1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

The ultimate headlight upgrade H4 (not LED or HID)

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by crashnburn80, Oct 27, 2015.

  1. Sep 8, 2020 at 1:02 PM
    #3001
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,648
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    That is correct. The Osram original is the OEM supplied bulb.
     
    jet123[QUOTED] likes this.
  2. Sep 8, 2020 at 1:24 PM
    #3002
    tattooedsnake

    tattooedsnake Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2012
    Member:
    #93302
    Messages:
    1,185
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Erick
    Connecticut
    Vehicle:
    '10 TRD sport 4x4
    -Bilstein 6112 front shock. Leveling lift -Bilstein 5100 rear shock w/TSB leaf pack. -Cooper Rugged Trek 265/70/17 -EBC front ultimax rotors w/yellow pads -Stoptech sport rear drums -Steel braided brake lines -Wet Okele seat covers front/rear with heaters -Custom built exhaust with Black Widow venom 250 muffler -Afe Stage 2 Dry CAI -Diode dynamics SS3 fog lights yellow. -OPT7 Projector Headlight Assembly w/Black backing -Undercover Flex Tonneau cover -Weather Tech floormats front and back
    I installed aftermarket headlight assemblies last year ( in know :( ) and they use H1 size bulbs. I am currently using Phillips xtreme +130 bulbs now which are great, but was wondering if I could do a harness/ bulbs update like this using the H1 lamp in the future?

    Thanks
     
  3. Sep 8, 2020 at 2:20 PM
    #3003
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,648
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    I'm guessing it is a projector? Aftermarket lights are going to be a pretty significant downgrade. Osram does make a Superbright 100w H1. You'd need to find or build an HD harness for your H4 to H1 and high beam bulb type. However, depending on the quality of the components the 100w H1 may be too hot for the projector. A better move would be Nokya's 75w H1. It will be higher output than a stock wattage bulb, but not high enough in power draw that it needs a harness. Hopefully the adapter harness that came with the headlights has reasonably gauged wires. And if you decide to switch back to stock in the future, you haven't wasted money on an HD harness.
     
  4. Sep 8, 2020 at 8:33 PM
    #3004
    tattooedsnake

    tattooedsnake Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2012
    Member:
    #93302
    Messages:
    1,185
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Erick
    Connecticut
    Vehicle:
    '10 TRD sport 4x4
    -Bilstein 6112 front shock. Leveling lift -Bilstein 5100 rear shock w/TSB leaf pack. -Cooper Rugged Trek 265/70/17 -EBC front ultimax rotors w/yellow pads -Stoptech sport rear drums -Steel braided brake lines -Wet Okele seat covers front/rear with heaters -Custom built exhaust with Black Widow venom 250 muffler -Afe Stage 2 Dry CAI -Diode dynamics SS3 fog lights yellow. -OPT7 Projector Headlight Assembly w/Black backing -Undercover Flex Tonneau cover -Weather Tech floormats front and back
    You are correct, they are projectors with reflector hi beams. I think the 100w would be to much and the 75w sounds more reasonable plus no harness. I see that they are 3100k which I don't mind, they will closer match the SSC fogs 3000k I have.
    I figured I would start looking before the phillips bulbs hit the end of life.

    Thanks for info.
     
  5. Sep 18, 2020 at 7:15 AM
    #3005
    Toy_Runner

    Toy_Runner Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2019
    Member:
    #311172
    Messages:
    915
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    99 4Runner SR5
    3" OME lift, heavy coils f/r 3/16" steel skids Modified Coastal Offroad diy bumper 5spd swap ('98 donor)
    shiko_m likes this.
  6. Sep 18, 2020 at 9:25 AM
    #3006
    ACEkraut

    ACEkraut Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2014
    Member:
    #129627
    Messages:
    4,413
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Aaron
    Durham, Maine
    Vehicle:
    2014 DCSB TRD Off Road
    Harness and bulbs have arrived! About how long has installation taken for most of you so I know about how much time to plan for?
     
