The best Headlight bulb on the market today.

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2001LC

2001LC

SILVER Star
Joined
Nov 4, 2007
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This thread is devoted to all those wishing to post: which bulb(s) they like best to replace the 9005 & 9006 in the stock reflector lenses most common in series 100 LC. Also to showcasing exciting illuminations too come as changes in technology accrue.

For LX and those with projector lens housing see bottom of this page for links to/on them.

Edit 11/02/13
> Today's Top Pick: Philips HIR 9011 replacing 9005, and HIR 9012 replacing 9006 See: Minor Modification AND Narrative helpfully for necessary modification.
> Not all would agree on using these HIR 9011, mainly due to short life and See: #212 And See: post #216
Many great post on these and other bulbs, a few helpful links:
* Elijah the 1st to show illumination by substituting all with Philips 9011 HIR bulbs See: #117, #186 & #192.
* gaijin with most comprehensive single post on Philips HIR bulbs including bootleg bulbs See: #104.

Better night diving illumination without blinding glare is the goal.
* What’s your preference and experience?
* Old technology vs. new; what is superior?
* OEM or after market pros and cons?
* What’s new on the market?
* Tips & tricks?
* Pictures & links to other threads welcome.
* Cleaning, Polishing & Aiming best practices?

:banana::wrench:
Minor modifications OK:
* Provided heat emitted by the bulb and wattage is comparable to Toyota stock (OEM) recommendations.
* Fogs lights with; parking lights, low beam & High beam on modification See: #124

OEM:
* Picture of OEM bulbs See: #58.
* Headlight (High beam) HB3 halogen #9005 60 watt.
* Headlight (low beam & Fog) HB4 halogen 9006 51 watt.
* Kelvin color temp comparison See: #75
* Adjusting Headlight Aim; 2001 LC FSM & Manual guide See:#57.


Example of reflective type headlight, 2001 Land Cruiser UZJ100:
2001 TLC HeadLight PS 001a.webp
:popcorn:



For those with 470LX use a HI bulb for low (projector lens) & 9005 HB3 bulb for high IIRC. This may be a better place to start for those with LX on the grill.
SEE: Upgraded Headlight Bulbs comparo
​

HID bulbs should NOT be use in above reflective headlight housing.
For HID & Retrofit comments, pictures, and just about everything you need to know about HID's headlights & projectors SEE:
2000UZJ's big HID thread - what, where and how.​

:cheers:

2001 TLC HeadLight PS 001a.webp
 
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I've run the HID setup, (bulbs, ballasts, etc)in the stock LC headlamp housings with original reflectors and thought the light scatter was horrid and all over the place. The light is bright but I didn't like the pattern and cut-off, or better said, the lack thereof. Before that I had the HIR bulbs, which use everything original from the vehicle, and I liked it. I got caught up in the hype when folks started trying the HID 'kit' in the stock LC headlamp. After a couple weeks of the HID, I removed them and sold them and went back to the HIR's I had originally installed. Those are still going strong to this day and the lumen output is substantially higher and noticeable over 'OEM' bulbs. Don't recall actual numbers of output of the HIR's, but I'm sure a search will yield those figures.
 
Also, and this is stated in other threads, there is an HIR high beam bulb as well as low beam bulb. In my 80 series, I'm running the HIR high beam bulb for the highs as well as the lows. It keeps the same light pattern and projection as OEM, as the housing or reflector hasn't changed and is still a traditional bulb, just more lumens. I'm thinking of doing that in the hundred as well. Just waiting for a low beam to burn out.
 
Upgraded - and stayed with - HIRs due to comments like Elijah's ^^.

I talked to the guys at Piranha at Cruiserfest last month. They showed me one of the kits that Kurt (Cruiser Outfitters) worked with them on designing - Let there be light.

I'm going to go this direction next - and then look at additional options (wish N-Fab made an LC/LX light bar) for my stock bumper.
 
Elijah said:
I've run the HID setup, ****** with original reflectors and thought the light scatter was horrid and all over the place. ******* Before that I had the HIR bulbs, which use everything original from the vehicle, and I liked it. ****** After a couple weeks of the HID, I removed them **** went back to the HIR's I had originally installed. Those are still going strong to this day and the lumen output is substantially higher and noticeable over 'OEM' bulbs. ******.
Click to expand...

