Hella e-code bulb choices

flashkl · 11-01-2008, 07:36 PM

I'm going to be upgrading my sealed beams to the hella e-code setup soon through rallylights and was wondering what bulbs all of you have tried and what seems to be the best lighting. What I don't understand is why they offer so many different brightnesses and such. Why would I go 60/55 if I can get a 100/55 bulb for a few bucks more? Why is the 100/55 more expensive than the 100/80? What is the catch with brighter lights?

-Kai

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flashkl · 11-02-2008, 02:17 PM

bump...

Anything, anyone?

Belize Off Road Team · 11-02-2008, 02:39 PM

i use Hella 80/100W bulbs, i'm thinking of trying 120W cool blue bulbs on the stock wires. its up to you what you want, 55W low beam or 80W low beam.

abecedarian · 11-02-2008, 05:23 PM

Do you want to be USA street legal? ... then go 55 watt low beam, 65 watt high beam (or less for either). any wattage bulb or headlight assembly which exceeds those values is not street legal as is any bulb / assembly which does not carry a D.O.T. mark.
When you get into mixing street legal with bright lights, the costs of the bulbs goes up according to the demand.

flashkl · 11-02-2008, 05:27 PM

Even if the bulbs are legal, e-code housings aren't anyways so I don't really care. I guess I could get the vision plus DOT approved housings but I hear the e-codes have a much better pattern so I am leaning in that direction. Didn't know about the 55/65 limit though, good to know.

Jay351 · 11-02-2008, 05:40 PM

I run the 80/100w bulbs. Amazing light output!

abecedarian · 11-02-2008, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flashkl

Even if the bulbs are legal, e-code housings aren't anyways so I don't really care. I guess I could get the vision plus DOT approved housings but I hear the e-codes have a much better pattern so I am leaning in that direction. Didn't know about the 55/65 limit though, good to know.

all I was getting at is if you don't want to stand out, maybe a 55w low beam with whatever watt high beam is a good choice, and that's where the extra costs some people encounter come from.
personally, I don't care as long as you don't blind me. I've got enough high-beam to piss off the next person that flashes me.

Toyotero · 11-02-2008, 09:19 PM

I just ordered the parts for this upgrade to my '88 4Runner last week (doing Xmas shopping for myself :-)

a 4Crawler light harness
Hella H654 e-code lights with Premium Xenon blue 100/80 bulbs.

I chose those parts for these reasons that I read in reviews:

- The Premium Xenon Blue bulbs make a very natural white light.

- The only difference between e-code and DOT lights (besides legality) is that DOT lights 'leak" some light up above the horizon level, where as e-code do not. The reason is so that your lights would illuminate overhead signs in the US... where as in the EU, all signs are required to be self illuminated so the offending light is not needed.

- Since the e-code lights direct all of the light down, even at 80 watts the low beams don't offend oncoming traffic.

total was about $150 for all the parts and shipping.

gte718p · 11-03-2008, 02:48 AM

I love my e-codes and 100/80 watts. I've been running them on stock wires for almost a year. It you live in an area without a lot of ambient light at night seeing traffic signs is a pain though.

Belize Off Road Team · 11-03-2008, 05:29 AM

here are my 100/80W Hella H4 bulbs

LOW BEAM:

HIGH BEAM

Whiplash Willy · 11-03-2008, 06:52 AM

I have been using Sylvania Silverstar H4s in my Hella Housings for over a year now, and love them! Great coverage and color, and decently priced at about $40 a pair. However, my friend had one go out when his car was sitting out for 3 months because moisture got into the housing.

http://www.sylvaniaautocatalog.com/s...%20ST,%20%20ST

Belize Off Road Team · 11-03-2008, 10:27 AM

I paid $7us for one Hella H4 100/80W bulb. i get them cheap here because there is a Hella factory in Mexico.

Jay351 · 11-03-2008, 09:40 PM

Here are my hella e-codes. Same 80/100w XEON blue bulbs you ordred

Lights un-aimed (needed to be aimed up and side to side)

Low beam:

High beam:

flashkl · 11-04-2008, 03:45 AM

Thanks for the input guys, just ordered a pair with regular halogen 80/100s so they wouldnt attract too much attention from the authorities, can't wait till they get here. To take out the housing, you can just take out the two bottom screws holding in the ring and then bend the ring up and slide the light out, correct?

