I've done a few searches here and checked my owners manual, but can't find anything on how to aim the headlights on my '07 4R. It has the projector type low-beams. When I popped the hood and looked behind the headlights, all I see is the plug for the back of the light bulb. Can anyone provide any guidance, or better yet, pictures of how you aim the headlights. Any special tools needed or just a screwdriver? Thanks.

I can email you a PDF file that shows the procedure if you would like . It is from the 2007 service manual. There is only one adjustment for Vertical placement and it effects both low and high beam.

CAD-Man

Aiming Headlights On 4th Gen 4runner
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showth...threadid=11464

via jharris2

[COLOR=darkblue]...from that Thread,

Thanks for the info, that definitely helps!

So I was just trying to aim the headlights vertically. I don't have the time or energy to draw lines, take measurements, etc. I just went to a big liquor store near my house and found a wall with a flat area of parking lot leading up to it. I lowered the lights a bit (I was around 15 ft. from the wall) then drove in reverse to make sure the lights went down, not up. I think I over adjusted however, because they did not seem to go very far down the road when I drove home.

One thing I noticed, is that there is a Z shape to both headlights, with the higher side being on the right. Does anyone know what that is all about? I always thought that was because my right headlight was aimed higher than the other. Now, even when they are even, I can see farther down the right side of the road, then the left. Is that designed not to blind drivers on the other side of the road? I'm too OCD when it comes to this type of thing so it's bugging the hell out of me.

G.I.G.,

You're very welcome!!

I too didn't draw lines or use measurement.

Well...I did when I adjusted them out horizontally.

I think I moved them out ~5 inches. I just put masking tape on the wall.

Our headlights are pointed like this...
/ \

I made mine straight like this...
i i

I'm not sure if it's foggy in Colorado...but you won't be able to see the V'ed in with your lights unless it's foggy.

I never noticed it when I had halogens...but definately noticed it when I had my HIDs installed.

Quote:

Originally posted by G.I.G. One thing I noticed, is that there is a Z shape to both headlights, with the higher side being on the right. Does anyone know what that is all about? I always thought that was because my right headlight was aimed higher than the other. Now, even when they are even, I can see farther down the right side of the road, then the left. Is that designed not to blind drivers on the other side of the road? I'm too OCD when it comes to this type of thing so it's bugging the hell out of me.

Yes!!

It's Z shape because that's your beam pattern.



[color=darkblue]You & I (2006+) have a beam pattern, because you have Projectors.

If you had reflectors, you would NOT have a clean cut off line, it would be scattered all over the place like a spiderweb.

And you have Halogen Projectors

And since you have Halogen Projectors & NOT HID Projectors,

you'll end up having a Squirrel Finder.

Not a problem if you have Halogens, but a problem if you have an HID Kit.

Squirrel Finder


Squirrel Finder is the little box above the cutoff line when you turn on the headlight.

The Squirrel Finders will produce glare to oncoming traffic specially if you put HID kit in the 06+ projector style housing.

On-coming cars will flash you, because they think you have your high beams on.

* Pictures & Descriptions were a courtesy by lawwailok *

HID vs Halogen

(Full Thread)
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showth...threadid=23833

via Uneek

That was him & I.

Uneek - XenonDepot H11 4300k Xtreme HID Kit
icantsee - Stock halogens

*Both trucks - Squirrel Finder NOT eliminated in these pictures.*

I could be wrong, but can draw no other theory why it's there. There's a dot on the lens housing in front of the projector, it's right in the middle of the of the projector. I think if you measure dot to dot (side to side) and from the dot to the ground, it'll give measurements for reference points on the wall for aiming.

Aiming reference.

As a non-scientific comment on aiming headlights after an aftermarket replacement i did this. Before removing the factory assembly, i backed the T4R about 10 feet from my garage wall and marked the pattern on the wall with tape. Make sure the vehicle is square to the wall. Prior to replacement, the adjustment was good, so it stands to reason the wall pattern is pretty close to what I want. Mark the tire location with tape so the after the new assembly installation you can reposition the car as it was when you marked the pattern. Adjust the new light s to the taped wall guidelines. This should get your lights pretty close to how they were before. Go drive it at night to assess the coverage to make minor tweaks. I'm sure purists will raise their eyebrows at this solution, but it seems to be as good as the many different specs that are out there.