EXTERIOR LIGHTING UPGRADES:
Headlights - Low Beams
- HIDs:
NOTE: The 2010-13 T4Rs utilize the older style “reflector” housings for the low beams that are NOT suitable for upgrade to HID without a retrofit to a true HID projector housing- HIDs are just too bright. The 2014 and newer T4Rs come with a halogen projector housing for the low beams that many people are "upgrading" to the 2-3x brighter and whiter HID bulbs. Be aware that putting an HID kit into a halogen projector is a hotly debated topic all around message boards for just about every vehicle out there, not to mention illegal:
The geometry for a true HID projector is different than a halogen projector and HID bulbs within a halogen projector housing WILL CAUSE a slight but uncontrollable amount of glare above the cutoff which is an annoyance and danger to oncoming drivers. Saying that the glare from the HID kits is “not that bad” is easy when you’re not the one who has to look at them coming at you, but you have to decide what is right for you and the people you’re driving at. If you're interested, here's my experience with HIDs in the halogen projectors:
Consolidated Lighting Info Thread - Page 3 - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum
With all that said, MAKE SURE YOUR HEADLIGHTS ARE AIMED CORRECTLY no matter what bulb you're using. For a non-lifted 4R, the center of the low beam projector lens is approximately 40" from the ground. A good rule of thumb for headlight fall over 25' is 2 inches. That means your cutoff should be 38" off the ground on a completely level surface at a distance of 25 feet. The up / down adjustment dial is accessible with a large philips head screwdriver through a hole in the front plastic guard underneath the hood above the headlight assembly. A Google search will yield tons of great instructions for aiming the low beam projectors appropriately.
Aiming your low beams:
How to Adjust Headlights - Car Headlights
HID Conversion, Xenon Light, Kits, bulbs >> Blog Archive How to adjust HID headlights | HID Conversion, Xenon Light, Kits, bulbs
- HID Installs / Pics:
As it stands currently there are no direct "plug and play" HID projector retrofits for the 5th Gen T4R housings, but
@
Biggu
did a DIY retrofit with Lexus GS350 projectors and has the most detailed writeup and pictures around currently.
@
iLuXoR817
trimmed one up to fit a 2014 model and
@
philsey
has installed a special aftermarket upgrade from Lightwerkz.
@
MTN4RNR
used the XenonDepot Philips Xtreme HID kit (4300k) into the OEM projectors and has great install and before / after pics, and
@
Saker
used the Morimoto kit from The Retrofit Source and also has a great install writeup. I'm sure there are others out there, too.
- HID Projector Retrofit '17 T4R from (Biggu):
2014-2017 HID Projector Retrofit DIY - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum
- HID Projector Retrofit '14 T4R from (iLuXoR817):
2014 HID Retrofit - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum
- HID Bi-Xenon Retrofit '10 T4R from (philsey):
5th Gen HID / Projector retrofit installation (pics).
- HID retrofit using Lexus HID projectors (via
@
kustom54lighting
):
2015 4Runner Custom Headlight Retrofit
- HID retrofit with Lexus HID projectors (via
@
sigepbiker
):
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-ge...ml#post2511464
- MTN4RNR:
Building, Driving and Adventuring the MTN4RNR
- Saker's Midnight Build:
HID upgrade, which one to go with? and
HID upgrade, which one to go with?
- Halogen Bulb Conversion:
A few forum members have also swapped a halogen H9 high beam bulb into the H11 low beam spot after some minor trimming of the metal fitment at the base of the bulb with great results. You can see some of that here:
How To: Headlight Bulb Conversion (H11 to H9 & 9005 to 9011)
- LED Low Beams (drop-in bulbs and retrofits):
As mentioned above in the HID section, any drop-in bulb that doesn't have the exact same geometry / shape as the OEM halogen (H11) low beam will cast light differently to the OEM projector. Aside from the bulb geometry itself, the main difference between the stock halogens and LEDs is that LEDs provide the whiter kelvin lighting temps and draw less amps from the battery while the halogen bulb upgrades provide better lumens than the stock bulbs but at a warmer temp and waaaaay cheaper than LEDs.
- XenonDepot H11 LED drop in kit (via
@
Paragon1
):
XD LED Low beams came in today
...and an interesting comparison of stock, LED, and HID kits available straight from the horse's mouth here:
XD LED Low beams came in today
EDIT 3/16/18 My H11 - H9 LB swap recently burned out (as informed by my friendly neighborhood law enforcement, haha) and I decided to try the newest generation of XenonDepot H11 LEDs in the low beam spot. I am overall sort of "meh" with the result, you can read that review here:
Consolidated Lighting Info Thread
- The Retrofit Source is now selling an LED Retro-Quik unit that fits seamlessly into the 5th Gen OEM projector spot. I have yet to see any reviews, install write-ups, or other information on these units. If anyone has jumped into this project please let me know.
