What's your suggestion for headlights?
- Thread starter Stephs4Runner
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Uneek
Super Moderator
Best option would be an HID retrofit. It's also the most expensive option, but it's the best performance you can get. Expect to pay about $500-600.
Plug and play HID kit would be next, but you have to exercise caution and take measures to prevent glare. This practice is frowned upon by most though due to glare. About $200-400.
Bulb wise, IIRC, there wasn't much choices for H11 (the latter was only on 2003-05 for the 9006 bulb size, unless manufacturers stepped up). But if things have changed HIRs is a good choice. Silverstar and Silverstar Ultra are good, but the bulb life is short.
I recommend avoiding any bulb with blue glass that tries to create the HID look simply because it's cutting down your light output and brightness.
Plug and play HID kit would be next, but you have to exercise caution and take measures to prevent glare. This practice is frowned upon by most though due to glare. About $200-400.
Bulb wise, IIRC, there wasn't much choices for H11 (the latter was only on 2003-05 for the 9006 bulb size, unless manufacturers stepped up). But if things have changed HIRs is a good choice. Silverstar and Silverstar Ultra are good, but the bulb life is short.
I recommend avoiding any bulb with blue glass that tries to create the HID look simply because it's cutting down your light output and brightness.
majmattmason
New member
Not sure about the glare comment, but I put the Xenon Depot H11 4300K kit in the day I purchased my 2008 and have loved them. They are so much brighter than the standard halogens and I've never had a glare issue or problem with other vehicles flashing their lights. Truly just plug and play.
Stephs4Runner
New member
Where would I be able to get the Xenon lights? About how much did they cost?
majmattmason
New member
www.xenondepot.com
You'll need the H11 kit. Do a search in this forum and you'll find all sorts of information about the kit and the installation, very simple to take out the stock bulbs and replace with the kit which includes the ballast needed to start the HID lamps. The 4300K bulbs are the brightest ones they sell. Price is around $225.00 or $284.00 if you want the Phillips brand bulbs.
You'll need the H11 kit. Do a search in this forum and you'll find all sorts of information about the kit and the installation, very simple to take out the stock bulbs and replace with the kit which includes the ballast needed to start the HID lamps. The 4300K bulbs are the brightest ones they sell. Price is around $225.00 or $284.00 if you want the Phillips brand bulbs.
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Stephs4Runner
New member
Stupid question, but when I had my tundra I just swapped out the bulbs for the blueish white looking ones, I never had a problem with them. I just got them at a local store here that sold like after market accessories and stuff. I can do the same thing with my runner can't I?
CannondaleMan
New member
Stephs4Runner said:
But they are not always as bright as your OEM lights - they just look different. Consumer REports did a comparison a year or two ago on them and found many after-market replacement bulbs lacking.
That is where the Xenons stand out. I should have mine in this week or next. I just need an appropriate day off from work to install them.
majmattmason
New member
Stephs4Runner said:
We are talking apples and oranges here. Yes, you can swap them out for the ones at the local auto parts store, but they are no where near as bright as HIDs (xenons). HID lamps are 3X brighter than your standard halogen. It makes a HUGE difference when driving at night, even more so if you're over 40. Also, HIDs last three times longer than halogens and consume less power. No comparison at all to regular halogen bulbs, trust me.
Bourbon City
New member
I bought my 08 the end of November so it is very new. I think my OEM headlights work just fine.
