I've done the silverstars ............then I did the nighthawks...........
whats the brightest and best out there now?

Thanks, kenny S>

 

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/h...w-pics-133563/

This would be best if you have the time and energy. Bulb wise i think most are about the same? Unless you upgrade your wiring?

 

HID kit would be your best option, in the 99-02 OEM headlights there really isan't to bad of a glare either. Or at least there wasn't with my blue HID's.

 

Dont want to be a buz kill or anything but alot of the aftermarket bulbs are illegal, so check with local laws regarding before you drop the cash on a pair of new bulbs.

Also brighter headlight can be nice, but it also sucks for the people driving toward you!

 

The best bulb I have used is the Philips Xtreme +80. They meet ECE standards and are 55/60W. I got them from Power Bulbs (www.powerbulbs.com). I have also tried Philips Vision Plus (+50) and Osram Silverstar (+50 and NOT the coated blue ones). The Philips Xtreme +80 is the best out of all of them. My last pair lasted over 2 years and I have DRLs too.

 

my 4runner is over 150,000 miles, almost 10 years old, and still on original headlamp bulbs. i dont' avoid driving at night or nothin....stock bulbs (headlight) last forever.

I wonder if the same ones are obtainable today ?

 

First thing's first...why is there a picture of a rattlesnake in your post?

To answer your questions, PIAA Xtreme Whites.
They don't last as long as most but if you don't drive with them on during the day you will be fine.

Fink

 

If you guys are out in the boonies, just get some IPF's. If you're in the city or the burbs, get your eyes checked, because I have no problems with the stock bulbs.

And for the record, I have tried PIAA, Catz, Sylvania Silverstars/Cool Blues, etc. All were just a smidge brighter and life span was less than a year (even shorter for the Silverstars). NOT worth it. Illegal plug-n-play HID's are crap, too.

BigNuts - Get them from the dealership, I guess? But I've never had problems with cheap-o replacements from Autozone (Sylvania). Not sure who makes the OEM kind.

 

x2 about the rattlesnake, wtf?? Cool pic though.

Is there an easy way to disable the DRL's? I remember reading something about it for the 4Runner, but what about Tacoma's?

 

everyone saying the silverstars lasted not very long must have touched them with their fingers and got oil on them, because my silverstars have lasted 3+ years now and are still way brighter than stock ones

 

what year is yours? only 99 and newer models have clear headlamp lenses. no matter what bulb you use, pre-99 trucks suck on that.

i have bad astigmatism, while i had my 94, the headlamp won't aim more than 15 feet out, so i just put hot wired a pair of Hella 500's on the bumper, made sure the top of the Hella's were slightly (1/2") lower then the headlamp's. use them as headlamp. it was cool with the local cops, never got myself in trouble, even many times right behind police cars.

2 things: place them lower then the stock, and aim them low, as stock headlamps.

 

I like an extra large Avatar.

The stock bulbs are just too yellow but I keep one in the glove box for a quick repair spare.
Any issues ordering the bulbs overseas from powerbulbs??

Thanks, kenny S>

 

EDIT: I cannot comment on the PIAA Xtreme Whites, but I have been running the PIAA Intense Whites for 2yrs now w/ zero issues.

However, I'm ditching those to upgrade to FX projectors and TSX lenses...in short a HID retrofit. My wife's '00 4Runner will then get the PIAAs.

 

Yours have lasted 2+ years?? That is impressive.

I couldn't get mine to last longer than 8 months or so.
Granted, I would usually drive with them on during the day (why I have no idea).

Fink

 

Sure have. I did disable my DRLs before installing them though. That has probably helped.

EDIT:
sharrack, here's a comparison pic of when I first installed the PIAAS. Stock bulb installed on the passenger side and PIAA Intense White Bulb on the driver side:

 

Is it basically the same process to disable the DRL's on a Taco? I would really like to disable mine, I hate them.

 

People with DRLs should stay away from most aftermarket bulbs since that will significantly shorten the bulbs life. Also be careful when installing any bulbs since even a slight brush of your finger can carry enough oil to create a hot spot and burn the bulb out.

I had my Silverstars for almost 3 years and I don't have DLRs and I always make sure I don't start the truck with the lights on since the voltage surge and blow out bulbs too;I now have a pair of Ultrastars and they are a bit brighter than the Silverstars and they say they are supposed to last longer.

They still are just so-so in the rain like the Silverstars but I have Hella Yellowstar H3s in the fogs and that did really help.

 

Texan, this should help you out:

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/t...e-tech-133454/

 

Sweeeet!! I'm gonna do this tonight.

I replaced the stock headlight bulbs with Silverstars so I've really wanted to disable the DRL function. Thanks again!

*Edit: Do I need to add the switch or could I just cut the #1 wire and leave it at that? And what would be a good way to cover up the exposed wire if I cut it? I would like something more permanent than electrical tape.

 

No need to add a switch unless you just want to. I did not add one.

As far as covering up the exposed cuts, well, that's up to you. Everybody has their own methods. Can't think of anything exact off the top of my head, but you could always stop by your local hardware store and see what you can find.