Square headlight upgrades

[RatLabGuy]

The old headlights in my 93 toy are sucking and I'm considering switching to modern LEDs. They're the standard 5x7 whatever that's in all old toys, wranglers etc

I put a generic set in my 4Runner years ago and they're ok but I'm not super hot on the pattern.

There's a Brazilian to different models and styles, most seem to be Chinese junk. Just curious if there's opinions on a brand/ set that are actually great.
Don't need blinding light, just good soild white-ish pattern that won't make me the asshole.

 

[Keith1138]

This is the style I've been running in my cherokee for close to 10 years. I think auxbeam makes identical ones now. The link is below. I like how they have a beam i can aim.

7x6 Led Headlights Rectangular Headlamps High Low Sealed Beam w/DRL Turn Signal DOT Approved for Jeep Wrangler YJ Cherokee XJ Ford Chevy GMC Toyota

\ Features: FITMENT: H6054 LED headlights are compatible with any vehicle equipped with 5x7-inch (also known as 7x6) headlights, compatible with Jeep Wrangler YJ 1987-1995, Cherokee XJ 1984-2001, MJ Comanche 1986-1992, GMC Savana, Ford E Series F series, Chevrolet Express series, Chevrolet...

auxbeam.com

 

[shawn]

Hella H4

 

[skyhighZJ]

Bought auxbeam from the jungle website for my ‘89 and ‘81 toy P/U and they were stoopid bright. (Had good spread between low & hi beam too.) The ‘81 I also bought new “buckets” to get back the adjustable status. Wood by agin

 

[Hokie_YJ]

I bought a cheap set off e-bay several years ago for my old YJ buggy. I was plenty happy with them.

 

[jeepinmatt]

Are they sealed or changeable bulb? If changeable, and the reflector is in good shape, just get a set of name brand high wattage bulbs. I still love light output from the H4 conversion I did on my TJ 15-20 years ago.

 

[frankenyoter]

I’m in the same boat and need headlights for my 94.

Been eyeballing these for some time but I would like LED to incorporate drl and turn

Rampage H4 Headlight Conversion Kit | 1982-1995 Pickup & 1984-1991 4Runner

Shop LCE Performance for Rampage an H4 Headlight Conversion Kit for 1982-1995 Toyota Pickups & 1984-1991 4Runners. Improve your night time visibility with upgraded headlights.

www.lceperformance.com

 

[frankenyoter]

This might be one of the best options but it comes at a price and that’s why I still have one headlight with only a high beam.

Sealed5 Bi-LED Headlight (5x7)

Just when you think you've done your research and come across every last option in the 5x7in Sealed Beam LED market, these should catch your attention. Morimoto Sealed5 | The Retrofit Source!

www.morimotohid.com

 

[Croatan_Kid]

I got these for my S10 and CUCV. Metal housings, glass lenses, but now has a replaceable bulb. Gives me a wide variety of bulbs to choose from. They were like 54 bucks for each pair, I think. No complaints!

They're Octane Lighting brand. I don't remember if they were from Amazon or eBay. I used LED bulbs and they, surprisingly, still focus fairly well. I haven't gotten high beam flashed at all from other drivers. The glare is from my phone's camera lense.

 

[RatLabGuy]

Are they sealed or changeable bulb? If changeable, and the reflector is in good shape, just get a set of name brand high wattage bulbs. I still love light output from the H4 conversion I did on my TJ 15-20 years ago.

Not changable. They're what came on it from the PO some 14 years ago.
I've had Hella H4s in the past, and yes they are great. They also get hot and need pretty decent wiring. Just thought I'd explore other options.
I definitely like the idea of the beam pattern coming from the lens, at least the LEDs with a single giant bulb has that. Not a fan of the row-of-LED style bc the light pattern is aweful.

 

[skyhighZJ]

The ones I put in both my yota pickup came with a standalone harness and relays for each bulb given Toyotas are know to have iffy headlight wiring. Let me see if I can dig up a link.

