96-02 4Runner Headlight Upgrade

lr9788 · 04-29-2005, 08:40 PM

I am looking to get new headlights for my ride. Has anyone installed any xenon or white bulbs in their ride. I am only 18 and dont have a lot of money so I am looking for something affordable. What have yall found to be a good upgrade

This ad is not displayed to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Yotatech!

Localmotion · 04-29-2005, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lr9788

I am looking to get new headlights for my ride. Has anyone installed any xenon or white bulbs in their ride. I am only 18 and dont have a lot of money so I am looking for something affordable. What have yall found to be a good upgrade

phillips vision plus works the best for me

FilthyRich · 04-29-2005, 08:49 PM

Sylvania Silverstars

kevin444 · 04-29-2005, 09:04 PM

Sylvannias Silverstars!

Ironmike4x4 · 04-29-2005, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin444

Sylvannias Silverstars!

Ditto. Also if you have a 96-98 4Runner then you can also upgrade the headlamp assembly for the newer ones for the mirror like reflection and get better lightings.

4Crawler · 04-29-2005, 10:25 PM

Often a new headlight wiring harness can help as well. A simple check of the voltage drop across the headlight bulb itself is a good indicator. If it is not within 0.5 volts of the battery voltage, then the stock wiring is limiting the current to the light. Older wires and switches and higher wattage bulbs can all lead to increased voltage drops. I found my stock '85 headlights were only getting a little over 10 volts at the bulbs, resutling in a 40% loss of light. Adding an upgraded relay harness bumped it up to within a few tenths of a volt of the battery and much more light output:

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...#WiringHarness

ROMAD · 04-29-2005, 11:49 PM

I own a 2nd gen so part of this may not apply but just in case it does....

By **FAR** the best $80 bucks I ever spent on headlight upgrades came from the two very simple upgrades:

- 4Crawler upgraded headlight relay wiring harness link
- Sylvania Silver Star replacement bulbs

Do those two simple things which should take you far less than $100 and 60 mins to install - I damn near promise you that you will see a huge improvement/upgrade and will have no regrets at all. Its an awesome, cheap and reversible improvement (although I can not imagine you will even think about any of those things after its all said and done).

Hawaiian4R · 04-30-2005, 12:42 AM

Sylvania Silverstars

gapguy · 04-30-2005, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawaiian4R

Sylvania Silverstars

Why does everybody like these? I HATED mine! They're terrible in the rain, cost $50 and dont last long!

Jason B · 04-30-2005, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gapguy

Why does everybody like these? I HATED mine! They're terrible in the rain, cost $50 and dont last long!

I like the Piaa's much better. I've tested the Silver Stars and they give more of a green look, compared to the piaa's. the Piaa's looks more pure white and more hid looking, slight bluish/purple tinge. There is a big difference between them visually, but they perform similiar. Maybe I'l just addicted to the Piaa color, but I love them. I have a few customers replace the silver stars with Piaa's and they really like them.

Some pics compared to stock bulbs.

X-AWDriver · 04-30-2005, 12:32 PM

The PIAAs are sweet but for the cost of just the PIAA headlamp bulbs I did both my headlamps and driving lights with Silverstars. I figure if the bulbs don't last a year then I'll consider something else but for now the Sylvanias are a big step over OEM.

4Crawler · 04-30-2005, 12:51 PM

Reduced headlight voltage can be one contributing factor to lowered headlight bulb life with any halogen style lamp. This is because the halogen gas, that serves to reflect metal ions back to the filament, needs to reach a certain temperature for this affect to work. If that temp is not reached, the lamps can burn out fairly fast. That is why it is critical to run the buulb as close to it's operating voltage as possible. Best to stick a voltmeter right on the lamp's terminals (while running) and see what the voltage reads. If more than 1/2 volt less than the battery voltage, consider upgrading the wiring harness.

Bob_98SR5 · 04-30-2005, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gapguy

Why does everybody like these? I HATED mine! They're terrible in the rain, cost $50 and dont last long!

