2003 4Runner HID Retrofit in progress...

[live4swell]

2003 4Runner HID Retrofit in progress...**UPDATE**

I have started my next project...an HID Retrofit. I am lucky enough to get help from the pioneer on the subject, Vortec4800. He was kind enough to give me all his writeups on the subject and sell me his extra headlight for my prototype. I am using Acura TSX Projectors and I am in the process of mounthing them into the first headlight, the "test" headlight. I will provide updates as I move along. I am psyched, and hopefully everything turns out good.

 

[okkin]

Dude there mihgt be an easier way if you want HID like I Do. Check out my HID thread under Accessories and you will see. Basically I just came back from SEMA and there is a company from Japan that has released a retrofit HID Plu and Play kit for our 4Runner's . It still utilizes our headlights, just changes out the ballasts etc....

 

[Cleric]

That's good to see, live4swell. I am considering this project, as well.
I think that the TSX uses Philips D2S, right? My ideal setup would be: Hella Projector and Ballasts/Igniters with Osram (Sylvania) bulbs. What did the projectors cost you? What is their size? I was thinking about the ones that BMW uses for the 5 series and X5, but am concerned about the mounting depth.

I am still trying to decide if I want to cut into the headlight assemblies to do this. I want to use D2S (meaning I would need a projector w/ sheild), but the ease and cost of the D2R upgrade is appealing.

Good Luck and please take LOTS of pictures and notes!

 

[EDGE]

HID retrofit does not sound bad but I'd rather go with plug and play like most GX owners cause I would not want to chance risking the wiring harness

 

[live4swell]

I was never sure about plug and play kits, due to quality and plus I don't want to blind people. I am more into retrofitting projectors and using philips d2s bulbs, to me that is a "real" setup.

 

[live4swell]

That's good to see, live4swell. I am considering this project, as well.
I think that the TSX uses Philips D2S, right? My ideal setup would be: Hella Projector and Ballasts/Igniters with Osram (Sylvania) bulbs. What did the projectors cost you? What is their size? I was thinking about the ones that BMW uses for the 5 series and X5, but am concerned about the mounting depth.

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Yeah, the TSX Projectors use D2S bulbs. The projectors were about $100 each, I found two Acura TSX headlights on ebay so it wasn't so bad. As far as size they are pretty small and compact. The reason I got these is because I was told that the Honda S2000 has the best projectors but they are big and hard to use for retrofitting purposes, so the closest output to them is the TSX Projectors and plus they are smaller which is nice.

http://www.hidretro.com/page25.html

Look at the 6th thru 8th pic to the right, that is them. I have been in contact with the guy that runs that site and he has given me a lot of info. He was the one that recommended the TSX Projectors over a lot of others including BMW Projectors.
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I am still trying to decide if I want to cut into the headlight assemblies to do this. I want to use D2S (meaning I would need a projector w/ sheild), but the ease and cost of the D2R upgrade is appealing.



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I just love the look of having projectors, they look sweet, so far I purchased one extra headlight from vortec, and might get another one so I can just work on the two extras and not worry about messing up my existing lights, I would feel more comfortable that way. I will definitely take pics. Overall this is not gonna be cheap but I feel like it is a full upgrade. I would say it will cost under $600, and i know those "plug and play" kits cost atleast $500 i think, so to me its worth it.

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[live4swell]

Some quick pics of projector in headlight

Here are some initial pics of the projector mounted in the headlight...not installed in my truck yet but put together.

The green surround will be painted silver...just havent gotten to it yet. But once done all will be silver around the projector.

***Pics were on montypics but removed, some more pics further in post***


More to come...

 

[TranceKrayz]

hey nice work! just like vortec. would you be able to post a write up as soon as you are done? i would appreciate it! thanks!

 

[live4swell]

yeah, definitely...to be perfectly honest, it really isnt that tough of a project. So far the biggest pain is taking apart the headlight, there is so much glue holding it together, then next to that was finding good prices on parts, but other than that mounting it in the headlight is pretty straightforward and the rest is creativity about how you want it to look. I will post updates...

 

[Cleric]

Looking good. I can't wait much longer to do mine.

What kind of glue are you using to put it back together? Also, what material is that green surround?

Sorry, I'm not patient enough to wait for your writeup!

