The ultimate headlight upgrade H4 (not LED or HID)

Fogs should not be used as a supplemental low beam. The short range light does more harm than good in clear weather and just makes the driver feel like they have better light, when it is actually worse to have increased foreground light. This headlight mod doubles the light output, there shouldn’t be need for additional low beam. If wanting even more, then look to the AGM + voltage booster mod. Selective yellow is preferred and does blend better for fogs with halogens than 6000k LED white. However if selecting a fog, there are better products from Diode Dynamics and Morimoto that have superior performance.

 

Anyone know if they discontinued the hikari ultra h11? I only find the h13 on Amazon no listing for h11 anywhere, also is the latest Mishimoto 2.0 version 4 any different to the version 3? thank you

 

Note this in the 2nd Gen H4/9003 thread. H11 is 3rd gen for headlights.

The later Hikari versions are a downgrade. Morimoto 2stroke 3.0s are the best PnP LED tested for H11. If wanting the Hikari Ultras you can PM me, I’v got some only used for testing that I’d sell for super cheap.

 

Ohh thank you I did not realize that,
I could not find the Mirimoto 2stroke 3.0 anywhere only the 4.0 is it different have you tested these yet by any chance, not sure if I want to go the hikari route again after all last set I had just dimmed down one day to 20 percent of what they were before after only a year and a half I think

 

Finally completed this mod, had the harness and bulbs installed a few months ago in my old headlight housings. Now I have the new lenses installed and it’s even better. Thanks again OP for all the hard work and research. So glad I found this before going down the led route.

 

I’ll check that booster mod. In Los Angeles almost all cars are new and all the roads are lit which kind of makes you feel like you’re not very well lit even with the H4 mod. Furthermore there are no more oem housings for 3rd Gen 4Runners and even with the best rated aftermarket lights it’s pretty underwhelming.

If Baja Designs releases their SAE LP series I might just cut out the back of a housing and make a mount for them behind the lens. A few luxury prerunners and hot rods have been running prototypes.

The reason I like BD is they’re actual standalone and can be switched around from vehicle to vehicle instead of only being able to be mounted in one position or on one platform but I don’t know very much (definitely not as much as you) regarding 2nd /3rd Gen fog lights.

 

Hey @crashnburn80,

We agree when saying, “fogs should not be used as a supplemental low beam” IF we are specifically talking about SAE lighting. Our GEN2 SAE lights offer a sharp cut-off, so you have much more intensity, over OEM options, in the foreground (or Zone 1) while not affecting oncoming drivers. With that cut-off you do not get upward blend into your headlights, or other lighting, and because Blendabilty is one of the key metrics when rating lighting performance, we wouldn't recommend our SAE lights as a “supplemental” option. On the other hand, considering our OHV options, mounting in the fog pocket area is a great way to gain improved low/high beam lighting for street/dirt use (requires responsible use) without needing aftermarket bumpers and/or more expensive Vehicle Specific Kit type solutions.

Best,
Bill

Bill Sonevongxay | Forum Sales & Support 
Email: Bill@bajadesigns.com Phone: (760)560-2252

 

I know I'm probably "that guy", but I fished this h4 upgrade last week and sorta have mixed feelings on this.

It is brighter than stock for sure, and I do like the warm color.

However, its not nearly as bright as my other car (d2s 5.0 with cbis). In fact, even my motorcycle that's been fitted with the older morimoto h1 projectors outperforn.

I feel like topic subject "ultimate" is a bit misleading.

It's definitely better than stock and easier than doing a retrofit, but for those that are willing to put the effort in on the retrofit you will be rewarded.

Tip: if you have a auto scrap yard around you, you coukd grab some oem denso ballasts for about 10 bux each (I pulled mine from a Toyota sienna van. At the same time I pulled a set of hella ballasts from an old Mercedes.
For about 30 bux I ended up with 4 ballasts that have been going strong for many years!

