1988 T4R lighting upgrade?

[AgentX]

Hi, everyone--just bought my first 4Runner, an old 1988. I'm moving overseas and needed an older Toyota truck to beat around in. Very happy with the find...$1700.

However, I'm told other people at my job site have issues driving at night over there; it's PITCH black at night and the roads are crowded with all sorts of people, critters, and things.

Does upgrading the older sealed-beam headlights offer a significant advantage? Am I better off going with a halogen sealed-beam units or using one of the kits that lets you use a more modern bulb arrangement?

If I decide to add on some other lighting, what are my best options? Do I need to add a bullbar/pushbar up front to mount them, or can I attach them to the bumper or elsewhere on the body? (Not that a pushbar might not come in handy where I'm going, but I'm trying to keep extra costs to a minimum...)

I'm obviously not too much of a mechanic, but I can follow basic directions.

Thanks for the help,

AX

PS--here's the truck:

 

[tres4runner]

I had horrible lights in mine so i got rid of the sealed set up and got one where i could use a 9003 (i think) bulb. I lived by the silverstars and now live by the silverstar ultra. It's the best bang for your buck and are plenty bright. I also drilled to holes in the bumber and put on some hellas. I tryed them on the front of the bumper and on the top and both ways worked fine.

 

[Alabama4Runner]

I installed the Roundeyes conversion which allows you to change the bulbs individually. Be careful if you go higher wattage than the DOT approved bulbs that come with the kit as your wiring harness may not handle the current. Even with the bulbs that come with the kit I found these to be a giant improvement over the factory sealed headlights.

http://www.roundeyes.com/Toyota_Headlamps-Rectangular_Toyota_Conversion_Headlamps.html

The nicest thing about these is they just drop into place. You don't have to know how to do anything more than changing your old headlights. Easy!

 

[jondis68]

Hey.... this is off topic and I am no help with your headlight problem.... but is this my old Q3 buddy AgentX?

I'm thinking probably not, since the last I knew you were living in FLA. and the picture of that runner does not look like Fla.

Anyway, hope you get your headlight problem fixed and best of luck on your world travels!

 

[AgentX]

Nope, sorry...

Thanks for the advice, guys...I'll take it to a local shop and check out my options. Will def. upgrade the headlights and might put some aux on the bumper...

 

[Nike sb'd t4r]

i have a 93 4runner and my headlights werent all that great. i upgraded to hid's and havent had a problem.