I Need Brighter Headlights

I love my 2004 Tundra Ext Cab SR5 but have increasingly found it hard to see driving at night except on Interstates or major thorough fares in the city. I frequently clear the covers of the opacity that occurs with older headlights, but they're still just dim. Sometimes, driving through my neighborhood after dusk I am not always certain my lights are on, but they are. Is there an upgrade kit, different compatible bulbs, or some other solution that will make a difference?

 

I recommend retrofitted headlights from SouthPaw. Retrofited headlights with HID bulbs. Tons of light and no glare in other drivers' eyes. Just an option. Will be a little more costly than just replacing the bulbs of course but it sounds like you are probably ready for replacement assemblies anyway having cleared the opacity already.

 

Welcome from Vegas..

I also have a "DOUBLE Cab" 04.
like you I hated the dim stock lights it had when i bought her.
I Replaced them with some LEDs off Amazon for less than $50 and was amazed at the difference. I probably blind the shit out of oncoming traffic, but nobody flashes me so...

what color do you have and pls post some pics of your truck, if ya can.

And again, welcome, to the best Gen club.

 

Retrofits are the BEST, but can add up quickly $$$$. I found H4 drop ins on Amazon for $50. They are an LED bulb with a built in projector. I've been running these now for about 4 months now and they have been great.

 

Okay, guys -- you've got my attention. Art SR, how do I contact SouthPaw? Bassman, can you give me a few more details to investigate? Gmillz, same question -- what do I look for? And then, what's involved in doing the swap? Thanks.

 

So a few things here. The easiest solution would be those H4 mini projector bulbs. Those are actually pretty slick for what they are and don’t break the bank.

There is always the option of running HID’s/LED’s in your factory headlight assemblies but they will scatter light pretty much everywhere. You can make some adjustments to help align them. They still will give you a great improvement over the stock halogen bulbs but they won’t be 100% right. They are starting to come out with new LED bulbs that have a built in shroud to help offset the light scattering.

The ‘best’ solution is a proper retro fit.
Properly retro fitted headlights


VS drop in h4 mini projector bulb


The choice is obviously yours but I can say I’ve tried them all and nothing compares
to a retro fit. It’s amazing how much light is focused and actually being utilized through a projector. I won’t say I haven’t tossed in HID’s into stock housings because I’ve done it a lot but once you have a good retro fit, you won’t go back. There is a reason a lot of new cars are coming factory with HID’s/LED’s with projector housings.

 

Here's the kit I used. As stated above by other members, retrofits ARE the way to go, but I wasn't planning on spending $300-500 onretrofits and also spending the time baking, modding and resealing headlights. You can see by the pics @SouthPaw posted that retros are by far the better choice. It's all about what you are looking for out of the headlight. I would still love to mess around with a better lighting solution, but for the time being on dark Colorado mountain roads the drop ins are doing me well.

In times of serious need I have a 30" yellow light bar up front to help in blizzard like white out conditions. Aside from that the drop ins illuminate the road nicely for my taste and after adjusting them I've had zero flashes from other drivers.

 

A link to my build thread for lights
https://www.tundras.com/threads/the-ultimate-headlight-project.60945

 

Some solid feedback -- thank you very much. I'll have more questions in a few days, but I've got some other work to do this weekend. I'll be back. Codger

 

vleds.com makes quality led as well and they have BF sales right now. pricier than Amazon but quality led. still cheaper than full retro if on a budget

 

Thanks, TB.