Max low beam wattage?

[Magmir]

Hey everyone,

Looking to put in some new bulbs (after reading the threads, they seem like the best bet for me) in my Runner. What is the max wattage I can go for the low beams w/ no risk of harming wires/harness, etc? What do you all use?

Thanks!

Also, from what I've read on here you don't need to take off the grill/bumper to change the lights, right?

 

[Magmir]

Also, just to clarify, some bulbs say 55W, but then say 55W=110W (the PIAA xtremes for example). So which is it?

 

[orangeblast22]

I too have been wondering this same question...

I wanted to re-bulb the whole head lights...low and high and fog..maybe even the turn signals and DRL's...

but want to know the max wattages..

 

[Magmir]

I've read (on here, the long bulb opinions forum) about people having 80W in the regular low beam, but couldnt' find any specific mention of possible damage. I'm assuming that means it's okay.

 

[OUTRNNR]

I've read (on here, the long bulb opinions forum) about people having 80W in the regular low beam, but couldnt' find any specific mention of possible damage. I'm assuming that means it's okay.

I tried a pair of PIAA Star White's and they burned my reflector housing (See my post in this thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15353&highlight=burn+housing+piaa). I then switched to Sylvania Silverstars and got the look I wanted plus a great bulb for cheaper than the PIAA's. You do not have to remove anything to replace a LB bulb, simply remove the harness from the housing and replace bulb. Be careful not to touch the glass part of any headlight bulb.

 

[atomic punk]

I've been using Silverstar 65W (modified the base) bulbs for a year now***. No melting, no overheating. They are noticably brighter than 55w.

I've had PIAA Extreme White "55w=80w!!!!" bulbs in my jeep's fog light housings and they look like very white 55w lights, so I have no idea where that "apparent" 80w rating comes from. It's BS from my experience.

*** This by no means implies that I have had the exact same BULB in each headlight housing for over a year. I have had to replace each of my Silverstarts at least once, and one of them twice now, over a span of 14 months. Therefore, I do not recommend Silverstars UNLESS you save your purchase receipt. Your best bet is to remove the bulb after 10 months after purchase, pour 2 tablespoonfulls of slightly chilled bacon grease on the bulb, and then replace it in the housing. That should shorten the life of the bulb to about 37 more seconds, then remove it and get a new one under the 1 year manufacturer's warranty. Otherwise the bulb might actually last until the 13th month, then blow, and you can't get it replaced under warranty.

 

[trd_style]

i use Luminics Ultra Violet bulbs. nothing too fancy. has that HID kinda look but it works pretty good for me. i like it because i get a year replacement if it burns out. just trying something new from Silverstars and PIAAs.

 

[Magmir]

pour 2 tablespoonfulls of slightly chilled bacon grease on the bulb, and then replace it in the housing. That should shorten the life of the bulb to about 37 more seconds, then remove it and get a new one under the 1 year manufacturer's warranty.

lol.

 

[OUTRNNR]

I've been using Silverstar 65W (modified the base) bulbs for a year now***. No melting, no overheating. They are noticably brighter than 55w.

I've had PIAA Extreme White "55w=80w!!!!" bulbs in my jeep's fog light housings and they look like very white 55w lights, so I have no idea where that "apparent" 80w rating comes from. It's BS from my experience.

*** This by no means implies that I have had the exact same BULB in each headlight housing for over a year. I have had to replace each of my Silverstarts at least once, and one of them twice now, over a span of 14 months. Therefore, I do not recommend Silverstars UNLESS you save your purchase receipt. Your best bet is to remove the bulb after 10 months after purchase, pour 2 tablespoonfulls of slightly chilled bacon grease on the bulb, and then replace it in the housing. That should shorten the life of the bulb to about 37 more seconds, then remove it and get a new one under the 1 year manufacturer's warranty. Otherwise the bulb might actually last until the 13th month, then blow, and you can't get it replaced under warranty.

Or you can just do what a friend of mine did: go to walmart or somewhere, buy silverstars, install them in your car, put the OEM bulbs back in the silverstar package and return them saying they were the wrong ones. Then when the silverstars burn out, repeat. I thought that was pretty funny, except for the fact that its not legal

 

[Magmir]

I went to the store to buy Silverstars today. They didn't carry H11s and in fact hadn't even heard of them. They said I needed a 900X bulb. Paid 439 of the manual has a - under bulb no. for low beam bulb, but H11 under type. I've seen H11 bulbs on ebay. What gives?

 

[atomic punk]

Or you can just do what a friend of mine did: go to walmart or somewhere, buy silverstars, install them in your car, put the OEM bulbs back in the silverstar package and return them saying they were the wrong ones. Then when the silverstars burn out, repeat. I thought that was pretty funny, except for the fact that its not legal

dude, that's hilarous!!! and if, by the 1% chance that did he did get caught, I'm sure he would play "dumb" and act like he did it by mistake.

 

[<<<<]

I got 51=110 PIAA in low beam. All it means that's a 51 watt bulb that's PIAA claims is as bright as 110 watt. I love them, even though pair coast me $60. Had them for 2 years now and no fade yet. My fog houses 80 watt super blue (off brand). I use them only in rain snow or fog. There are no heat problems and it does not blind incoming trafic because it's located low on the vehichle. I would not put 80 watt lights in low beam though for above reasons.