Replacing Headlight Bulb - Recommendations? (2003 Camry XLE)

[SIrMack]

Well, the driver's side headlight bulb that came with the car when I bought it back in 2002 finally blew. I have really enjoyed the headlights as they were the best of any car I've owned.

I really liked the stock bulbs, but I am wondering if there are any better bulbs that you guys could recommend?

Also, what would be an identical replacement for the stock bulb I could get at a normal auto parts store?

Are there different sizes for High Beam and Low beams?

I look forward to any suggestions.

Thanks!

[MrSo0h0o]

firstly, a search would have yielded many different suggestions, so for next time, try and use the search first. also, your vehicle manual tells you what size bulbs you will need.

heres a bit of info so as to not discourage you from staying here:

your low beam bulbs are 9006, high beam 9005. there are many aftermarket bulbs that you can use. if you are looking for pure white light, check out GE Nighthawks and Sylvania Siverstars. Auto parts stores normally carry these. If you want to spend a little more for a lot more light, look into HIR's. They put out 2/3 the amount of light that HID's do, without the glare you would get from HID's in your reflector headlamps.

[SIrMack]

I appreciate the advice. I did utilize a search but I apparently was not using the right terms. Most of the results were about HIDs, and I am only looking for information on utilizing the stock 9005/9006 sockets.

I did find the information on the Toshiba HIR 9011 and 9012 but none of the local stores seem to carry them, so I would have to order them online. It also appears to be about $30 shipped per bulb, and I would have to order a set of 4 bulbs it would seem to equip both the high and low beam for both headlights, correct?

I am also curious if the Toshiba HIRs require any sort of modification of the headlight housing or if I have to modify the socket adapter to fit into the Camry, any thoughts on that?

In essence, how would stock headlight bulbs compare to the Toshiba's? Night and day???

Besides the Toshiba, I guess the Nighthawks would be the best bet, as the Silverstars seem to burn out at least once a year from what I have read due to them being pushed wattage/heat wise. true?

So the only real suggestions I could find were

1) get HID kits
2) Toshiba 9011/9012
3) Sylvania Silverstars Ultra
4) GE NightHawks

Are there any others?

Thanks again for the suggestions and look forward to your thoughts.

[MrSo0h0o]

Originally Posted by SIrMack

I appreciate the advice. I did utilize a search but I apparently was not using the right terms. Most of the results were about HIDs, and I am only looking for information on utilizing the stock 9005/9006 sockets.

I did find the information on the Toshiba HIR 9011 and 9012 but none of the local stores seem to carry them, so I would have to order them online. It also appears to be about $30 shipped per bulb, and I would have to order a set of 4 bulbs it would seem to equip both the high and low beam for both headlights, correct?

I am also curious if the Toshiba HIRs require any sort of modification of the headlight housing or if I have to modify the socket adapter to fit into the Camry, any thoughts on that?

In essence, how would stock headlight bulbs compare to the Toshiba's? Night and day???

Besides the Toshiba, I guess the Nighthawks would be the best bet, as the Silverstars seem to burn out at least once a year from what I have read due to them being pushed wattage/heat wise. true?

So the only real suggestions I could find were

1) get HID kits
2) Toshiba 9011/9012
3) Sylvania Silverstars Ultra
4) GE NightHawks

Are there any others?

Thanks again for the suggestions and look forward to your thoughts.

HIR's are not available in any physical store. The only places I know that carry them are http://hirheadlights.com/ and http://store.candlepower.com/hirlighting.html

Yes they are expensive but worth it. For your high beams I would not bother changing them out with any aftermarket bulb. You will rarely use the high beams and only for a second or two.

If you look at the first site i mentioned, they tell you all about the minor modification you need to make to fit the HIR bulbs into the stock socket.

Yes, the HIR's make a BIG difference and for the pricetag, I think it is worth it.

The silverstars do burn out relatively quickly, so if you arent going the HIR route, I would go with the GE Nighthawks. DO NOT put an HID kit in your reflector housings. This will cause major glare and create unsafe driving conditions for oncoming cars.

[SIrMack]

Originally Posted by MrSo0h0o

HIR's are not available in any physical store. The only places I know that carry them are http://hirheadlights.com/ and http://store.candlepower.com/hirlighting.html

Yes they are expensive but worth it. For your high beams I would not bother changing them out with any aftermarket bulb. You will rarely use the high beams and only for a second or two.

