My headlights are awful

[LWJ]

Help! 2010 Subaru Outback (wife) 2001 LandCruiser (mine). Both have anemic lights.

I see halogen high perf lights but supposedly they have a short lifespan? I see LEDs but they take modifications and may be poor quality?

Braintrust. What do you do? It is wet and dark here in Oregon. I need to see.

TIA!!

[Por_sha911]

10 year old bulbs are weaker - try replacing with fresh bulbs.
If the lenses themselves are cloudy then replace them. The whole polishing and sealing thing only lasts a very short time.

If you want a little extra light, you can adjust the headlamps aim just a little higher than the factory setting. Its really easy to do. Don't go overboard and start blinding everyone on the road.

[island911]

cloudy lenses? RLE?

Well, LED's are a mixed bag. Finding the right ones can give better illumination out of stock reflector/lenses, but hard to find.

Here is a good thread on that. https://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/918961-led-vs-hid.html#post9172384

[TimT]

The Subaru headlights are pretty bad... I have 2008 WRX and I replaced the halogen buld with an HID conversion kit....

It made a huge difference..


https://ddmtuning.com/DDM-HID-Kit-Slim-Ballast-35W-or-55W

[rfuerst911sc]

Watching with interest as my 2001 GMC pickup has lousy headlights . Mine are faded some but the bulbs are not much brighter than a candle 😋

[pmax]

When there are no other vehicles around lighting up the road, you can always use the high beams, of course shutting them otherwise.

Blinding LEDs are a hazard to others.

[drkshdw]

I have a '12 Outback and find the lights perfectly adequate although I have new housings so the plastic is crystal clear. If the road is wet I turn on the fog lights and that really helps the situation. They are the best headlights I've had in a car in years. They're no 2022 LED's but they're pretty good for what they are.

And if you haven't changed out that generations headlights on an Outback, removal of the whole front end is required to change a bulb. Not something you want to do every 6 months.

[pwd72s]

reminds me...I REALLY should check headlights when car shopping. I'm not fond of the lights on Cindy's Camry at all. Yeah..kind of locking the barn door after the horses are out, but there it is.

Just something we don't think of when car shopping...maybe demand a night test drive?

[creaturecat]

a relay system could increase light output, depending upon the amount of voltage loss at the bulb holder with the oem configuration.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by creaturecat

a relay system could increase light output, depending upon the amount of voltage loss at the bulb holder with the oem configuration.

Maybe a relay with an uptick in wire gauge? Asking for a friend...

[dw1]

There are big differences between bulb brands. That could be part of the problem. Better bulbs can make a BIG difference (like they did in my daily driver). Lots of good info here:
https://www.bulbfacts.com/halogen-bulbs/chart/

Also, it is a very good idea to check the lenses/covers. If they are cloudy you should either replace or polish them. Personally, I like the Sylvania Headlight Restoration kit:
https://www.amazon.com/SYLVANIA-Headlight-Restoration-Headlights-Protection/dp/B00429NKWK?th=1

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

If the lenses themselves are cloudy then replace them. The whole polishing and sealing thing only lasts a very short time.

The bolded statement is correct.

However, wet sanding the plastic with 1200, 1500 and 2000 followed by a coat or two of automotive clear coat with hardener yields a superb like new look and lasts for years.

This is not sealing and you don't polish. When you paint, the plastic is cloudy.

I would think that you could get a two part spray bomb put together by a local paint jobber.

I just use the clear I have in gallon containers. Does not take but a couple ounces.

[Por_sha911]

Interesting info Bob but wouldn't it cost about the same to just replace the headlamps (assuming you don't have the equipment to DIY)?

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

Interesting info Bob but wouldn't it cost about the same to just replace the headlamps (assuming you don't have the equipment to DIY)?

For a non-DIY paint guy, it would be a PITA to go gather everything including masking tape and masking paper, let alone clear coat, sand paper and pre-paint cleaners.

Then you need a heated garage if the winter, a compressor, maybe a spray gun.

I have seen entire head lamp assemblies for about $60-80 per side brand new on R o c k a u t o.

However, if you paint cars and you got all the shiet, the incremental cost is about $4.

[look 171]

On my old 80- LC, I couldnt stand the head light neither, so tried a few pairs of different bulbs including Phillips and Hella. I discovered the Sylvania Silver star to be the most effective. they do burn out a tiny bit quicker then your typical standard halogen bulbs, but to change them out in less then a couple minute per side was worth it weight in gold. They last a few years with normal usage.

I think they are 9006 bulbs. Try HIR bulbs https://store.candlepower.com/9011hir.html

A little mod is needed with a nail clipper on the plastic but the outcome is huge, much better then the Silverstar I mentioned above. My 2010 4 runner lights sucks. I installed the HIR, it made a huge difference without blinding others.

Here you go https://store.candlepower.com/mohirbuba.html

Can't help you with the subi

[Hugh R]

Try bug spray or some other aerosol and a soft cloth to remove the haze on plastic lenses, it really works pretty well.

[island911]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

The bolded statement is correct.

However, wet sanding the plastic with 1200, 1500 and 2000 followed by a coat or two of automotive clear coat with hardener yields a superb like new look and lasts for years.

This is not sealing and you don't polish. When you paint, the plastic is cloudy.

I would think that you could get a two part spray bomb put together by a local paint jobber.

I just use the clear I have in gallon containers. Does not take but a couple ounces.

Yeah, you want to UV protect the plastic once polished. There are epoxy clears that do this but perhaps simpler is to us some of the 3M films (clearbra type stuff - less skill and equipment involved)

[pmax]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

For a non-DIY paint guy, it would be a PITA to go gather everything including masking tape and masking paper, let alone clear coat, sand paper and pre-paint cleaners.

Then you need a heated garage if the winter, a compressor, maybe a spray gun.

I have seen entire head lamp assemblies for about $60-80 per side brand new on R o c k a u t o.

However, if you paint cars and you got all the shiet, the incremental cost is about $4.

Already have the sandpaper.

Do I just need a rattle can clear coat ?

[WPOZZZ]

You can always go to a Sams Club. They polish and coat your headlights for $40 with a 5 year warranty! That said, you also need good bulbs. Silverstars are good, but Sylvania has their European brand Osram. I used those and found them to be excellent.

[WPOZZZ]

Back in the day, I had an E30 and modified the 9005 hi beam bulb to work in the 9006 housing. All I had to do was dremel out a little tab. Worked great for many years.