 

[TranceKrayz]

thanks brian! i would expect pulling the ligths apart to be the hardest parts. it may not be a difficult mod, but it would sure help to have some instructions to follow! can't wait to see the final product! what brand HIDs are you using?

 

[live4swell]

Looking good. I can't wait much longer to do mine.

What kind of glue are you using to put it back together? Also, what material is that green surround?

Sorry, I'm not patient enough to wait for your writeup!

As far as putting the whole light back together, there is enough of the glue still there to hold it, but to be safe I am gonna put a layer of silicone around the whole thing afterwards. The green surround is Grade-11 Garolite ( Found Here ). It can withstand high temperatures and is very strong. It was recommended by someone i know that has been doing retrofitting for a while.

 

[live4swell]

thanks brian! i would expect pulling the ligths apart to be the hardest parts. it may not be a difficult mod, but it would sure help to have some instructions to follow! can't wait to see the final product! what brand HIDs are you using?

Pulling the lights apart the first time was a huge PAIN since I just used a heat gun to do it. I then talked to someone I know that has been doing retrofitting for a while and he told me to use the oven. Just heat the oven to 350 then turn it off, i let it sit for a minute or so off then put the light on the rack, within 5 minutes i pulled it out and it was soft enough to pull apart, with little stubborness. I have heard stories of melting headlights but the people that did that probably left the oven on, I had no problems using the ambient heat. As far as the parts I am using.... I got Acura TSX Projectors because I have found through research and recommendations that they are really good and plus they are small and easy to use for retrofitting. They are really close to the output of Honda S2000 projectors which give an awesome output but are 1. hard to find and 2. not as user friendly in retrofitting due to their size. The bulbs are philips d2s and I am still waiting on the ballasts which will be Denso ( used in lexus/toyota )

 

[TranceKrayz]

where are you getting the bulbs and ballasts? are the igniters integrated into the ballasts?

 

[live4swell]

where are you getting the bulbs and ballasts? are the igniters integrated into the ballasts?

I got the bulbs off ebay for $60. A pair of new philips D2S bulbs. The ballasts i am still in the process of getting, I tried ebay but couldnt find ones that I wanted so I can get them through an associate of mine for $200 (Denso). I am still waiting on the ballasts to arrive and yes the igniter is integrated

 

[cdoyle]

I can't wait to see the whole writeup on this, they look really nice so far. Don't forget the pics after they are installed

So is the green stuff always going to show , or are you putting something over it?

So how much do you think this project has cost so far?

Chris.

 

[live4swell]

I can't wait to see the whole writeup on this, they look really nice so far. Don't forget the pics after they are installed

So is the green stuff always going to show , or are you putting something over it?

So how much do you think this project has cost so far?

Chris.

The green I am gonna paint, right now I have it painted silver to match everything around it. I have an extra one that I will paint black to see how that looks also, then I will decide which color looks better. I would say when all is said and done it will cost about $650. Probably $170 more than it had to be, I bought two extra 4Runner Headlights to work on instead of messing with mine, I could have just went with one or even none to save money, but I felt more comfortable using extras and not worrying about messing them up. I can give a little breakdown:

2 Acura TSX Projectors - $200
2 T4R Headlights - $170
2 Philips D2S Bulbs - $60
2 Denso Ballasts - $200

That is basically it give or take some for other supplies...

 

[live4swell]

More pics, just to see if black looks good...i put a painted piece as an overlay to get the general idea

***again montypic trial was over, so pics are gone***

 

[cdoyle]

Those really look nice!!

I wonder if there is any way to to 'chrome' that black area, so it matches the rest of the headlight?

Can't wait to see the pics with the lights installed and turned on.

Another mod added to the 'cool things I want to do to my 4Runner' list.

 

[live4swell]

Those really look nice!!

I wonder if there is any way to to 'chrome' that black area, so it matches the rest of the headlight?

Can't wait to see the pics with the lights installed and turned on.

Another mod added to the 'cool things I want to do to my 4Runner' list.

If you are referring to the second set of pics with the cover off then that black area you are talkin about is chrome, i painted it black...it is the reflector around the halogen bulb...i painted it black so it looked dark around the projector, to me it made it look more stock...its all a matter of preference