[rickashay]

Originally Posted by DarkSideGTI

Thinking about doing some retro's. Quick question, how do you know you have the projector level before drilling your holes for the mounting screws?

Check out blcktpgsr's recent post in his build thread. You "should" shoot the headlights in their halogen form against a wall, mark where the output lies with masking tape, and use that as a guideline for the projectors. However you need to make sure that the halogen headlights are adjusted EVENLY and CORRECTLY prior to marking them on the wall. I actually prefer to remove them from the vehicle and shoot the halogens in my basement after they have been removed from the adjustable mounting bracket, then mark accordingly on the wall wish masking tape.

I have a few other tricks up my sleeve for getting the alignment but I can't give away all of my secrets!!! haha

PS - TRS has a Retrofit Guide that can help you walk through the process.

GL!

[hrt4me]

would headlights/lenses from a 2002 be suitable for one of these HID projector retrofits?

[rickashay]

Yup, assuming they are in good shape. No sense it doing a retrofit if the lenses are scratched/cracked as it will affect light output. They just need to be the "clear" housings - 99+.

[GottaBeTRD]

So Rick... I hope you don't mind me posting this here but with that snow melting thing we were talking about earlier; I got to give it the snow test today and i guess it kind of worked as far as heat melting a little hole though the snow but to me this looks like it could affect the light output at night. What do you think?
maybe i need to start my bigger retrofit lol!

this is driving for about an hour, both headlights looked like this

[BrianSD_42]

maybe you should switch to 55W

[rickashay]

Originally Posted by GottaBeTRD

So Rick... I hope you don't mind me posting this here but with that snow melting thing we were talking about earlier; I got to give it the snow test today and i guess it kind of worked as far as heat melting a little hole though the snow but to me this looks like it could affect the light output at night. What do you think?
maybe i need to start my bigger retrofit lol!

this is driving for about an hour, both headlights looked like this

Wow! That looks like some nasty slushy/snow!! In conditions like that I think that there isnt anything you can do excpet retrofit some Mercedes headlight wipers to the 4Runner.... hahah I mean your halogen lights would also get coated like that so I wouldnt necessarily blame the projectors. That just what we get to deal with living in areas that have crazy snow storms and bad weather.

Originally Posted by brianemc2_42

maybe you should switch to 55W

He could, and that would probably have melted the snow a bit more. BUT, IMO, going with 55w is not worth the gains achieved, once you consider component reliability. 55W ballasts run WAY hotter than 35W and the life expectancy of the ballasts reflects that issue. Also, a lot (or most) projectors are not designed for 55w in mind. You may get more light, but you CAN (depending on the projectors) start to wash-out your output as some projectors dont react well to the more powerful ballast - think drop in HID's in a reflector housing not designed for them, the powerful HID's just overpower the halogen reflectors. It's not going to be near as dramatic as putting HID's in your halogen housings but more power isnt always better. I'm sure some would argue with me on this but I personally, won't ever run 55w on anything but a select few projectors.

[GottaBeTRD]

yeah, it was pretty wet, then the off ramps were really slushy, I got scared for the first time in a long time when i was getting off my exit a little too fast

that's funny you mention those little wipers, I was thinking the same thing. I dont think it would be too hard to retrofit some of those. but yeah, Your right, i'm pretty sure i remember my halogens doing the same thing.

[rickashay]

Originally Posted by GottaBeTRD

yeah, it was pretty wet, then the off ramps were really slushy, I got scared for the first time in a long time when i was getting off my exit a little too fast

that's funny you mention those little wipers, I was thinking the same thing. I dont think it would be too hard to retrofit some of those. but yeah, Your right, i'm pretty sure i remember my halogens doing the same thing.

Man, I kinda want to do this mod now... hahah those stupid nubs on our lenses may be an issue though.

[GottaBeTRD]

o-yeah, those pointless things. I'm sure there can be a way to get it to work. They would mount perfectly on that little metal piece below the light. Then all you have to do is wire them to the wipers. It would be something new for sure. That's it, I'm gonna dig into this.

[BrianSD_42]

I just ordered my new Projector parts from TheRetrofitSource.com .... thanks rickashay for the ordering advice

Anyone interested in a professional retrofit should contact him.

BTW, TRS is having a Merry Christmas holiday sale. The 15% off coupon "ChristmasLights" (not case sens) is only good until Wednesday night.

