[Spenc121886]

I had a friend who got sylvania silverstar bulbs for his 03....like the 9007st or something like that. I went to Pep boys today because they sell them there and they told me that I needed to get an actual sylvania headlight. I thought he was just being an idiot but what the told me was that the 96's need a whole new headlight and the 03's can just replace the bulbs. I don't know what to do now. I had orginally planned on getting the silverstar bulbs and then getting diamond cut headlights. but now I dont know if I should just get the diamon headlights or these sylvania ones. they are the same price as the bulbs it's not any more expensive. I just don't know how good of quality they are. anybody know any other types of bulbs I can get other then syvanias that will still be good, that way I can get the diamond cut headlights still?

 

[4x4Dragon]

man all those mods and you didn't know about the whole headlamp having to be replaced? LOL! just pickin with ya man

anyways, yes the older tacos 95-97(4wd) used headlamp(sealed beam) assemblies. so you have to take off the friggin grill(and almost the bumper too) every time you need to replace a headlight........sucks. i got tired of it after the first time and went and got sealed beam conversions, to where it basically allows you to use replaceable H-4/9003 bulbs like normal and newer vehicles. i believe those diamond cut ones are the same as in they utilize a replaceable H4/9003, although i wonder if the diamon cut ones really do make things better????

as far as the silverstars go, from frequenting many different car and truck forums, they are the "cat's meow" for people looking for the whitest light possible while not actually decreasing the output. if you don't mind a not-so-white light, i've heard that the x-tra visions? are pretty good.

you should also check out the Hella conversions as well as the IPF conversions

 

[Spenc121886]

whats involved with converting? I have no idea about this stuff I don't mind just getting the new headlights if it's going to make a difference. anybody have experience with the sylvania silversar repleacement headlights or the diamond cuts...either one. I need to make a decision on which one to get

 

[Spenc121886]

i believe those diamond cut ones are the same as in they utilize a replaceable H4/9003

well if this is true then could I buy these diamond cuts and then get a replaceable sylvania bulb?

 

[4x4Dragon]

well if this is true then could I buy these diamond cuts and then get a replaceable sylvania bulb?

right

all you do is take out the existing headlamp assemblies(by removing the grill) and put in the new conversion lamps. they go in just like the originals except you'll now be plugging the headlight harnesses/plugs into the h4/9003 bulb which slips into the new "conversion" lamp.

no mod's or special tools needed. it's basically plug and play as long as you have the new h4/9003 bulbs.

here's some other cool conversion lamps i just found:

http://www.matrixracing.com/Browse_Item_Details.asp?HSD=1&Item_ID=4365

forgot to mention that i do have experience with the silverstars. i put them in my brothers Matrix for him and they are definately white/whiter and at least just as bright as the stock ones.

by bright, i mean bright on the road, ya know where it really counts. some people swear by those blue bulbs because they'll put them in and then look at them head on like dummies and say, "wow that's bright!" those blue bulbs suck, especially in wet weather, if what you're wanting better lighting- function not form.

 

[Spenc121886]

alright cool. thanks for your help!

 

[upwithit]

man its not that hard. i replaced the factory lamps with silverstars in my 96 ext cab. it took me about an hour. just be careful with the small clips. just look in your owners manuel and it will show you how. advanced auto has the ones you need on sale now. 19.99 each with 1/2 off of the second with a 5.00 mail in rebate.

 

[akshunj]

Thought I could add to this post with some info a ttora member sent me a few years back to add to the New England site regarding headlight bulbs.

Submitted by TTORA member BAMAJAS​

​

Over the past several months I have tried several different types of bulbs. I thought many of you would like some insight on my findings. I have a 2001 Doublecab with the stock wiring harness.​

1.Sylvania Cool Blue($20-$30pair)-To put simply, these lights are for looks only. The stock bulbs put out a lot more usable light and are overall a better bulb. At night on dark roads the bulbs did ok but during the rain they were terrible. Sometimes I couldn't tell the bulbs were on.

2.Hella +30%($20pair)-Much better than the Cool Blue's and a little better than stock. These bulbs put a lot more usable light on the road and performed fairly well in the rain. Overall improvement over stock and much better than the Sylvania's.

3.Sylvania Silverstar($40pair)-These bulbs do put out a white light and are about equal to the output of the stock bulbs. I know a lot of people really like these bulbs but in my opinion, they are not worth the $40 I paid for them.

4.Philips Vision Plus($20)-By far the best bulb on the market for a direct replacement bulb. The manufacturer claims that these bulbs put out 50% more light on the road and they live up to that claim. Not only is there more light on the road, but the light shines further down the road as well. These lights seem to cut right through the rain and fog. I highly recommend these for all Taco owners. The only place I have found them is at www.powerbulbs.com
​

 

[andrewmft]

based on the last reply and several years passing since it was posted, any newer products on the market that outperform the Phillips Vision Plus bulbs?

 

[NorcalPR]

Narva's work really well. I used to use Silverstars, but after replacing them every year and they're so expensive, I went Narvas and never looked back.