H9 in H11 headlight sockets?

A bunch of guys over on Tacoma World are running modified H9 bulbs (65w) in place of their H11 (55w) bulbs in the low beam sockets. It's a huge increase in brightness.

You just have to remove a little tab from the inside of the bulb base (Dremel) and then the factory H11 harness will plug right onto the H9 bulbs.

As far as locking into the headlight housing, H9 and H11 are the same. The little tab in the bulb base is the only difference.

The same could be done in our T4R's. Could anyone tell me if our low beam wiring could handle the 65w H9 bulbs?

 

yes they work and yes they will burn out quicker. Just add a H11 HID kit (4500k) and call it a day.

 

Just did the H11 to H9 a week ago. Used the Phillips h9’s from Amazon. Great bang for buck. H9’s are obviously brighter and whiter with longer throw with same cut off..did adjust my headlights down a tad since I’m lifted. Have not been flashed by any on-coming cars. There’s several threads covering this switch with good reviews on t4r.org. Most seem to be getting a year to three years bulb life out of the h9’s used in 5th gen 4runners. I didn’t see anyone mention any probs with overheating the stock 5th gen pigtail.

https://www.amazon.com/Philips-12361B1-Standard-Replacement-Headlight/dp/B003YMPN3A

These cutters work awesome for modding the H9...took about 2minutes per bulb. Another member gets credit for finding these.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00FZPDG1K?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_pd_title

 

Nice. Yeah my biggest concern is burning up the wires with the H9 set-up.

 

Evidently, you have to also trim the center metal tab that screws into the socket. Not a big deal, but you will need a file.

 

These micro cutters from Amazon I had as an attachment in my post above worked fantastic cutting off about 3mm of the h9 center metal tab and also cutting the plastic ridge inside the plug housing. Super easy and took less than 2 minutes per bulb.

The plastic ridge in the h9 plug housing is easily cut flush with the micro cutters (no file needed)..On the metal tab, clamp down firmly with the micro cutter where you want to cut the metal tab (both sides). This will “indent” the metal for a clean cut. Then with the cutters grab the section your cutting off and bend and it breaks off clean (no file needed). Very easy to place the H11 next to the H9 and visualize how much and which side of the metal tab to trim.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FZPDG1K?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_pd_title

 

Good info. Thanks

 

? I paid $78 for HID setup. Why wouldn't you do that instead?

 

To each their own. I've done a ton of research. I'm not interested in running HID's for a few different reasons.

 

There's a TON of great info in this thread if you're interested in learning more about foreword lighting. Lots of bulbs reviewed and pros/cons of different lighting types.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-hid-vs-led-vs-halogen-h11-projector-headlights.589465/

 

Such as? Would like to know. Thank you

 

Do you have a Tacoma or a 4runner?

 

I own HIDs and they work great in my 4runner

 

I used to have Tacomas (both a 2nd and 3rd gen). Now have a 4runner.

I've read about hid's "bouncing". Some have a problem and others don't. I wouldn't like it if I ended up with bouncing.

The hid bulbs people are running in halogen reflectors are made by after-market folks. It's an HID bulb and it is inserted into the base of a halogen bulb (H11, for example). An "H11 HID" isn't really a thing. They're not made by any major manufacturers (Osram, Philips, etc). Yes, there are Philips bulbs being inserted into Halogen bulb bases. But it's not a Philips product. There are also lots of "off-brand" hid bulbs being stuck into halogen bases.

I've read about lots of people having to lower the aim of their hid's so as not to bother oncoming drivers.

Lots of people love the HID mod and have good luck with them. I've also read of several people buying a $150 set and going back to halogens for different reasons.

I'm not arguing or suggesting anyone not do hid's. It's just not the route I'm gonna choose to go. If you read through that thread (it's long, I know) you might get a sense for why one might choose to stay with halogens. A performance halogen can arguably offer a better overall experience than HID's, even thought it's not as bright.

Again, not trying to convince anyone. There are advantages/disadvantages to both.

 

I can tell you based on real world experience as a 4runner owner running HIDs that crashnburn is wrong regarding HIDs at least in 4runners.

 

They're highly frowned upon on the candlepower forum as well. But I don't at all doubt they're serving you well. Lots of guys here love them. That speaks for itself.

I'm content with high performance halogens. I also like trying different bulbs for fun (kinda like some people like trying different "car waxes" all the time). As such, I just don't wanna mess with hid's.

 

has anyone swapped out/upgraded their fogs with other halogens? i think i want to just go with amber/yellow led's for the fog lights anyway.

 

There is not a “performance halogen” available in the H16 bulb size (like there is for our H11 low beams).

The Philips LED’s are awesome. Tons brighter than stock. I got the white and used yellow LaminX film on the lenses.

 

Another pic

https://www.4runners.com/threads/philips-led-fog-bulbs.8666/#post-77376

 

OK, I figured as much after a bit of an internet wild goose chase haha. ill check those out...i dont think phillips makes them in yellow/amber, right? I wanted to avoid the lamin x, because personally i dont love the yellow lens look when the lights are off. i can probably get over it if need be haha

These are halogens with matching wattage for the 2010-2013 fogs, wonder if they are decent enough:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N4JEI7...colid=RBZ0DTMU4WT3&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079ZBWVS...colid=RBZ0DTMU4WT3&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

Sorry, I didn’t realize you had H11’s in your fogs.

Hella also makes a yellow H11. HELLA H11 Yellow-55W YL Xtreme Yellow Bulbs, 12V, 55W, 2 Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079VYZ2TP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Z.mLDbS67202F

Also— the Philips LED comes in a yellow color. So no laminex needed.

 

the hellas look like they are off road use only
i may stick to H11 halogen for the fogs for now.

 

Not sure why those would be off road only. Stock wattage. Maybe they don’t have glare caps.

edit: looks like they do have glare caps.

 

They burn out way to fast. Buy a 4500k HID kit and call it a day. Works great and wont burn out fast like the H9 bulb in a projector beam housing.

 

Bingo

 

FYI for future lurkers... I get about 12 months from a set of high performance 150 hour bulbs (like the GE Megalight +130). The Philips H9’s are a 250 hour bulb. So, I’d get about 18 months give or take.

Another nice high performance bulb is the Philips Xtreme Vision +100. It’s a 400 hour bulb.

 

i have a 2012 which is a reflector housing which is why im sticking with halogens.

 

ill take a closer look. there doesnt seem to be much of a consensus on yellow H11 halogens. may just bite the bullet and order a pair and see where it gets me.

 

I ran yellow halogens in my Tacoma’s for years. IMO they help when roads are wet. You know how sometimes roads look black and dimensionless after a rain? Yellow will add some contrast.

 

oh yeah i definitely agree on their usefulness, just want to find a brand that people seemed to like overall.