[cary]

Originally Posted by jditom

I have been using Sylavinia silverstars for both low and highs. Brighter and whiter.
Bought them at Autozone.

BZZ, sorry but that would be incorrect. Silverstars put out 1000 lumens just like every other standard wattage 9006 bulb. They are nothing more than a standard 9006 with a slight blue tint. A 9012 HIR (short for Halogen Infared) puts out 1700 lumens of full spectrum light from the same 55 watts. They are a much more efficent lamp, developed at John Deere's request to GE to provide a lamp that provided more output than a standard halogen for the same current draw, but is far cheaper than an HID lamp. GE took HIR technology from other lamps, put it in the 9011 and 9012 lamps and the rest is history. After a couple of years GE sold the rights to Toshiba and Toshiba tweeked the bulbs to make them more reliable (the original GE bulbs looked more like an HID capsule and tended to break under high vibrations).

[MDarius]

So, all this technobabble about lumens and light spectrums has my simple head spinning. I get it mostly, but I think I saw something shiny out of the corner of my eye...JD's=good low beams. What=good high beams. (Let's steer away from the 35% warning, k?)

[cary]

Originally Posted by Lucy

So, all this technobabble about lumens and light spectrums has my simple head spinning. I get it mostly, but I think I saw something shiny out of the corner of my eye...JD's=good low beams. What=good high beams. (Let's steer away from the 35% warning, k?)

Check the faq, but in short, you will have to order the 9011 HIR bulbs through Stern or the other guy listed in the faq, as JD doesn't sell them. Note that the while the 9011 is an upgrade from the standard 9005 high beam, it is not as dramatic. You go from 1800 lumens to 2400 lumens, a 25% increase rather than 40% increase.

[MDarius]

Doh! There you go with the FAQ's again! Thanks.

[Sno bored]

I got my high beam bulbs from Daniel Stern lighting, and they are great. If you search you will find all the info for ordering. No trimming needed. I also have the Slee harness and have not had any problems, yet.

[sjcruiser]

Originally Posted by Mike S

Who is the dealer in SJ? I need a new low beam, and I'll drive down an get one.

M

Here's the place (close to San Jose airport):

TURF & INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT
2715 LAFAYETTE STREET
SANTA CLARA CA 95050
United States
4087275660

[Mike S]

SJC

Thanks, I'll check tem out.

M

[corsair23]

Question for you techies...Have these bulbs become 'common' to other vehicle makes as well? In short, will the 9012 HIR work for other non FZJ80/LX450 vehicles?

Never mind...A simple search on my part resulted in a long list of vehicles these bulbs should work on...Not the vehicle I was hoping they would but searching is a good thing right?

[cary]

If your vehicle uses a 9006 lowbeam, you can use a 9012 lamp.

If your vehicle uses a 9005 highbeam, you can use a 9011 lamp.

[stevezero]

I was going to order mine online through the jdparts website, but saw firetrucks reply about having to call (his local dealer deleted his email oder). My local dealer is a couple miles away, so I went down there and ordered them. I took the PN and their online price. They we're $11.49 a piece. He didnt have any in stock. He ordered them, and said they should be here in a few days. He asked what kinda bulb they were, and I explained to him what the use is, and said he might want to order some more , because they might be a popular item. If I like em on my LX, I'm going to put a set in my wifes car.


My dealer info, in case anyone local to Greensboro, NC is interested.

Central Carolina Farm
801 E. WENDOVER,
GREENSBORO, NC 27405
Phone: 336-574-4400

[Rookie2]

So Firetruck, what's the verdict on the road test??

Thanks,
Rookie2

[sjcruiser]

Originally Posted by Rookie2

So Firetruck, what's the verdict on the road test??

Thanks,
Joele

Experiences on cruisers have been well spoken for...so I'll just share my experience on another vehicle...

I recently swapped out the Toshiba HIR (MIJ version ) from an old E30 BMW (which is rarely used) to replace the stock 51W Sylvania in the '06 Sienna...all I can say is "holly sh!t!!!"

The improvement is way way more dramatic with the new FF reflector design than that of a lens reflector on the cruiser, provided the cruiser has pretty good pattern already.

[KANE]

After ordering mine from my local JD dealer, they showed up a day later and are the right piece. I'll install them tomorrow. Pure joy.

There has got to be the hookup for the highbeams somewhere for a similar price. A buddy of mine with an LX450 just replaced a blown out low beam bulb with Silverstars and spent around $50. Heh heh. . .

[firetruck41]

Originally Posted by Rookie2

So Firetruck, what's the verdict on the road test??

Thanks,
Joele

I have only been driving one night, driving on some dark county roads, the light is definitely better and brighter, I can't describe it really, but it is a definite improvement.

[Jenny Cruiser]

Got mine. Took all of one minute to snip the JD tabs to fit. Satisfied with my purchase. Headlights are about 50% brighter now. They charged me shipping, so four bulbs cost $46 with tax.

[CruiserLegolas]

So, are the toshiba hir 90012's made in Japan twice as good as the JD hir 90012s made in China? Twice good since they are more than twice as expensive.

[landtoy80]

The bulbs fit my wifes 96 Camry.
Camry bulbs fit in the 80, ask me how I know
I have yet to get to the JD dealer.

[cary]

Originally Posted by CruiserLegolas

So, are the toshiba hir 90012's made in Japan twice as good as the JD hir 90012s made in China? Twice good since they are more than twice as expensive.