Green93 · 11-04-2008, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toyotero

- The only difference between e-code and DOT lights (besides legality) is that DOT lights 'leak" some light up above the horizon level, where as e-code do not. The reason is so that your lights would illuminate overhead signs in the US... where as in the EU, all signs are required to be self illuminated so the offending light is not needed.

I have the same lights as Jay351. I have found that because of the angled cut-off of the E-codes, they illuminate signs much better than my old lights. It's nice when you pull up behind another vehicle, you can see the sharp cut-off. Instead of the two blotches I had before. The only problem with this mod is that I didn't do it as soon as I got the truck.

Jason

Belize Off Road Team · 11-05-2008, 06:08 AM

The headlight housings that i have do a fantastic job at illuminating everything, on highbeam i see double what i did with sylvania sealed beam. whats great about my lights is i paid only $64us for everything.

trbizwiz · 11-05-2008, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belize Off Road Team

The headlight housings that i have do a fantastic job at illuminating everything, on highbeam i see double what i did with sylvania sealed beam. whats great about my lights is i paid only $64us for everything.

Bragging is not nice. Now if you want to send us a few sets to make it up to us we may forgive you.

flashkl · 11-07-2008, 02:04 PM

Just installed the new lights (e-code housings and 100/80 halogen bulbs) and it rocks! I can see now! Plus, I found a rusty old socket that was rattling around between the light and the battery for ages! w00t!

Belize Off Road Team · 11-07-2008, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trbizwiz

Bragging is not nice. Now if you want to send us a few sets to make it up to us we may forgive you.

I can arrange that, clear or blue housings, hella 80/100W or 90/120W H4 bulbs. $50us for the housings, $7us per bulb.

You can put the money in my paypal, and i can get them shipped to you two ways, one will cost more but get to you sooner or cheaper and may take longer.

Jay351 · 11-07-2008, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green93

I have the same lights as Jay351. I have found that because of the angled cut-off of the E-codes, they illuminate signs much better than my old lights. It's nice when you pull up behind another vehicle, you can see the sharp cut-off. Instead of the two blotches I had before. The only problem with this mod is that I didn't do it as soon as I got the truck.

Jason

I smile everytime I pull behind a truck and that happens

I don't know why the heck I waited so long to get these things! The only downside is since the light is so white, its not as good in the rain.

I want to rig up a set of small yellow driving lights to cover this...

Lama glama · 11-07-2008, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belize Off Road Team

I can arrange that, clear or blue housings, hella 80/100W or 90/120W H4 bulbs. $50us for the housings, $7us per bulb.

You can put the money in my paypal, and i can get them shipped to you two ways, one will cost more but get to you sooner or cheaper and may take longer.

$50 for the pair? Dude, you are my hero!

I'm gonna have to take you up on that here in the near future. I've been been wanting to do this upgrade since I bought my truck! What would the shipping options be as far as price/time? (zip 98847)

Belize Off Road Team · 11-08-2008, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lama glama

$50 for the pair? Dude, you are my hero!

I'm gonna have to take you up on that here in the near future. I've been been wanting to do this upgrade since I bought my truck! What would the shipping options be as far as price/time? (zip 98847)

PM sent, also time would be no more than 4 weeks, depending on when you order them from me, cause i can get everything in town the same day i get confirmation of the money in paypal and ship it within 3 weeks and it takes less than 4 days to get to LA where it would be shipped from.

DYNNOMMYTE · 11-08-2008, 05:26 AM

The H4 headlamps are the way to go, some people call them the european headlamps. A new set with standard bulbs ( 55-65 watt ) go on average for $95 here in the cold white north ( Canada ). I was able to get my hands on 2 sets of 55-100 watt hella bulbs. That was about 4 years ago and they are still going strong. I have been using the H4 headlamp set up in all of my vehicles that would accept them since the early 90's and the only bad thing I have to say is that you have to be careful of road debris ( flying rocks and such ) because its always cheaper to purchase the bulbs in pairs.

Kudos to your choice of lighting...

Toyotero · 11-16-2008, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belize Off Road Team

I can arrange that, clear or blue housings, hella 80/100W or 90/120W H4 bulbs. $50us for the housings, $7us per bulb.

You can put the money in my paypal, and i can get them shipped to you two ways, one will cost more but get to you sooner or cheaper and may take longer.

What brand are the housings?

