headlight replacement Options

[lilkatie24]

My sister just bought a 2002 Lexus and I noticed her headlights are awesome compared to my 94 celica. Is it possible to order her headlights online and use them on my car? Has anyone tried this?

Thanks

For instance I found this on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-BLUE-9005-XENON-...=item27c343d17b

Do ya'll think it would be just as good?

This post has been edited by lilkatie24: Feb 11, 2012 - 8:49 AM

[azian_advanced]

2002+ Lexus headlamps come with HIDs and have clear lenses to allow more light, while stock celica lamps use the frosted lenses to refract the light in the proper direction. Upgrading to HID's would probably help but would also blind oncoming traffic because stock headlamps don't properly cut-off the lighting like newer cars do. The proper way to upgrade your lighting is to get a set of projector headlamps and if possible go with a 4300K HID system.

This post has been edited by azian_advanced: Feb 11, 2012 - 9:03 AM

[lilkatie24]

Thank you very much! I'll look into getting some projector headlamps.

[richee3]

You'll strongly reconsider when you see the price tag

HID's will be significantly brighter than the stock headlights in your Celica but as azian said, you should get projectors and make the cutoff modification with them.

[lilkatie24]

Yea the price tag is "a little" to high LOL plus I'd have no idea about how to mod them.

[richee3]

http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=66367

The modification apparently isn't hard. Most of us just don't like taking our fancy new headlights apart.

[easternpiro1]

enh dont worry about doing the cut off with the projectors, its not that bad.... and besides most people turn away from blinding light and not TOWARDS it... so you'll be ok But seriously, going with projectors is a good way to go

[richee3]

For what it's worth, here is a comparison between a Celica with projectors and my 2002 Lexus. Both sets of HID's are 4,300k, 35 watt. The Celica is on the left, the Lexus on the right.




As you can see, the Celica's headlights are much brighter. Chalk that up to newer bulbs, ballasts, etc. It's not like the projectors aren't worth the money they cost, but I'd really feel more comfortable with the cutoff fixed. We've been driving with these for a few months now and we do get flashed from time to time. However, I think that's due to the brightness of the bulbs, not the cutoff.

This picture is borrowed from manphibian:



This is a Celica's cutoff. As you can see, it's flicking light up into oncoming traffic. The focal point of the light is also where the light flicks up. This is intensified by HID's, which is why you should do the cutoff mod. Simply aiming the lights lower won't work. All things considered, light output is much improved with the projectors, even with standard halogen bulbs. From what I've read, you shouldn't need to do the cutoff mod if you don't use projectors.