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I have an '07 is250, the last six months or so my headlights have dimmed so badly I can drive with my brights on and not have one car flash me. I have POOR eyesight at night so this is a big uh oh for me...the low beams w fog lights on are ok- just ok. They are stock everything. I have cancer and am currently not working, so could someone please suggest some good replacements that aren't outrageously expensive if possible?? I'm not worried about looks right now, just being able to see when I drive!! Thanks
HID or incandescent bulbs on the low beam? Guessing it has halogen incandescent in both.
GF's Highlander has Halogen bulbs in both and I replaced the OEM fogs and low beams with LED's and we can see at night.
I ordered LED's for both the low beam H11 and the fog lights H16 (which are super low wattage at just 19 watts). The bulbs are not here or installed so no comments on effectiveness just yet.
FOGLIGHTS:
Bulb is Halogen H16
H16 = Japan-style - 90* base (not PSX19 or PSX24), H8 / H9 / H11 / H16 sockets will all fit one another but vary by wattage.
Replacement LED:
PN: SN.LED148
Name: H11: GTR CSP Mini LED
$134 a pair. Intended as Fog light only, but may have other uses.
Lumens = 2500 (Stock 9005 ~ 1000)
2021-04-03, finally installed the LEDs. Mostly everything went off without a hitch -> plug and play when you have the correct components for the application. The exception is the LED's cooling fins hit the housing cover when you try to seal it back up.
On the right side, the cover fit with minor contact. On the left, I did some trimming to the plastic but without punching a hole clean through it, it wouldn't fit until the O'ring came off.
Bulb centering.
Comparison of LED to incandescent.
Top down shot. Disregard Alignment marks, car was moved.
I'll try and get some in use photo's. Calling this a win so far but let me drive it some more and report back.
PS - results of LED Bulb swap from incandescent will vary by the housing they go into. I think Projector style housing stand a better chance of getting improved range over an open bowl like the high beams have.
I'm assuming you have no yellowing of your headlight housings? If you do, this is likely one reason for the poor headlight performance.
If you're not sure what type of bulb your headlight uses, just turn them on and watch. If they transition from blue/purple to white/yellow-white, along with potentially making a buzzing sound, then they're HIDs. I believe another way to tell is to see if the headlights auto level on start, I don't think the halogen models have auto-leveling.
I wouldn't really advise using bulbs that aren't designed for your housings. I'm assuming you have the halogen projectors, an HID or an LED bulb were not designed to be used in the halogen housing so light output isn't exactly optimal (hot spots, glare going off where it shouldn't, etc). People tend to equate having a ton more light in front of them as being "good" when it actually destroys your distance vision. Not saying this is the case with using those types of bulbs in the halogen projector housing on the IS, but just something to think about if you pursue using non-halogens in your housings. If you do have factory HIDs, you'll have to replace your bulbs with HIDs (D4S).
I'm assuming you have no yellowing of your headlight housings? If you do, this is likely one reason for the poor headlight performance.
If you're not sure what type of bulb your headlight uses, just turn them on and watch. If they transition from blue/purple to white/yellow-white, along with potentially making a buzzing sound, then they're HIDs. I believe another way to tell is to see if the headlights auto level on start, I don't think the halogen models have auto-leveling.
I wouldn't really advise using bulbs that aren't designed for your housings. I'm assuming you have the halogen projectors, an HID or an LED bulb were not designed to be used in the halogen housing so light output isn't exactly optimal (hot spots, glare going off where it shouldn't, etc). People tend to equate having a ton more light in front of them as being "good" when it actually destroys your distance vision. Not saying this is the case with using those types of bulbs in the halogen projector housing on the IS, but just something to think about if you pursue using non-halogens in your housings. If you do have factory HIDs, you'll have to replace your bulbs with HIDs (D4S).
I hear you and the case above was a $150 experiment that worked. GF can't see at night either the lighting in the Highlander sucks. 3 different people have driven that at night and it really helped. That may not be the case for all conversions. And if it made it worse, I'd take them out.
That said, the placement of the LED's emitters is identical to the filament location of the bulbs they replace, hence this working in some instances.
I need to replace the housing on both sides and the lights. If anyone could recommend a decent set (yes I'm a girl, this stuff gets confusing sometimes!, but I love my car!!) Something that comes with the new housing and bulbs. I do have halogen currently, and am guessing I'll have to switch to hid?I've already changed out the h11 for a supposedly brighter bulb...it didn't seem to help at all!! Or maybe recommendations on best, cheapest place to buy....Amazon, ebay, etc.?
Originally Posted by 2013FSport
I hear you and the case above was a $150 experiment that worked. GF can't see at night either the lighting in the Highlander sucks. 3 different people have driven that at night and it really helped. That may not be the case for all conversions. And if it made it worse, I'd take them out.
That said, the placement of the LED's emitters is identical to the filament location of the bulbs they replace, hence this working in some instances.
IMO the Vipmoto are the best bang for the buck. Also have a great output of lighting paired with HID kit. Though you will have to properly seal them, and prep them for best output. Removing a internal metal bracket is required. On top of that you have to make height adjustments before putting everything back together. This includes bumper removal, air box. etc... etc.
Urgent Help w headlights!!
