Headlight low beam/high beam recommendations?

[psilocyBen]

My headlights on my 2005 are extremely dull, it’s time to replace bulbs. I’ve read through some other threads on the topic but they are all pretty old. Wondering if anyone has any current recommendations for decently priced H11 and 9005 bulbs. It’s hard to seed through the endless amount of options. Are BPS lighting B2s any good? Ideally not trying to spend more than $100 per pair. Any insight appreciated.

 

[drowzyGX]

You aren’t going to find halogen bulbs that make you happy. So the question you’re left with is led or hid?

I can’t speak to led, but there’s a lot of threads discussing those bulbs and the kits to use them on this forum. I’m snagging the xenondepot hid kit. It’s $207, and I’ll use it to replace the low beams. I think a lot of folks on the forum have been super happy with leds, too. I’d be shocked if you find halogen bulbs that get you the light output you want. Fortunately there’s a lot of hid and led options. Best of luck!

 

[Cjshonky]

I just put in a pair of bps lighting b2 gen 2 h11 for low beams yesterday, about $65 usd from Canada(prices on their website are Canadian dollars). I drove it home tonight from work and tested them out, definitely brighter than halogen bulbs and I don't mind the 6k white light. Good, straight cutoff. I wasn't necessarily underwhelmed, but I was expecting more after reading some threads about how bright they were, maybe I got too excited. Im happy with them, worth the $65 but I'll probably get the gtr lighting ultra 2 for high beams.

 

[psilocyBen]

You aren’t going to find halogen bulbs that make you happy. So the question you’re left with is led or hid?

I can’t speak to led, but there’s a lot of threads discussing those bulbs and the kits to use them on this forum. I’m snagging the xenondepot hid kit. It’s $207, and I’ll use it to replace the low beams. I think a lot of folks on the forum have been super happy with leds, too. I’d be shocked if you find halogen bulbs that get you the light output you want. Fortunately there’s a lot of hid and led options. Best of luck!

Hey, yeah I’m for sure getting leds it HIDs. The bps ones I asked about are leds. I’ve also heard good things about the XD hid kit but I’m not really looking to spend that much at this point. I definitely want bright, but don’t necessarily need the brightest. Sure you’ll like those though. Yeah seems like there’s an abundance of options. Really makes it hard to choose. Thanks!

 

[psilocyBen]

I just put in a pair of bps lighting b2 gen 2 h11 for low beams yesterday, about $65 usd from Canada(prices on their website are Canadian dollars). I drove it home tonight from work and tested them out, definitely brighter than halogen bulbs and I don't mind the 6k white light. Good, straight cutoff. I wasn't necessarily underwhelmed, but I was expecting more after reading some threads about how bright they were, maybe I got too excited. Im happy with them, worth the $65 but I'll probably get the gtr lighting ultra 2 for high beams.

That’s good to know. Maybe I’ll go for something else then? Just not sure if there’s anything better for the price. Have you heard of anything else that’s supposed to be really good that’s kind of in between the BPS and the GTRs in terms of price?

 

[kem]

I've been extremely happy with the alla lighting LEDs from amazon. $79 and a huge difference.

 

[psilocyBen]

I've been extremely happy with the alla lighting LEDs from amazon. $79 and a huge difference.

Sweet, those are definitely very affordable. How long have you had them? I may just try them. Guess I can always return them if they don’t work out. They work fine in the 470 projector housings ya?

 

[greenscobie86]

Cheap Xentec 4300K HID kit in the low beams of my truck, I am really happy with the difference.

 

[Cjshonky]

Ddn tuning is between bps and gtr price wise, sounds like 4runner guys like them from a few threads I've read.

 

[psilocyBen]

Ddn tuning is between bps and gtr price wise, sounds like 4runner guys like them from a few threads I've read.

Yeah I checked DDM tuning out and they have a couple stores by me. I’ve just heard mixed reviews, some people say they’re good for the price but there’s also been a ton of complaints about quality. May still try some though. Thanks

 

[kem]

The alla lighting bulbs were a reco from a forum member and I've had them a week. So far their customer service line answers (I called w/ a question about other LEDs I was replacing) and they seem to be good quality. Light output definitely exceeds any halogen at the factory wattage.

Sweet, those are definitely very affordable. How long have you had them? I may just try them. Guess I can always return them if they don’t work out. They work fine in the 470 projector housings ya?

Sweet, those are definitely very affordable. How long have you had them? I may just try them. Guess I can always return them if they don’t work out. They work fine in the 470 projector housings ya?

