So I just got my 2014 SR5 Premium, and I have a question about the headlights. So the headlights somewhat look like HID headlights with a projector, but the bulbs are just halogen. I know people say it is not good to put in HID retrofit kits in halogen headlights cause of the reflectors, but is this different? Is this set up for an HID ballast system? Has anyone done this? Thanks for the help.
2014 Headlights
- Thread starter SoCal4Run
- Start date
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This has been discussed several times over the last few weeks.
eddiebx
New member
The correct answer is no, never ever install HIDs into anything built for halogen bulbs, even a halogen projector. No ifs, ands, or buts. If you want to be mindful of other drivers on the road and want optimal lighting, you need to pony up the $$ and retrofit proper HID projectors into it's place in order to reduce hazardous glare to a minimum.
However, some members here have tried it and it seems like the glare is not tooooo bad, check out this thread and you be the judge: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/155229-2014-headlight-bulbs-2.html#post1539760
Personally, I wouldn't do it; but hey I'm not your daddy, you're old enough to make your own choices, lol.
Speedy Gomez
Banned
Called TRS ''AKA'' THE RETROFIT SOURCE and they told me HID's will work fine if they are placed in a oem factory projector housing no need to pony up the $$ on another custom retrofit projector housing.
mace.
New member
When you called did you specify that the OEM housings were designed for a halogen bulb?
The results are not the same and just because the halogen and HID cutoff looks the same does not mean it is safe.
http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?44158-HID-plug-n-play-fails-govt-test
Personally, I think you'll be okay if you do it. Please just don't go beyond 5000K Lots of people here on this forum talk about glare, glare and glare. It seems that here in SoCal putting HID's in reflector type housings is all the rage. I drive the freeways at night all the time and it seems like as time goes on more and more cars have been retroffited to HID's. I myself have not experienced any issues with glare. However, what really chapps my hide is the colors people are going with. I've lost track of how many vehicles I've seen with beyond 6000K and I just can't figure out how they can see where they're going.
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Speedy Gomez
Banned
I told them that my 2014 4runner did not have HID it had H11 halogen bulbs and I wanted to know if I could put HID on my oem factory projector housing and they said yes.
They told me I would need these H11: Morimoto Elite HID System - HID Systems from The Retrofit Source Inc
eddiebx
New member
You're asking a seller whom sells H11 p-n-p HID kits, what did you expect the answer to be, lol.
Speedy Gomez
Banned
Dude the guy could of sold me a Complete Retrofit Kits if he wanted to. I think they know more than us. LOL!!!!!!!!
philsey
New member
You asked "could I" not "should I", and of course the answer is "yes, you CAN".
TRS is in the business of selling HID componentry, so of course the answer is "yes". What TRS is NOT, is headlight police, and their "yes, you CAN" is NOT affirmation that you should do this (much as you'd like it to be).
It is obvious what you want to do - you want to mix technologies that are not DESIGNED to be compatible. Further you want a buy-in that this is wise, which common sense should tell you is wrong.
Do you really think that Lexus/Volvo et al charges $1500 for HID projectors, IF all it takes is a bulb in halogen projectors? Use your head, man.
Speedy Gomez
Banned
whatever..
philsey
New member
How apropos .... that's what my 16 YO granddaughter says when confronted with logic. Did you rolleyes too?
Here's a link for you. I know you don't care, and won't read it, but ..... whatever.
Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply
D Stern is a highly recognized authority on automotive lighting.
Peace Speedy.
eddiebx
New member
Never claimed to know a lot about this stuff, but if you really don't believe anyone here go join/research that forum [MENTION=46322]Mace[/MENTION] posted; they are a pretty knowledgeable and unbiased source.
I already said, judging by the pix from that guy whom tried HID bulbs in his 2014, the glare does not appear to be that bad, in that there's really no obvious signs of epic glare/hot spots; but it's really hard to say based on some pictures alone.
Like it or not, I'm just giving you the safe answer, and that answer is please be mindful of other drivers and stick to proper HID projectors
Speedy Gomez
Banned
I was just trying to let you guys know what they told me, that's all. :moping:
diverscale
Member
Eddibx and philsey, you could at least find a reason why a hid bulb won't perform well in a incandescent projector. If you at least said that it is because, I don't know, the filament of the halogen is not located at the same place as the HID, which cause glare. But you didn't give any good argument yet.
Personally, I am pretty sure a HID bulb in a 4runner projector would not cause any more so feared glare than a HID bulb in some OEM mercedes projector. I've seen some halogen projector retrofitted with HID, and cut off was sharp as a razor, glare wasn't a problem also.
As for the page philsey gave, it is an ooold page I read years ago, and as far as I know, this does not cover HID in projectors retrofits. This explains well what happens when you put some HID in your normal headlamps.
Personally, I am pretty sure a HID bulb in a 4runner projector would not cause any more so feared glare than a HID bulb in some OEM mercedes projector. I've seen some halogen projector retrofitted with HID, and cut off was sharp as a razor, glare wasn't a problem also.
As for the page philsey gave, it is an ooold page I read years ago, and as far as I know, this does not cover HID in projectors retrofits. This explains well what happens when you put some HID in your normal headlamps.
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Hawaiian4runner
New member
Damn it. You stole my answer. They all say it's OK. Ask them to put it in writing that it's OK and DOT compliant on the street. Not the for offroad use only disclaimer.
eddiebx
New member
One thing that comes to mind are the "squirrel spotters", these are the little cutout that they purposely leave in the halogen projector's cutoff shield to allow a bit of light to leak upwards and illuminate road signs. While this strategically placed "glare" is fine and not distracting at the output level of the regular halogen bulb, it could potentially become down right blinding if you throw in an HID capsule that's ~2-3x the lumens.
No one has posted any very detailed pictures of how the 2014 projectors are constructed, so I don't know if it's a big issue or not. Like I said earlier, judging by the pictures I saw in that other thread, the glare seems okay enough, but it's hard to say without seeing it in real life.
Filament position could be a factor as well, that all depends on how shitty of a kit you buy, lol. One would hope that any decent commercially available kit would at least put the filament in the right spot or close enough