  7. Sep 18, 2020 at 9:25 AM
    #3007
    Too Stroked

    Too Stroked Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2017
    Member:
    #208501
    Messages:
    3,824
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tom
    South shore of Lake Ontario
    Vehicle:
    2021 4Runner SR5 Premium
    Norton likes this.
  8. Sep 18, 2020 at 9:26 AM
    #3008
    Too Stroked

    Too Stroked Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2017
    Member:
    #208501
    Messages:
    3,824
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tom
    South shore of Lake Ontario
    Vehicle:
    2021 4Runner SR5 Premium
    To do it right, figure at least a couple of hours.
     
    TegoTaco, ACEkraut[QUOTED] and Norton like this.
  9. Sep 20, 2020 at 2:28 PM
    #3009
    308savage

    308savage Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2016
    Member:
    #180389
    Messages:
    4,687
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Adam
    East Tennessee
    Vehicle:
    2012 Tacoma TRD Sport DCSB
    Leveling kit, roll bar
    Has anyone used Jet Seal on their headlights?

    upload_2020-9-20_17-28-30.png
     
  10. Sep 20, 2020 at 3:24 PM
    #3010
    Too Stroked

    Too Stroked Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2017
    Member:
    #208501
    Messages:
    3,824
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tom
    South shore of Lake Ontario
    Vehicle:
    2021 4Runner SR5 Premium
    Just about any wax / sealant / coating will prevent oxidation on headlights. It's just a question of how much protection / how much extra time each product will buy you. Unfortunately, there's no way to verify claims of "advanced UV protection" or to compare it to other products. I'd say this particular product is absolutely better than nothing at all.

    As proof of the above, the headlights on my 2014 Tacoma are still absolutely like brand new. Then again, they've had whatever polymer sealant / ceramic coating the rest of the truck has on it from day one.
     
    Toy_Runner and 308savage[QUOTED] like this.
  11. Sep 20, 2020 at 3:51 PM
    #3011
    308savage

    308savage Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2016
    Member:
    #180389
    Messages:
    4,687
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Adam
    East Tennessee
    Vehicle:
    2012 Tacoma TRD Sport DCSB
    Leveling kit, roll bar
    I was using the Jet Seal on the door glass, decided since it was out I’d try it on the headlights. I didn’t clean them prior but it seemed to take away a lot of the haze. They haven’t been waxed or sealed in the 8 years I’ve had the truck. The two small spots did look better. My plan is to wash them good this week and apply this stuff, I may even buy a buffer to apply it.
     
  12. Sep 20, 2020 at 4:11 PM
    #3012
    308savage

    308savage Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2016
    Member:
    #180389
    Messages:
    4,687
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Adam
    East Tennessee
    Vehicle:
    2012 Tacoma TRD Sport DCSB
    Leveling kit, roll bar
    Has anyone used a RYOBI 18-Volt ONE+ Cordless 10 in. Orbital Buffer? Especially on headlights? It may be a little big for headlights, but I could also use it on our vehicles.
     
  13. Sep 20, 2020 at 4:47 PM
    #3013
    Too Stroked

    Too Stroked Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2017
    Member:
    #208501
    Messages:
    3,824
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tom
    South shore of Lake Ontario
    Vehicle:
    2021 4Runner SR5 Premium
    You might want to post that over in the Detailing section instead of hijacking this thread.
     
  14. Sep 21, 2020 at 6:14 AM
    #3014
    308savage

    308savage Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2016
    Member:
    #180389
    Messages:
    4,687
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Adam
    East Tennessee
    Vehicle:
    2012 Tacoma TRD Sport DCSB
    Leveling kit, roll bar
    Sorry!
     
