Okay so I have decided that I am going to get an Apexcone hi/lo kit for my 2004 tacoma. The reason why is that they are very popular (lots of bmw, mercedes, acura, honda, toyota owners have these) and everything has a LIFETIME WARRANTY, so I know I'm not getting some crap eBay kit. The question is, should I get 4500k or 5000k. The site states that 4500k is "OEM" and 5000k is "diamond white." I really want to just get what other cars on the road have when they come off the assembly line. I guess that will be 4500k, right? I also want to most efficient light output, so this should be 4500k too right? Wins in both categories? Or does it really matter, they both perform the same? I have looked at tons of pics and videos but it's really hard to tell a difference. I want something that looks like the '03 3.2 TL we have in the garage.

P.S. I am getting a 35watt kit. I might upgrade if there isn't too much glare from the 35w kit, but that will be a while from now.

 

OEM is right around 4100k to 4300k. Depends on what manufacturer. No aftermarket PnP kit will look like a OEM bi-xenon TL projector, but stick as close to an OEM Kelvin if you want usable light output. The 5000k will have a bit more "bluish" look, but will lose the amount of the usable light on the road. The 5000k WILL be dimmer. Just make sure your bulb has plenty of shielding to cut down on glare.

 

Yep I've done my research.
Here's some pics of an H4 Hi/Lo Kit I got off this page: http://www.pashnit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16085

Looks like he used 4500k because it looks pretty darn white.

(can't link up the pics.. won't let me)

oh btw I wasn't talking about the newer TL's.. I was talking about this kind

 

apparently the difference between 4500 and 5000k is 100 lumens. Bluer light is better than redder light because it stimulates concentration. But I guess I won't have to worry about this with either light?

 

Dont get the 5000K it is a very purple light. I have 4000K on my Supra and it is a great white/ slightly bluish light.

 

5000K isn't purple per se, but 4500K will be more optimal. Most OEM systems are in the 4100K - 4500K range. 8000K would be a very purple light. Many say that 5000K is a 'bright white'.

But you're really not going to get very good performance running the HIDs without projectors. I know many do this, but especially if you're lifted, you're going to glare everyone off the road.

A better option would be a higher output Halogen bulb and a wiring harness for less voltage drop across the wiring. High-quality European Osram silverstars (not Sylvania) or Narva bulbs in a '+50' or '+70' configuration will give you good results.

I don't mean to rekindle the debate of HID with and without projector housings, but you'll make the most of your current headlights by staying with Halogens.

 

Well I ended up going with the 35 watt 4500k's. Don't worry about glare, they have the proper reflectors. They will blow my old silverstars away. But I'll let the pictures do the talking when I get one installed.