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They are basically bulbs that reflect the heat internally to generate more light - invented by GE and licensed by Toshiba. This is not a blue-bulb "upgrade" - just more lumens.
Notes for the LS430:
Passenger side: had to remove air box to access the bulb.
Drivers side: Had to remove junction block for electrical (and just move it over as it was still attached to wiring harness. Poorer access.
got mine off ebay. Several other vendors out there. This is not a bling-bling upgrade. Just more light is all.
Last edited by BC Rider; 07-15-09 at 10:35 AM.
Reason: syntax and clarification
I started the thread and then went and edited the original post to correct some things, and the original post dissapeared.
My apologies.
Here is the basic context of the original.
I recently acquired a 2001 LS430. Love the car. I got lots of info from this site, so figured I'd post something people might find useful.
Was not too impressed with the high beams on my LS.
Changed the high beam HB3 or 9005 bulbs for Toshiba HIR 9011 bulbs. Info on the bulbs has been around for a long time. I did not find any postings on this LS430 forum so I figured I'd make a note here.
Terrific light increase. People say 70% more lumens - I would tend to believe it. Cost about $50. 20 minute install including modification to the tab.
Notes on the install:
Passenger side: Had to remove air box to access bulb but then very easy access.
Drivers side: Had to move electrical junction box and push it to one side. Poor access but worked well.
I'm very pleased with the install. This is not bling bling, just gives more light and I would recommend it if you live in deer or moose country.
The running lights look no different than OEM bulbs IMHO. Just yellow/brown drls. You would not be impresed by any pics. They just work better. More light.
I got mine from ebay - lots of other vendors out there. Keywords if you look for them are HIR, Toshiba, 9011.
I was surprised myself to see that i was the thread starter.
Due to the overwhelming amount of spam we receive everyday, members with less then 10 posts need to have their posts approved when they attach links or pictures (like the case above.)
I approved the post, but somehow my request did not go through, and subsequently, my post appeared to be the first one giving the impression that i started the thread. My mistake.
Originally Posted by TJW98LS
Did this used to have more posts? Why can I only see Grand's post?
The missing post is likely my fault.I started the thread and then went and edited the original post to correct some things, and the original post dissapeared.
My apologies.
Like mentioned in my post above, it was a computer error on my behalf. If you, or anyone else has the same issue, please feel free to Pm me.
Here is the basic context of the original.
I recently acquired a 2001 LS430. Love the car. I got lots of info from this site, so figured I'd post something people might find useful.
Was not too impressed with the high beams on my LS.
Changed the high beam HB3 or 9005 bulbs for Toshiba HIR 9011 bulbs. Info on the bulbs has been around for a long time. I did not find any postings on this LS430 forum so I figured I'd make a note here.
Terrific light increase. People say 70% more lumens - I would tend to believe it. Cost about $50. 20 minute install including modification to the tab.
Notes on the install:
Passenger side: Had to remove air box to access bulb but then very easy access.
Drivers side: Had to move electrical junction box and push it to one side. Poor access but worked well.
I'm very pleased with the install. This is not bling bling, just gives more light and I would recommend it if you live in deer or moose country.
The running lights look no different than OEM bulbs IMHO. Just yellow/brown drls. You would not be impresed by any pics. They just work better. More light.
I got mine from ebay - lots of other vendors out there. Keywords if you look for them are HIR, Toshiba, 9011.
One of my HIR fogs burnt on my GS, and while installing new HIR bulbs, i also installed them into my high beams and they looked great. I decided against installing them in the highbeams due to DRL's and their impact on bulb life.
I have been searching for these Toshiba HIR1 (9011) bulbs, and understand that they are no longer manufactured by Toshiba. Recently I ordered a couple of ACDelco HIR1 (1911) bulbs from Amazon.com for $23.62 each.
To my surprise, the ACDelco branded HIR1 bulbs were actually manufactured by Toshiba. You can see on the photo below the marking: Toshiba
Japan
12V65W
HIR1
These HIR1 (9011) bulbs fit my 04 LS430 high beam 9005 sockets right out of the box - no trimming or modifications required.
The HIR1 (9011) bulbs put out significantly more lumen than the 9005:
9005, 65W = 1700 lumen, 3250K
9011, 65W = 2350 lumen, 3740K
D2S, 35W = 2800 lumen (HID low beam), 4300K
And the color is a bit closer (almost as white) to the HID low beam.
Here are pictures of DRL only and with high beam. Frankly, the pictures do not really reflect the true color. The lights are actually a little more "yellow" in real life.
Here are pictures of DRL only and with high beam. Frankly, the pictures do not really reflect the true color. The lights are actually a little more "yellow" in real life.
Thanks for the pics. Looks a little bit more glare-y than usual. Looking good.
I have a retrofit in mind for my high beams. Putting in LS460 bi-xenon projectors instead.
The glare is probably from my cheap point-and-shoot camera. The color on the photos were not very accurate. For reference, the low beams are from new OEM Philips D2S 35W 85122 4300K bulbs - I just installed them a few days ago.
Please share pictures when you're done with your projector upgrade.
07-14-09, 03:21 PM
LS430 High beam upgrade
