Change bulb or entire headlamp - How do you know? (1 Viewer)

[Lusaka]

Hey folks, feels like a dumb question but I could use some advice. I'm running a '94 PZJ70, 12 V. The headlights are dim - I believe they are the Koito 2D1X sealed beam model. Is there anyway to know if I just need new bulbs? Or should I just order new headlamp assembly (I see posts about getting new Koito 81110-60P70 straight from Toyota)

I guess buying new bulbs, and then not seeing improvement would give me an answer, but how often are dim lights due to the lamp being old, and not the bulb? Thanks in advance

 

[Lusaka]

adding picture of lamp if it helps.

 

[sodafeld1]

There is a wonderful array of upgrades from the old sealed beam, which is extremely outdated compared to modern led globe technology, one of the best things to come of the green wash, imo.

Sealed beams usually require throwing out the whole kaboodle, sealed beam and globe one piece. I went for semi sealed the same size and then you can choose whatever h4 globe you want, within wattage and voltage range of your cruiser. The back part of the glass beam is open so the h4 clamps in. Which is also easier to change than the whole glass unit. Semi sealed glass beam was about $20-25aud, without globe. Not ome.

With that, I went stedi led copperheads h4's, heaps brighter and draws lots less current. Highly recommend, plug and play. The stedi website lets you punch in your car and gives the globes you can use. I have no affiliation, they are a bit exy, but they are just too good.

It is up there with the all time easy and satisfying upgrades for sure. Not too painful price wise, if you consider how long led lights last, due to the actual led globe itself being sealed. I went led globes throughout the whole troopy, even the dash instrument globes, bit of mucking about to get your blue hi beam indicator back though, due to drawing less current.
Sorry if I post too much, just nutso addicted to mud and my cruiser.

 

[Lusaka]

There is a wonderful array of upgrades from the old sealed beam, which is extremely outdated compared to modern led globe technology, one of the best things to come of the green wash, imo.

Sealed beams usually require throwing out the whole kaboodle, sealed beam and globe one piece. I went for semi sealed the same size and then you can choose whatever h4 globe you want, within wattage and voltage range of your cruiser. The back part of the glass beam is open so the h4 clamps in. Which is also easier to change than the whole glass unit. Semi sealed glass beam was about $20-25aud, without globe. Not ome.

With that, I went stedi led copperheads h4's, heaps brighter and draws lots less current. Highly recommend, plug and play. The stedi website lets you punch in your car and gives the globes you can use. I have no affiliation, they are a bit exy, but they are just too good.

It is up there with the all time easy and satisfying upgrades for sure. Not too painful price wise, if you consider how long led lights last, due to the actual led globe itself being sealed. I went led globes throughout the whole troopy, even the dash instrument globes, bit of mucking about to get your blue hi beam indicator back though, due to drawing less current.
Sorry if I post too much, just nutso addicted to mud and my cruiser.

Thanks, I appreciate this. With the Stedi's do you have any issues switching from low beam to high beam?

So you used that conversion kit (STEDI Copper Head H4 LED Headlight Conversion Kit - https://stediuk.com/collections/headlight-conversion-1/products/stedi-copper-head-h4-led-headlight-conversion-kit) then plugged it into a new semi sealed glass? I might take this route, sounds pretty straightforward

 

[Lusaka]

Thanks, I appreciate this. With the Stedi's do you have any issues switching from low beam to high beam?

So you used that conversion kit then plugged it into a new semi sealed glass? I might take this route, sounds pretty straightforward.

Although after checking their website, maybe I'll get a pair of those Iris lamps

There is a wonderful array of upgrades from the old sealed beam, which is extremely outdated compared to modern led globe technology, one of the best things to come of the green wash, imo.

Sealed beams usually require throwing out the whole kaboodle, sealed beam and globe one piece. I went for semi sealed the same size and then you can choose whatever h4 globe you want, within wattage and voltage range of your cruiser. The back part of the glass beam is open so the h4 clamps in. Which is also easier to change than the whole glass unit. Semi sealed glass beam was about $20-25aud, without globe. Not ome.

With that, I went stedi led copperheads h4's, heaps brighter and draws lots less current. Highly recommend, plug and play. The stedi website lets you punch in your car and gives the globes you can use. I have no affiliation, they are a bit exy, but they are just too good.

