Look for Replacement Headlight Bulbs - Recommendations

[ts9790147]

I was wondering what everyone recommends or considers the best replacement headlight bulbs to improve lighting distance for the high beams/low beams/fog lights on a 2006 4Runner Sport Edition without actually installing HID.
I was looking for one that lasts the longest, the most dependable, and best viewing.
I was told that PIAA seems to be one of the best replacement bulbs out there.
Also, is it worth going to yellow bulb fog lights, does that make a big difference in fog/snow
Thanks

 

[scottm]

There are a couple headlight and foglight threads going already, look down a few lines. This one has a link to a bigger thread in it: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/57683-hir-bulbs-my-2004-4runner.html

 

[Nuke]

If you take the 9005 and 9006 bulbs, going with the HIR's sounds like a great plan. You have to buy the 9011 and 9012 bulbs and then file a tab on each to get them to fit but I've been hearing a lot of great things about them. Another option, mainly for the low beam, is to use the Osram nightbreakers. These are supposedly brighter than the Silverstars.

 

[chaz]

some guys upgrade the H11 to H9, the h9 are slightly higher wattage but seem to work without problems. the stock h11 i think have 1350 lumens, the h9 have 2100?. i currently have the osram nightbreaker & while they are much better than stock, im going to try the h9, im not modifing the bulbs but im using this adapter. i also switched to yellow fog bulbs & find them much better. Bulbzilla Headlight and Foglight Brightness Conversion Kits - TruckCustomizers.com

 

[dreadog]

I have the piaa extreme white plus bulbs and I lovem! I've seem them next to the silverstars, and the piaa's are alot brighter and more white! I also have the jet yellow bulbs in my fogs! I think they are worth it!

 

[Falls]

I have the piaa extreme white plus bulbs and I lovem! I've seem them next to the silverstars, and the piaa's are alot brighter and more white! I also have the jet yellow bulbs in my fogs! I think they are worth it!

You got your yellow fogs ? How do you like them ?

 

[chaz]

sorry i meant osram nightbreakers not sylvania silverstars, theres a big difference. falls, yellow bulbs in the fogs do make it easier to see, in fog of course, not for using them as extra driving lights like some do.

 

[4RunnerStunner]

sorry i meant osram nightbreakers not sylvania silverstars, theres a big difference. falls, yellow bulbs in the fogs do make it easier to see, in fog of course, not for using them as extra driving lights like some do.

Sorry, I am a little confused here. I see a lot of people posting with 06' and above 4runners with the projectors and I seen this thread and want to understand what bulb is the best that I can replace the stock ones with without using the Projector Retrokit. I see everyone saying the Osram Nightbreakers but I want to know what bulb would give me the best light with minimum to no modification and longer life for my 05'? Sorry to hijack this thread, but I want to make a clear choice.

 

[scottm]

This topic is currently being discussed on at least four threads simultaneously. This thread http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/57508-h11-silverstars.html seems to have the most useable info. I'm going with the 9011 and 9012 bulbs as they give the most light for a standard plug-in bulb compatible with my '03. I can't say they're the "best", but they are the brightest and longest lasting commercially available bulbs at a reasonable cost ($20-$30).

 

[chaz]

:iagree: http://www.finemotoring.com/

 

[dreadog]

I have an 04 with the piaa bulbs! They install just like the factory ones with no modding, and with alot more light and further range! To answer Falls, the yellow fogs are nice in fog and makes the road more visible in rain I think!

 

[scottm]

:iagree: HIR Headlights 9011 9012 bulbs

Interesting that they don't mention trimming the alignment tabs to fit the 9005/9006 holes. Are they trimming them, or has something changed?

 

[chaz]

i dont have these myself, but heres how to trim em. HIR 9011 and 9012 bulbs are exactly identical in all dimensions to 9005 and 9006 bulbs, except for two areas, the second of wh http://dastern.torque.net/Mods/HIRmod.html

 

[scottm]

I trimmed them for my '97 Land Cruiser, figured I'll do the same when these arrive. There were some suppliers that trimmed them for you, but I wonder about the legality of that. I've heard these aren't street legal in our 9005/9006 application, which is why they have different tabs.

 

[chaz]

yea, id say when ya get em, compare the 2 & you should be able to see where & if/how much to trim . scottm, please update after the install, im curious myself about these hir bulbs.

 

[chaz]

any modifing a bulb is cosidered illegal, but so are HID kits. im uncomfortable about trimming a bulb to fit, so im getting an upgraded wire/connector adaptor to do the swap. it may still be illegal or a grey area, but i feel safer doing it, & upon any inspection less noticable than a hid upgrade. i hope as long as the lights are adjusted correctly, the difference in light output by someone else isnt that noticable. ill be going from about 1750 lumens to about 2100. maybe they make the 9005/9006 to hir adapters, i know they do for the 9006 to 9005 swap.

 

[Nuke]

The OP (or someone) also asked about yellow fogs. IMO, the Hella Optilux Extreme Yellow and the Nokya Hyper Yellow, both at 2500K, are good choices and can be had from ebay for under $30/pair including shipping.