06 headlights on an 03 for HIDs

zopperman

zopperman

Moderator
I just got my HID kit and planned on doing the retrofit mod after reading all about it on here. However, I just had the opportunity to buy some 06 headlight housings for 90 buck - I know that these projectors aren't as good as doing a retrofit, but it would be easier and cheaper and TBH, I don't need perfection, I just want to avoid the glare etc that comes with the reflector housings.

Question is, can I just swap the headlight assemblies or will it require more modification? Will I need any other trim pieces?

My truck is an 03 limited and the housings are from an 06 limited.

I read this thread (below) and everyone seemed to recommend doing the retrofit, BUT it did not answer the question of will the stock housing fit my 03.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...od-vs-buying-oem-2006-headlight-assembly.html

There's also something like this: (but i'm not sure I like it cosmetically)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TOYOTA-03-0...iter_Display:4.7L&hash=item460bf9f23f&vxp=mtr
 
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They should swap directly. You'll have a small gap between the headlight and grille though because the shape is different. Keep in mind, the headlight bulb is different for the '06-'09 headlights and the '03-'05 headlights. If you already ordered HIDs, you may need to reorder some H11 bulbs for the '06 headlights. I am quite happy with my HIDs. I'd recommend doing the squirrel finder mod. My cutoff is almost perfect now after doing it.
 
Cool. I could put some molding over it or something, I'm sure. I would definitely need new bulbs. I ordered 9006 for low beams and fogs and 9005 for the highs.

I also found ones that look like this:
http://reviews.turbometal.com/wp-content/uploads/4runner_1.jpg
for 130 (similar to the black ones above but I like the look better and would be able to use the bulbs that I ordered. I just can't decide if I like the look better than the oem...
 
would I need to get the 06 Limited for a direct swap? or would the SR5 lights fit with mine?

The more I look at the aftermarket lights I the more I like the stock.
 
zopperman said:
Cool. I could put some molding over it or something, I'm sure. I would definitely need new bulbs. I ordered 9006 for low beams and fogs and 9005 for the highs.

I also found ones that look like this:
http://reviews.turbometal.com/wp-content/uploads/4runner_1.jpg
for 130 (similar to the black ones above but I like the look better and would be able to use the bulbs that I ordered. I just can't decide if I like the look better than the oem...
Click to expand...

Had those kind on my old truck, but the black ones. Actually still have these lights in a box. I think they took H1 bulbs, and I had HIDs. I loved them and I thought they looked great.

liftpd4_zps996c5a64.jpg~original
 
zopperman said:
would I need to get the 06 Limited for a direct swap? or would the SR5 lights fit with mine?

The more I look at the aftermarket lights I the more I like the stock.
Click to expand...

They don't make a difference. SR5 and Limited are exactly the same, and the Sport Edition ones are the same too except they are smoked chrome color.
 
Cool, thanks for the info man. I'm going to throw them in teh current housings and take a few pics just to see how bad they really are with the reflector. Then I'll order one of the two housings next week.

Good to hear that you were satisfied with the HIDs in the angel eye housings - I was worried the projectors would be poor quality.
 
I did this recently. The runner looks way more modern, people are surprised it's 9years old. Also with hids, way better light output. You will needs a harness that goes to the headlight signals, or you will have water in your headlights, like me. Also, the 06+ tails are direct bolt on as well.
 
QUOTE=AleksV;1311806]I did this recently. The runner looks way more modern, people are surprised it's 9years old. Also with hids, way better light output. You will needs a harness that goes to the headlight signals, or you will have water in your headlights, like me. Also, the 06+ tails are direct bolt on as well.[/QUOTE]

How does a harness make your housing have water? A bad seal or seatin of the bulbs will cause water in the headlight. Since you did a housing swap, ull just need a h11 bulb and new turn signal bulbs. Yes a true hid projector retrofit is way better, there is still glare with hid bulbs in halogen projector, it just not as bad as reflector housing.
 
Yeah - it's just cheaper and easier to do the housing swap than the retrofit and I don't have time or money right now and everyone seems to be happy with HIDs in the 06 oem headlights, much moreso than those with the 03. I will post pictures of how they look in the reflector housing.

Sidenote, I would only need new low beam bulbs (i ordered 9006 with the plan of doing the retrofit), not a whole new kit, right?
 
zopperman said:
Forgive my ignorance, but that's the same as the 9006, right?

What about for the high beams, 9005 on the '06 as well?
Click to expand...

The projectors use H11 as R&P said but since that wasn't your question, yes the 9005 high beam bulbs will fit. And no H11 is not 9006, 9006 is HB4 or something like that. H11 is different.

If you want to take advantage of the blinker you'll need the $29/side harness that includes the parking bulb.

I missed it if it's mentioned, but you'll also need the trim piece that fits under the headlight. Those are $28/side as well and come prepainted. I too have done this swap.
 
zopperman said:
Forgive my ignorance, but that's the same as the 9006, right?

What about for the high beams, 9005 on the '06 as well?
Click to expand...

Incorrect.

03-05 use a 9006 low beam, 06-09 use an H11 bulb as their low beam. Not the same bulb whatsoever.

The 9005 bulb as the high beam remained unchanged from 03-09.
 
gaterose said:
The projectors use H11 as R&P said but since that wasn't your question, yes the 9005 high beam bulbs will fit. And no H11 is not 9006, 9006 is HB4 or something like that. H11 is different.

If you want to take advantage of the blinker you'll need the $29/side harness that includes the parking bulb.

I missed it if it's mentioned, but you'll also need the trim piece that fits under the headlight. Those are $28/side as well and come prepainted. I too have done this swap.
Click to expand...

Out of my own curiosity, is a new trim piece required or can you use the old trim piece and have the gap?
 
riceandpho said:
QUOTE=AleksV;1311806]I did this recently. The runner looks way more modern, people are surprised it's 9years old. Also with hids, way better light output. You will needs a harness that goes to the headlight signals, or you will have water in your headlights, like me. Also, the 06+ tails are direct bolt on as well.
Click to expand...

How does a harness make your housing have water? A bad seal or seatin of the bulbs will cause water in the headlight. Since you did a housing swap, ull just need a h11 bulb and new turn signal bulbs. Yes a true hid projector retrofit is way better, there is still glare with hid bulbs in halogen projector, it just not as bad as reflector housing.[/QUOTE]


I just don't have anything sitting in those spots, I thought I sealed it good with tape, but I need the harness for the proper bulbs
 
:focus:

Gaterose, can you say anything else about this swap?
Where do you get the trim piece or can you just replace the grill entirely with an 06+ grill...?

Would my best course of action then be to get a new HID bulb or to get a new harness that will fit the 9006 bulb in the h11 housing?
 
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