[Jule]

After I smashed out both headlight housings when I hit an elk last year, I replaced them with OEM Toyota Euro spec H4/H1 housings and 65/70W H4 bulbs from Daniel Stern and relay harness similar to Slee's. The lowbeams still suck! High beams are great. Moral of the story, 80 series low beams generally suck, it is not just the US version.

I have the exact same 65/70W bulb in H4 CIBIE 5.5 x 8 housing in my 97 XJ, they are awesome! The low beams are much better and in spite of only having one bulb on high beam, they work as well as the dual bulb H4/H1 combo on the TLC.

Before I got the Euro spec lamps, I had HIR bulbs in low and high beams with stock wiring. If I had to do it over again, I would just do that. (Unless I could figure out how to run HIDs in the low beam, then run HIR bulbs in the high beams.)

I believe HIRs are the most cost effective solution by far.

Cheers!

[mot]

FWIW, here's some stuff that some Mud old farts have seen already about the 80's headlights 'n stuff.

Euro headlights (OEM)

DEPO lights (RHD version)

While we're at it...

80 with BMW headlights modded in.

Anyway, FWIW!

[Marc311]

Originally Posted by Jule

After I smashed out both headlight housings when I hit an elk last year, I replaced them with OEM Toyota Euro spec H4/H1 housings and 65/70W H4 bulbs from Daniel Stern and relay harness similar to Slee's. The lowbeams still suck! High beams are great. Moral of the story, 80 series low beams generally suck, it is not just the US version.

I have the exact same 65/70W bulb in H4 CIBIE 5.5 x 8 housing in my 97 XJ, they are awesome! The low beams are much better and in spite of only having one bulb on high beam, they work as well as the dual bulb H4/H1 combo on the TLC.

Before I got the Euro spec lamps, I had HIR bulbs in low and high beams with stock wiring. If I had to do it over again, I would just do that. (Unless I could figure out how to run HIDs in the low beam, then run HIR bulbs in the high beams.)

I believe HIRs are the most cost effective solution by far.

Cheers!

I have to say I was pretty disappointed after installing a wiring harness and IPF bulbs. I upgraded the harness, bulbs and lamps on my 60 and the result was incredible. The improvement was nowhere as dramatic on the 80. That being said, the stock setup was terrible and the harness and bulbs at least make it acceptable.

I may still try the John Deere bulbs and see if that improves it more.

[bruff]

I went to order John Deere bulbs today from my local dealer and they want over $40 each. I just about messed my pants and passed on them.