After market headlight lamps. Which is the best? - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

iam026tb4u · #1 (**permalink**) 02-20-2002, 04:04 PM

I'm interested in duplicating the HID effect with my headlamps. I'm not interested in any of that pure blue/purple junk. I just want something as close to 5000K on the illumination scale, and something that drastically increases nighttime vision. I've tried to find places on the internet that actually show a comparison of all the top brands but I've had minimal success.

Has anyone had any success at achieving a cooler/brighter light? All the research I've found shows the stock bulbs actually perform better than most aftermarket lamps. I really don't want to spend a grand retro fitting to a HID system but they really do make a difference.

I seem to remember seeing something on the old system before it went T.U. I ran a search on the sight, but it didn't really give me what I was looking for.

I'm sure someone has the info I'm looking for. Don't be afraid to share?good or bad.

nhparrot · #2 (**permalink**) 02-20-2002, 04:26 PM

A lot of folks upgraded to higher wattage PIAA bulbs that are more white and have a different light patternthan the stock bulbs. I like those better than stock. Others have tried other bulbs and will have their own opinions.

bradbury · #3 (**permalink**) 02-20-2002, 05:19 PM

I run Nokya bulbs, they look pretty good. Until one of my fogs burned out.
Not that I'm picky, I just got the cheapest ones at my local speed shop (Speedline - Might as well give Kyle a plug, he gives me good deals)

davidrainey · #4 (**permalink**) 02-20-2002, 11:05 PM

If your in the market, ebay has some really good deals on lights right now. Type in Toyota Tundra and you get all kinds of wallet emptying deals. Worth a try.
PropDriver

Tundra00 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-20-2002, 11:18 PM

Check these out, they are supposed to be an alternative to HID.

http://www.fet-usa.com/products/zeta.html

Tundra00

owlman2 · #6 (**permalink**) 02-21-2002, 09:21 AM

I looked into the same issues, and tried some of the PIAA "superwhite" style bulbs. All they really do is have a slight blue tint, to take out much of the yellow cast that the normal halogen filament has.

I use these type of bulbs, because they do have a whiter light. I have xenon/HID driving lights on the truck, and I like the PIAA bulbs because they put out light roughly the same "whiteness" as the driving lights.

I do not believe, however, that the PIAA bulbs really put out any more light than standard untinted bulbs. Probably less if anything, because filtering out some of the yellow light is going to reduce total light output. I don't think that can be denied.

I considered HID conversion, but ruled it out on the basis of cost and the fact that all the kits I saw only offered low beam. One manufacturer (Hella I believe) also stated emphatically that HID conversions are a bad idea unless the actual lens assembly is designed for them.

Hope some of this helps.

nhparrot · #7 (**permalink**) 02-21-2002, 09:27 AM

I think people need to remember that the claims of "55 watts - performs like 120watts" is marketing hype (BS). A watt is a watt.

That said, I installed PIAA bulbs and like the color of the light better, the bulbs I installed are higher wattage so besides providing me a better color of light - there is more. Works for me.

POOH71580 · #8 (**permalink**) 02-21-2002, 08:17 PM

I HAVE BEEN THROUGH SO MANY TYPES OF BULBS I'M ABOUT BROKE. I GUESS THE SMARTEST THING I HAVE DONE IS BUY AN UPGRADED WIRING HARNESS. MY OVERALL LIGHT OUTPUT IS A LITTLE BETTER BUT THE MAIN THING IS THAT MY LIGHTS HAVE NOT BURNED OUT YET. I TRY TO KEEP THEM ON LOW BEAMS ONLY BECAUSE THE REASON MOST OF THEM BLOW IS WHEN THEY ARE ON HIGH BEAM FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. I BOUGHT SOME THAT ARE 120 WATTS ON LOW AND 130WATTS ON HIGH. REALLY WHATS THE USE IN USING HIGH BEAMS....(TALKING ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE IN WATTS HIGH/LOW) I AM VERY PLEASED WITH MY LIGHTS NOW. I BOUGHT ME SOME FOG BULBS THAT ARE YELLOW AND 80W MADE BY MATRIX. THEY ARE WONDERFUL!! http://WWW.LIGHTLENS.COM I CANT WAIT TO POST MY PICS AND LET YALL SEE EM!

MATT

TundraGuy · #9 (**permalink**) 02-22-2002, 12:28 AM

That's not totally true, a watt from a flourescent light makes more light than a watt from an incandescent light. So given different technologies, two lights with the same wattage could be different in light output.

Sean

jahoward · #10 (**permalink**) 02-22-2002, 12:47 AM

TundraGuy is right about the light output.
One thing to remember is more wattage means more current, thus more heat. Don't melt anything, including your wires. Good luck.

4:20six · #11 (**permalink**) 02-22-2002, 07:34 AM

After one of my PIAA 80/80's burned out, I decided to find a cheaper alternative, went to Napa Auto Parts and found they have H4 100/120 watt bulbs for motorcycles(they come individually), but they fit our headlights too, at $25/pair I think these are the best value for brighter bulbs. As long as the headlights are aimed properly no one seems bothered by the increased brightness and the harness seems OK too, checked after driving for a while at night and was a little warm, nothing that worried me. I will most likely upgrade my harness when I have some time though, as the high beams are pretty damn bright.

Dave

iam026tb4u · #12 (**permalink**) 02-23-2002, 04:59 PM

OKay, I got some questions.

1.) Whats the part number for the H4 motorcycle bulbs at NAPA?

2.) Where can I get an upgraded wiring harness?

3.) How much does the harness cost?

4.) And can I put the same type of bulbs in my fog lights? Assuming that they are the same as the 9006 lights.

5.) By using the 100+ watt bulb, am I going to melt the lenses, wiring or am I going to start blowing fuses?

6.) And last but not least, do the motorcycle bulbs have ceramic bases to prevent overheating?

4:20six · #13 (**permalink**) 02-25-2002, 09:23 AM

1.) Whats the part number for the H4 motorcycle bulbs at NAPA?

Don't know, but they are the Napa Brand, H4 100/120 for MC's and are sold in singles not pairs, don't think you should have a problem finding them on the shelf there

2.) Where can I get an upgraded wiring harness?

http://www.autobulbdepot.com

3.) How much does the harness cost?

fifty bucks for the harness, harness and these bulbs are the same price as the PIAA 80/80's, but with much lower bulb replacement costs

4.) And can I put the same type of bulbs in my fog lights? Assuming that they are the same as the 9006 lights.

If they have the 9006 style w/ increased watage for MC bulbs, sure, as I am running 80 watt bulbs from Autobulbdepot in them now, but those do not seem to burn out like the low beams.

5.) By using the 100+ watt bulb, am I going to melt the lenses, wiring or am I going to start blowing fuses?

No, my lenses, wiring and fuses are all fine, I will upgrade the harness just to be on the safe side though

6.) And last but not least, do the motorcycle bulbs have ceramic bases to prevent overheating?

Have no idea, but they looked very similar to the bulbs i removed

Eddie · #14 (**permalink**) 02-25-2002, 07:02 PM

About the wiring harness,go to http://www.suvlights.com
He charges about half of what autobulbdepot wants for the same type of harness.

Cropdoc · #15 (**permalink**) 03-01-2002, 07:50 PM

I run H4 100/80 with stock wiring and have had 2 yrs of no probs. I ran 130/90 in my T100 with absolutely no probs. I will put the 130/90 in my 2002 when it comes in.

Anyone think I'm about to end up as a crispy critter??

Merv