It is up there with the all time easy and satisfying upgrades for sure. Not too painful price wise, if you consider how long led lights last, due to the actual led globe itself being sealed. I went led globes throughout the whole troopy, even the dash instrument globes, bit of mucking about to get your blue hi beam indicator back though, due to drawing less current.
Sorry if I post too much, just nutso addicted to mud and my cruiser.

 

[Irish11]

I have a set of Koito Headlight H4 upgrades in mine and highly recommend that. Very simple swap and allows you to use any H4 bulb you can find. OEM Toyota Koito H4 Headlight Upgrade Kit w/ Harness - https://cruiserteq.com/oem-toyota-koito-h4-headlight-upgrade-kit-w-harness/ Might be a bit more difficult to get where you are, but I am sure there are local sellers too.

LED options exist as well. They are more vibration resistant and last longer, just make sure the housing is made for an LED and you dont just throw and LED into something made for an incandescent bulb, it will not aim right and throw light all over the place. They also cost significantly more for a reliable set.

 

[Lusaka]

Yeah theres a lot of landcruisers here, I think local auto parts shop might have those Koitos in stock

 

[sodafeld1]

No problem switching high to low beam, very easy plug and play. Just the blue dash high beam indicator little light stops working with the plug n play as they draw such less current. Folks have done the fix for the blue hi beam light here on mud, the globe needs to be directly earthed for the blue light to switch on with leds. Must admit, I got the wire loom fix for it from amazon, but haven't got around to installing , no biggie really.

Your battery/s is much happier for it.

I avoid night driving in the bush, too many wallabies, kangaroos, wombats and feral deer. But sometimes I have to, say in a storm which can be dangerous with falling trees. With the demisting fan, wipers and lights, the 80amp alternator has trouble keeping up with battery charge, unless with the led globes on my troopy. Now my batteries can recharge whilst driving in a night storm. I don't even feel the need for flood lights. I did install little led fog lights which point to the sides though, as the animals come from the side often.

They are exy, I think they were cheaper a few years back. I picked up a second set on ebay which were uninstalled never used in the box less than half price with a search alert. These are for the troopy wreck I am rebuilding. But shipping would suck to where you are. There is cheaper knock offs but may be hit and miss upon quality, which is what we are after.

Led lights are the difference of night and day for sure. Better contemporary cars all have led lights now. I am really very happy with them, my reverse lights are leds too, the ome reverse lights were p poor. Well worth it to me, simply poos all over halogen and xenon imo..quality leds are superior.

 

[sodafeld1]

Bit of a toss up between the iris and copper head, similar price. For me , I am more likely to break the glass semi sealed beam than the led, which would be the cheaper replacement and I had already installed the semi sealed when replacing a globe yonks ago. Would have to be unlucky either way.

Eventually, leds would be able to get from the upull pickapart wreckers.

 

[Lusaka]

No problem switching high to low beam, very easy plug and play. Just the blue dash high beam indicator little light stops working with the plug n play as they draw such less current. Folks have done the fix for the blue hi beam light here on mud, the globe needs to be directly earthed for the blue light to switch on with leds. Must admit, I got the wire loom fix for it from amazon, but haven't got around to installing , no biggie really.

Your battery/s is much happier for it.

I avoid night driving in the bush, too many wallabies, kangaroos, wombats and feral deer. But sometimes I have to, say in a storm which can be dangerous with falling trees. With the demisting fan, wipers and lights, the 80amp alternator has trouble keeping up with battery charge, unless with the led globes on my troopy. Now my batteries can recharge whilst driving in a night storm. I don't even feel the need for flood lights. I did install little led fog lights which point to the sides though, as the animals come from the side often.

They are exy, I think they were cheaper a few years back. I picked up a second set on ebay which were uninstalled never used in the box less than half price with a search alert. These are for the troopy wreck I am rebuilding. But shipping would suck to where you are. There is cheaper knock offs but may be hit and miss upon quality, which is what we are after.

Led lights are the difference of night and day for sure. Better contemporary cars all have led lights now. I am really very happy with them, my reverse lights are leds too, the ome reverse lights were p poor. Well worth it to me, simply poos all over halogen and xenon imo..quality leds are superior.

Interesting, I think I'm leaning towards this LED fix. Would be good to save battery current for further mods down the line as well