H4 Headlight Issues?? Short Life Span?

[Beave]

Hey all,

I got a '02 Double Cab and have had problems with aftermarket headlights not lasting very long. Maybe 5-6 months or so on average. These aftermarket lights range from super-cheap EBAY deals, to PIAA's bought from the dealership. Even the parts guy at my Toyota dealer acknowledges that this has been an issue.

The last set of lights I bought are under warranty and I can take them back for a free replacement whenever they may burn out, but I would like to solve this problem anyway; Free lights or not.

Has anyone else had this experience?? Any ideas on how to fix it?

Thanks,

Beave

[hytenor]

Originally Posted by Beave

Hey all,
Has anyone else had this experience?? Any ideas on how to fix it?
Thanks,
Beave

yea, get an aftermarket wiring harnes from nwor. (there's another, cheaper source but I can't find the link) Yunny??
bigger wires, better current flow and the bulbs last longer. There was a huge thread about this about a year and a half ago and the electricians chimed in and explained why...don't ask me...

2 1/2 years later the bulbs are still going strong.

[Beave]

Hey thats some good news!! NWOR is about 1.5 hrs away from my home! Pretty cool little shop. I'll have to get up there sometime soon and pick that up. Pretty easy install??

[hytenor]

Originally Posted by Beave

Hey thats some good news!! NWOR is about 1.5 hrs away from my home! Pretty cool little shop. I'll have to get up there sometime soon and pick that up. Pretty easy install??

I usually don't suggest them (long, drawn out story) but this particular product has been great. Install is very easy, just plug and play. It is a bit pricy at $100 though. the extra juice that the fatter wires allow let the H-4s run hotter and brighter which, believe it or not, makes them last longer...go figure. An added bonus is that both filiments (hi and lo) burn when the hi-beams are on which I really like. I ran some 110/90 bulbs for about a year and never had any problem overheating the plastic lenses or anything. I went back to OE wattage bulbs cuz I had to aim the 90s down so far the usable light was not as good as OE bulb aimed correctly. I'll switch to some 100/55s or 100/60s one of these days however. I don't really need the brighter hi-beams any more with the cibies hooked into the hi-beam wire for instant daylight

[wslytoy]

Originally Posted by hytenor

(there's another, cheaper source but I can't find the link).

you wouldn't happen to have a link would you? LOL!!! Man, $100 is a lil bit rich for my blood, even though I do need them. I got a set of xenons off ebay for relatively cheap and those bitches burnt up quick like. Even though you don't know of the link now, if you find it, do let me know, if it's cheaper anyways. Otherwise I'll have to fork out the cash, b/c eventually the bulbs will add up and be way more than the harnesses! Thanx, Wes

[hytenor]

Originally Posted by wslytoy

you wouldn't happen to have a link would you? LOL!!! Man, $100 is a lil bit rich for my blood, even though I do need them. I got a set of xenons off ebay for relatively cheap and those bitches burnt up quick like. Even though you don't know of the link now, if you find it, do let me know, if it's cheaper anyways. Otherwise I'll have to fork out the cash, b/c eventually the bulbs will add up and be way more than the harnesses! Thanx, Wes

Yunny has the other brand harness as well as the link. I can't seem to find it.

[justinsfa]

mine usually last anywhere from 4 months to 1 yr, but they just differ. make sure to use an alchohol wipe that usually comes with them and wipe them down. The oil from your fingers is supposedly bad for the lights. I haven't figured out what the key to long life is, but the last 2 pair i have had have lasted over 8 months. Dealer says every vehicle application is like that.

Justin
Nac, TX

[wslytoy]

Originally Posted by hytenor

Yunny has the other brand harness as well as the link. I can't seem to find it.

Well I guess that butt-nutt needs to hook us up! Thanx man, I'll give him a PM. Peace, Wes

[JonnyOzero3]

http://www.suvlights.com/

I picked my wiring harness up from these guys - seems to work well for $50 or so if I remember correctly. I saw a noticeable increase in light output...probably like 10% or so. Good enough for me.

Indirectly on topic: For bulbs I would highly recommend Philips Vision Plus or Osram Silverstars (NOT the same as U.S. version silverstars) from

www.powerbulbs.com

They are stock wattage (hence...LEGAL) but much whiter and brighter than stock. I've used stock bulbs, Hella 80/100s (burned my '99's light housings), Sylvania Silverstars, and the Philips Vision plus. The Philips get my vote because they are brighter by a ton than the Sylvania's, much whiter than stock, and not blue-ish like the Slyvanias, and won't melt my housings like the Hellas. However, I will try the Osram's next as they are supposed to be brighter by a hair.

