2003 SE HID Conversion

[pants]

Hi there, can you guys let me know if i should be concerned about putting HIDs in my 2003 Sport? I've been reading the last few days about doing this and it sounds like it's not the right thing to do with the pre-2006 (aka no projector housing) light unit.

Can anyone who's done this in a 2003 comment on it's effectiveness and longevity? I'm interested in doing the lo-beams and fog lights.

I'd also be interested in upgrading the housings to >2006 (with built-in projectors) if that's the best thing to do. I was looking for 2006 housings and they're out there. I feel like the ones i found didn't cost as much as i thought they would (~$100) which leads me to believe i found after-market junk :boxer:

Does anyone know if the 2006-2008 headlight units are drop in replaceable to a 2003 T4R?

thanks in advance for any help!

 

[av8or]

i had hid's on my '05... both low beams an fog.. the only drawback is you'll blind the sh*&t out of incoming traffic.. your low beams and fog take 9006 and your high takes 9005.. look at my other post to see some pics of the hid's in snow

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

IMO you need to look into HIR (halogen infrareds). They are much brighter than standard halogens, but not quite as bright as HIDs. However, unless you do a true retrofit, you will gain more usable light with the HIRs. With HIDs in standard housings, your light goes everywhere. HIR uses the same housings as standard halogens, and thus the light output is put directly where you need it. There are some cheap HID kits, but even these HIR bulbs are about the same price as those, and very reliable. The original bulbs (Toshiba makes them I think) are ~$30 each. You'll need to slightly trim one tab on the light, and it fits right in with no other modification necessary. Here is a link to them:
HIR Headlights 9011 9012 bulbs
Disclaimer: I've not personally ran these. However, there are many posts on this forum and across the net. I've read for hours, and will be doing the upgrade myself in the future.

 

[chaz]

:iagreelenty of guys will tell ya to get the HIDs & you'll be fine if you get the right kit, but think about going with the the HIRs, wont be noticed at a police or state inspection & they should be bright enough for you with out any blueish tint or possibility of blinding others, in some states if ur ticketed for them, its reflected in ur insurance, 06 lights fit, but they use a different low beam bulb (H11)

 

[kylebacc]

I think they are drop-in, but you have to get the little piece from under the headlight too (someone correct me if I am wrong). I have a buddy with a 2003 and 6000k HID's and it's super cool. If you are looking to do the 2006+ projector headlights, I would wait on the HID's until you do that, so you don't have to buy new ones when you do it. If you are looking to save money (the OEM projector headlights are like $300 per side, and more for the sport edition ones) then I would say just go for it and drop in an HID kit into the reflectors you have. If you feel like you are blinding people, aim your headlight's a bit lower, that seems to help lots of people with reflector housings (not just in 4Runners). This is all in FL so make sure that the HID's are legal where you are....

 

[tkr128]

Just got done putting in 2006+ projector headlamps and a 4300K HID kit in my 2003. It is "drop-in" for the most part. Keep in mind the 2006-2009 headlamps use H11 low beams while the 2003-2005 use 9006. What you'll need to do is get an HID kit with 9006 connectors but H11 bulbs.

I went with the XenonDepot Xtreme 4300K philips kit and I'm very happy with it thus far. Color is very good, there's a bit of blue at the cut-off and 4300k is just bright white with a hint of blue and a hint of yellow. Cut off from the stock projectors is very good (not as good as true HID projectors however) and do a good job at illuminating the road. I eliminated the squirrel finders as well.

Part number for the Sport Edition (blacked-out) housings are:
8113035471 (Right)
8117035451 (Left)
You'll also need the "filler panel" below the headlamps that will come prepainted to your stock color (unless you have one of those rare colors that were discontinued in 2006 like my Pacific Blue).

I got the headlamps from partznet when they had the 15% off $300+ coupon that comes up occasionally so they ended up being less than $200 each side (Sport editions do not cost more than SR5/Limited lamps). I spent more in getting OEM headlamps because of issues with aftermarket ones not having good light distribution.

Hope that helps!

 

[K.C.]

pants,

I have the 2006+ projectors because it came w/ the vehicle, but if I didn't have it, I wouldn't bother getting them.

Because they are expensive, the projection isnt that great & the beam pattern isn't sharp.

I would do a retrofit. I've done a TSX projector retrofit on a Lexus SC300 before.

And I'm sure you want them to look OEM like nothing was done to it...I'm the exact way!!

I included some links for you to check out...

[pictures]...TSX Retrofit On Lexus SC300
[pictures]...TSX Retrofit On Lexus SC300 - Toyota - 4Runner . org Forum

...there's also pictures of HID Kit, TSX, S2K & LS430 projectors on 4Runners.

 

[kylebacc]

(Sport editions do not cost more than SR5/Limited lamps)

oops... :flipoff:

 

[K.C.]

TSX Projectors Retrofit

2004 T4R HID Retrofit Teaser
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/47504-2004-t4r-hid-retrofit-teaser.html

via paraordnance

 

[pants]

nice guys, this is great information!

i hadn't been familiar with HIR until reading your responses, so this is excellent.

I think what i'm probably going to do is this:
- HIR bulbs in the low-beam
- No change to the high-beam
- HID in the fog lights

Does anyone have anything good or bad to say about the projectors used in the t4r foglights - 2003 specifically. I'm wondering if they're a good fit for a HID Xenon kit.

In the end i don't want to do anything that'll make me stand out too much on the road or increase the probability that i get pulled over. i also want to make efficient use of the light and not spray it all over the place if i can help it. i just want to be able to see better at night and the stock lights are definitely lacking.

I've got to say in my '03 Sport i don't even remember that i have fog lights half the time they're so dim. If i could get some good use out of them that'd be great!