So, I need some lighting for the drive between seattle and bozeman. I've got two options.

Option 1: Get the DeMello light bar for the Tacomas, then get either the 240 or 170 lightforce lights.

Option 2: Buy some hi/lo beam HID lights (the real ones) and keep the nice stock look.

They will both cost roughly the same amount of money. In the neighborhood of $500

Each has their advantages and disadvantages. Option 1 has focusable beams, filters, ability to turn off. However, 9.5" lights sitting of the front of a tacoma isn't exactly the best look and easy to steal.

Option 2 has the nice stock look, however they are illegal (I'm not too worried about that though) and bulbs cost quite a bit.

Now, what would you choose and why? As for light comparison, I know that the lightforce's might have a bit better light, but are they worth it? Also, what are some good kits for HID's with the low and high beams. I would need the highbeams. Also, I don't want to get the 6000+ K bulbs either. I want the nice kits right around 5000K.

 

hids are only going to be as good as the reflective housing there in so you might notice a change in the color of the light but not a huge amount of light increase go for the 240's thats what i am getting

 

hid's were made for people with too much money .................at least untill there prices come down

 

While I agree with you. Either option is going to cost pretty much the same amount. So price isn't going to be a factor.

 

id get the lightforce still give your taco a good look too.......2 mods in one function and style

 

ive been researching on lightforce and havent found out anything on the negative side at all

 

Get the Lightforce HID's

Life is full of compromises.

 

what size bulb does the tundra use?

 

here check this out https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f123/u-satisfied-your-aux-lighting-38248/

 

good point but there very expensive like 1,500 a pair


like I said HID = overrated.................until there affordable

 

OEM hids ARE affordable. Aftermarket Kits are overpriced and will fail 98% of the time. Keep an eye on the OEM hid stuff on ebay and it should be no more than $225.

 

bahhh............yea the oem kits dont increase the performance much either though....if they did theyd be illegal because they'd blind oncomeing traffic

 

hey 98 wht limtd

did ya find the bulb size for a tundra yet ???

 

I wasnt searching for the bulb size, just wondering if anyone knew it. Obviously hid kits are illegal because it causes so much glare. By it being illegal, the price goes up. OEM is not illegal and prices are much lower than kits. Are you kidding me? Your h4 bulb in low beam puts out 1000 lumens @ 55watts. HIDs put out 3200 lumens @ 35watts. Hids put out 3 times more light than halogen while consuming almost half the wattage. The glare that your talking about comes from improper optics. A halogen headlight is designed for a halogen bulb. Cramming a hid bulb in there WILL result in glare. Retrofitting an oem hid Projector will eliminate the glare.

Digital cameras are notorious for picking up glare. Do you see any glare in the above image?

 

you have a point there but still the change in what you physical can see isnt affected as huge as those numbers are on paper .........and for what its worth ..........my surefire flashlight has a 120 lumen output...hehe ............how mich did your retrofit run you when it was complete?

 

Total was about $600. Thats including a new pair of 99+ headlights. I would have saved roughly $100 but i was a total noob in the beginning.

Sorry to oly884 for this seems to be getting ot. I would vote for option 1 becuase im speculating that option 2 is an aftermarket kit. And its not worth spending $500 for a product that will end up useless within a year.

 

they look awesome in the pic of the head light but (this is just my opinion) seems more cosmetic than functional.........he could still have his headlights and add awesome offroad/foulweather light ........IF i were to ever do anything more to my headlights than upgrade bulbs, I'd do what you've done...
Ben

 

I'll try to take pics tomorrow night. Just been so lazy lately. Then you will see that HIDs do have a function while being cosmetic. And if oly still wants to get a "kit" i recommend him getting the catz hi/low hid kit. Very good quality but very rare to find (which means higher price).

 

5 sets of lightforces for sale:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW

 

Hey there David.
Just a plug for the Lightforce lights.
I have the smaller 140's on my rig.

I run them every morning on my way to work. In the summer i run the clear lens. The winter when there is alot of fog i run the amber lens.
Yesterday on my way to work i had the clear lens on. I figured the light pattern went approx. 1/2 mile down the road.
When i put on the amber lens on the light only shoots about 100 yards but it floods the front of your rig with alot of light. It really shoots the light downwards and to the sides. The amber works great in the snow.

Now with the 140's, i have the 75 watt bulb. The larger lights run 100 watt bulbs.
To bad you wern't a bit closer and i could show them off to ya.

Later