 

[Junior357]

I just installed a set of BPS B2 Next Gen H11 bulbs. Thus far...very happy with the brightness and cutoff on them. Will probably order the high beams shortly.

But now my fog light bulbs look super weak...

 

[psilocyBen]

I just installed a set of BPS B2 Next Gen H11 bulbs. Thus far...very happy with the brightness and cutoff on them. Will probably order the high beams shortly.

But now my fog light bulbs look super weak...

Glad to hear you like them. How is the temperature? I was thinking about getting them but honestly I kind of prefer something a bit lighter. I wish more LEDs came in the 4300-5000k range. Have you heard anything good about their black series HIDs?

 

[Junior357]

Glad to hear you like them. How is the temperature? I was thinking about getting them but honestly I kind of prefer something a bit lighter. I wish more LEDs came in the 4300-5000k range. Have you heard anything good about their black series HIDs?

They are a bright cool white...every bit the 6000-6500K that BPS states they are. I know nothing of their black series HID's...but was considering them as an alternative if I didn't like the B2 LED's. As it stands...I'll run the B2's unless they give me problems.

I'm going to run some Nokya hyper yellow halogens in my fogs for now. I've had good luck with them in the past...not too worried about their brightness or their longevity since I intend to install an armored bumper before those Nokya bulbs burn out (at least based on past experiences).

 

[Bubbles]

I put Hikari Ultra's in my low beams over the weekend. Big difference over halogen. Now to replace the rest of the bulbs in the headlights with LED's too.

And man do the fogs look terrible now lol

 

[Bralow]

If your lights are dull (faded, UX damage, etc) new bulbs is not going to help nearly as much as refreshing the lens by cleaning and polishing.

For lights: Nobody ever wants to hear this, but most (like 99%) of aftermarket LED headlights are a downgrade and dangerous. But because LEDs are newer than incandescent people think it is an upgrade. Cue the army of posters right after me..."but mine work great!" Sure. whatever.



If you want a drop in replacement (with minor trimming) that is both a significant upgrade, and good color temperature, and safe, and legal just get 9011 and H9 Bulbs instead of 9005 and H11.

You have to trim the tabs a little, but otherwise they mount right up.

Sources:

HOW TO: H11 to H9 / 9005 to 9011 Headlight Conversion

NOTE: This modification is only to be used on 2015 and up F150’s with Halogen headlight housings due to the arrangement of the headlights; please do not attempt this in your 2009-2014 F150. These trucks use an H11 bulb for low beam, 9005 for high beam & a 9140 for fogs. With a little modifying...

www.f150ecoboost.net

White wall & lux comparison: LED, H11 LL, H11+100, H9

I posted this on a model specific forum elsewhere. A Vendor introduced his product (LED headlamps "bulbs" intended for halogen bulb replacement) and I expressed (polite) skeptiscm. He offered to send me a set for objective and subjective evaluation. So far I've only had time to do this quick...

www.candlepowerforums.com

HIR bulb base modification

 

[psilocyBen]

If your lights are dull (faded, UX damage, etc) new bulbs is not going to help nearly as much as refreshing the lens by cleaning and polishing.

For lights: Nobody ever wants to hear this, but most (like 99%) of aftermarket LED headlights are a downgrade and dangerous. But because LEDs are newer than incandescent people think it is an upgrade. Cue the army of posters right after me..."but mine work great!" Sure. whatever.



If you want a drop in replacement (with minor trimming) that is both a significant upgrade, and good color temperature, and safe, and legal just get 9011 and H9 Bulbs instead of 9005 and H11.

You have to trim the tabs a little, but otherwise they mount right up.

Sources:

HOW TO: H11 to H9 / 9005 to 9011 Headlight Conversion

NOTE: This modification is only to be used on 2015 and up F150’s with Halogen headlight housings due to the arrangement of the headlights; please do not attempt this in your 2009-2014 F150. These trucks use an H11 bulb for low beam, 9005 for high beam & a 9140 for fogs. With a little modifying...

www.f150ecoboost.net

White wall & lux comparison: LED, H11 LL, H11+100, H9

I posted this on a model specific forum elsewhere. A Vendor introduced his product (LED headlamps "bulbs" intended for halogen bulb replacement) and I expressed (polite) skeptiscm. He offered to send me a set for objective and subjective evaluation. So far I've only had time to do this quick...

www.candlepowerforums.com

HIR bulb base modification

Thanks for the info. I was actually just thinking that my output might be not great because my lens are a bit cloudy. I’m definitely gonna sand them down and clear coat. So you’re saying a H9 normal halogen would be the best? Do you have any recommendations for a specific bulb?

