2015 T4R IS350 build

[JakeKo]

This is my girlfriends vehicle. Not mine. She told me how she hates her headlights and after driving it, yes. I agree. They are crap for what other vehicles out there have. Unfortunately, slapping an HID kit in that side mounted projector does not do much difference. I had no idea they made halogen specific projectors. Incredibly disappointing Toyota. Fortunately there is a solution. But it's not a cheap one. If you're wondering, I spent about $650 so far. Not including paint or small/cheap stuff.

eBay
IS350 Projectors - $75 for both
D2S/D4S Denso Pigtails - $18

The Retrofit Source
H11 HID 50W kit - $160
D4S 5500K Bulbs - $60 (Bought the H11 kit from them and she/I was not happy with the output. Couldn't return them at that point, so I just bit the bullet and bought the bulbs separate along with the denso D4S pigtails.
STi-R 3" clear lens with tuning kit - $50
White LED strips 2 x 16" - $60
White LED strips 2 x 3" - $22
Retrorubber Glue - $17 (To reseal headlights)
Koito Bi-Xenon Solenoid Pigtails - $15 (My eBay projectors only come with one solenoid pigtail)
9005 - 9005 High Beam Splitters - $5 (Going to have the Bi-Xenon and halogen high beams enabled at the same time)
Velcro Patches - $4 (For the ballasts)

Amazon
Left and Right TYC Headlight assemblies - $220

IS350 Projectors. They have side mounted bulb entrance just like the T4R OE projectors. Apparently depth is a problem.

And the cut-off is not bad either, but light dispersion is not very good. So I ordered the STi-R lens. Don't mind the crazy dogs.

I finally got the chance to disassemble a headlight. Only one I've gotten in so far is the right side. Don't mind the mess. I don't have a lot of room to work.

She wants her headlights painted to match her truck color. Magnetic Gray. Really cool name for a really boring color. The masked off area is where the white LEDs are going so I want that area to pop and I'm leaving the chrome. The chrome around the bezel will be Mag Gray

This was the output of the Halogen Projector with the 50w HID in there. So ugly.

I disassembled both the OE projector and the IS350 Projector. From now on I'm going to refer to them as the OE pros and IS pros instead of writing it out every time.
For the record, I did call The Retrofit Source about switching over to the IS pros and they said after disassembly and some cutting the holes should line up.

Here's OE pros open.

IS pros open

Comparison pic

Low and behold, The Retrofit Source was correct! To a certain extent. Here is a pic of the OE rear bowl on top of the IS front/lens portion. Notice the mid-top screw holes. Two line up perfectly! This should be easier than I thought. The two very top screw holes are for mounting inside the headlight assembly. The mid-bottom two screw holes will need to be drilled accordingly. The very bottom screw hole is the third hole for mounting in the headlight assembly.

Here is another angle of the OE rear bowl on top of the IS front/lens portion. You can see some trimming will need to be done. A dremel should do the trick.

This is as far as I've gotten. I'm going to paint the headlights today and maybe get the OE pro aligned in my garage for when I need to line up the new projector. I have an idea of how I'm going to make sure I use the same spot and it doesn't move. I hope it works. It should but I tend to be very unlucky.

If any of y'all have ideas, let me know. I'm open to suggestions. AND criticisms!

Thanks for looking!

To be continued...

 

[ArrArr]

Following.
Do you believe the IS pros to be so much better? Or what was the reason you decided to go with them?

I miss the LED headlights from my Infiniti already. Sometimes I daydream about retrofitting LED headlights into my 4R.

 

[JakeKo]

Following.
Do you believe the IS pros to be so much better? Or what was the reason you decided to go with them?

I miss the LED headlights from my Infiniti already. Sometimes I daydream about retrofitting LED headlights into my 4R.

They are considerably better. The IS pros are a HID specific projector. Making them far superior to the T4R OE pros. Just as a reference I found. Here is the IS pros with their stock lens. The second pic if of the clear lens from the STi-R lens.

Stock Lens

STi-R Lens

The pictures don't lie.

 

[1engineer]

Question: Did you join this forum, make 16 posts just to complain about a 4Runner that you don't even own?

I just drove through the night from WV to FL. Headlights did their job. Lit up what was in front of me as advertised.
Also the color of my vehicle is white. Not disappointing at all.

 

[sigepbiker]

Question: Did you join this forum, make 16 posts just to complain about a 4Runner that you don't even own?

I just drove through the night from WV to FL. Headlights did their job. Lit up what was in front of me as advertised.
Also the color of my vehicle is white. Not disappointing at all.

Easy [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION]! Some of us like the look of HID's vs halogens. What about all the people that make write ups about modding from H9 to H11? Plus, he approached me about my retrofit.

Yes, the halogens are good, but these are a lot better. Think of the headlights as safety equipment and if you can make them better, why wouldn't you?

[MENTION=149481]JakeKo[/MENTION] - Great pictures and documenting your progress. Can't wait to see the finished headlights.

