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H9 in H11 headlight sockets?

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by 4runningMan, Feb 18, 2019.

  1. Oct 3, 2019 at 9:58 AM
    #31
    4runningMan

    4runningMan [OP] New Member

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    I ran the Optilux in my 2nd gen Tacoma’s fogs. They were a darker yellow/amber than the lighter colored Nokia’s available at the time.

    The optilux were actually made by hella. Don’t know if they’re still available on Amazon.
     
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  2. Oct 3, 2019 at 10:02 AM
    #32
    4runningMan

    4runningMan [OP] New Member

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    Look closely at the Amazon ad photos... The syllvania has a yellow band on the bulb. That’s going to limit the yellow exposure to the reflector. Hot spot will be somewhat yellow, edges of the beam will not be.

    the hella, the entire bulb is yellow. That’s going to give much more yellow color.
     
  3. Oct 3, 2019 at 10:05 AM
    #33
    4runningMan

    4runningMan [OP] New Member

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    Looks like you’d lose some intensity with the PIAA due to the deep color. I’d be going with the Hellas if I was in the market again. Nice yellow light out into the ditches.
     
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  4. Oct 3, 2019 at 10:27 AM
    #34
    PrettyGoodSam

    PrettyGoodSam New Member

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    right on, thanks!!
     
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  5. Oct 3, 2019 at 11:51 AM
    #35
    PrettyGoodSam

    PrettyGoodSam New Member

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    ordered the phillips H 9 for the low beams and the hella H 11 for the fogs. I'll swap out the high beams later, I pretty much never use them as is. also ordered the sirius led reverse light.
     
  6. Oct 3, 2019 at 12:28 PM
    #36
    4runningMan

    4runningMan [OP] New Member

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    I haven’t put my Philips H9’s in yet. So far I’ve been running the GE +130’s. I suspect the Philips will have a wider beam pattern. The GE is bright but pretty focused.

    Love my Sirius back up bulbs and Philips LED fogs.
     
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  7. Oct 3, 2019 at 5:05 PM
    #37
    Deucer01

    Deucer01 New Member

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    Running Phillips H9s in both the Taco and 4runner. In tests by crashnburn just about equal to the new Morimoto LED headlights so saved over $1000 per truck!
     
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  8. Oct 3, 2019 at 5:54 PM
    #38
    4runningMan

    4runningMan [OP] New Member

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    Did you have to trim the metal tab for the 4Runner? I heard they might fit without trimming.
     
  9. Oct 4, 2019 at 12:48 PM
    #39
    Deucer01

    Deucer01 New Member

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    They fit without trimming, just takes a little finesse to get it in.
     
  10. Oct 15, 2019 at 8:01 AM
    #40
    PrettyGoodSam

    PrettyGoodSam New Member

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    I did this install yesterday. I tried to fit the H9 without trimming and was unable to. I cut down the one metal tab at the top and got it to fit. Prior to that i cut out the little plastic tab inside the plug area by putting the base in a vice and using a square edged x acto blade and a rubber mallet to basically shave it down. worked perfectly.

    The install is pretty easy. one note which i failed to follow in the low beams: no need to take the engine compartment off as it says in the manual. there is no clear advantage to this. i was able to fit my hand back there to turn the base and remove the bulb. on the drivers side, keep the bulb and base together, but on the passenger side, remove the base first to take out and install the new bulb, then hook it back up after it is in. thats what worked for me.

    put the Hella yellow fogs in as well. i was able to reach straight up between the fender and bumper to unhook the base then take the bulbs out. then just swap them with the new ones. incredibly easy and i love the results!
     
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  11. Nov 13, 2019 at 7:28 PM
    #41
    2016 4Runner SR5

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    I did this swap tonight and so far I am very happy. Has anyone moved the OEM H11 bulbs down to the fog lights? Any issues with heat or to much current draw? Would be nice to swap the 19 watt bulbs with 55 watt bulbs.
     
  12. Nov 13, 2019 at 10:31 PM
    #42
    4runningMan

    4runningMan [OP] New Member

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    That’s a pretty substantial increase in power. But there’s a lot of us wondering the same thing. Likely won’t know the final outcome until after several hours of use. Personally, I wouldn’t risk it.
     
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  13. Nov 13, 2019 at 10:32 PM
    #43
    4runningMan

    4runningMan [OP] New Member

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    Or you could just give it a shot and if the lenses burn up you could install the OEM led fogs. That’s always an option.
     
  14. Nov 14, 2019 at 7:05 AM
    #44
    PrettyGoodSam

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    i was driving this past monday and got flashed 4 seperate times...wondering if i need to make a slight adjustment on the low beams. if so, how does one do this?
     