They are all made in China now. Toshiba/Harrison shifted production from Japan to China. BTW, the JD bulbs are Toshiba/Harrison bulbs.

[CruiserLegolas]

so, all of us that ordered from the ebay guy got ripped. we paid twice a much for the same bulbs. i guess that happens when you don't do your homework.

[mot]

I think it's more of an(the?) opportunity cost.

The e-bay guy was the best price/source available to all of us on Mud at that time and IIRC he was very prompt and helpful. I did not buy from him, but I think most who purchased from him would not consider the experience as a "ripped off" from what I heard.

My $0.02

Mot

[psfpilot]

Originally Posted by CruiserLegolas

so, all of us that ordered from the ebay guy got ripped. we paid twice a much for the same bulbs. i guess that happens when you don't do your homework.

I think a better explanation would be that some folks paid a few bucks more than necessary for the HIR low beams, and got a good price on the HIR high beams which are not available from John Deere. Ripped off implies unsavory business practices, which does not seem to be the case. It's more likely a case of JD being able to buy in bulk to drive their costs down, which means they can offer savings that the ebay guy can't offer on the low beams.

[Beowulf]

Originally Posted by mot

I did not buy from him, but I think most who purchased from him would not consider the experience as a "ripped off" from what I heard.

My $0.02

Mot

I agree with Mot and I don't feel ripped off from buying earlier from another source. My John Deere dealer was quoting ~$28 per bulb the last time that I checked and when I politely mentioned that his price was above JD list price, he proceeded to tell me (not so politely) that I could pay his price if I wanted them, or I could take my business elsewhere and that he would charge whatever he wanted for the bulbs. Seems he didn't appreciate the price researching that we had done.

-B-

[Rookie2]

Originally Posted by CruiserLegolas

So, are the toshiba hir 90012's made in Japan twice as good as the JD hir 90012s made in China? Twice good since they are more than twice as expensive.

You should of known something was up when the e-bay guy responded to the inquiry about whether he still had the bulbs and could "honor" the old price. I think the response was something to the effect.... "LOL.., yeh I can do that for ya".

[Jenny Cruiser]

Originally Posted by Beowulf

My John Deere dealer was quoting ~$28 per bulb the last time that I checked and when I politely mentioned that his price was above JD list price, he proceeded to tell me (not so politely) that I could pay his price if I wanted them, or I could take my business elsewhere and that he would charge whatever he wanted for the bulbs. Seems he didn't appreciate the price researching that we had done.

-B-

Sounds like he needs a good kick to the nuts.

[cary]

Originally Posted by CruiserLegolas

so, all of us that ordered from the ebay guy got ripped. we paid twice a much for the same bulbs. i guess that happens when you don't do your homework.

Far from true. The price of these has been decreasing over the past several years. The ebay guy was the lowest price for a long time. Now the production has shifted for the lamps from Japan to China, it appears that the wholesale cost has dropped considerably. The ebay guy delivered exactly what he advertised, it is our job as consumers to establish if it is a price we are willing to pay, not his. Welcome to part of living in a capitalistic society.

[desmocruiser]

Agree with not getting ripped off! I am not sure the Japan bulb is/was worth twice the price now that there is an option, but several months ago the internet guy had the best deal going. Plus he took the time to mark area that had to be trimmed for the exact same price the JD dealer was charging if he could find them in the catalog. Capatilism, it's a he** of alot better than the alternative.

Back to the point, you should try this upgrade with the Slee harness to get the most improvement, imo.

[ff347]

Originally Posted by Beowulf

My John Deere dealer was quoting ~$28 per bulb the last time that I checked and when I politely mentioned that his price was above JD list price, he proceeded to tell me (not so politely) that I could pay his price if I wanted them, or I could take my business elsewhere and that he would charge whatever he wanted for the bulbs. Seems he didn't appreciate the price researching that we had done.

-B-

Typical JD customer service. I am going to order my bulbs today and I remembered I needed some parts for a mower, so I also remembered they have online coupons. (sorry no bulbs, but if you need some liquid de-icer or JD color paint pens for free your in luck. They also have 25% off of fuel stabilizer) Can't wait to get the bulbs and thought the coupons might sweeten the deal for some.

https://secured.deere.com/en_US/home...ons/index.html

[co279]

I just installed my John Deere bulbs and there is a huge difference. I only paid $10.99 ea. and no shipping cost from my dealer in stockton. I received them in 2 days. The bulbs are marked made in Japan. I recommend this mod to everyone. I am currently searching for the 9011 version for a similar price.

[stevezero]

I installed my bulbs last friday afternoon, and noticed a big difference. We went up to the Blue Ridge to cut down a Christmas tree, and spent alot of time on dark roads driving home. My wife commented on how much brighter they are. I have the stock harness (for now).

Aiming them is the only tricky part. I need to fine tune my aiming to get the spread and pattern I want.

Please post up a link if you can find the 9011's for a similar price. We could do one heck of a group buy on those.

[little_joe]

Just an FYI, I got my JD HIRs today, $10.49/ea + $1.80 freight from Revel Tractor in Raleigh NC, they are Toshiba and made in Japan. I am going to order some more Monday just to have them on hand.

I also put in the Slee harness at the same time, and now the light output is simply amazing.

Many thanks for the excellent tips and info here!