1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site
    Quick Links: 2nd row seat removal Very Small OEM Style Blank Switch Coolant Drain & Fill RAIN Skid Plate Maintenance Help 2020 Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Head light improvesents

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by BlueMax, Dec 21, 2020.

  1. Dec 21, 2020 at 7:34 AM
    #1
    BlueMax

    #1
    BlueMax [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2020
    Member:
    #18637
    Messages:
    4
    Vehicle:
    2018 4Runner Limited
    Any advice on upgrades for lighting 2018 Limited?
     
    BlueMax, Dec 21, 2020
    #1
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  2. Dec 21, 2020 at 7:44 AM
    #2
    JET4

    #2
    JET4 Old Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2018
    Member:
    #8147
    Messages:
    4,234
    Gender:
    Male
    Southeast, Va.
    welcome
     
    JET4, Dec 21, 2020
    #2
    Thatbassguy and 7385 like this.
  3. Dec 21, 2020 at 7:47 AM
    #3
    Mtbpsych

    #3
    Mtbpsych New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2018
    Member:
    #7922
    Messages:
    1,886
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5
    Plenty of threads on here, just spend some time reading! There’s a new one almost every week lately. Head over to the “Lightning” topic
     
    Mtbpsych, Dec 21, 2020
    #3
    Thatbassguy and 7385 like this.
  4. Dec 21, 2020 at 7:55 AM
    #4
    glwood54

    #4
    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2019
    Member:
    #10964
    Messages:
    6,636
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gary
    Albuquerque, NM
    Vehicle:
    2019 OR, KDSS, RSG sliders, Eibach shocks, 265/70 Falken Wildpeaks
    Searching for 'Lightning improvesents' might come up a tad short...

    JK. But their are a ton of lighting improvement threads.
     
    glwood54, Dec 21, 2020
    #4
    Thatbassguy, Dillusion, Mtbpsych and 1 other person like this.
  5. Dec 21, 2020 at 8:04 AM
    #5
    ForRun

    #5
    ForRun 4Runner

    Joined:
    May 25, 2019
    Member:
    #10019
    Messages:
    3,044
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 orp
    ForRun, Dec 21, 2020
    #5
    Thatbassguy, A&P, kmeeg and 1 other person like this.
  6. Dec 21, 2020 at 8:48 AM
    #6
    mousemeat

    #6
    mousemeat New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2020
    Member:
    #17209
    Messages:
    1,183
    Gender:
    Male
    Memphis, TN.
    Vehicle:
    1997 4 runner limited
    upgraded suspension, large all terrain tires
    lots of info..pertaining...read on
     
    mousemeat, Dec 21, 2020
    #6
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  7. Dec 21, 2020 at 9:06 AM
    #7
    wmdtech

    #7
    wmdtech Send MOD Money!!

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2018
    Member:
    #6834
    Messages:
    494
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nate
    Mid TN
    Vehicle:
    18 TRD ORP
    285/70r17 KO2 Eibach Stage 1 JBA UCAs
    wmdtech, Dec 21, 2020
    #7
  8. Dec 21, 2020 at 9:21 AM
    #8
    glwood54

    #8
    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2019
    Member:
    #10964
    Messages:
    6,636
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gary
    Albuquerque, NM
    Vehicle:
    2019 OR, KDSS, RSG sliders, Eibach shocks, 265/70 Falken Wildpeaks
    I did the H9 upgrade also, much better without spending a fortune.
     
    glwood54, Dec 21, 2020
    #8
    Thatbassguy and A&P like this.
  9. Dec 21, 2020 at 9:22 AM
    #9
    kmeeg

    #9
    kmeeg New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2018
    Member:
    #5853
    Messages:
    5,230
    Gender:
    Male
    I like this comparison link. Very helpful.

    I personally love the 'expensive' HIDs and LEDs on my stock housing or if they fail I will buy complete housing from Alpharex or any other best option I can find at that time.