 

It’s certainly not going to match the output of a good D2S retrofit upgrade, there is just no way an automotive halogen low beam bulb is going hit those lumen numbers. The original halogen upgrade was using better bulbs with the Hypers but unfortunately those ceased production, so the Superbrights that were #2 are now the best option. You can still boost output further with the voltage booster upgrade, since halogen output increases exponentially ^3.4 by the increases in voltage. Still not going to be D2S output though. Voltage booster mod requires an AGM battery.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-northstar-agm-battery-voltage-booster-upgrade.604478/

 

In fairness, this is listed as the "ultimate" H4 headlight upgrade that's not LED or HID. (That's how I understood it, anyway.) As such, I'd guess most didn't expect LED or HID results. It remains, however, the highest "bang for the buck" option short of those.

 

That makes sense, now that you put it that way.
I guess I was just hoping for a little bit more and was a bit disappointed...but that's on me!

 

I recently did some lighting upgrades to my 2013 Tacoma, including the Ultimate Headlight Upgrade!

I am absolutely loving the 2x brightness from the Osram 100/90W 'Super Bright's. For me personally, this was a massive upgrade from the stock bulbs- very, very noticeable. I also did a headlight restoration before the upgrade, instead of buying new TRD Pro housings since those were $$$ compared to the resto kit.

I tend to like the light output color and levels of a good halogen bulb better than LED style head lights, my self. Just the vibe I guess, and sometimes the light color of LED's can feel anemic to me. For an aging truck like this, I really really like these Osram Super Bright's. I couldn't imagine needing more light than this! (High beams pictured below, camera doesn't do it justice on the lit road- apologies but that's what I've got around here).



Here are the OSRAM bulbs I used (and Amazon link):

$15 OSRAM 62204SBP Premium Off-Road Super Bright H4 Headlight Bulb Vibration-Proof Technology, Yellow

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NRA91XM?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details





I tucked the relays to the side of the battery with the extra wire from the Headlight Services wiring harness, and zip tied the bunch as neat and secure as I could to an existing mounted wire/line (its not pulling or putting much strain on it from what I can tell). It doesn't really budge. I'm going to keep checking on this over time to make sure it stays well seated in this spot. Seemed to be an easier option compared to mountain the relays to the metal by drilling holes, based on what I read in this thread.

*EDIT*: I ended up removing the battery in order to drill a hole for a screw to install the relay holder oriented up-right and recessed near the middle/bottom of the battery on the fender side of it. I only used 1 screw since I couldn't get a great spot for the other one with the space/angle there. But I put the double sided gorilla mounting tape/gel on the back as well before screwing on, and I have it wrapped around the bottom with electrical tape to keep it all together and straight with the screwed side. It's ROCK solid now being installed there, and I feel much better knowing it is farther out of the way of water and the elements. Plus, it looks better with the wiring harness tucked lower, away from site & other parts.




I had a really hard time when it came to changing the bulb on the passenger side housing. There's no damn space there at all! Its not so much just getting the bulb/wires out/in from that spot, but it was that the damn little clamp wire thing pops right out of that housing for some reason on that side once you undo it from tension. From what I can tell it seems like the required angle of attack plays a part in the wire clamp popping out of it's spot.

Needless to say it was a son of a to figure out how to get that little wire clamp back in to hold the new bulb... After nearly an hour of panic and frustration (and sweat... garage was so damn hot) I freaking got the new bulb securely clipped in. I had to undo most of the headlight housing to give it some play so I could get my hand in better and see where the wire clamp was going. What a royal pain in my ass-- but I felt very reassured once I got that figured out, lol.

Passenger bulb access with very limited space pictured below:




Driver side was a cinch, super easy, because I had fully taken out the battery when I changed that bulb and had plenty of space-- and the wire clamp stayed securely in its groove(s), so no fenagling was required...



I'm no pro but I am happy with how discretely I got the wiring harness installed, tucked under the radiator cover, and zip-tied fairly secure (will check on this over time to make sure it doesn't droop down- I was dubious about how taught I could get it with the available zip tie holes on each side).




