I can't see!!!! (Headlight Question)

[blackdeek2006]

Hey all,

I have an 04 with the factory headlights but i can't see crap at night (partially an eye issue but also the fact that the factory lights are about as bright as a candle). I'd like to go to a hi-intensity bulb and i'm looking for some recommendations. I don't want to put in 100 dollar bulbs or have to buy any sort of adapter kit, just something thats whiter and brighter than the factory that has the high and low beam. Links to products would be great.

Thanks All.

[ddnail]

I use 9003ST Silverstar's available at your local Walmart or parts store. They are a superior light in everyway to the oem's. Nothing special needed to operate them, just plug and play. Try them and you'll see a huge difference!

Hope this helps

[The Phoenix]

Originally Posted by blackdeek2006

Hey all,

I have an 04 with the factory headlights but i can't see crap at night (partially an eye issue but also the fact that the factory lights are about as bright as a candle). I'd like to go to a hi-intensity bulb and i'm looking for some recommendations. I don't want to put in 100 dollar bulbs or have to buy any sort of adapter kit, just something thats whiter and brighter than the factory that has the high and low beam. Links to products would be great.

Thanks All.

Invest in some bright foglights to help light the way, and despite the fact you don't want to pay more money for better lighting, I do have to recommend switching to a 4300K HID kit, which is basically pure white light. The difference is so amazing.

[mcc371]

The amount of light a bulb produces is measured in lumens. The following are the lumen rating for 65Watt 9005 headlight bulbs

Ordinary halogen bulb 1700 lumens
GE Nighthawk bulb 1650 lumens
GE Silverstar bulb 1695 lumens

You will get a whiter looking light with the Nighthawk and Silverstar, but you won't get as much light as with the standard halogen bulb.

[mustang67408]

Originally Posted by The Phoenix

Invest in some bright foglights to help light the way, and despite the fact you don't want to pay more money for better lighting, I do have to recommend switching to a 4300K HID kit, which is basically pure white light. The difference is so amazing.

I agree with The Phoenix, if your not willing to spend $ on some GOOD bulbs, then invest in some foglight bulbs, they light more of the road close to the vehicle and you are able to see alot more.
RAYBRIG makes a great headlight bulb too, but they are $68 (pair) or so, but they have lasted overs 2 years now, the silverstars I USED to have only lasted 6 months each on both sets. The RAYBRIG is as bright as your going to get without going to HID.
My HID kit was plug and play and only $180, if I were to have paid for it. I switched to HID only because someone bought me the kit as a gift.

[blackdeek2006]

Thanks guys. Might be an after xmas purchase.

[dngrkit]

I installed a pair of HID fog lights, they give you very good light/vision for the immediate roadway and don't interfere with oncoming traffic.

Toyota warns the 06 fog lights are not driver replaceable which didn't make sense to me other than the socket does require loosening the screws which hold the bulb in place. I would search this site for which HID vendor is best/most cost effective.

[meatball18]

bought some 9003 silverstars from autozone cause i had the same proble.( i work third and prmarily drive at night) the difference is unbelivable. definatly worth the thirty bucks

[p nut]

Aftermarket HID's are illegal and not DOT approved, FYI. I advise against doing this, as you will blind other drivers. Lately, I have been seeing so many HID lights around. Get blinded every time by them. I can’t imagine for those people in the lower, passenger cars, how bad they get blinded.

FWIW, I have never had problems with my stock headlights on my 2001 Tacoma, and I have driven through BFE in pitch dark nights and was just fine. Maybe you need to clean the headlights (which involves sanding), and re-align the lights. The fog-light option seems like a good idea, too.

[The Phoenix]

Originally Posted by p nut

Aftermarket HID's are illegal and not DOT approved, FYI. I advise against doing this, as you will blind other drivers. Lately, I have been seeing so many HID lights around. Get blinded every time by them. I can’t imagine for those people in the lower, passenger cars, how bad they get blinded.

Headlights are adjustable, and while there is light scatter, it's usually not that bad. Most kits are starting to come with reflectors that limit the amount of scatter they produce. Nobody has ever flashed me driving on a flat paved road when I had them in my truck. My motorcycle is another story, but if they see my headlights, that's a good thing.

[p nut]

Originally Posted by The Phoenix

Headlights are adjustable, and while there is light scatter, it's usually not that bad. Most kits are starting to come with reflectors that limit the amount of scatter they produce. Nobody has ever flashed me driving on a flat paved road when I had them in my truck. My motorcycle is another story, but if they see my headlights, that's a good thing.

Yeah, I'm not saying all were producing glare, but I could definitely tell when they did not take time to adjust them.

And yeah, as a former rider, I always had my brights on no matter what on my CBR. Too many mom's in Yukons on their cell phones.

[mrlights]

You can use either a 9003 or a h-4 bulb i have been using the h-4 sliverstar ultra's for the past few years and the only thing i can't see is way i never put these in my trucks before.... They are awsome... Rain/snow/fog or just a pitch black night..... Local auto parts store $42.89 for a pair... And rember when you replace one you should always replace both for aqaul brightness

[Cobb]

I had silver stars, then 4300k hids in my scion xa. Both are big improvements and never had any problems with the cops. Infact if you travel any highway in the us,you should see blinding headlights as well as off color, blue, purple head lights.

Silver star ultras h4 bulbs are 50 bucks a set, hid 100 bucks a set of bulbs and ballasts. For both high and low beam, even for the h4,its like 250bucks. Many people get low only as they do not use high in the city. I had both.

My scion xb 09 model takes h11 bulbs for low and fogs, 9004 for highs. I have 4300k bulbs for low, 3000k for high beam and 3000k for fogs. I am tempted to run 3000k for lows are seems everyone now a days uses off white lights.

My taco has hella lamps and ostram 55/65 watt bulbs. Not exacty white,but good coverage. My driving and fogs are a piaa setup with h3 bulbs or an extra 55 watts.

Adjustment or aim is another story and if aimed incorrectly, any recommended technology can give poor performance.

I wonder if they make projectors for the 97?

[turbokh]

I put the Sylvania Ultras in my 02 Tundra and it made minimal difference. Both headlight housings are new, so they're clear and adjusted properly. I'm sure my eyes are not as good as they were 10 years ago, but the lighting in my truck is terrible compared to every other car I own. I'd love to find an HID bulb conversion, AND a headlight housing with the correct reflector (or a kit to install one) to cut off the upper flood of light. Anyone found such a thing?? All my searched result in stuff for the 07 and up trucks.....