If you add a "stage IV" kit to your shopping cart you will qualify for ~ 10% instantly on those kit parts, then when you add the coupon you will get an additional 15% off those parts.

Myself:
* Denso slim ballasts
* Apollo 2 shrouds
* 100mm amber halo
* Phillips bulbs
* FX-R 3" Projectors
* H4/9003 Wire Harness
* Re-sealing glue

Price after both discounts: $408 + shipping

Normal price without KIT and xmas discounts .... $535

[ThePerfectK]

I have to say great work, Rick! All the retrofits you posted are eyes-wide, wow kind of stuff... I love finding people who do quality work (or as I like to say those who "don't suck =)
You, sir, definitely do not suck at this headlight business!

So - for us casuals who may not get all the nuances (and who may have more money than time):

I need "moar light," and I'm talking to the local shop about throwing in some fancier bulbs (and they mentioned cleaning up my 1999 stock plastic, it's pretty sandblasted after years and miles of normal driving, apparently, or so I'm told).

So that would be the poor-man's improved lighting, I gather. Your solution is likely mo' money (I'll PM you shortly to find out), but also yours has the look, seems like it's WAY higher quality light coming out etc... Are there any other benefits I'm missing? Can you fine tune the whole contraption and send it to me so it's e-z mount? Or do you do all that work and then I still have to figure out how to fine-tune and aim the projectors?

[Diagram14]

I've watched this thread get bumped on the main 3rd Gen page since its wee beginning. Intrigued by the potential but lacking the interest to click in, being unfamiliar with the projector concept, I let it continue to bump and grow. Until tonight, after 8 hour pretest catch-up session of approximate integration and the like, I remembered seeing a 4Runner that looked back at me. Whose was that? I'm going to find it...

I found it, and read it, and can honestly say that I was sad when I got to the end. The same sad I get after the last bite of a Frosty from Wendy's. Its over?, bumrash. I guess its like a guy watching an adult film, in the end you're just touching yourself...and your headlights still suck.

Your work is clean, Grade-A-RickAshay. I'd like to send you some extra business but it looks like the late 1st Gen Tacomas came with plastic lenses. And I dont know if the durability of plastic lenses merits a source upgrade. Plus, if I got serious about projectors I'd be asking you questions like The4kbeast asks about suspension components (which I think is a good thing). And I dont want to have to be killed for asking too many questions.

Thanks for making the world a better place.

[rickashay]

Originally Posted by Diagram14

I've watched this thread get bumped on the main 3rd Gen page since its wee beginning. Intrigued by the potential but lacking the interest to click in, being unfamiliar with the projector concept, I let it continue to bump and grow. Until tonight, after 8 hour pretest catch-up session of approximate integration and the like, I remembered seeing a 4Runner that looked back at me. Whose was that? I'm going to find it...

I found it, and read it, and can honestly say that I was sad when I got to the end. The same sad I get after the last bite of a Frosty from Wendy's. Its over?, bumrash. I guess its like a guy watching an adult film, in the end you're just touching yourself...and your headlights still suck.

Your work is clean, Grade-A-RickAshay. I'd like to send you some extra business but it looks like the late 1st Gen Tacomas came with plastic lenses. And I dont know if the durability of plastic lenses merits a source upgrade. Plus, if I got serious about projectors I'd be asking you questions like The4kbeast asks about suspension components (which I think is a good thing). And I dont want to have to be killed for asking too many questions.

Thanks for making the world a better place.

Hahaha that's a funny post! Sorry I didnt see it sooner.

Hey no worries, plastic lenses are actually better for projector retrofits, we're just stuck with the glass on our 3rd gen's. All of the newer lenses are in fact, plastic and are much more durable than the glass plus they can be re-finished once they start to "haze." PM me if your interested in getting something going for your Tacoma!

UPDATE: I just polished off another set of 3rd Gen. 4Runner headlights for a customer. They turned out pretty cool so I thought I would share:


20120131-IMG_0480 by Headlight Hookup, on Flickr


20120131-IMG_0485 by Headlight Hookup, on Flickr


20120131-IMG_0483 by Headlight Hookup, on Flickr


20120131-IMG_0470 by Headlight Hookup, on Flickr

[hrt4me]

nice, as always!

[tyr0981]

Purdy!