - (12.8V 55W - PX22D)</font>

suppose to be brighter, and last longer then the original bulbs.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Haven't seen that, will most definitely consider it. Right now I'm just debating HIR's or just adding some PIAA driving lights/bull bar. So far, HIR's seem to be well rated by all, so probably the best option.

 

[gaberelli]

HIR, HIR, HIR, HIR. Did I mention HIR? I bought mine from Finemotoring and love them. I got the bulbs for my highs and fogs. Granted, this leaves the lows out of the solution but I live in a rural area where brights are on often. The fogs really help light up the ditches with the lows though. Cheap, easy and effective (although not as bright as HIDs). My $0.02.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Right now I'm thinking I'll run HIR's in the hi/low beams, HID's in the fogs (I do have stock projectors so glare shouldn't be bad). I also did the fog light mod today, so I can have the fog lights on all the time which should help out some as well. Any thoughts on this setup? Thanks!