Agreed. I had the PIAAs too and they weren't that great either.

I went back to stock and my eyes and wallet are happier now

Bob

X-AWDriver · 04-30-2005, 01:49 PM

I think the Silverstars also work better with the '99+ headlamps ve the frosted lamps since I had the Silverstars in my '97 and in my '99 they are much brighter.

Ironmike4x4 · 04-30-2005, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gapguy

Why does everybody like these? I HATED mine! They're terrible in the rain, cost $50 and dont last long!

I was reading a research in the magazine one time about why amber colored lights were better in the rain than white lights. I think it had something to do with the white or blue type lights reflect too much back into the windsheild making the glare much greater, where an amber light will throw the light further and glare is not too bad.

lr9788 · 04-30-2005, 03:38 PM

how much do these sylvania's cost, i am wanting all my lights to match, healdights, foglights, and corners (i have clear corner lenses)

X-AWDriver · 04-30-2005, 03:41 PM

The fogs on a '99+ Runner are really just driving lights but you could tint the bulb housing in yellow and they would improve fog visibility.

ROMAD · 04-30-2005, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Crawler

Reduced headlight voltage can be one contributing factor to lowered headlight bulb life with any halogen style lamp. This is because the halogen gas, that serves to reflect metal ions back to the filament, needs to reach a certain temperature for this affect to work. If that temp is not reached, the lamps can burn out fairly fast. That is why it is critical to run the bulb as close to it's operating voltage as possible. Best to stick a voltmeter right on the lamp's terminals (while running) and see what the voltage reads. If more than 1/2 volt less than the battery voltage, consider upgrading the wiring harness.

Y'all know good ol Roger Brown can make some top of the line stuff (like body lifts..) but he is an EE by trade....listen to what he says about electrical stuff.

Factory wiring harnesses are a compromise of quality and cost. The upgraded headlight relay wiring harness' work very well.

lanai · 05-01-2005, 03:26 AM

Get tha 95/100w bulbs on ebay for about $5 a piece and get the wiring harness with thicker than stock wires from Wal-Mart for less than $4 a piece.

Super bright and have not had any problems in over a year.

Bigkahuna808 · 05-01-2005, 03:32 AM

Im running the Gee Headlight boster system ($200), with a upgraded wire haness backing that ($40). To Raybrig White sonic bulbs ($120). Still not bright enough for me. I have the adjument knob set to 120 of 200+ and people think Im running with my high beams on.

calamaridog · 05-01-2005, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Localmotion

phillips vision plus works the best for me

I agree 100%. The Phillips Vision Plus are amazing. I had them in my Tacoma and the local PD thought my high beams were on

I put them in my brothers Tundra and parents 4Runner too. They love them!

I have not seen them for sale in the US so buy them here:

http://www.powerbulbs.co.uk/

4Crawler · 05-01-2005, 08:46 AM

There is a good, long, writeup on Daniel Stern's Auto Lighting web site:

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...ys/relays.html

That is where I got most of my information from, in fact his table of light output vs. voltage shows an even more severe dropoff at lowered voltages. I was using a basic square law (watts=volts*volts/resistance) but in practice the incandescent lamp (halogen included) gets less efficient and converting current to light as the current or voltage drop off. Daniel's table takes this into account, so a ~2 volt drop (that I was seeing) results in only 1/2 the light output that you would see at full rated voltage.

97supratwinturbo · 05-01-2005, 10:17 AM

I used to buy different types of bulbs until I realized bulbs cant get too bright if they arent HID's. So I purchased a 6000k phillips HID kit and I never went back to regular bulbs. These things are so bright that you dont use high beams.

UNR.Grad · 05-01-2005, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigkahuna808

Im running the Gee Headlight boster system ($200), with a upgraded wire haness backing that ($40). To Raybrig White sonic bulbs ($120). Still not bright enough for me. I have the adjument knob set to 120 of 200+ and people think Im running with my high beams on.

For that why didn't you just get a HID kit?