 

[Bubbles]

If your lights are dull (faded, UX damage, etc) new bulbs is not going to help nearly as much as refreshing the lens by cleaning and polishing.

For lights: Nobody ever wants to hear this, but most (like 99%) of aftermarket LED headlights are a downgrade and dangerous. But because LEDs are newer than incandescent people think it is an upgrade. Cue the army of posters right after me..."but mine work great!" Sure. whatever.



If you want a drop in replacement (with minor trimming) that is both a significant upgrade, and good color temperature, and safe, and legal just get 9011 and H9 Bulbs instead of 9005 and H11.

You have to trim the tabs a little, but otherwise they mount right up.

Sources:

HOW TO: H11 to H9 / 9005 to 9011 Headlight Conversion

NOTE: This modification is only to be used on 2015 and up F150’s with Halogen headlight housings due to the arrangement of the headlights; please do not attempt this in your 2009-2014 F150. These trucks use an H11 bulb for low beam, 9005 for high beam & a 9140 for fogs. With a little modifying...

www.f150ecoboost.net

White wall & lux comparison: LED, H11 LL, H11+100, H9

I posted this on a model specific forum elsewhere. A Vendor introduced his product (LED headlamps "bulbs" intended for halogen bulb replacement) and I expressed (polite) skeptiscm. He offered to send me a set for objective and subjective evaluation. So far I've only had time to do this quick...

www.candlepowerforums.com

HIR bulb base modification

Thanks for the info. I was actually just thinking that my output might be not great because my lens are a bit cloudy. I’m definitely gonna sand them down and clear coat. So you’re saying a H9 normal halogen would be the best? Do you have any recommendations for a specific bulb?

This has been researched EXTENSIVELY on TW as 3rd gen tacomas use the same H11 we do. Of LED's the only ones that compare to a halogen are the hikari ultras, otherwise stick with modified H9's. I have both and will be comparing over the weekend. See link below for more info than you'd ever need on headlights.

3rd Gen HID vs LED vs Halogen H11 projector headlights

3rd Gen Tacoma HID vs LED vs Halogen H11 projector headlights This thread covers upgrading the 3rd gen Tacoma H11 headlights and looking at the...

www.tacomaworld.com

 

[kem]

LED technology has come a long way, and there are more high-output bulbs, you just have to find the good ones. Also remember the GX has a projector unit (vs a reflector in the Tacoma) so it's FAR better suited for an upgrade like HID or LED. Upgrading a reflector to LED or HID is a bad idea if you don't retrofit projectors (you'll blind people). The projector has a cutoff and a much better beam pattern to offset any additional "flood" lighting an LED might create. Like the video that was posted, you just need the find the right LED bulb that is quality and won't overheat.

I've owned many cars with factory HID projectors and I feel my beam pattern with the LEDs is similar to my previous HID cars (not output, just the pattern, where the light concentrates). It's not the best pic. If I get inspired tonight I'll take more.

This has been researched EXTENSIVELY on TW as 3rd gen tacomas use the same H11 we do. Of LED's the only ones that compare to a halogen are the hikari ultras, otherwise stick with modified H9's. I have both and will be comparing over the weekend. See link below for more info than you'd ever need on headlights.

3rd Gen HID vs LED vs Halogen H11 projector headlights

3rd Gen Tacoma HID vs LED vs Halogen H11 projector headlights This thread covers upgrading the 3rd gen Tacoma H11 headlights and looking at the...

www.tacomaworld.com

 

[Bralow]

Thanks for the info. I was actually just thinking that my output might be not great because my lens are a bit cloudy. I’m definitely gonna sand them down and clear coat. So you’re saying a H9 normal halogen would be the best? Do you have any recommendations for a specific bulb?

Oh the Flashlight forums (which is where the serious light-nerds hang out) the general consensus is that there are only 2 or 3 manufacturers of high quality vehicle bulbs:
* Phillips
* OSRAM
* Sylvania (depending on which bulb, and manufacturing plant)

Anything else is cheap junk.

Get these H9:

Amazon product ASIN B003YMPN3A
and these 9011:

Amazon product ASIN B00480J5CW
You'll notice if you look closely at the pictures: "Made in Germany". If you get ones that say made in China, send them back.