 

[JSparky]

I'm happy to see someone taking the effort to post a full retro project. I did this on my fzj80 and it made a HUGE difference.. used morimoto d2s projectors.

Also as an aside, I'm pretty sure the factory reflectors headlights on my 2013 4runner were significantly better than the halogen projectors on my 2016.. I'd be curious to see a sidexside comparison of the two factory lights.

 

[1engineer]

Easy [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION]! Some of us like the look of HID's vs halogens. What about all the people that make write ups about modding from H9 to H11? Plus, he approached me about my retrofit.

Yes, the halogens are good, but these are a lot better. Think of the headlights as safety equipment and if you can make them better, why wouldn't you?

[MENTION=149481]JakeKo[/MENTION] - Great pictures and documenting your progress. Can't wait to see the finished headlights.

I have no problem with modding headlights. To each their own. My issue is when new guys come here right off the bat with disparaging remarks about things that are not even measurable. This guy, who doesn't even own the thing, is disappointed in the color of all things.

As far as the headlights, i've drove $25K rental vehicles with better headlights (better being subjective of course... to each their own) and a $70K vehicle rental i was in with LED headlights that were much worse than the stock 4Runner headlights. Again, my opinion.

Headlights and colors are subjective, just like seat comfort.

 

[philsey]

Question: Did you join this forum, make 16 posts just to complain about a 4Runner that you don't even own?

I just drove through the night from WV to FL. Headlights did their job. Lit up what was in front of me as advertised.
Also the color of my vehicle is white. Not disappointing at all.

Wowsers. Looks like someone had to work all week and is a touch b!tchy.

Hope you're just as critical with the next guy along who makes a great writeup about tires or racks or lifts or winches or bumpers or rails or suspensions or superchargers or .....

Good work [MENTION=149481]JakeKo[/MENTION] , and nice thread. For all the ppl doing crap HID or LED kits into the stock halogen projectors, or complaining about their seats/radios/brakes/power ... odd that Greg singles you out. There are a few of us that appreciate a properly-done RF.

Me, I like to see as well as possible at night. It's far more a safety issue than 95% of the other mods. Carry on.

 

[JakeKo]

Question: Did you join this forum, make 16 posts just to complain about a 4Runner that you don't even own?

I just drove through the night from WV to FL. Headlights did their job. Lit up what was in front of me as advertised.
Also the color of my vehicle is white. Not disappointing at all.

That's fine that they do it for you. I just figured that she wanted this and has been wanting this for a while. I'm doing this for her and I was just really surprised that they didn't just go for the HID projector instead. And no, I did not join this forum to complain. I joined to get insight if anyone had done one. That is all. I didn't find anyone on here that did what I'm doing and I figured I'd share my experience/idea/knowledge. If you want to call it knowledge...

I have no problem with modding headlights. To each their own. My issue is when new guys come here right off the bat with disparaging remarks about things that are not even measurable. This guy, who doesn't even own the thing, is disappointed in the color of all things.

As far as the headlights, i've drove $25K rental vehicles with better headlights (better being subjective of course... to each their own) and a $70K vehicle rental i was in with LED headlights that were much worse than the stock 4Runner headlights. Again, my opinion.

Headlights and colors are subjective, just like seat comfort.

I stopped reading after you said, "To each their own".

 

[JakeKo]

Alright...I thought it was a good idea. I hope it turns out to be.

Here are the screws and the Drywall pieces.

The wall I'm planning on using.

I created a template on a piece of cardboard of the 3 holes for mounting the bracket in the headlight from the original OE pro. I simply took out the 4 main screws holding the front and back of the OE pro together and used that.

Poked the holes through the cardboard.

There was already one drywall hole in the center of the garage wall. So I used that for the base hole. And also to hold the cardboard in place while I marked the two upper holes.

Got some goodies in today!

I broke a couple of the drywall anchors. They said they were heavy duty, but I didn't think they were.

Here is the OE pro mounted and ready for cut-off marking. This is only the Right headlight pro.

Gonna wait until it's dark to do the taping of the cut-off. It's too bright inside my garage.

I'm really hoping the drywall holes and screws stay for the next couple projectors. That's very important. What I'm really only worried about is rotation. It just needs to stay level. The rest can be adjusted via the headlight adjuster.

Thanks for looking guys!

To be continued...

 

[stir_fry_boy]

Sorry, but I just don't have any complaints with my 35 W Morimoto HIDs in OEM projectors. Even better with my 2 in 1 LED fogs. They light up the roadway like a battlefield.

 

[The Waco Kid]

I've been waiting for a write up like this for 3 years now. Looking forward to the end product!

 

[JSparky]

Mind sharing why you went with is350 projectors? My google search didn't turn up much. Thanks.

 

[flyboysgt]

Awesome write up so far! It's good to see someone actually go and do the swap and document a good write up. I applaud you sir. Don't let the people with their "perceived powers" bother you. Some people just want to watch the world burn. Carry on!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JakeKo]

Mind sharing why you went with is350 projectors? My google search didn't turn up much. Thanks.