Jason B · 05-01-2005, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unr.frosh

For that why didn't you just get a HID kit?

They are no illegal if they didn't come standard on your car. Here in PA, it won't pass inspections and you can get into big trouble.

04-29-2005, 09:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
kevin444 Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,865	Sylvannias Silverstars! __________________ 02 4runner conversion complete!

04-29-2005, 10:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
4Crawler Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 7,828	Often a new headlight wiring harness can help as well. A simple check of the voltage drop across the headlight bulb itself is a good indicator. If it is not within 0.5 volts of the battery voltage, then the stock wiring is limiting the current to the light. Older wires and switches and higher wattage bulbs can all lead to increased voltage drops. I found my stock '85 headlights were only getting a little over 10 volts at the bulbs, resutling in a 40% loss of light. Adding an upgraded relay harness bumped it up to within a few tenths of a volt of the battery and much more light output: http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...#WiringHarness __________________ 1985 Toyota 4Runner SR-5, 22REC engine, dual t-cases, 4.88 gears, dual ARBs, 33x10.50 BFGs or 35x12.50 MTRs r.c.brown@ieee.org TruckEditor@tlca.org Project: 4Crawler 4Crawler OffRoad Gettin'Off 4WD Club

04-29-2005, 11:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
ROMAD Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 223	I own a 2nd gen so part of this may not apply but just in case it does.... By FAR the best $80 bucks I ever spent on headlight upgrades came from the two very simple upgrades: - 4Crawler upgraded headlight relay wiring harness link - Sylvania Silver Star replacement bulbs Do those two simple things which should take you far less than $100 and 60 mins to install - I damn near promise you that you will see a huge improvement/upgrade and will have no regrets at all. Its an awesome, cheap and reversible improvement (although I can not imagine you will even think about any of those things after its all said and done). __________________ 2008 FJC :-) Last edited by ROMAD; 04-29-2005 at 11:50 PM.

04-30-2005, 12:42 AM	#8 (permalink)
Hawaiian4R Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Posts: 263	Sylvania Silverstars __________________ *2002 4Runner SR5*

04-30-2005, 12:32 PM	#11 (permalink)
X-AWDriver Contributing Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Littleton,CO Posts: 10,174	The PIAAs are sweet but for the cost of just the PIAA headlamp bulbs I did both my headlamps and driving lights with Silverstars. I figure if the bulbs don't last a year then I'll consider something else but for now the Sylvanias are a big step over OEM. __________________ '99 4Runner Highlander 4wd E-locker,rear diff and deckplate mod * 265/75/16 Nitto TerraGrapplers * Yakima Load Warrior rack * clear corners/signals * Tacoma skidplate * Silverstar lamps/fogs Alpine CDA-9831,Bazooka EL Series 250w amp,MTX 10" sub

04-30-2005, 12:51 PM	#12 (permalink)
4Crawler Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 7,828	Reduced headlight voltage can be one contributing factor to lowered headlight bulb life with any halogen style lamp. This is because the halogen gas, that serves to reflect metal ions back to the filament, needs to reach a certain temperature for this affect to work. If that temp is not reached, the lamps can burn out fairly fast. That is why it is critical to run the buulb as close to it's operating voltage as possible. Best to stick a voltmeter right on the lamp's terminals (while running) and see what the voltage reads. If more than 1/2 volt less than the battery voltage, consider upgrading the wiring harness. __________________ 1985 Toyota 4Runner SR-5, 22REC engine, dual t-cases, 4.88 gears, dual ARBs, 33x10.50 BFGs or 35x12.50 MTRs r.c.brown@ieee.org TruckEditor@tlca.org Project: 4Crawler 4Crawler OffRoad Gettin'Off 4WD Club