Edit:

https://a.co/d/5ncA4Am

 

[paradisePWoffrd]

I put some conversion lights in the c10, and really like how they work. A little more pricey than some of the jungle stuff, but the lens is glass and housing is still adjustable with stock hardware.

RMS3307PRO - 5x7 (Gen3) Large Square Headlight Conversion Kit with 10,000 LM H4 Mini Projector LED Bulbs

Headlamp Kit Includes:2 - Gen3 5x7" Large Square Housings with Glass Lenses2 - 10,000 LM H4 Mini Projector LED Bulbs (6500K) "Gen3" 5x7 Large Square Sealed Beam Headlight Conversion Kit w/Qty (2) 50w 10000LM H4 Mini Projector LED Bulb's. This Kit's For Those Of You That Want To Upgrade The...

rmslighting.net

 

[shawn]

They also get hot and need pretty decent wiring. Just thought I'd explore other options.

Nah, same as any other halogen, unless you go with a higher wattage bulb. The higher wattage ones burn out faster and only put out a little more light, so maybe not worth it. The Hella E spec H4 housings have a sharp horizontal cutoff with a bit of a ramp up on the passenger side, way better than any sealed beam.

I definitely like the idea of the beam pattern coming from the lens,

An LED "bulb" often won't have the element in the same place as a halogen relative to the reflector, so the beam pattern is fucked. That's one reason you get spurious light, people flashing you, etc.

 

[UncleWillie]

I've run these in my trucks for a few years.

https://a.co/d/aUIHV1l

 

[RatLabGuy]

OK dumb question. I'm jumping on a Prime deal to get a set of LED lights.
But is a relay harness really even necessary?
When I did this on teh 4runner I put one in w/o even thinking about it and bc the wiring was in bad shape already. In this truck... eh everything is stock and (mostly) works. Its just old. No funky PWM wiring or anything.
Since LED's draw a lot less power I'm not ure why it would really be necessary.

Wht I got previously

Amazon.com: H4 Relay Harness 1set 2 Headlight H6054 6024 9003 5x7 7x6 Led Headlight Relay Wiring Harness Kit for Toyota 95-97 Tacoma 88-95 Pickup Upgrade Led Dual Ground Problem Negative Switched Conversion Kit : Automotive

Buy H4 Relay Harness 1set 2 Headlight H6054 6024 9003 5x7 7x6 Led Headlight Relay Wiring Harness Kit for Toyota 95-97 Tacoma 88-95 Pickup Upgrade Led Dual Ground Problem Negative Switched Conversion Kit: Wiring Harnesses - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[shawn]

No, you just need the correct socket to match your bulb.

 

[Shreddinlettuce]

You might need a different flasher relay if the turn signal goes led

 

[RatLabGuy]

No, you just need the correct socket to match your bulb.

Turns out this is incorrect, but not for the reason I think most would expect, including me. The kit I bought even came w/ an adapter.

Apparently Toyota used a switched ground for the lights on these older trucks, and it switches ground for both high and low beams. This means the usual expected wiring of a typical H4 plug with ground, low, and high plugs won't work out of the box (which I learned when I plugged it is and nothing happened )
LED's only work with the power going one direction unlike incandescent builbs.

This guys explaisn it really well


BLUF is you need the relays to switch the logic back to conventional switched power.

 

[shawn]

Turns out this is incorrect, but not for the reason I think most would expect, including me. The kit I bought even came w/ an adapter.

Apparently Toyota used a switched ground for the lights on these older trucks, and it switches ground for both high and low beams. This means the usual expected wiring of a typical H4 plug with ground, low, and high plugs won't work out of the box (which I learned when I plugged it is and nothing happened )
LED's only work with the power going one direction unlike incandescent builbs.

This guys explaisn it really well


BLUF is you need the relays to switch the logic back to conventional switched power.

That's what you get for switching to led