Not at all.
I did a bunch of research before I bought/started this project. I wasn't exactly happy with "gluing" the projector into the back of the housing so I wanted a new way. Contacted multiple people. One on here helped me out big time. [MENTION=79237]sigepbiker[/MENTION]. And decided to proceed.

The IS350 projector is a side bulb mounted projector. The Lexus GS projector is similar but I found the IS projector to be superior on output. The OE projector is a side mount bulb as well. The reason for this is there just simply no space behind the headlight for a rear entry bulb projector. Otherwise, you could purchase a kit like the D2S 4.0 or FX-R from The Retrofit Source. Not to mention the bulb replacement is on the side as well on the headlamp assembly.

 

[sigepbiker]

I'm really hoping the drywall holes and screws stay for the next couple projectors. That's very important. What I'm really only worried about is rotation. It just needs to stay level. The rest can be adjusted via the headlight adjuster.

Nice bracket to hold the projector still! Great idea!

Be conscious to mark the dead center of the OE pro! The headlamp assembly only has adjustment for up and down.

There is no left and right adjustment.



AFK and enjoying my 4R TPE

 

[chzbrgr_masheen]

Awesome thread. Very cool to see someone tackling this project and documenting in detail. I recently purchased a 16' Trail but started addressing the lack of HID before I even bought the 4R. I originally wanted to do the retrofit myself but I know how time consuming these projects can be so I opted to pay someone to do them. I bought some TYC 4Runner headlights, sourced some IS projectors via ebay and then sent everything to Lightwerkz up in NJ. They did something very similar to what you're doing with hacking of the mount to adapt the IS projector. They also swapped the lens with STIR lenses. I had them black out the headlights and leave the chrome strip.

I havent had a chance to get nice closeups and still havent got any of the cutoff but its got the nice blue/purple cutoff like my Morimoto Mini D2S retrofit in my '14 Forester XT. Just not as sharp.

I will be making a build thread here really soon and will have more pics but here is at least one headon shot of my 4R frontend:
**edit: Lightwerkz has some closeups: 2016 Toyota 4Runner ? Black Out + HID Projector Conversion | Lightwerkz Gallery

 

[philsey]

Can't go wrong with Lightwerkz. I've had 3 from them so far. Pricey, but top quality work.

 

[JakeKo]

An UPDATE! It's coming along...slowly...but it is.

It turns out no one in town has Mag Gray spray paint, so the headlights will have to wait to get a fresh coat. Not to mention the 2nd/left headlight hasn't even come in yet. Should be here tomorrow.

I hacked up the old projector for the bracket holes. It was a lot of work. I ended up having to go out and buy a plug-in dremel because my battery powered dremel didn't want to work when I wanted it to.

I first went out and bought these. They are absolutely terrible. Either they didn't work for my application, or they just suck. But they did suck. Buy them at your own expense.

Clamped down the OE pro to cut the top bracket out. I drew a sharpie line for reference.

My progress was incredibly slow. My battery operated dremel just wasn't doing the job. It was taking forever. Took me about 15 minutes to get this far.

I went out and bought a plug-in dremel. It's a harbor freight $25 dremel and it worked 10X's better than my battery operated Craftsman.

Got the top bracket off. Didn't take more than 15 minutes. That's for sure.

The bottom bracket was a little harder to get off but I got it. This is the new IS pro and the OE brackets surrounding it.

This was just a test fitment. I was trying to get a good idea on where the bottom bracket needed new screw holes installed. The bottom bracket was definitely tougher than the top. I had to eyeball it but I left some wiggle room so I can adjust it when I get everything installed and get the bulbs burnin. I'm still waiting on my Denso D4S adapter for my D4S Bulbs as well.

This is just another angle.

Need to acquire some longer screws to piece the back and front of the IS pro together with the bracket inside it. Otherwise, this is where I stopped for the night. A few hours of work. Woman had me occupied the rest of the time.

Here's the booty.

Here's what I mean by the screws provided were not long enough. There is an extra piece of aluminum in between the front projector and rear projector. It makes it a bit wider.

Should be getting the left headlight in tomorrow and the Denso D4S adapter for the ballast. I should be able to align this thing tomorrow but time will tell. Paint should be here next weekend so I'll be sitting and waiting for that. I had to buy it from a store that sells the Mag Gray Perfect Match because no one in town had it or carries or orders the dam* stuff. Other than that I need to find out a way to mount/secure the LED's in the headlight and I think I'm going to use fishing line. Also, she wants them on any time the vehicle is on. So I guess I can do the "DRL always on" [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] made and then find the wire under the hood to the fuse box, cut it and run that to the LED's. Still working on that. But I have time.

To be continued...

 

[JakeKo]

[MENTION=144488]chzbrgr_masheen[/MENTION] you trying to hijack my thread!? haha just messin man. They look great and they did a great job. I contacted LightWerkx about this project because I saw the had done a few in the past. They helped me considerably. Along with The Retrofit Source.

What bulb temp did you go with? And are they 35w or 50w?