I’ve seen other HID negative posts’ like “HID bulbs get to hot for Land cruiser reflects” or “glare to diver and oncoming” and it’s said “best for projector lens”.

Those same posts, wrote favorable comments about HIR, as you’ve done here. It seems easy of install , and compatible with our LC reflectors type lens a plus. May be a step above stock, but which bulb within the HIR family does the best job, gives us your top picks?

Elijah said:
Also, ***** I'm running the HIR high beam bulb for the highs as well as the lows. It keeps the same light pattern and projection as OEM ******, just more lumens. ******
Click to expand...

How about pictures possibly a comparison to illustrate your opinion of HIR vs. HID.
:clap:
 
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HID's IMO are far superior even to HIR's but only when used behind an HID projector lens. Without the lens, as a previous poster noted, the scatter is terrible. Add the lens and all is well.
 
HIDs on stock reflectors are a bad idea. If you want a proper HID setup, you need to install a projector. As said above.

I've never had the chance to try HIRs as I dont have 9006 on my car I have H4.

However. I've had amazing results with Osram Nightbreakers. The difference between OEM or other regular bulbs is impressively noticeable, on both high and low beams. I squeezed about 3 years out of the old version bulb and now have the new one, even when I had read that the lifespan of these bulbs was very short, that is very liveable. The new version (currently installed) is supposed to last much longer. Output and light color is great and you dont have to modify harness or change the wattage of the bulbs to get better lighting. I strongly recommend them.
 
I'm fairly new here and was afraid to open this thread.... I'm glad to see the responsibility here regarding not using HIDs on the stock housings, especially given how high the headlight housings are.

Even if the light was actually better, it's completely blinding to other drivers. Need to retrofit a proper projector and cutoff. Wish someone would tell that to Silverado owners..
 
SmoothLC said:
**** I talked to the guys at Piranha at Cruiserfest last month. They showed me one of the kits "let there be light" I'm going to go this direction next - and then look at additional options (wish N-Fab made an LC/LX light bar) for my stock bumper.
Click to expand...

Just took a brief overview of "let there be light" and didn't see the light. Not sure the harness, wires, relay/fuse box and mount plate could be classified as minor mod. But to each his own needs & desires for more lights & control. Let us know how that directions works for you.


Muddy Bean said:
HID's IMO are far superior even to HIR's but only when used behind an HID projector lens. Without the lens, as a previous poster noted, the scatter is terrible. Add the lens and all is well.
Click to expand...

That seems to be the consensuses. I’d consider popping in a good projector headlight housing (lens), but don't know of one that is a minor modification, do you?

lugueto said:
HIDs on stock reflectors are a bad idea. If you want a proper HID setup, you need to install a projector. As said above.

I've never had the chance to try HIRs as I dont have 9006 on my car I have H4.

However. I've had amazing results with Osram Nightbreakers. ****** I strongly recommend them.
Click to expand...

But please enlighten us; what type of headlight housing & lens and what vehicle are you using these ONb plus H4 bulbs in?


E36 Phantom said:
I'm fairly new here and was afraid to open this thread.... ******
Click to expand...
Have no fear & Welcome.

Better illumination without blinding glare is the goal, but which bulb is best suit for the TLC reflector?
 
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2001LC said:
I’ve seen other HID negative posts’ like “HID bulbs get to hot for Land cruiser reflects” or “glare to diver and oncoming” and it’s said “best for projector lens”.

Those same posts, wrote favorable comments about HIR, as you’ve done here. It seems easy of install , and compatible with our LC reflectors type lens a plus. May be a step above stock, but which bulb within the HIR family does the best job, gives us your top picks?

How about pictures possibly a comparison to illustrate your opinion of HIR vs. HID.
:clap:
Click to expand...

Well there is only one manufacturer of HIR bulbs, to my knowledge, Philips. They used to be made by Toshiba. I don't have a way of comparing HID in LC pics as I don't have the HID bulb kit.
I've read your posts in various threads and understand the type of LC owner you are. The HIR's are what you are looking for, that is meant with the utmost respect. Other owners similar to you, ex. IdahoDoug, run these. You might want to check the posts from him in the 80 series forum, you'll see what I'm talking about. :-)
 
But please enlighten us; what type of headlight housing & lens and what vehicle are you using these ONb plus H4 bulbs in?
Click to expand...

Ahh apologies, I have these on three different vehicles at home:

My 90 series Land Cruiser: single H4 lamps, reflector housing, ribbed lens.