04-30-2005, 01:49 PM	#14 (permalink)
X-AWDriver Contributing Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Littleton,CO Posts: 10,174	I think the Silverstars also work better with the '99+ headlamps ve the frosted lamps since I had the Silverstars in my '97 and in my '99 they are much brighter. __________________ '99 4Runner Highlander 4wd E-locker,rear diff and deckplate mod * 265/75/16 Nitto TerraGrapplers * Yakima Load Warrior rack * clear corners/signals * Tacoma skidplate * Silverstar lamps/fogs Alpine CDA-9831,Bazooka EL Series 250w amp,MTX 10" sub

04-30-2005, 03:38 PM	#16 (permalink)
lr9788 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 563	how much do these sylvania's cost, i am wanting all my lights to match, healdights, foglights, and corners (i have clear corner lenses)

04-30-2005, 03:41 PM	#17 (permalink)
X-AWDriver Contributing Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Littleton,CO Posts: 10,174	The fogs on a '99+ Runner are really just driving lights but you could tint the bulb housing in yellow and they would improve fog visibility. __________________ '99 4Runner Highlander 4wd E-locker,rear diff and deckplate mod * 265/75/16 Nitto TerraGrapplers * Yakima Load Warrior rack * clear corners/signals * Tacoma skidplate * Silverstar lamps/fogs Alpine CDA-9831,Bazooka EL Series 250w amp,MTX 10" sub

05-01-2005, 03:26 AM	#19 (permalink)
lanai Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Hawaii Posts: 117	Get tha 95/100w bulbs on ebay for about $5 a piece and get the wiring harness with thicker than stock wires from Wal-Mart for less than $4 a piece. Super bright and have not had any problems in over a year. __________________ 2002 Thundercloud Sport Edition

05-01-2005, 03:32 AM	#20 (permalink)
Bigkahuna808 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Oahu, Hawaii Posts: 767	Im running the Gee Headlight boster system ($200), with a upgraded wire haness backing that ($40). To Raybrig White sonic bulbs ($120). Still not bright enough for me. I have the adjument knob set to 120 of 200+ and people think Im running with my high beams on. __________________ '97 Sr5 2wd 4runner. I have NO lockers, NO Sliders, NO TRD, NO 4wd and I still decided to lift my 4runner.

05-01-2005, 08:46 AM	#22 (permalink)
4Crawler Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 7,828	There is a good, long, writeup on Daniel Stern's Auto Lighting web site: http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...ys/relays.html That is where I got most of my information from, in fact his table of light output vs. voltage shows an even more severe dropoff at lowered voltages. I was using a basic square law (watts=volts*volts/resistance) but in practice the incandescent lamp (halogen included) gets less efficient and converting current to light as the current or voltage drop off. Daniel's table takes this into account, so a ~2 volt drop (that I was seeing) results in only 1/2 the light output that you would see at full rated voltage. __________________ 1985 Toyota 4Runner SR-5, 22REC engine, dual t-cases, 4.88 gears, dual ARBs, 33x10.50 BFGs or 35x12.50 MTRs r.c.brown@ieee.org TruckEditor@tlca.org Project: 4Crawler 4Crawler OffRoad Gettin'Off 4WD Club

05-01-2005, 10:17 AM	#23 (permalink)
97supratwinturbo Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Glendale, CA Posts: 63	I used to buy different types of bulbs until I realized bulbs cant get too bright if they arent HID's. So I purchased a 6000k phillips HID kit and I never went back to regular bulbs. These things are so bright that you dont use high beams. __________________ 97' Toyota 4Runner 2WD 17" Sequoia wheels and tires 6000k Phillips HID kit K&N drop in w/the removal of silencer Wood trim Infinity system all around LED instrumental bulbs Custom two tone seat covers (pleather) Waiting for 4" lift...

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
99-02 headlight assembly on a 96-98 possible?	namekim99	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	14	03-27-2009 01:47 PM
99-02 Headlight upgrade	4runnin2	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	30	11-12-2007 08:53 PM
Wheel and Tire upgrade on 02 4runner	joseph williams	Newbie Tech Section	5	01-16-2006 05:20 PM
02 4runner wheel upgrade	alpinem5	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	10	11-02-2004 08:47 PM