About bulb life - I've had the Philips for about one year and a couple months now on the upgraded harness, and the low filament on one bulb just died. The 2nd bulb is fine, however. Over year isn't great, but its not bad I guess.

[hytenor]

Originally Posted by JonnyOzero3

http://www.suvlights.com/

I picked my wiring harness up from these guys - seems to work well for $50 or so if I remember correctly. I saw a noticeable increase in light output...probably like 10% or so. Good enough for me.

that's the site I couldn't remember, thanks

[JonnyOzero3]

no prob

[wisctaco04]

Originally Posted by JonnyOzero3

no prob

Yunny found this place so I can't take credit....
They ship in a day and arrive 2 days later. Super cheap.

Susquehanna Motorsports Rally lighs catalogue

[wslytoy]

Originally Posted by wisctaco04

Yunny found this place so I can't take credit....
They ship in a day and arrive 2 days later. Super cheap.

Susquehanna Motorsports Rally lighs catalogue

that Yunny is a hell of a guy when he's not being a smartass, hahaha!

[Yeti]

Originally Posted by JonnyOzero3

http://www.suvlights.com/

I picked my wiring harness up from these guys - seems to work well for $50 or so if I remember correctly. I saw a noticeable increase in light output...probably like 10% or so. Good enough for me.

Indirectly on topic: For bulbs I would highly recommend Philips Vision Plus or Osram Silverstars (NOT the same as U.S. version silverstars) from

www.powerbulbs.com

They are stock wattage (hence...LEGAL) but much whiter and brighter than stock. I've used stock bulbs, Hella 80/100s (burned my '99's light housings), Sylvania Silverstars, and the Philips Vision plus. The Philips get my vote because they are brighter by a ton than the Sylvania's, much whiter than stock, and not blue-ish like the Slyvanias, and won't melt my housings like the Hellas. However, I will try the Osram's next as they are supposed to be brighter by a hair.

About bulb life - I've had the Philips for about one year and a couple months now on the upgraded harness, and the low filament on one bulb just died. The 2nd bulb is fine, however. Over year isn't great, but its not bad I guess.

Got those osrams yet?

[JonnyOzero3]

Originally Posted by Yeti

Got those osrams yet?

No, not yet. I've been living with a truck with a black eye...one stock and one philips for a bit now, lol. The new bulbs are a little low on the priority list, but I'll get them sooner or later. I'll make sure to revisit this thread when I do....

I'm sure there are other fellas on here who have used the Osram's...be nice if they could chime in....cough cough....

[TheChiefSinner]

Originally Posted by hytenor

bigger wires, better current flow and the bulbs last longer. There was a huge thread about this about a year and a half ago and the electricians chimed in and explained why...don't ask me...
.

I was just on the phone with Jen Liu from SUVlights.com, and he actually said that the opposite is true. Doesn't mean he is right, but just thought I'd mention that. I got the wiring harness, it was $65.00, and I also got a pair of Philips Vision Plus bulbs for another $36. He said these were the brightest legal bulbs, so I thought I'd give them a try. I don't drive a whole lot at night, so hopefully they last longer than 1 year. I don't care if they don't last too long though. Not like the end of the world if I have to buy some new bulbs. I did save the stock ones too just in case I need a spare.

[avc8130]

I still have my stock bulbs after 4 years. I run with my lights on all the time! I think after this I will buy another set of stockers (unless they are ridiculously expensive). Any time I have used aftermarket bulbs they always burnt quickly.
Anthony

[bluetaco]

http://www.rallylights.com/hella/bulb_help.htm

read thru the link...good info on bulbs and such
http://www.rallylights.com/hella/H4.asp
on the chart you can see the differences in lumens and life just in the Hella bulbs...

touching the bulb glass with bare skin will shorten the life of the bulb as well!

[CuriousJ0N]

from my own personal experience, the cheap bulbs off ebay don't last and neither do the piaa's. i'm currently running the philips vision plus bulbs and they've lasted what's going on 2 years now.

[Super Doody]

Sorry old post. My silverstar just burnt out. Which bulb do you have 100/55w? Can I run that with stock harness? How much brighter is it with the upgraded harness?

Originally Posted by wisctaco04

Yunny found this place so I can't take credit....
They ship in a day and arrive 2 days later. Super cheap.