Belize Off Road Team · 11-16-2008, 05:12 PM

no name housing, some cheap name sold in Belize City. but it must be a good mold.

11-02-2008, 02:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
Belize Off Road Team Contributing Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Corozal Town, Belize Posts: 2,752	i use Hella 80/100W bulbs, i'm thinking of trying 120W cool blue bulbs on the stock wires. its up to you what you want, 55W low beam or 80W low beam. __________________ -Phyl 1991 Hilux Surf SSR-G Petrol 3.0L V6 200,000kms l Rancho RS5000 l 31"x10.50"xR15 Pro Comp Xterrain l K&N Air Filter l PP 1" Lift Coil Springs l Optima Blue Top l 12" JBL Subs l Alpine Type R l 80/100W Hella H4 l 1st Gen Roll Bar Mod l FT/RR Diff. Breathers l Smittybilt XRC8 Winch l ARB Bull Bar l トヨタ\|NEVER QUIT

11-02-2008, 05:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
Jay351 Contributing Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: maple ridge, British Columbia, Canada Posts: 8,630	I run the 80/100w bulbs. Amazing light output! __________________ 91 Pickup - xcab - 5sp - 3.0 - SR5 - 4x4 - 250k \|2.25" catback w/ magnaflow cat + glasspack \| Weasy2k cams \| Aisin manual hubs \| Diff breather mod\| Marlin HD clutch \|3" BL \| es3000's \|2" AAL \|1.5" bj spacers \| ISR \| Alpine headunit \| 4" Infinity fronts/5" rears \| 4.88's \|Rear lockright \| 33x12.50" BFG M/T on 15x8" steelies \|Hella 500's \|4" reverse lights\| Grant GT \|idler arm brace\|hella E-codes\| Marlin armor \|SS IFS brace \| %100 Amsoil synthetic http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2572486

11-02-2008, 09:19 PM	#8 (permalink)
Toyotero Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 85	I just ordered the parts for this upgrade to my '88 4Runner last week (doing Xmas shopping for myself :-) a 4Crawler light harness Hella H654 e-code lights with Premium Xenon blue 100/80 bulbs. I chose those parts for these reasons that I read in reviews: - The Premium Xenon Blue bulbs make a very natural white light. - The only difference between e-code and DOT lights (besides legality) is that DOT lights 'leak" some light up above the horizon level, where as e-code do not. The reason is so that your lights would illuminate overhead signs in the US... where as in the EU, all signs are required to be self illuminated so the offending light is not needed. - Since the e-code lights direct all of the light down, even at 80 watts the low beams don't offend oncoming traffic. total was about $150 for all the parts and shipping. __________________ - El Toyotero "I fly by ya in a foreign whip!" FREE Toyota Factory Service Manuals ---> FSMs Last edited by Toyotero; 11-05-2008 at 07:29 AM.

11-03-2008, 02:48 AM	#9 (permalink)
gte718p Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 223	I love my e-codes and 100/80 watts. I've been running them on stock wires for almost a year. It you live in an area without a lot of ambient light at night seeing traffic signs is a pain though. __________________ '87 4runner 33", five speed, 4.88, arb, 6" of really bad lift.

11-03-2008, 05:29 AM	#10 (permalink)
Belize Off Road Team Contributing Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Corozal Town, Belize Posts: 2,752	here are my 100/80W Hella H4 bulbs LOW BEAM: HIGH BEAM __________________ -Phyl 1991 Hilux Surf SSR-G Petrol 3.0L V6 200,000kms l Rancho RS5000 l 31"x10.50"xR15 Pro Comp Xterrain l K&N Air Filter l PP 1" Lift Coil Springs l Optima Blue Top l 12" JBL Subs l Alpine Type R l 80/100W Hella H4 l 1st Gen Roll Bar Mod l FT/RR Diff. Breathers l Smittybilt XRC8 Winch l ARB Bull Bar l トヨタ\|NEVER QUIT

11-03-2008, 06:52 AM	#11 (permalink)
Whiplash Willy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 65	I have been using Sylvania Silverstar H4s in my Hella Housings for over a year now, and love them! Great coverage and color, and decently priced at about $40 a pair. However, my friend had one go out when his car was sitting out for 3 months because moisture got into the housing. http://www.sylvaniaautocatalog.com/s...%20ST,%20%20ST Last edited by Whiplash Willy; 11-03-2008 at 07:00 AM.

