What's the consensus on headlight bulbs?

[Krayziekid]

Hi all,

So I have been running the Morimoto XB LED Bulbs from the Retrofit source for a while now in my lows, highs, and fog lights. I have enjoyed them but I am finding that they really aren't throwing as far as I think they should. I can be driving along side another car with stock halogens and clearly see it light up the road further ahead.

Some have already mentioned reaiming my headlights and such, but I have already done that and they are where they should be. The area right in front of my 4runner is great because of the lows + fogs, but further down the way gets sketchy. I love them in the high beams though.

So I am considering switching to high performance halogen bulbs. I don't want to go the HID route. Prior to my LEDs, I used stock halogens, so I definitely want to go for some premium halogen bulbs if I do swap them.

So what is everyone's consensus on the best high-performance halogen bulb these days?? From what I have researched already, it seems that these are the popular options:

-PIAA XTreme White Plus
-SilverStar Ultra
-Hella Optilux White XB
-Philips X-treme Vision
-Philips CrystalVision Ultra
-Osram Nightbreaker

I am really curious as to what everyone prefers and why. I am using my 06+ projector headlights, and some hi-performance bulbs could be what I am looking for. Might swap over the fogs/highs too if I enjoy whatever lows I go with. Thanks everyone!

 

[jrm]

I always ran

Hella H4 80/110 bulbs in my 3rd gen.

 

[adkfinn]

I suggest you get some quality H9's for both your hi's and lows. You have to mod the base tabs and the plug, but it isn't complicated or hard to do. It is important you mod the plug correctly to ensure a good connection and prevent arcing as it will melt your plugs. I have purchased from Candlepower in the past with good results.

mod here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...light-bulb-conversion-h11-h9-9005-9011-a.html

H9's: H9 bulb

Good bulbs, good output, cheap. In my experience, all the blue coated, EXTREME, etc stuff is all gimmicky and an excuse to charge more... snake oil. The reputable +50, +35 efficacy rated bulbs are brighter, but at the expense on longevity, it also doesn't appear that there are any "uprated" H9 bulbs anyway. H9's in my lows (I have the factory halogen projectors, I think you do as well) made a very nice difference. It is no HID, but the output is much better than the H11's I replaced. I put HIR bulbs in my fog lights and, in truth, am not very impressed.

A little reading on bulbs: Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

 

[Krayziekid]

I suggest you get some quality H9's for both your hi's and lows. You have to mod the base tabs and the plug, but it isn't complicated or hard to do. It is important you mod the plug correctly to ensure a good connection and prevent arcing as it will melt your plugs. I have purchased from Candlepower in the past with good results.

mod here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...light-bulb-conversion-h11-h9-9005-9011-a.html

H9's: H9 bulb

Good bulbs, good output, cheap. In my experience, all the blue coated, EXTREME, etc stuff is all gimmicky and an excuse to charge more... snake oil. The reputable +50, +35 efficacy rated bulbs are brighter, but at the expense on longevity, it also doesn't appear that there are any "uprated" H9 bulbs anyway. H9's in my lows (I have the factory halogen projectors, I think you do as well) made a very nice difference. It is no HID, but the output is much better than the H11's I replaced. I put HIR bulbs in my fog lights and, in truth, am not very impressed.

A little reading on bulbs: Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

Oh yea, I read about that a while ago but never really thought anything of it. Doing a conversion to H9 looks like it might be worthwhile since the output should be better. I did a swap on my 03 for the 06 projectors, so I went from 9006 to H11 with an adapter. Could I theoretically ditch my current adapter and get a 9006 to H9 adapter? Or is that too dangerous?

 

[adkfinn]

Oh yea, I read about that a while ago but never really thought anything of it. Doing a conversion to H9 looks like it might be worthwhile since the output should be better. I did a swap on my 03 for the 06 projectors, so I went from 9006 to H11 with an adapter. Could I theoretically ditch my current adapter and get a 9006 to H9 adapter? Or is that too dangerous?

I am not really sure on this one but, H11 and H9 share a common base, so I would guess that your current adapter should work? FYI, the H9 is 65W compared to the H11 which is 55W.

 

[Krayziekid]

I am not really sure on this one but, H11 and H9 share a common base, so I would guess that your current adapter should work? FYI, the H9 is 65W compared to the H11 which is 55W.

Yea I saw the wattage difference. How big of a concern should that be? I guess I could just use the same adapter. It's worked thus far.

 

[riceandpho]

i say just do a true hid projector retrofit, its not that hard when you get the hang of it, a used headlight off ebay will be best for you to practice on.

 

[Krayziekid]

i say just do a true hid projector retrofit, its not that hard when you get the hang of it, a used headlight off ebay will be best for you to practice on.

I toyed with that idea but A) I don't think I really have the money to do that right now, B) it seems outside of my current expertise and access to tools, and C) I don't think I do enough night driving to truly justify it. I occasionally have the late night, which is why I was considering some brighter bulbs, but other than that, I don't log hours and hours driving at night, so it doesn't seem worth it.

 

[Rodtheviking]

I've been using the Philips X-treme Vision bulbs in all my cars and motorcycles for a couple years now, I like'em. You can get them fairly cheap off Amazon.

 

[riceandpho]

i think theretrofitsource.com is having a sale due to new style on website, i think code is newtrs, 10% off. u can get some halogen osram night breaker bulbs for cheap. i have the hid version its bright.

 

[vanion2]

I know the OP isn't considering HID at this time but I am. My 06 is the first Toyota I own that I don't feel the lights are terrible but the halogen just doesn't compare to HID. I have done retrofits on both my MR2 and 3rd gen 4R but don't want to do that on the 4th gen since it came stock with projectors.