  15. Sep 21, 2020 at 3:12 PM
    #3015
    BenMara

    BenMara That Asian RedNeck

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2011
    Member:
    #54903
    Messages:
    1,919
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ben
    Belton/Charleston, SC
    Vehicle:
    2011 DC 4x4 SCed
    TRD Blower, Ham Radio, DBA T2 Rotors
    Most of them just know paint not plastic up keep of headlights.
     
    308savage likes this.
  16. Sep 21, 2020 at 5:13 PM
    #3016
    Toy_Runner

    Toy_Runner Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2019
    Member:
    #311172
    Messages:
    915
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    99 4Runner SR5
    3" OME lift, heavy coils f/r 3/16" steel skids Modified Coastal Offroad diy bumper 5spd swap ('98 donor)
    Well, I went ahead and installed my pair of selective yellow proto-Osrams in my 3rd gen 4runners lamps. Subjective impression, going from the osram 100/90 rally bulbs... the lowbeam is not as "full" or intense throughout the beam, but it definitely projects further (based on center lane reflectors on a straightaway near my home). The highbeam is also punchier, but also not the Wall-O'-Light that the Rally's highbeam is. But there again, these are my selective yellow bulbs, not the clear.

    I like the output of the Rally bulbs highbeam filament, but I prefer a + rated focus/projection lowbeam for maximum utility.

    They're quite good bulbs. I wish I had found out about the 85/85's to give a subjective impression there. I look forward to Crash's reviews
     
    crashnburn80[OP] likes this.
  17. Sep 21, 2020 at 11:11 PM
    #3017
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,648
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    Yesterday I went to start the truck and it was dead. Not like a low battery dead, like a battery is completely disconnected dead. Weird as I didn't leave anything on and it was fine the night prior, and I am running the very best NorthStar deep cycle AGM. Pulled out my multimeter and measured the battery voltage and came back with 5.x volts. WTF. I pulled out my battery charger and put on high rate 10A recharge. After a while monitoring the voltage incline, the headlights clicked on unexpectedly and their draw was quickly too great for my charger before they clicked back off. I checked the cab and the headlights were set to off. Only one fault would cause the headlights to turn on when the control was turned off, a faulty relay. It appeared the low beam relay had failed at some point in the night and rather than fail open to leave the circuit disconnected, it failed and closed, energizing the headlight circuit causing the battery to drain. I pulled the low beam relay and swapped the high beam relay to the low beam and all was good. I was pretty surprised on the failure being these are European Bosch relays, not the cheap China garbage. Replacing both relays with new Bosch units.
     
    Last edited: Sep 21, 2020
    GonzoQuick, FastEddy59, wdb and 4 others like this.
  18. Sep 22, 2020 at 6:32 AM
    #3018
    EdgemanVA

    EdgemanVA Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2013
    Member:
    #116820
    Messages:
    1,202
    Gender:
    Male
    Virginia Beach
    Vehicle:
    2008 X-Runner
    Several
    Have to wonder if the reason the relay failed like that is for safety while driving. If you're driving at night, probably best the relay fails to "on" instead of "off."
     
    GonzoQuick likes this.
  19. Sep 22, 2020 at 6:42 AM
    #3019
    TEXAS BS

    TEXAS BS Formerly known as MMXVII

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2018
    Member:
    #257594
    Messages:
    866
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    JB
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2017 ACLB TRD OR 4X4
    You may have solved why my truck has eaten 4 batteries in 3 years. I’m going to replace both relays this week and see if that solves the problem, fingers crossed.
     
    GonzoQuick, Toy_Runner and EdgemanVA like this.
  20. Sep 22, 2020 at 8:00 AM
    #3020
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,648
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    Failing to on isn’t typically desirable. It makes it not possible to turn things off. A relay failure to off at night would certainly be an issue, though the high beams use a separate relay so you’d still have a light source. Failing to on in this case can kill your battery and leave you stranded.

    Link to replacement relays:
    https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0010ADJIE/

    However if you charged/replaced your battery and were able to turn your headlights off again it doesn’t sound like it would be the issue.
     
    Norton likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top