- As of 8/2019, Morimoto (as sold by The Retrofit Source / Xenon Depot) released their Tri-LED projector headlights for the 5th Gen. The overall reviews on these is that the light is better downrange than stock halogens but not as good as HID drop-ins in the OEM projector. Issues currently being reported include:
- The projectors "lateral" light for cornering is poor / dangerous without the use of fog lights for backup.
- Those running LEDs in any other spot (i.e. rear turn signals) are getting a hyperflash from the new headlight turn signals without the use of a resistor in-line, which involves cutting the harness on the headlights.
Headlights – High Beams
- HIDs are not considered ideal for high beams because they generally have a 30-45 second warm-up time.
- Installing LED bulbs into the ‘14+ T4Rs high beam spot is complicated by the fact that they also serve as the Daytime Running Lights (DRLs). LEDs in the HB spot will either run ALWAYS as HBs (even in DRL mode) if you use a CANbus module or have a rapid flicker (HB strength light) if you do not use a CANbus.
**UPDATE: Xenon Depot has now issued a dimmer module that is back compatible with their LEDs that will dim the DRL signal to true DRL strength. Users have noted that there is still a flicker in DRL mode with this module.**
- DDM tuning Sabre LEDs in the HB spot here:
DDM Tuning Saber LED for DRL / High
- Disabling the DRLs (via Saker):
DRL Disable but keep Auto Headlights
Fog Lights
There are many different styles of upgrade to the fog lights, from fairly straightforward bulb replacements to complete retrofit kits. To be a functional upgrade for true fog light use during inclement weather or other low-visibility times, the warmer / yellow light temperatures are favored. To this end, many choose to simply use Lamin-X yellow tint over the lens of the OEM fog lights.
- Toyota OEM LED retrofit (via
@
LimeLED
):
How To: Toyota OEM LED Fog Lamp Installation
- Philips Ultinon Yellow LED Fog Light replacement (via
@
MTN4RNR
):
Building, Driving and Adventuring the MTN4RNR
- Morimoto XB LED Fog Light (includes housing and bulbs, via
@
matoolie
):
Direct Replacement LED Fog Light Assemblies for 2014 & Other 5th Gens
- Baja Designs Plug N Play LED Fog Light Kit:
NEW BAJA DESIGNS 4Runner Fog Light Kit -BD 44711 (Plug & Play!!) from TotalAutomotive
- Toyota OEM (Highlander) LED Combo DRL / Fogs:
2in1 LED DRL Fogs and video install:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inS6EIBdZNw
- Aiden James Custom LED DRL / Fog upgrade:
http://www.aidenjamescustoms.com/exterior-lighting.html and see
@
adam.friedman.33
install pics here:
Led strip by fog light
There are also more than a few forum members who have retrofitted LED Dually lights such as the Rigid Industries D2 in either white or amber colors. Be aware that most "Pod light" LED retrofits (Baja Designs Squadrons, Rigid, etc.) are off-road lights only, they're too bright and / or have the wrong pattern to be used as fogs without blinding others on the road. An additional voiced concern with LED fog is the lack of heat produced to keep the lenses clear in snow and ice. Your mileage may vary.
Turn Signals / Reverse Lights / Misc
Sequential Turn Signals (via
@
Saker
):
Sequential Turn Signals
Replacing the side mirror puddle lights (via
@
ROBSCOOL
):
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/1635487-post20.html
Philips 921 reverse light LEDs (via
@
rigtec
):
Philips 921 leds
Amber LED Marker Lights in Grille (via
@
fargo4x4
):
Fargo4x4 Build Thread
Amber LED Marker Lights in Grille (via
@
chudiddy
):
Chudiddy- Inferno TRD PRO Build
LED Marker Lights (via
@
CRFofiddyF
and
@
Shred_Head
):
5th Gen Marker Lights in Grill
LED Bars / Duallys / Non-OEM Fogs
A whole consolidated post could be made of just the additional non-OEM exterior lighting that forum members have added to their T4Rs. The idea for this thread came from trying to upgrade the existing (OEM) lighting, so this is by no means going to be a clearinghouse for every available exterior lighting mod. However, here are some resources for getting you started on various installs for additional non-OEM lighting.
LED Light Bar install (Saker):
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-ge...a-4runner.html
LED Stealth Light Bar install (barryhiram):
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-ge...installed.html
LED Light Bar install (via
@
Cymon
):
"If I can do It You Can" Behind Grill Light Bar Install
LED Light Bar install (ChrisFix YouTube video):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8GY69Ci7l4
LED Reverse lights – Below bumper mount (ChrisFix YouTube video):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVG7X-ae298
LED Reverse lights - Below bumper mount (Saker):
Warn Backup Lights - Trailer Power ?
LED Reverse lights – Flush bumper mount (via
@
barryhiram
):
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-ge...igid-sr-q.html
--LED Light Bar mounts--
Behind Grille Mounts (via
@
BradBrad619
):
2014-2016 behind grill light bar mounts.
No Drill, RI Grille Mount:
http://www.rigidindustries.com/led-grilles/40596
**Work In Progress - Suggestions Welcome**