Well I was planning to just put new bulbs in my truck, now that it's dark again and I remembered how poor my visibility is after dark. But the first things I start seeing online when searching bulb replacement is the E-code H4 conversion. So...anybody have a writeup up on this, or thoughts generally?

Apparently the European (e code) bulbs have a better light pattern and people have been switching their trucks to these...

 

Yes that time of year again, I'm glad I have glass projectors on the 99' and 80/100W bulbs. Someone on t4r suggested a headlight wire upgrade to convert from (-) ground switching, 18GA wire and plastic H4/9003 connectors, and then add 80/100W hella bulbs. Unfortunately the wire harness linked was suppose to have 14GA wire but turned out it was 20GA so I rebuilt the entire harness for 14GA, worked out great. Haven't tried the different light cut off ecode h4's yet, but our problem is (-) switching toyota uses for headlights and the 55/60W bulbs. I'll link the harness I had to rebuild, I would buy a higher quality harness than the one I got.

 

I have the Hella E-code conversion in both my Pickup and 4Runner. Uses a 9003 bulb if your new housing doesn't already come with bulbs. 9003 bulbs have the same plug as the factory sealed beams. It's a bolt in affair.

I'm happy with the results. Better light spread for sure. Not sure if they are technically any brighter but I can see better. You can pair the replacement housings with a relay harness either bought or built. The relay harness allows a higher voltage (really less voltage drop) to the bulb which allows them to be actually technically brighter.

 

Thanks.

So I'm clear, my truck does not have sealed headlights, right? I can replace just the bulb? Seems like the years just before and a little after 98 had sealed headlights?

 

I'm pretty sure the Taco's where the same as 4R's, all used a h4/9003 bulb for the headlights. The only thing I'd be concerned with is whether the plastic headlight lens can handle the heat of higher wattage bulbs, I'm not sure if other 4R's or Tacos with plastic lens have upgraded to 100w without problems, most 4R guys go with the 99-02 glass projector headlights, upgraded wiring and 100/80w bulbs. Another thing I've done to help with lighting is polishing the plastic lens with Mcguires Plastex. The upgraded wire harness you choose should have ceramic h4/9003 bulb connectors to handle the added heat.
I think older Toyota trucks and 1gen 4R's had the square sealed headlamps.

 

Oh, darn. I didn't even realize what section I was in. The truck in your avatar does not have sealed beam headlights. I don't know if there are different housings that work better for that truck. A relay harness would still help by reducing voltage drop but the benefit is not drastic.

 

Aren't there projector headlights on ebay for this gen Tacoma?

 

This seems to be the most recent post on headlight upgrades. I'm looking to do a plug n play upgrade to improve lighting performance. A quick search brought me to this set up which, by the install video, looks very simple, good looking and to be a good fit: Spyder® - Toyota Tacoma 1999 Black Halo Projector Headlights with Parking LEDs (carid.com)
Wondering if anyone here would offer their experience with this or similar products. '99 Taco SR5 4wd. TIA

 

I saw that one too, and if it weren't for the price, it's absolutely what I'd go with.

 

If you have the later 9003-bulb "custom" headlights, the easiest/best upgrade is to obtain brand new stock headlights---the complete housings. Your old ones have collected dust and tarnish on the aluminum reflector, which is, of course, not cleanable due to it's soft nature. Get the OEM Toyota housings if you can afford them, or go with the TYC brand aftermarket housings. A new, clean housing is gauranteed to be better than a ≈20 year old yellowed-out unit.

 

I think, the light pattern is determined by the reflectors, not the bulbs. The H4 bulbs have the same light pattern. The multi-reflector pattern on the 1999-2002 4Runner headlamps are for US DOT requirements which are more stringent than european stds.
From your avatar, I think you have the 1996-1998 headlamps.
The best upgrade for your truck is to replace it with the 1999-2002 headlamp. It's bolt-on so nothing to worry. Next upgrade would be the harness:
1. http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...ys/relays.html
2. https://headlightservices.com/GroundSwitched.html

hth