Are just HID bulbs and ballasts enough? Has anyone tried the TRS lenses for better clarity? I can live with what I have for now but I really want that horizontal spread without having to go full retrofit.

That and I definitely plan on swapping my stock fogs for the TRS LED ones.
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[Krayziekid]

I know the OP isn't considering HID at this time but I am. My 06 is the first Toyota I own that I don't feel the lights are terrible but the halogen just doesn't compare to HID. I have done retrofits on both my MR2 and 3rd gen 4R but don't want to do that on the 4th gen since it came stock with projectors.

Are just HID bulbs and ballasts enough? Has anyone tried the TRS lenses for better clarity? I can live with what I have for now but I really want that horizontal spread without having to go full retrofit.

That and I definitely plan on swapping my stock fogs for the TRS LED ones.
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I know I said I wasn't doing HIDs, but from my research, it seems like a lot of people have really good results with the stock projectors on an 06+. The projectors seem to handle it very well. If you do use the stock projectors however, a lot of people do the squirrel finder mod to avoid an upwards glare and potentially other drivers flashing you.

 

[vanion2]

Squirrel finder mod? I will have to research that one.

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[ZiaMan]

LED bulbs are known to not have the same throw as halogen and esp. HID. The tech just isnt there yet. As outlined above, your options are H9 or HID.

 

[gm350reratliff]

After having a few sets of HIDs in other vehicles I don't think I would go the HID route. It always seemed like one side or the other not coming on (especially in the extreme cold) or flickering, or a ballast failed. I'm still using the OEM bulbs. I wish they were brighter but they work everytime. I'm waiting on some good LED retrofits that won't break the bank.

 

[adkfinn]

LED bulbs are known to not have the same throw as halogen and esp. HID. The tech just isnt there yet. As outlined above, your options are H9 or HID.

ZiaMan,

This is not exactly accurate. Most/all Lighting manufacturers 'are not there yet' is a bit truer. LED manufacturers are producing some amazing emitters these days. It is the application side of the industry that is not keeping up. We can't really be surprised, think how flat the innovation curve has been since halogen bulbs were created... LED tech has exploded and flipped the entire industry on its head.

I would guess that it is hard to commit the time and money to bring a product to market based on todays LED's only to have them be obsolete before you make your first sale. I am amazed that Rigid has managed to hang on considering they are still pushing products that are based on 3W and 5W emitters. The means of compensating has been to just increase the number of LED's and multiply by the max individual output. This is precisely why a 5000 lumen, 10 LED based product will fall short of the throw of an HID for example.

The good news? There should be some awesome stuff coming to the broader market soon (I hope). One example: the CREE XHP50 and XHP70 emitters. I have an XHP50 based handheld ( https://www.amazon.com/Bundle-Flash...rd_wg=wGBXw&psc=1&refRID=DAMRQK7YRVKWE4DZWKBN ) and it is silly, disgustingly bright. The XHP70, at 32W and packing a 4200 lumen output ( Cree XLamp XHP70 LED ), should absolutely compete and likely exceed a 35W driven HID. The throw of these things (in a quality application) is nutty. The flashlight I have easily throws a usable beam as far as my high beams, using a single LED, just not quite as bright. Two of these lights together would make it a close call. We just need to wait for someone to design a good application for automotive use.

 

[rich045]

trs retrofit with acme cheap projectors (clear lens and 06+ headlights) and 5k or 6k hid kit. i'll take pics when i find a nice decent wall lol.

 

[Krayziekid]

Squirrel finder mod? I will have to research that one.

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Yea, basically in the projectors there is a little "shield" that directs a bit of light upwards. You can clearly see it if you park close to a wall and turn on your low beams. It fires this up to illuminate street signs and such. Signs are normally very reflective so only a small amount of light is needed.

When you go up to high power HIDs, this amount of light increases a lot, and can potentially produce a blinding glare to oncoming traffic. This all depends on a number of factors, but I think generally speaking, it is a good idea to do the squirrel finder mod. I think all you have to do is take out the bulb, and push the little flap in the projector housing itself down. No need to take apart the headlight housing or anything. Just use something small to push it down flat. But I could be wrong, so I would definitely research it on your own a bit!

 

[Krayziekid]

LED bulbs are known to not have the same throw as halogen and esp. HID. The tech just isnt there yet. As outlined above, your options are H9 or HID.

Yea, I actually just ordered a set of H9 bulbs and I am really excited to see how they look. I am going to do the mod and then put one in my drivers side so I can compare the brightness/throw. Hopefully I can get some pics for everyone too. Either way, really looking forward to it and hoping that I can get a relatively significant increase. Thanks!

 

[vanion2]

After having a few sets of HIDs in other vehicles I don't think I would go the HID route. It always seemed like one side or the other not coming on (especially in the extreme cold) or flickering, or a ballast failed. I'm still using the OEM bulbs. I wish they were brighter but they work everytime. I'm waiting on some good LED retrofits that won't break the bank.

This is because of cheap ballasts. I bought a retrofit kit for my MR2 that came with some eBay special ballasts ($35) and had flickering in one bulb. I upgraded to the TRS Morimoto ballasts($150 with new bulbs and complete harness) and have had zero problems over the last 5 years.

In the world of HID you get what you pay for. And FYI TRS finally had a set of LED bulbs they are willing to sell. They readily admit these are on par with halogens but not HID.

The reason why you just can't slap LED bulbs into your headlights is because they emit light in a very focused beam pattern. That's why cars with LED lights always have multiple LEDs that aim slightly off to make a legal required spread. They don't use a traditional reflector housing but instead have mini housings on each LED.

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