I was able to find a part number, sold by John Deere, for the Toshiba HIR2 9012 for $29.95 + Tax, delivered overnight to my local John Deere Dealer. They are manufactured in Japan. The part number is AH211917. So that might be good for folks who have a local John Deere Dealership near them.

Looks like I will still have to go online to order the Toshiba HIR 9011 High Beams, as JD doesn't sell them. Any thoughts on it?

So you recommend buying the longer life Toshiba HIR 9012 Low Beam lights and just leave Toyota stock in the high beams?

Thanks again!

[MrSo0h0o]

Originally Posted by SIrMack

I was able to find a part number, sold by John Deere, for the Toshiba HIR2 9012 for $29.95 + Tax, delivered overnight to my local John Deere Dealer. They are manufactured in Japan. The part number is AH211917. So that might be good for folks who have a local John Deere Dealership near them.

Looks like I will still have to go online to order the Toshiba HIR 9011 High Beams, as JD doesn't sell them. Any thoughts on it?

Also, would the Toshiba HIR 9012 Low beams offer any improvement over stock? Or should I order Toshiba HIR 9011 High beams and put them in the Low Beam socket? Would that even be legal?

Thanks again!

Good info on the John Deere part number. I know that JD's use them but never thought of pursuing it any further since im in NYC(doubt theres a JD dealership near me hahaha).

As for the high beams, I said I wouldnt bother putting an aftermarket bulb in there.

Yes, i modified the 9011 to fit the low beam socket.

[SIrMack]

Originally Posted by MrSo0h0o

Good info on the John Deere part number. I know that JD's use them but never thought of pursuing it any further since im in NYC(doubt theres a JD dealership near me hahaha).

As for the high beams, I said I wouldnt bother putting an aftermarket bulb in there.

Yes, i modified the 9011 to fit the low beam socket.

I ordered 2 of 9012 for the Low beam socket. Do you recommend I cancel and just order the 9011 from eBay instead? Or will the 9012 still produce a decent beam better than the SilverStar Ultras?

I was just going to leave the stock high beams and use the 9012 for low beams. I always thought it was illegal to put high beam bulbs in the normal bulb slot and that running high beam bulbs continuously could affect the life of the bulbs, as the High beams I thought were only rated for 300 hours. Also, wouldn't it be almost too bright and blind other drivers?

Thanks for all the advice!

[webjones]

Based on what I've read on another forum (Jeep Commander) I think you'll be pleased with the Toshiba HIR's.

As for the Silverstar's burn life, I've had Silverstar Ultras in my high, low and fogs on the Jeep for 2 years now without a burnout. Granted, I don't have to turn them on every day. Just saying.

[MrSo0h0o]

Originally Posted by SIrMack

I ordered 2 of 9012 for the Low beam socket. Do you recommend I cancel and just order the 9011 from eBay instead? Or will the 9012 still produce a decent beam better than the SilverStar Ultras?

I was just going to leave the stock high beams and use the 9012 for low beams. I always thought it was illegal to put high beam bulbs in the normal bulb slot and that running high beam bulbs continuously could affect the life of the bulbs, as the High beams I thought were only rated for 300 hours. Also, wouldn't it be almost too bright and blind other drivers?

Thanks for all the advice!

stick with the 9012's and put them in your low beams.. thats what i have running on my car right now. There will be a shorter bulb life solely based on the fact that the bulb runs hotter than a regular low beam.

[SIrMack]

Well, I went to pick up the bulbs at my local John Deere store and they were the Toshiba 9012 Chinese made bulbs, NOT the Japanese made ones. So I just canceled the order and received a refund. From what I have read the Chinese made ones are not as bright, and also are not as durable. For a few dollars more I'd rather order online and get the Japanese made ones.

I was told that the Fog Lights use the 9012 bulb, so I could have the Toshibas in all 6 of my lights. I wonder how much of a difference it would make to have 9012s in the fog beams?

Just not sure if it is worth $30 x 6 lights = $180.00 shipped.

Also, I read there was a way to "mod" the Camry to use all 6 lights (lows, highs, and fogs) in high beam mode. Is it easy? and how legal is it? I thought the law only allowed 4 lamps on at any time?

While I await the nice bulbs I purchased a $10 set of GE OEM Replacements, which look as good as the originals that came on the Camry. I have been very impressed with the light on the Camry, so I can only imagine how much better it may be with the Toshiba 9012s/9011s.

Also, does my 2003 Toyota Camry XLE have a "Bulb Shield" in the both the low/high beams as well as the fog lights? Since the HIRs don't have a blacked out tip that is a requirement for legal road use I am guessing.

Thanks for all the input so far!