    Right now my top choice - GTR Ultra 2, runner up - HR SV4.
     
    kmeeg, Dec 21, 2020
    #9
    Crossfit4Runner and Thatbassguy like this.
  10. Dec 21, 2020 at 10:24 AM
    #10
    ForRun

    #10
    ForRun 4Runner

    Joined:
    May 25, 2019
    Member:
    #10019
    Messages:
    3,044
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 orp
    Take some time and review that link. Alpharex puts out less usable light than an H9
     
    ForRun, Dec 21, 2020
    #10
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  11. Dec 21, 2020 at 10:28 AM
    #11
    SR5 Limited

    #11
    SR5 Limited New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2018
    Member:
    #7180
    Messages:
    13,594
    Vehicle:
    1996 SR5 Limited
    Do you want Chromatic Mode Dispersion or Polarization mode Dispersion? Weaponize it?
     
    SR5 Limited, Dec 21, 2020
    #11
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  12. Dec 21, 2020 at 10:29 AM
    #12
    kmeeg

    #12
    kmeeg New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2018
    Member:
    #5853
    Messages:
    5,230
    Gender:
    Male
    Sorry not a fan of messing with tabs on the bulb. That's a big no for me personally. (Just a personal choice)

    upload_2020-12-21_11-28-15.jpg

    upload_2020-12-21_11-28-57.jpg
     
    kmeeg, Dec 21, 2020
    #12
    Rainier42, Thatbassguy and ruiz4251 like this.
  13. Dec 21, 2020 at 3:25 PM
    #13
    ruiz4251

    #13
    ruiz4251 "but it was funny huh?"

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2018
    Member:
    #6877
    Messages:
    1,421
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    George
    TEXAS
    Vehicle:
    16 Trail Premium
    ICON custom stage 6 3"; 33's; gobi rack; SSO bumper; SSO high clearance; Rigid lights; 10k X2o winch; AFe intake; brola cat back; tint; aftermarket sound; opor sliders; pedal commander, viper smart start mobile tracker, Canvasback Liner; Rago rear window molles; victory 4x4 center console molle; cbi front skid steel; cbi aluminum tran skid; rci fuel aluminum skid; rci dif skid; rago rear shock skids; rci lower link skids; tenton workshop shift knob; yoga shop grenade trans knob;alpha rex headlights; USR blacked out tails; USR turns to turns; blacked out sequential mirror turn
    Agree with kmeeg
    Don't get wrong sometimes things work but hey just not for me ya know
     
    ruiz4251, Dec 21, 2020
    #13
  14. Dec 21, 2020 at 3:34 PM
    #14
    Thatbassguy

    #14
    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2019
    Member:
    #9314
    Messages:
    13,672
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    James
    S/E Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRDORP, KDSS, MGM
    RSG sliders, Yakima offgrid basket, Pro-Comp wheels, SOS Streamline bumper and skids, Warn VR EVO10S winch + Ultimate Sidewinder, Bilstein 6112 + 5100 + rear lift coils, Rigid Dually SS ditch lights w/Caliraised brackets and OEM style dash switch
    Welcome to the forum, @BlueMax !

    The H9 upgrade seems to be the most popular headlight upgrade here. It's cheap and effective.
     
    Thatbassguy, Dec 21, 2020
    #14
    A&P, 7385 and Rainier42 like this.
  15. Dec 21, 2020 at 7:04 PM
    #15
    ForRun

    #15
    ForRun 4Runner

    Joined:
    May 25, 2019
    Member:
    #10019
    Messages:
    3,044
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 orp
    Here’s a 20 buck H11 Phillips extreme 100 H11 that’s a tad better than the H9 so no cutting, plug and play

    C3C398A8-0E76-436A-ADF4-B545935E420F.jpg

    613ABEAC-B634-48EE-9076-F995515805EA.jpg
     
    ForRun, Dec 21, 2020
    #15
    Redned and kmeeg[QUOTED] like this.
  16. Dec 21, 2020 at 8:23 PM
    #16
    Jemplyr77

    #16
    Jemplyr77 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2018
    Member:
    #6688
    Messages:
    242
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brian
    Oklahoma
    Vehicle:
    2019 MGM Nightshade
    Tinted windows. USR tail lights.
    HID
     
    Jemplyr77, Dec 21, 2020
    #16
  17. Dec 22, 2020 at 8:31 AM
    #17
    HornedOwl

    #17
    HornedOwl New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2020
    Member:
    #16449
    Messages:
    227
    Gender:
    Male
    Washington State
    I have the GTR Ultra 2's. Love em
     
    HornedOwl, Dec 22, 2020
    #17
  18. Dec 22, 2020 at 9:18 AM
    #18
    Rainier42