11-03-2008, 10:27 AM	#12 (permalink)
Belize Off Road Team Contributing Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Corozal Town, Belize Posts: 2,752	I paid $7us for one Hella H4 100/80W bulb. i get them cheap here because there is a Hella factory in Mexico. __________________ -Phyl 1991 Hilux Surf SSR-G Petrol 3.0L V6 200,000kms l Rancho RS5000 l 31"x10.50"xR15 Pro Comp Xterrain l K&N Air Filter l PP 1" Lift Coil Springs l Optima Blue Top l 12" JBL Subs l Alpine Type R l 80/100W Hella H4 l 1st Gen Roll Bar Mod l FT/RR Diff. Breathers l Smittybilt XRC8 Winch l ARB Bull Bar l トヨタ\|NEVER QUIT

11-03-2008, 09:40 PM	#13 (permalink)
Jay351 Contributing Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: maple ridge, British Columbia, Canada Posts: 8,630	Here are my hella e-codes. Same 80/100w XEON blue bulbs you ordred Lights un-aimed (needed to be aimed up and side to side) Low beam: High beam: __________________ 91 Pickup - xcab - 5sp - 3.0 - SR5 - 4x4 - 250k \|2.25" catback w/ magnaflow cat + glasspack \| Weasy2k cams \| Aisin manual hubs \| Diff breather mod\| Marlin HD clutch \|3" BL \| es3000's \|2" AAL \|1.5" bj spacers \| ISR \| Alpine headunit \| 4" Infinity fronts/5" rears \| 4.88's \|Rear lockright \| 33x12.50" BFG M/T on 15x8" steelies \|Hella 500's \|4" reverse lights\| Grant GT \|idler arm brace\|hella E-codes\| Marlin armor \|SS IFS brace \| %100 Amsoil synthetic http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2572486 Last edited by Jay351; 11-03-2008 at 09:41 PM.

11-05-2008, 06:08 AM	#16 (permalink)
Belize Off Road Team Contributing Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Corozal Town, Belize Posts: 2,752	The headlight housings that i have do a fantastic job at illuminating everything, on highbeam i see double what i did with sylvania sealed beam. whats great about my lights is i paid only $64us for everything. __________________ -Phyl 1991 Hilux Surf SSR-G Petrol 3.0L V6 200,000kms l Rancho RS5000 l 31"x10.50"xR15 Pro Comp Xterrain l K&N Air Filter l PP 1" Lift Coil Springs l Optima Blue Top l 12" JBL Subs l Alpine Type R l 80/100W Hella H4 l 1st Gen Roll Bar Mod l FT/RR Diff. Breathers l Smittybilt XRC8 Winch l ARB Bull Bar l トヨタ\|NEVER QUIT

11-08-2008, 05:26 AM	#23 (permalink)
DYNNOMMYTE Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 85	The H4 headlamps are the way to go, some people call them the european headlamps. A new set with standard bulbs ( 55-65 watt ) go on average for $95 here in the cold white north ( Canada ). I was able to get my hands on 2 sets of 55-100 watt hella bulbs. That was about 4 years ago and they are still going strong. I have been using the H4 headlamp set up in all of my vehicles that would accept them since the early 90's and the only bad thing I have to say is that you have to be careful of road debris ( flying rocks and such ) because its always cheaper to purchase the bulbs in pairs. Kudos to your choice of lighting... __________________ 1985 RUNNER, supra engine conversion, SFArunning 32's, needs TLC; 1987 PICKUP, 22RET, electrical issues, IFS running 32s <RIP>;1989 COMANCHE, residential plow truck, daily beater; 1993 CHEV 2500, commercial plow truck, nick named BIG UGLY

11-16-2008, 05:12 PM	#25 (permalink)
Belize Off Road Team Contributing Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Corozal Town, Belize Posts: 2,752	no name housing, some cheap name sold in Belize City. but it must be a good mold. __________________ -Phyl 1991 Hilux Surf SSR-G Petrol 3.0L V6 200,000kms l Rancho RS5000 l 31"x10.50"xR15 Pro Comp Xterrain l K&N Air Filter l PP 1" Lift Coil Springs l Optima Blue Top l 12" JBL Subs l Alpine Type R l 80/100W Hella H4 l 1st Gen Roll Bar Mod l FT/RR Diff. Breathers l Smittybilt XRC8 Winch l ARB Bull Bar l トヨタ\|NEVER QUIT

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