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

[TexasTEQFan]

Hit the deck for Phillips H-9’s ... 3 bulbs off Amazon for $20. Took me about 10 minutes to mod all three. Popped 2 into the T4R and one into the glove box (since they have about half the life). What a difference for the $ ... night and day improvement from stock H-11’s.

 

[vondy21]

Does the high beam mod, 9011, affect the DRL of a 2017?

 

[ElectroBoy]

Does the high beam mod, 9011, affect the DRL of a 2017?

I just did the headlight mod to my 2018 (H11 to H9 & 9005 to 9011). It works well, I used Philips bulbs. There is a definite light improvement, thanks to all of you that posted the clear instructions and photos.
And yes, the DRLs work just fine for the high beams.

 

[TexasTEQFan]

I just did the headlight mod to my 2018 (H11 to H9 & 9005 to 9011). It works well, I used Philips bulbs. There is a definite light improvement, thanks to all of you that posted the clear instructions and photos.
And yes, the DRLs work just fine for the high beams.

How are the 9011’s vs the stock 9005’s?

 

[ElectroBoy]

How are the 9011’s vs the stock 9005’s?

9011s look brighter and whiter to me. Totally worth it to make the change.
9005 - 1700 lumens
9011 - 2300 lumens
Here is some reference material, previously posted.
Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply
HIR1 - 9011
How to Modify HIR bulb bases

 

[lyodbraun]

Pictures aren’t showing up anyone have some pics for these mods .?

 

[ElectroBoy]

Pictures aren’t showing up anyone have some pics for these mods .?

See post 122 and 123.
Those pics should help.

 

[hwong232]

Did this mod in the low beams using the heated flat-head screwdriver method and definitely a noticeable difference! Have not been flashed yet. Simple and useful for those not wanting to switch to LEDs or HIDs.

 

[nimby]

I plan to do this soon. Already have the low beams purchased and just need to get the high beams.

Thanks for the write-up!

 

[Signal]

I was reading a few build threads and saw he used 9005's and H11's and they looked bright, a lot brighter that the stock bulbs. What is this H9 and whatever the other is? Is that an upgrade from the upgrade? Also is there a thread with pictures of the brightness, it seems that all the pics are gone. I have these in my cart and I am looking to do it in a few weeks once I figure out what's the right bulbs to get.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B..._asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1&tag=viglink20350-20

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B..._asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1&tag=viglink20350-20

 

[nimby]

I was reading a few build threads and saw he used 9005's and H11's and they looked bright, a lot brighter that the stock bulbs. What is this H9 and whatever the other is? Is that an upgrade from the upgrade? Also is there a thread with pictures of the brightness, it seems that all the pics are gone. I have these in my cart and I am looking to do it in a few weeks once I figure out what's the right bulbs to get.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B..._asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1&tag=viglink20350-20

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B..._asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1&tag=viglink20350-20

Your low beams are currently H11's. You will want to replace these with H9's.

Your high beams are currently 9005's. You will want to replace these with 9011's.

Each of these offer a gain of 10watts.

Philips makes good versions for each. You can find them on Amazon.

Your links are to LED lights. This whole thread is about upgrading our current halogen lights with brighter halogens.

 

[replica9000]

You guys should check out this thread. He tests all of the bulbs for their actual output.

3rd Gen HID vs LED vs Halogen H11 projector headlights | Tacoma World

 

[Signal]

Your low beams are currently H11's. You will want to replace these with H9's.

Your high beams are currently 9005's. You will want to replace these with 9011's.

Each of these offer a gain of 10watts.

Philips makes good versions for each. You can find them on Amazon.

Your links are to LED lights. This whole thread is about upgrading our current halogen lights with brighter halogens.

Thanks I have no clue about headlights. I might just stick with the LED's it seems easier than trying to figure out what is needed and the LED's seem to cost less.

 

[nimby]

Thanks I have no clue about headlights. I might just stick with the LED's it seems easier than trying to figure out what is needed and the LED's seem to cost less.

You might want to research that.

I've read there can be issues with the light pattern that LED's throw out being wonky with our bulb housing. I don't know much about it so I can't explain in depth.

Easiest upgrade is H11 to H9 for low beams.

 

[ElectroBoy]

You might want to research that.

I've read there can be issues with the light pattern that LED's throw out being wonky with our bulb housing. I don't know much about it so I can't explain in depth.

Easiest upgrade is H11 to H9 for low beams.

Yes.
Try this halogen upgrade. It’s inexpensive and a proven success. Do the modification on one side and compare it at night to the unmodified side. Drive around and point toward a light colored wall and check the beam pattern and brightness. There’s a significant difference. You retain the low beam cutoff region (so you don’t blind oncoming traffic), and you will not have to make any aim adjustments. Do the high beam mod on one side too and repeat the test.

I tried an LED headlight replacement on a 3rd gen a couple of years ago. They weren’t any brighter and the low beam cutoff was all messed up. Plus you have to monkey around with heat sinks or fans. I returned them.

 

[Signal]

Yes.
Try this halogen upgrade. It’s inexpensive and a proven success. Do the modification on one side and compare it at night to the unmodified side. Drive around and point toward a light colored wall and check the beam pattern and brightness. There’s a significant difference. You retain the low beam cutoff region (so you don’t blind oncoming traffic), and you will not have to make any aim adjustments. Do the high beam mod on one side too and repeat the test.

I tried an LED headlight replacement on a 3rd gen a couple of years ago. They weren’t any brighter and the low beam cutoff was all messed up. Plus you have to monkey around with heat sinks or fans. I returned them.

Are there before and after pics? I am still trying to decide if I want to change the fogs because I am not sure if I am getting a lo pro bumper or a full replacement.

 

[ElectroBoy]

Are there before and after pics? I am still trying to decide if I want to change the fogs because I am not sure if I am getting a lo pro bumper or a full replacement.

I didn’t take any photos. You can probably find them if you search the numerous threads on the topic. But it would probably be quicker just to do the mod and see for yourself.

 

[cb1111]

Here are the proper instructions (in printable PDF format) on how to aim lights.

This isn't the "pull up to your garage door" method, but the actual proper method.

In order to do it properly, you'll need the following tools:

A roll of painter's tape
A 25ft (or longer) tape measure
A level - the longer the better
A square

The level is required to make sure that the parking lot is level. If it isn't, the you won't aim your lights properly.

One step I'd add is that once you've driven your car straight back 25 feet, then use the square and tape measure to make sure that your car is exactly perpendicular to the wall and centered on your markings. The front (headlamps) of your car should be exactly 25 feet from the wall.

 

[TexasTEQFan]

I did the H9 upgrade a couple of months ago and finally installed 9011’s last night. What a difference for $20 a side. Thanks to the OP for the write up, cheers.

 

[4FL]

I cannot believe I owned this thing for almost five years and just discovered the H11 to H9 mod. I had no complaints about the lights before, but one went out so I figured I will just put H9's in. Wow, what a difference, very nice upgrade for very low cost and a little labor.

I do not have many tools, ended up buying a little dremel bit and using my drill for that plastic tab, and using side cutters along with the dremel for that metal tab.