I have a 97 runner and I noticed that when it rains, my head lights aren't worth squat. Aside from PIAAs or other fog/driving lights (that i will eventually get) is there anything I can do to brighten up the road? Unfortunately I have frosted head lights as well as frosted clear corners at the moment...

thanks

 

I don't know about the frosted aspect of your setup, or how that would effect other lights ... but I use sylvania silverstar bulbs and they are a lot whiter, and brighter, than my stock bulbs. You could always just try something like that ... they aren't too, too expensive, but they can make obvious improvements.

 

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/installed-sylvania-silverstars-worth-4971/ ... there's a thread that might help you out some.

 

Yea.. my bad, I've been here long enuff to know that I shoulda 'searched' first. My bad...

 

no no ... it's okay, I like to help and I thought that might be a good thread for you to look at!!

 

My stock 97 headlights stunk too. I'd guess that's why they upgraded in 99. If you choose to put on the clear glass of the late models, TOR can hook you up. I think its 250$ or so for the glass. Still its several hundred cheaper than the last of the HID kits. However, 70$ for some Hella 500s would proibably be the cheapest solution. IIf its for in traffic use, well...go back to late model glass, HID conversion or a bulb swap.

Personally I splurged part of my tax refund into late model glass and silverstars. Its better. maybe 15% improvement. Additional lights are still needed for those late night, middle of nowhere, storm conditions.

 

All I have to say is switch to Hella Yellowstars. Barnone the best replacement bulbs for our trucks yet. I have used Piaa's and I didn't like the fact that I can see the road in foul weather. They emit a yellow tint to the light which is perfect in foul weather.

www.rallylights.com

 

I have Silverstars on my stock '97 setup and they are brighter than the '99+ clear version with regular bulbs but I'm sure that would change with putting Silverstars in the clear headlamps.

I compared mine to my mom's stock '99 setup.

 

Yay! Someone being realistic and talking from experience!
You need yellow light, or better yet real yellow fogs adjusted higher than usual.

 

The thing I can't figure out is why the 130/90W are cheaper than the 80/70W and 110/85W.

 

They cost the same to manufacture and 130/90w is tougher to move out of the inventory. Same with different sizes of tires. Rubber itself does not cost much.

 

I have the Silverstars in my '95 and I was NOT impressed with them in the rain...other than that they look good.

Fink

 

Which wattage did you get? They're also les expensive than the Silverstars and seem to last longer. Now I'm interested especially when it snows up in the mountains.

 

I have Cool Blues, and I DO NOT like them at all! They disappear as soon as it gets cloudy. I have also noticed that the yellow light does a much better job.

It's sort of like using an LED flashlight to see long distance. You can see up close really well, but the light just doesn't travel.

 

I love my vision plus bulbs. Best normal headlight bulbs I've ever used. Great range and brighter than stock bulbs. They're pretty decent in the rain I guess but like someone mentioned before, the only real way to get good lighting in rain is to get a set of yellow fog lights. That or spend a few hundreds for real hid's which will light your way through almost anything.

 

So, are the yellow h4 bulbs legal to use on the road?

 

Shoot...does that mean I should have gotten my Hella 500's in yellow versus white??? Oh well...

Fink

 

You guys have to upgrade to a True H.I.D. Kit then you will know what headlight beams are. I've had mine in just over a year now and will never go back to regular bulbs. Foul weather never stands a chance against my H.I.D.'s. And the way they warm up is the coolest.

 

So,what would a set of HIDs set one back??

 

an arm, a leg, and your first born child. Actually around $450-$500.