  15. Nov 14, 2019 at 7:27 AM
    #45
    4runningMan

    4runningMan [OP] New Member

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    Yep you prob need to adjust slightly. It’s gonna be even worse if you have weight in the back.

    there are adjustment knobs on the back of the housing. Be sure you do the right knobs (vertical, not horizontal). Park a few feet away from a garage door, mark the top of the hot spot. And adjust downward about an inch. See how it goes. If you don’t get flashed anymore, you could come up half an inch. Just find the sweet spot.
     
    Last edited: Nov 15, 2019
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  16. Nov 14, 2019 at 7:49 AM
    #46
    SlvrSlug

    SlvrSlug Slightly bent.

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    Just because your in low beam mode does not mean you are not blinding people, i would suggest adjusting a bit.
     
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  17. Nov 14, 2019 at 1:57 PM
    #47
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    2012 doesn't have projectors so it's possible his output is blinding people.
     
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  18. Nov 14, 2019 at 4:34 PM
    #48
    4runningMan

    4runningMan [OP] New Member

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    Yep. H9 doesn’t have a glare cap (painted tip) on the bulb like a H11.
     
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  19. Nov 15, 2019 at 7:26 AM
    #49
    PrettyGoodSam

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    ill fiddle with them this weekend and see what i can do. thanks for the help!
     
  20. Nov 15, 2019 at 7:52 AM
    #50
    nimby

    nimby in the drink

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    If you are at stock height, no need to adjust the headlights with an H9 bulb conversion.

    However, if you have lifted your truck, you will probably want to adjust them. I adjusted mine after a lift because that was enough of a difference for my lights to shine in the eyes of most cars (sedans).
     
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  21. Nov 15, 2019 at 10:13 AM
    #51
    2016 4Runner SR5

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    For anyone doing this, just in case you don't know, DO NOT TOUCH THE GLASS! Touching the glass bulb with your fingers will destroy the bulb within hours if not faster. Always wear gloves and always touch the plastic only. May seem obvious to some of us but we were all beginners once so I wanted to throw this out there.
     
  22. Nov 15, 2019 at 10:21 AM
    #52
    2016 4Runner SR5

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    A set of jack stands and a jack are all you need. Piece of advice from someone that has lifted more than a few 4Runners. Do not pop the upper control arm ball joint. This is how people constantly damage ABS sensor wires. Remove the 2 lower control arm ball joint bolts and swing the knuckle out of the way. No chance of damaging the wires doing it this way. Those 2 bolts require red Loctite and 118 foot pounds of torque when reassembling. Front sway bar link to knuckle nut it 52 foot pounds and I always put some anti seize on the shaft that goes through the knuckle but not on the threads. Top hat nuts are 47 foot pounds with blue Loctite. Front shock to lower control arm bolt is 70 foot pounds with anti seize on the shaft and red Loctite on the nut.
     
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  23. Nov 15, 2019 at 9:49 PM
    #53
    4runningMan

    4runningMan [OP] New Member

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    You have projectors, so it’s not an issue. Folks with reflectors will have more of a problem, I think.
     
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  24. Nov 15, 2019 at 9:56 PM
    #54
    4runningMan

    4runningMan [OP] New Member

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    I should add, there are very detailed instructions available for properly aiming headlights. But I’ve always found it easier to simply adjust them way down low, see how it goes, and if I don’t get flashed, raise them up a bit. And see how it goes. If I can see well at night, and I’m not getting flashed, I’m good.

    they come pretty well aimed from the factory, so big adjustments aren’t ever necessary. Just make sure you only adjust the vertical and not the horizontal.
     
  25. Nov 16, 2019 at 7:56 AM
    #55
    nimby

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    It depends on how high you go. I guess we all have a different definition of level around here......so at 1.6” higher in the front, I had to adjust mine down slightly. It was really easy and took 10 minutes at the most. Lots of YouTube videos on it. There are some instructions in the Toyota manual on how to do it, but they make it sound way more complicated then it needs to be.

    All you need is a wall, some level ground that extends roughly 25ft back from that wall, some painters tape, and a Phillips head screwdriver.
     
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  26. Nov 20, 2019 at 4:00 PM
    #56
    Deucer01

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  27. Jan 13, 2020 at 7:13 AM
    #57
    PrettyGoodSam

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  28. Jan 13, 2020 at 7:14 AM
    #58
    nimby

    nimby in the drink

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  29. Jan 13, 2020 at 7:23 AM
    #59
    PrettyGoodSam

    PrettyGoodSam New Member

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    no, i already did those. i added the 9011's to the hi beams. i should have clarified, sorry about that.
     
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  30. Jan 13, 2020 at 2:41 PM
    #60
    nimby

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    Ah, got it! Already have the H9's in mine, but haven't done the 9011's yet.
     
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