Looking to upgrade headlight bulb

WHORERUNNER

WHORERUNNER

New member
Hey guys I searched but no luck.. Im looking to replace my headlight bulbs with something better than stock. Not looking for hids just something better than stock, my buddy has slyvania silverstars and Im not impressed. They look a bit whiter but wash out in the rain. I dont want to sacrifice functional for coolness. Any thoughts?
 
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Regular silverstars or silverstar ultras?

I have the ultras and they are pretty nice. Not as bright as HID or projectors obviously, but they do good for the $40 I bought them for.
 
I use the Silverstar Ultras, and in Washington, I have never had any trouble with them in the rain. They do, however, not last too long. I have had mine about 9 months, and they're about done. I know a few users use the PIAA bulbs... Not sure which model though.
 
x3 on Silverstar Ultras. I used them in my last honda and got 2 plus years out of them (sold it then)
Put some ultras in some 99+ Depot replacement buckets and very happy. I think Kragen (O'reilly) has a rebate now so they are $40 for a set?
josh
 
I just installed some Silverstar Ultras last week. They are a huge improvement over the regular bulbs I had, but still not as bright as I would like. I would probably get them again though when they burn out.
 
The company I work for owns Sylvania and I get to order stuff at a bit of a discount. I heard the same thing about the Ultras as far as them not lasting long but I thought I'd give them a shot. Not in the 4runner but in my truck. I even saved my old OEM bulbs and carry them around in my truck toolbox in case I need a quick replacement. That was over 2 years ago and they are still burning bright.
 
pengwin said:
I just installed some Silverstar Ultras last week. They are a huge improvement over the regular bulbs I had, but still not as bright as I would like. I would probably get them again though when they burn out.
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try the PIAAs or IPFs, im currently running a set of IPF 5000k bulbs(not hid), and their light output is = 120/160w(its still a 55/65w bulb) and they are doing just fine, standing up to the abuse of old logging road, 4wheeling and lots of night time driving. i do search and rescue and so spend a lot of time on back roads and wash-boarded roads and have loved the IPFs. they are a little spendy, i think i paid like $50 for them(normally like $130+) but if you dont want to spend that kind of money then get the PIAAs they are just as strong and almost as bright and they can be had all day long for around $50-60. ive had the Sylvanias and didnt like them, they burnt out way too fast (with in a few weeks) and they told me it was because i installed them wrong.... both PIAA and IPF will stand behind their products.
 
the kid said:
try the PIAAs or IPFs, im currently running a set of IPF 5000k bulbs(not hid), and their light output is = 120/160w(its still a 55/65w bulb) and they are doing just fine, standing up to the abuse of old logging road, 4wheeling and lots of night time driving. i do search and rescue and so spend a lot of time on back roads and wash-boarded roads and have loved the IPFs. they are a little spendy, i think i paid like $50 for them(normally like $130+) but if you dont want to spend that kind of money then get the PIAAs they are just as strong and almost as bright and they can be had all day long for around $50-60. ive had the Sylvanias and didnt like them, they burnt out way too fast (with in a few weeks) and they told me it was because i installed them wrong.... both PIAA and IPF will stand behind their products.
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Yea thats what Ive been reading, sliverstars not lasting, but seems as some fellow t4r's have had some luck. I did look into piaa's never heard of ipf. I'll check them out. Thanks
 
WHORERUNNER said:
Yea thats what Ive been reading, sliverstars not lasting, but seems as some fellow t4r's have had some luck. I did look into piaa's never heard of ipf. I'll check them out. Thanks
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I had the Silverstars in my headlights and fogs. I wasn't impressed with them, and they didn't last long at all. Installed in May and had one foglight burn out in November. Then replaced both and had another fog burn out by January (it was the opposite one this time, so I knew it wasn't something going on with just one particular housing or something). One of my headlights burned out a week or 2 later that same January. So, I gave up and went to PIAA Intense White (4100k temp) bulbs for the headlights and fog lights. I love them. Much brighter than the Silverstars and have lasted much longer.
 
Read the package! It says right on the silverstar packages that they only last about 25-30% as long as OEM bulbs. They are much brighter and you pay for that brightness.

The Ultra's are supposed to last a little longer than the regular silverstars even though they are slightly brighter.
 
I put Philips Vision Plus in my Runner and the wife's Tacoma years ago. Both sets lasted about two years before burning out.

For the high performance 55/60watt, H4 bulbs, two years is probably the average life expectancy.

Just don't touch the glass on the bulbs when you install them. The slightest amount of body oils or dirt will create hot spots and burn them out a lot faster.
 
IPF X4 and a upgraded harness.

Slee - Auxiliary Lights

I should mention,
Optical equivalent to 195W low beam / 155W high beam output
■Rated at 65W/80W draw
■Uses an exotic high pressure gas mix contained in a huge clear bulb envelope for unrivaled performance
■Employs a filament stabilizer rod to extend life in harsh conditions

2 year warranty through ARB USA
 
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ALBPM said:
I put Philips Vision Plus in my Runner and the wife's Tacoma years ago. Both sets lasted about two years before burning out.

For the high performance 55/60watt, H4 bulbs, two years is probably the average life expectancy.

Just don't touch the glass on the bulbs when you install them. The slightest amount of body oils or dirt will create hot spots and burn them out a lot faster.
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This! I have the sylvanias in all of my cars and they're all over a year old. Keep your oily fingers off! Never touch halogen bulbs.
 
IMAG0109.jpg

that is a pic of the last set of sylvania h3 bulbs i had before i went to PIAA, they burnt out with in a few weeks of(from different packages and in different housings) i sent this pic to sylvania and they told me it was an installation error... yeah ok sure what ever you say. i have worked for several shops, including a BMW dealer, and own my own shop currently, im pretty sure i know how to install light bulbs(always wear latex gloves and wipe down the bulbs with rubbing alcohol before install) but what ever. ive had one PIAA bulb flake out on me and piaa replaced it with a set(2) bulbs no questions asked.
 

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NWA_Dave said:
I'm confused, it's said on here that they are available, bu the PIAA master bulb guide does not show 2000 4Runner at all, it starts with 2003: http://www.piaa.com/Shared/Application_catelogs/Master Bulb Guide 2014_web.pdf

I had ordered this from Amazon (their fit guide showed it to fit, but it's definitely not right:
Amazon.com: PIAA 15224 H4 Style Xtreme White 12V 60/55=110/100-Watt Bulb - Twin Pack: Automotive

So, if anyone can tell me specifically which PIAA bulbs to use, I would greatly appreciate it :confused:
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I installed these in my '99 six months ago and I like them a lot, so far:

Amazon.com: PIAA 10704 Night Tech 60/55 Watt H4 Upgrade Bulb - Pair: Automotive

But I can't figure out why the ones you posted don't work. Any H4 should be good. Why aren't they right? Three blades in a "U" right?
 
Not to rain on anyone's parade. I drive a 2002 4runner (original owner) and have never changed the original bulbs. So, for the money, unless you need to "upgrade" whatever that means to you, Toyota's bulbs are a great value. My ride has had the daytime lights on at all time during the last 12 years.
 
My Mistake

I was wrong, those PIAA bulbs do fit, and they are quite a bit brighter than stock, but without blinding everyone else on the road. :guitar3:
 
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