80 series: Twin square headlights (not like the ones you have) H4/H1. The H4 housing has a ribbed lens, the H1 housing a smooth lens.

4th gen 4Runner: H11 projectors on low beams, H1 reflectors on high beams.

None of them blind oncoming traffic as they're direct replacements, same spec bulbs.

All of which performed way better than expected, and way better than any other bulb I've tried, even with higher wattage bulbs and modified harnesses. The 4runner was the least noticeable but lighting in the 4runner was already superb, even for halogens.
 
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Elijah said:
Well there is only one manufacturer of HIR bulbs, to my knowledge, Philips. ***** I don't have a way of comparing HID in LC pics ******.
I've read your posts in various threads and understand **** :-)
Click to expand...
First let me say; I appreciate your comparison of me to long time members, the time you've taken checking out my post and your personal recommendation of HIR bulbs.

The top of my short list was/is Halogen Infra-Red (HIR) 9011 & 9012, even before starting this thread. The 9012 for the low beam sound promising but could there be a better pick for the High, considering the DRL, and the separate issue of the no cap bulb of the 9011(if that even matters)?

I was hoping you had some picture of your old HID set-up, possible you could take some of the HIR's in action?

lugueto said:
But please enlighten us; ****

Ahh apologies, I have these on three different vehicles at home: *******
All of which performed way better than expected, and way better than any other bulb I've tried, even with higher wattage bulbs and modified harnesses. ***.
Click to expand...

9005NBP & 9006NBP (Osram Night Breakers Plus) appear worth looking into, as an easy PnP direct replacement bulb. But can you say; how they compare to the HIR or is that what you meant by "even with higher wattage bulbs"?
 
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2000UZJ said:
Let's keep this thread halogen only. HID comments, pictures, and just about everything you need to know about HID's in the 100's headlights can go here...
Click to expand...
2000UZJ I like your thinking, and don't wish to deter from your thread "one of my personal favorites on the subject of HID's".

Except for the part about: "halogen only" as LED or some future none HID solution that is PnP (plug and play) more or less, may surface for the reflective headlight of our series 100 TLC's.
 
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9005NBP & 9006NBP (Osram Night Breakers Plus) appear worth looking into, as an easy PnP direct replacement bulb. But can you say; how they compare to the HIR or is that what you meant by "even with higher wattage bulbs"?
Click to expand...

Im sorry, I have never tried HIR bulbs as they're not available here, although I've heard nothing but good things about them.

What I meant by higher wattage bulbs was changing harnesses to accept bulbs with higher wattage ratings than the 55/60W the standard H4 Bulbs have. For example, 80/100W, 90/130W 90/160W etc. People usually swap them out because obviously more watts means more light, but they usually have some pretty serious drawbacks. Blinding oncoming traffic and ridiculously low lifespans are usually two of the top drawbacks with higher wattage bulbs. The Night Breaker is the only bulb what has brightness similar to the more powerful bulbs without any of the drawbacks/modifications.

Hope this helps
 
So I bought six Philips 9011 high beam HIR bulbs from homedepot.com last night. By far the cheapest place I could find them. I'm going to put them in the new to me 98 TLC, in the highs and lows as well as the fog lamps. :-) I'll take before and after pics and post them up.
 
Elijah said:
So I bought six Philips 9011 high beam HIR bulbs from homedepot.com last night. By far the cheapest place I could find them. I'm going to put them in the new to me 98 TLC, in the highs and lows as well as the fog lamps. :-) I'll take before and after pics and post them up.
Click to expand...

I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts here as well as seeing the pics of the before and after as I will likely do this in the very near future if your results are good.
 
Elijah said:
So I bought six Philips 9011 high beam HIR bulbs from homedepot.com last night. By far the cheapest place I could find them. I'm going to put them in the new to me 98 TLC, in the highs and lows as well as the fog lamps. :-) I'll take before and after pics and post them up.
Click to expand...

You found HIR's and home depot?! Got a link (Homedepot.com is one of my 10 most 'hate to search' sites, it sucks bad)? Let's have the link!

I've been running HIR lows in the 100 and love them, I would prefer a full projector HID retro but have more important 100 issues to work on so the HIR is a no brainer and I may never change. I do think even the HIR could benefit from upgraded supply wiring, anything to keep the voltage up. I think cruiser outfitters may have a power wiring kit available but don't quote me on that.
 
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