How To: Headlight Bulb Conversion (H11 to H9 & 9005 to 9011)

[FrontRange4Runner]

Thanks for the write up.

Funny that when I was ordering the H9 bulbs from Amazon,
The h9 sylvania bulbs reviews all mention this mod.

I'm doing the low beam only. Amazon wants $20/per bulb for the 9011 high beams!
Anyone know a cheaper route?

Got mine from Auto Zone, they switched to Phillips since last time I was there. $15. The Philips is brighter, but its not a fair comparison really, because the Sylvania has a lot more hours on it. However certain parts of the bulb looked to be a little better made IMHO.

 

[catastrofe]

Just did this mod. Very easy (a Dremel is almost a must for the H9 IMHO) and straightforward. Looking forward to seeing the results tonight.

 

[AZrunner11]

Just did this mod. Very easy (a Dremel is almost a must for the H9 IMHO) and straightforward. Looking forward to seeing the results tonight.

Let me know what you think- Option #2 for me is a plug and play LED bulb upgrade from Southeast Overland.

 

[Jhalko]

It works very well especially for the cost, I pulled mine after my lift since some light did spill up. Oh and I put a rigid sr20 in the grill...

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

My other bulb just burned out a few nights ago. I am currently running the stock bulb on one side (yes I saved it for this type of situation lol) and the H9 is in the other. When running them side by side -literally-, there is really no comparison. The upgrade makes a huge difference and just puts out a lot more light. That being said, they have a shorter life - around 2 years or less. Considering the cost, I will be running this mod as long as I can....and for those wondering, I have had no issues with wires, housings or anything of that nature over heating etc. It's just 10 min worth of mod work and then plug and play. Oh, and the drivers side bulb is a ***** to get in.

 

[mcarey86]

May do this instead of the HID route.

Seems way better on the bank account.

 

[4Funnr]

Has anyone gone the route of an extension harness so that you don't have to melt plastic on the H9 to get it to fit?

Here's an example. Seems way easier.
http://www.amazon.com/Extension-Adapter-Harness-Sockets-Headlight/dp/B00CYB90UO

 

[Jono.ful]

a little part of me dies inside every time this thread pops up. this mod is pretty much the best way to piss off other drivers on the road.

 

[Scoobs]

Can also use this harness adapter. Very well constructed and uses 14 gauge wire not 16 gauge like the Amazon version. H8 or H11 to H9 adapter.

Headlight Adaptor | Innovative Wiring LLC


I have been running HIR 1 hi beams and H9 low beams in my 2007 Gen 4 since 2009 and have not had a single oncoming driver "complain" about the H9 low beams. The projector lens on the 4th Gen might have something to do with that compared to a 5th Gen.

My wife's 2008 RAV 4 has HIR 1 hi beams and HIR 2 low beams. She occasionally gets an oncoming driver flashing. There is some flare coming off the HIR 2 low beams in the RAV.

 

[4Funnr]

Nevermind. Answers to my questions were on first page of this thread. [/tard]

 

[jasonv]

a little part of me dies inside every time this thread pops up. this mod is pretty much the best way to piss off other drivers on the road.

I've had it for over a year, never been flashed once or had any indication its affecting anyone at all, ever.

 

[4Funnr]

Has anyone swapped the OEM H11 in their fogs to H9 yet? Curious how noticeable it is and whether it is worth it like it is with the driving lights and high beams.

This is specific to 2010-2013 owners.

 

[raptorRunner01]

So I'm an idiot and bought some H9 bulbs all genned up to do this swap when I realized I've got the 9006 bulbs in my 2003 :ybrick:. Not sure how I missed that in reading all the swaps but regardless, I've got two brand new Philips H9 bulbs that have already been modified if anyone wants 'em. PM me if you're thinking about doing this and need some bulbs. Ugh.

 

[yotaflame]

OK, I read through the thread and still have one question.

This applies to halogen bulbs only correct, there is no benefit to buying a H9 hid kit to replace my stock H11 bulbs?

 

[Randyman...]

a little part of me dies inside every time this thread pops up. this mod is pretty much the best way to piss off other drivers on the road.

For Low-Beams, there is absolutely no change in beam pattern - it just ends up a little brighter and whiter. The headlight housing itself contains the light shield, so no direct light from the bulb is sent forward. The H9 is the same physical dimension as the stock H11 low-beam bulb, and ends up in the exact same location in the housing/reflector.

For Fogs, you are absolutely throwing a LOT more direct light into oncoming traffic - exactly why I decided against it (you loose the "shield" effect of the stock Fog bulbs here - the Fog Housing does NOT have any shield of its own).

The High-Beam swap is simply a no-brainer - even for those of you that seem up-tight about this practical low-beam mod...

 

[Jono.ful]

For Low-Beams, there is absolutely no change in beam pattern - it just ends up a little brighter and whiter. The headlight housing itself contains the light shield, so no direct light from the bulb is sent forward. The H9 is the same physical dimension as the stock H11 low-beam bulb, and ends up in the exact same location in the housing/reflector.

For Fogs, you are absolutely throwing a LOT more direct light into oncoming traffic - exactly why I decided against it (you loose the "shield" effect of the stock Fog bulbs here - the Fog Housing does NOT have any shield of its own).

The High-Beam swap is simply a no-brainer - even for those of you that seem up-tight about this practical low-beam mod...

show me a side by side output photo with the stock bulbs in one reflector and the H9 in the other, and I might believe you

 

[Randyman...]

show me a side by side output photo with the stock bulbs in one reflector and the H9 in the other, and I might believe you

Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn if you believe me or not

Same bulb form-factor in the same housing. How COULD the beam pattern change???

As mentioned, the Low-Beam housing itself contains the light shield (unlike the Fogs). You do the math if you are that worried about it. I'll continue to enjoy the safety benefits every night (and without a single high-beam flash my way in over 2 years now)...

As you were

 

[Neauxla]

I did the low beams...haven't done the highs yet. I seldom use them or the fogs.

 

[Jono.ful]

Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn if you believe me or not

Same bulb form-factor in the same housing. How COULD the beam pattern change???

As mentioned, the Low-Beam housing itself contains the light shield (unlike the Fogs). You do the math if you are that worried about it. I'll continue to enjoy the safety benefits every night (and without a single high-beam flash my way in over 2 years now)...

As you were

I have a properly aimed HID setup, I'm not suffering for lack of light.

 

[Randyman...]

I have a properly aimed HID setup, I'm not suffering for lack of light.

And I bet you NEVER get brights flashed back at YOU, eh? I don't