Hey Guys, I want new headlight bulbs. I want that white-blue look. I know i would get better results with H.I.D's but just want the best bulb. Ive seen Silverstar Ultra's, and Hella's at my local auto store and performance products has PIAA Xtreme White Plus and Intense White. Any suggestions. THANKS.
The Best Headlight Replacement Bulbs
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josh220
Banned
Here is a picture after I installed my HID kit. On the right (drivers side) is the HID bulb, and on the left (passenger side) is a PIAA pure white bulb. The PIAA was decently brighter than stock, but it won't dramatically increase your night time vision. I would really consider looking into HID kits, since a pair of PIAA's will run you about $80 anyways.
I also found these that I had forgotten about. The first picture is the stock Halogen bulb, and the second picture is the PIAA bulb. Still very yellow, but a bit better than stock. I wouldn't say it was worth $80 though, especially since I went with an HID kit eventually anyways.
I also found these that I had forgotten about. The first picture is the stock Halogen bulb, and the second picture is the PIAA bulb. Still very yellow, but a bit better than stock. I wouldn't say it was worth $80 though, especially since I went with an HID kit eventually anyways.
josh220
Banned
retco said:
You don't want to use an HID kit for your high beams, for 2 reasons. First, it's really bad for the bulbs to be turned on/off too fast, so flashing your high beams would be very harsh on them. Second, it takes 5-10 seconds for the bulbs to fully heat up for maximum light output, so using them on your high beams would only put out about half of it's lighting capabilities. Silverstars are sufficient for high beams.
As for the low beams/ fogs, both are HID compatible. However, with the earlier 4th gens, the low beams have reflector housings, so you will need to retrofit it for the HID kit to work well. If you have an 06+ then it is a fairly simple installation. It's just time-consuming to zip-tie all of the wires neatly and out of sight.
The fog lights are projector in 02-05 model 4runners, but reflector in the 06+ models, so if you want both lowbeams/fogs with HID's, you will have to do a conversion on at least one of them. I have just kept my fog lights halogen for the time being, but I'm considering yellow HID's in the near future.
Mine were about $224 from XenonDepot.com. Since I have an 07, I was able to just plug them in, connect the wires, and I was done. If I want to to my fogs, it will be a bit more complicated. You can always click the HID Kit link in my sig for more info.
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josh220 said:
I have a quick question. I have a 2003 4runner and I want to install fog lights and put in the HID bulbs in the headlights.
I understand the issues with using the Xenon bulbs as high beams and will regroup and use Silverstars for them. But I can put in Sylvania HID bulbs in place of the current bulbs for my low beams?
If I need that kit, I will be bummed. I dont want to have to spend $200+ when I can get the sylvania bulbs at my local auto parts store for $44 for both of them.
I looked at the Xenon Depot website for the kits and I dont understand how they work versus just replacing the bulb (HB4). What is all that other wiring and other parts for?
josh220
Banned
Jim143 said:
The closest you can get to HID without all of the wiring harnesses, relays, ballasts, ignitors, etc, is with HIR bulbs. However, if you are looking for a superior light output, you won't be able to find any way around an HID kit. When I bought mine, I thought of it in the sense that HID bulbs will outlast any other bulb by far, so the money is worth it in the long run. It all depends on how much light you want out of your vehicle.
As you can see with the pictures above, even a $90 set of PIAA bulbs are absolutely nothing compared to the HID kit, and although Sylvania Silverstars are great, they won't be better than the PIAA bulbs, hence nowhere near HID brightness.
Going back and re-reading your post, it also seemed like you were also asking if you can just buy the HID bulbs and throw them in, and the answer is no. They won't work first of all, and second, even if it did, without the proper ballasts, relays, etc, you will fry your harness and cause possible electrical problems. So $224 for a kit is the only option.
If I left anything un-solved let me know, I'd be glad to help.
Wow, I am glad I just didnt buy the bulbs like I had considered. Nothing was said about them not working at the auto parts store - but I guess that shouldnt suprise me.