    #18
    Rainier42 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2018
    Member:
    #7764
    Messages:
    43
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Johnny
    Bucks County, PA
    Vehicle:
    2020 Silver 4Runner Venture
    Sliding Cargo Tray, 265/70 R17 Falken WildPeak A/T3W tires, Interior Vled bulbs, LED Fog Lamps off of a 2020 TRD Pro w/Yellow Lamin-x film, Pedal Commander, TRD Pro shift handle, Subaru front tweeters.
    I have the H9 upgrade ... cheap, reliable, and is a big improvement. Would consider the Phillips X-treme +100 but have heard those bulbs burn out pretty quickly.
     
    Rainier42, Dec 22, 2020
    #18
    A&P likes this.
  19. Dec 22, 2020 at 10:23 AM
    #19
    kmeeg

    #19
    kmeeg New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2018
    Member:
    #5853
    Messages:
    5,230
    Gender:
    Male
    Agree. I installed GTR Ultra 2 after HIDs. Easy and clean install. Very happy with light output as well. Theoretically LEDs should give the best life span.

    https://youtu.be/ADUV156Rr7c
     
    kmeeg, Dec 22, 2020
    #19
  20. Dec 22, 2020 at 10:38 AM
    #20
    lastcall190

    #20
    lastcall190 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2020
    Member:
    #16913
    Messages:
    78
    Gender:
    Male
    Retrofit Source Morimoto HID package (5k flavor; nearly matches the wife's old Mazda 6 with OEM HIDs) and TRD Pro foglights. The foglights were an awesome upgrade (at least IMO for my purposes), the light is thrown REAL wide, which is nice especially considering my wife's early hour departures and the abundance of deer (relatively speaking...). Drilling of the dustcap was super simple with a stepped drill bit, and I just went ahead and bought two extras considering they were only 12 bucks a piece. Keep the unsullied stockers on the shelf if you ever change your mind!
     
    lastcall190, Dec 22, 2020
    #20
  21. Dec 22, 2020 at 11:34 AM
    #21
    ForRun

    #21
    ForRun 4Runner

    Joined:
    May 25, 2019
    Member:
    #10019
    Messages:
    3,044
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 orp
    Your not doing drivers a favor. They are also illegal for street use in the US
     
    ForRun, Dec 22, 2020
    #21
  22. Dec 22, 2020 at 11:36 AM
    #22
    Redned

    #22
    Redned New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 23, 2019
    Member:
    #12442
    Messages:
    75
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2019 MGM Off Road Premium w/ KDSS
    Bilstein 6112/ 5112 suspension. RCI sliders, ARB skid plates, Icon UCA’s, Icon 2” rear coils, TRD LED fog lights, 30” LED light bar. TSO Grille. 285/70/17 BFG KO2’s, Icon Vector 6 wheels. Weathertech floor mats. 2.5”/ 2” lift. K&N CAI.
    Like ForRun said- the H11 Philips X-treme +100 is a good option.

    Big improvement over stock and couldn’t be easier to install. Don’t know about the longevity of the bulbs, but time will tell.
     
    Last edited: Dec 22, 2020
    Redned, Dec 22, 2020
    #22
  23. Dec 29, 2020 at 12:33 PM
    #23
    Oregonrain

    #23
    Oregonrain New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2020
    Member:
    #18800
    Messages:
    1
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2019 SR5
    I just did the H9 upgrade, using Hella standard bulbs. Trimming the tabs was easy, and the light output is significantly better than the H11 bulbs.
     
    Oregonrain, Dec 29, 2020
    #23
    7385, A&P and Rainier42 like this.
  24. Dec 29, 2020 at 6:59 PM
    #24
    Limited4RunnerOBX

    #24
    Limited4RunnerOBX New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2020
    Member:
    #17910
    Messages:
    25
    Gender:
    Male
    I put in the Hella High Perf 2.0 H9 recently. It seemed like the best compromise between price, performance, style, and longevity.

    I would have preferred a whiter bulb (Hellas are 3600k), but Silverstars and Philips Xtreme are known to burn out quickly.
     
    Limited4RunnerOBX, Dec 29, 2020
    #24
Register FREE to Reply!

Products Discussed in

HELLA H9 2.0TB High Performance Bulb, 12V, 65W, 2 Pack
$29.92
To Top