Headlight Upgrade Options

[Nakattk]

I just purchased a 2011 Camry LE. I am wondering what options I have for the headlights. I keep reading about HID kits and leds. I know my high beams have a glass lens on them is that HID already or something else? I have only ever had the halogen lights before. I want to know what the best options are and any downsides.

[murph3699]

I think the majority here will say to do an HID retrofit. I'd love to do one but I don't have the time or the talent.

[molson.david]

I think the majority here will say to do an HID retrofit.

+100.
don't waste your money and time on "HID" kits.
save some $ and get retro.

[Nakattk]

Any links to what is involved? Is it super hard? Would it void the toyota warranty?

[tengiday]

Originally Posted by Nakattk

Any links to what is involved? Is it super hard? Would it void the toyota warranty?

You can go to hidplanet.com to read more info about this. I spent several months doing tons of research before doing the retrofit. Is it super hard? Not so hard, but not so easy. You may worry more about money than skills.

Many people buy another set of headlights (TYC or Depo) to do the retrofit, so you can put your old headlights back in case anything happens. Please save your receipt in case you get into an accident and your headlights are broken.

My suggestions (by cost)
1) Although I'm not the fan of pnp HID kit, I think you can install it because your headlights control the HID light fairly well. (minimum cost)
2) You can buy an already-retrofitted headlights on this forum or hidplanet and just replace your headlights.
3) Buy components such as: HID projectors, ballasts, harness, bulbs,... and do the retrofit.
4) You can have a retrofitter such as Lightwerkz doing this.

Good luck!

[DOHCammer]

There is another choice besides HID. You get almost the same performance for less money and no wiring. I upgraded my low beams from H11's to the H9 hi beam bulbs. I chose Hella, they produce a bulb with a light blue coating that mimics HID look but doesn't wash out in the rain like Silverstars do. They throw a nice white light. Do a search, its very easy to modify the H9 to fit in the H11 slot. I also upgraded my hi beam from a 9005 to an HIR1 (Toshiba 9011) bulb. These bulbs are a little pricey but well worth the lumens upgrade. toshiba is the only manufacturer of the true HIR technology. They also have to be slightly modified to fit. So, for less than the price of a good HID kit I've upgraded both my hi's and lo's with no lens modifications and no wiring problems. Simple but very effective. There is one downfall however, shorter bulb life on the H9. After a year and a half I already blew out one Hella. No big deal, bought another pair so now I have a spare.

[Pilot0617]

Bhaaa I bought a cheap HID of ebay in 2010 and they are still going strong pluss the 2011 headlight projector looks great so i didn't retrofit.

[tengiday]

A H9 bulb at 55W produces about 2100 lumens, while an HID 85122+ bulb at 35W produces 3400 lumens. For simplicity, you can use H9 too. Blue coating bulbs should not be used since you actually get less lumens. The white light produced by the bulbs just makes people think they are brighter, but they're not. Just use the regular H9 bulbs.
DOHCammer, do you use DRL with your HIR bulbs? I intend to buy HIR bulbs for my high, but I'm afraid that they will turn brown because of incomplete halogen cycles. I don't use high beam much since my low beam is more powerful than the high beam.

[DOHCammer]

Originally Posted by tengiday

A H9 bulb at 55W produces about 2100 lumens, while an HID 85122+ bulb at 35W produces 3400 lumens. For simplicity, you can use H9 too. Blue coating bulbs should not be used since you actually get less lumens. The white light produced by the bulbs just makes people think they are brighter, but they're not. Just use the regular H9 bulbs.
DOHCammer, do you use DRL with your HIR bulbs? I intend to buy HIR bulbs for my high, but I'm afraid that they will turn brown because of incomplete halogen cycles. I don't use high beam much since my low beam is more powerful than the high beam.

I know the HID's put out a lot more lumens than my H9 setup but they don't seem to put a lot more light to the ground with the stock projectors. I've ridden in a Gen 6 with HID's and although the light is whiter, they didn't seem much better than my setup unless you count lighting up the trees. I still may upgrade to a 4300k HID setup because of the short bulb life. I do not use DRL's with my HIR's. At around $30 a bulb, I don't want to chance the browning effect they have with regular halogen bulbs. They are awesome high beams, thats for sure. I think they would be a nice complement to the HID's, they made a big difference in my car.

[Nakattk]

The color from my Hi beams is not bad and wow compared to my old truck they are super birght. I do not like the low beams though they are too yellow and dim + then do not have a very good distance throw. Not sure what the best option is for the low beams without having to rip into the headlights.

[tengiday]

Originally Posted by Nakattk

The color from my Hi beams is not bad and wow compared to my old truck they are super birght. I do not like the low beams though they are too yellow and dim + then do not have a very good distance throw. Not sure what the best option is for the low beams without having to rip into the headlights.

It depends on how much money you are willing to spend and how much work you are willing to do for your headlights. The best option is to do the retrofit. Without ripping into the headlights, I think you can either use pnp HID kit or do H9-to-H11 conversion.

H9-to-H11 conversion: http://forum.mazda6club.com/exterior...onversion.html

[murph3699]

I bit the bullet and bought a TRS MH1 set from a member here. Too good of a price to pass up. I'd prefer to do the retrofit on another set of headlights and do the black out. Any suggestions on where to get a decent set? Its tough to find OEM. Ebay seems to be OEM style. I also found these:

http://www.am-autoparts.com/2007/Toy...09/356547.html

Is it worth it to buy them for a retrofit?

[tengiday]

Originally Posted by murph3699

I bit the bullet and bought a TRS MH1 set from a member here. Too good of a price to pass up. I'd prefer to do the retrofit on another set of headlights and do the black out. Any suggestions on where to get a decent set? Its tough to find OEM. Ebay seems to be OEM style. I also found these:

http://www.am-autoparts.com/2007/Toy...09/356547.html

Is it worth it to buy them for a retrofit?

IMO, aftermarket headlights are good enough for retrofit although some prefer OEM headlights (you're going to switch out the projectors anyway). I used Depo headlights for my retrofit, and my headlights are great. If you worry about condensation inside the housings, you can add extra butyl sealant.

[gator1939]

For all those who say they have put in bulbs/kits in which the low-beams are brighter than the OEM hi-beams, I agree. I see it virtually every night. Idiots that come at you head on and blind you with their lights. One of my secret fantasies is that I am a cop and I could pull each and everyone of them over.

To the OP, whatever you do, show some courtesy to your fellow drivers and make sure you have lo-beams that don't blind oncoming traffic.

gator1939

[murph3699]

Originally Posted by tengiday

IMO, aftermarket headlights are good enough for retrofit although some prefer OEM headlights (you're going to switch out the projectors anyway). I used Depo headlights for my retrofit, and my headlights are great. If you worry about condensation inside the housings, you can add extra butyl sealant.

Where do I find Depos?