I also upgraded to some new OSRAM backup lamp bulbs to brighten up my reverse camera a bit in dark camping or off road situations. Followed a thread here on TacomaWorld for this one as well. The bulb prongs required a slight modification and so did the socket prongs, to ensure a tight fit. I am really happy with how these turned out so far, too:

$10 Osram Northstar AV 69378 Bare Lamp Replacement

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001BMUFN8?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details




I also swapped the internal lights for a white LED kit I found on amazon. I am on the fence about whether I like these better than the originals, but I do like them and it's a nice change of pace for this older truck. The map lights and vanity light LED's in the sun visors are almost a bit too bright, but at least they're not dim. No blown fuses and didn't have to disconnect the battery to install these ones. Here's the amazon link to this kit.

$17 Tacoma LED Interior Lights Kit for 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma Ultra Bright Interior LED Bulbs Replacement of Map, Dome, License Plate & Vanity Mirror

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08F82JTLG?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details






Overall- I definitely recommend trying the ultimate headlight upgrade if you want a fun, less expensive mod/project to work on with an older Tacoma, and if you want to maintain some OEM feel with the stock headlight housings. I am looking forward to reaping the gains of the extra light next time I'm on a dirt road somewhere and it's pitch black outside. Also, I don't expect these bulbs to last a year based on everything I have read online about it- so I will probably order a replacement set of bulbs within 6 months even if they're still fine.

Big thanks to @crashnburn80 for so much help through the process of doing the upgrade, and thanks to the other users here that contributed their thoughts and posts. Thinking about getting a new head unit for this truck next, and going to do some maintenance using other threads here as well.

 

Here's a little hint to make getting to the passenger side bulb: Pull the windshield washer reservoir attachment bolts out and slide it to the side.

 

I wasn't sure if I could do that without a hose popping out and getting washer fluid everywhere! This is great to know though for next time I do the bulb swap. Thank you so much! That was a PITA.

 

Here's another little hint: Keep this photo in your phone. It'll help you figure out how the damn bulb retention clip fits in the housing after it falls out.

 

Saved! Thank you! I had to pause a YouTube video to figure it out lol.

 

This^ if you can keep the three dimensional puzzle in your head you can do it by feel with fingertips, palm facing headlight housing

 

I should have added- I used the most microscopic amount of silicone die electric compound on the bulb plugs on the new wiring harness because they come bone dry, and I noticed the stock plugs were loaded with old grease. As I barely used any at all since I wasn't sure, I worry that I didn't use enough. But I'm sure some is better than none.

Did anyone else add any silicone die electric compound or similar product to the new dry connector sockets before plugging them into the bulbs?

Also, since I posted originally I have done some research on Relay Orientation and determined it is best to mount them vertically. I used some double sided sticky gorilla mounting gel 'tape' in the same area I had it bunched before. I'm gonna have to keep an eye on those relays and see how the sticky mount holds up over time and driving in the heat. I really don't want them knocking around under the hood, and I don't want them positioned in a way that water can get in the connections or cause issues. Next time I take the battery out to do some maintenance, I'm going to try to reposition them further down on that side by the battery so they're further from that spot where the hood joins the body.

 

Totally agree with your assessment of the Ultimate Headlight Upgrade. Congrats on completing the project in your very neat/clean engine bay!

Best deal on the bulbs I've seen is at Bulb America.

@Too Stroked's advice about the washer reservoir is spot-on.

I didn't bother with my visor lights, but I'm happy with Meso Customs Ultimate Map Lights and Ultimate Dome Light - highly recommended.

 

268 pages?! This info may be in here somewhere but I'm just going to be more confused if I keep reading. I plan on buying a set of pro headlights. The wiring harness stuff isn't something I'm ready to dive into yet. What is the brightest Osram bulb I can safely use with factory wiring? Plug and play. 2012-2015.