Thanks for the info. I will need to re-think my options again. Just to be clear, non-HID bulbs like Silverstar or the PIAA bulbs are "plug and play"? I might need to regroup with the lower cost bulbs until I am in a better postion to put the kit in.
I dont drive that much at night - maybe two or three nights a month. It is still dark when I leave for work, but by the time I get there, the sun it rising, so they are more of a luxury or "fad" right now for me. - Besides, if I did mine, I would have to do my wife's car and more than likely, my son's car - and I definately can not justify the kit X3 right now.
Thanks for the info.
RonMAIDEN
Super Moderator
The cost of HID is a bit shocking but it is a nice upgrade but if you want plug and play and under $50 (per pair) go with the Ultrastars since they are a bit better than OEM and I like mine but in the rain they are better enhanced with actual yellow bulbs in the fogs.
Josh,how long do the HID bulbs last and how much do they cost to replace?
Josh,how long do the HID bulbs last and how much do they cost to replace?
josh220
Banned
Jim143 said:
Yes, because those are just regular halogen bulbs, so as long as you get the correct bulb size (either 9006 or H11 depending on what year your 4runner is) they will fit fine. It's a quick mod to do, under 5 minutes.
RonMAIDEN said:
I am trying to decide which brand to go with for the yellow fogs, because I don't feel that I need 2 HID kits on my truck at once. So I am considering yellow PIAA or PolarG bulbs rather than a 3000k HID kit.
The bulbs are very pricey to replace, but last quite a bit longer. Instead of heating a filament as standard halogen bulbs do, HID bulbs create light by bridging an arc between two electrodes similar to the energy transfer of lightning. The arc stimulates a mixture of Xenon gases and metallic salts, producing a bright beam of light approximately 3x brighter than conventional halogen illumination, while lasting up to 10x longer.
Obviously some higher end halogen bulbs will last longer, such as PIAA or Silverstars, closing the gap between the longevity of the halogen vs. HID. But it is still rather impressive.
bowhunter53
Member
If you dont go HID go HIR. Silverstar = Crap. You wont be able to see anything at night in the rain with them.
SCRunner
New member
if you want a cheap way to get some white lights go with xd5's like i did. they were something ridiculous like $10 a pair and are VERY white. its a plug and play bulb too, so you won't have to spend any time putting them in. and, like i was just posting somewhere else, they have lasted me for about a year now with no problems....
SCRunner
New member
figured out my photobucket sign in! don't have any pics on there of the head lights on, but i found a couple more of the fogs that might give a better idea of the color. keep in mind that these pics were taken with a camera phone...
to answer your question josh; i have no idea
i think that they put out 80 watts. might want to try googling xd5 headlight bulbs and see what you come up with.
to answer your question josh; i have no idea
i think that they put out 80 watts. might want to try googling xd5 headlight bulbs and see what you come up with.
Wolf
New member
[/QUOTE]
to answer your question josh; i have no idea i think that they put out 80 watts. might want to try googling xd5 headlight bulbs and see what you come up with. [/B][/QUOTE]
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/5800...Bulbs-55W_W0QQitemZ150241531725QQcmdZViewItem
No wonder people are confused about HID- sellers like this with the xd5 call their Xenon/Halogens HID!
I tried something similar to these ones and they exploded! I had to take off my lens assembly and shake all the glass bits out -pain in the @ss and definately not worth $10. I ordered some HIR for the 4runner and I'll post some pics when they arrive.
to answer your question josh; i have no idea
i think that they put out 80 watts. might want to try googling xd5 headlight bulbs and see what you come up with. [/B][/QUOTE] http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/5800...Bulbs-55W_W0QQitemZ150241531725QQcmdZViewItem
No wonder people are confused about HID- sellers like this with the xd5 call their Xenon/Halogens HID!
I tried something similar to these ones and they exploded! I had to take off my lens assembly and shake all the glass bits out -pain in the @ss and definately not worth $10. I ordered some HIR for the 4runner and I'll post some pics when they arrive.