Susquehanna Motorsports Rally lighs catalogue

[Super Doody]

Chris,

Which of these bulb is the brightest I can run with my stock harness?

http://catalog.com/susq/hella/bulbs.htm

I'll upgrade harnesses whenever suvlights is back web.

Thanks,

Jim

Originally Posted by hytenor

I usually don't suggest them (long, drawn out story) but this particular product has been great. Install is very easy, just plug and play. It is a bit pricy at $100 though. the extra juice that the fatter wires allow let the H-4s run hotter and brighter which, believe it or not, makes them last longer...go figure. An added bonus is that both filiments (hi and lo) burn when the hi-beams are on which I really like. I ran some 110/90 bulbs for about a year and never had any problem overheating the plastic lenses or anything. I went back to OE wattage bulbs cuz I had to aim the 90s down so far the usable light was not as good as OE bulb aimed correctly. I'll switch to some 100/55s or 100/60s one of these days however. I don't really need the brighter hi-beams any more with the cibies hooked into the hi-beam wire for instant daylight

[hytenor]

Originally Posted by Super Doody

Chris,

Which of these bulb is the brightest I can run with my stock harness?

http://catalog.com/susq/hella/bulbs.htm

I'll upgrade harnesses whenever suvlights is back web.

Thanks,

Jim

I ran 90/110s for a while before I got the harness. I'm not sure if I could tell much of a difference in brightness with the new harness. The bulbs tend to last longer with it, however. I took out the 90s mainly because I had to keep them aimed down so far as to defeat the purpose of even having them. I get more usable light out of OE bulbs than I did the 90s. the thing about the nwor harness that I really like is how it runs both filiments (hi and low) simultainously when the h-beams are on With '01 and newer trucks your lens assembly has a much better cut-off of the light beam than the gen 2 trucks have. you might be able to more easily get away with brighter lo-beam bulbs and not have to aim them into the ground to keep from blinding people. you might try ordering some cheapies and experiment.

[Super Doody]

Originally Posted by TheChiefSinner

I was just on the phone with Jen Liu from SUVlights.com, and he actually said that the opposite is true. Doesn't mean he is right, but just thought I'd mention that. I got the wiring harness, it was $65.00, and I also got a pair of Philips Vision Plus bulbs for another $36. He said these were the brightest legal bulbs, so I thought I'd give them a try. I don't drive a whole lot at night, so hopefully they last longer than 1 year. I don't care if they don't last too long though. Not like the end of the world if I have to buy some new bulbs. I did save the stock ones too just in case I need a spare.

what wattage bulbs did you get?

[Alaskan Assassin]

I've had the Phillips Vision Plus and Osram Silverstars with wiring harness in my truck over the past few years. I'd have to give a slight nod to the Phillips bulbs for performance (though they're both very good). Like the other people on here, they lasted about a year.

I bought these bulbs from www.murphskits.com because they're fast and cheap. Click on the "Concours Merchandise Page". From Murphs, they cost about $30 a pair and arrive to my doorstep in about 3 days.

[Uneasy Rider]

I always use a latex or rubber glove to install headlight bulbs. I think that the bulbs should be kept as "sterile" as possible to extend their lifespan. My Silverstars are a little over a year old now.

[pr0jectezek1el]

hey guys

i did a google search and typed in nwor and i got this web site

http://www.northwestoffroad.com/

is that the right website for the wire harness? bc i just order the philpis plus from powerbulb.com

thankls

[hytenor]

Originally Posted by pr0jectezek1el

hey guys

i did a google search and typed in nwor and i got this web site

http://www.northwestoffroad.com/

is that the right website for the wire harness? bc i just order the philpis plus from powerbulb.com

thankls

I have that one...pricy but works very well.

nwor is not really customer friendly and their sales people are pretty clueless. They have some very good products but they customer service is seriously lacking.

[Super Doody]

Yeah their sales staff is rude too and there is a 25$ minim on order. I tried to buy some grease which was like 20$. He wanted me to buy their catalog which is $5. Who the hell pays for catalog these days any ways.? He qouted me some like 30$ with shipping. I wasnt about to pay 30$ for grease.

Originally Posted by hytenor

I have that one...pricy but works very well.

nwor is not really customer friendly and their sales people are pretty clueless. They have some very good products but they customer service is seriously lacking.

[pr0jectezek1el]

so is there anyother places to buy a new headlight harness..i tired looking for them on rallylights and got all confused...

thanks

[hytenor]

Originally Posted by pr0jectezek1el

so is there anyother places to buy a new headlight harness..i tired looking for them on rallylights and got all confused...

thanks

http://www.suvlights.com/