4300k bulb replacement beam question

[lcbjr77]

Hello, I recently replaced my headlight bulbs with the XD Exteme 4300k (Philips).

The other night I was on the way home from work, it was snowing pretty good and the light beam seemed a little high... It was almost like my high beams were on and the snow was coming right at the windsheild if that makes any sense.

Was wondering if anybody else had to make adjustments to their headlights after they went aftermarket with the projector housing.

Thanks
Larry

 

[07V8]

Sounds like it was the glare from the HID kit in the projector housing. It should be very easy to tell if they're aimed correctly....

 

[lcbjr77]

Sounds like it was the glare from the HID kit in the projector housing. It should be very easy to tell if they're aimed correctly....

I'm getting a little frustrated, I was flashed two times on the way home tonight... Im gonna have to mess around with the beam height and or sqiurell finders... if this doesn't pan out this kit will be on the classifieds.

 

[dkyleb]

I'm getting a little frustrated, I was flashed two times on the way home tonight... Im gonna have to mess around with the beam height and or sqiurell finders... if this doesn't pan out this kit will be on the classifieds.

So, you're driving with your headlights AND your fog lights on? In town?

 

[lcbjr77]

So, you're driving with your headlights AND your fog lights on? In town?

Yes, I think the fogs are always on...why do you ask?

 

[dkyleb]

Yes, I think the fogs are always on...why do you ask?

Well no wonder you're getting flashed. Do you live in an area that experiences fog 24/7/365? Then why are you driving with your fog lights on?


Sorry. This really gets to me. I'm a truck driver and people who are inconsiderate with their bright ass lights really bother me and most other drivers.

 

[lcbjr77]

Well no wonder you're getting flashed. Do you live in an area that experiences fog 24/7/365? Then why are you driving with your fog lights on?


Sorry. This really gets to me. I'm a truck driver and people who are inconsiderate with their bright ass lights really bother me and most other drivers.

I'm still confused of how my fog lights are the issue, I was concerned my low beams needed to be adjusted a little lower

 

[dkyleb]

I'm still confused of how my fog lights are the issue, I was concerned my low beams needed to be adjusted a little lower

Good point.

But just saying, you've added a significantly higher output light system to your vehicle. I'm sure you've just passed the threshold of people being slightly bothered by your bright lights, into the flash-their-brights-at-you zone.

Do you have any lift? A common thing that people forget after lifting or levelling a vehicle is to readjust the headlights. OEM cutoffs on projector housings are aimed at a proper level as to not blind other drivers.

 

[lcbjr77]

Good point.

But just saying, you've added a significantly higher output light system to your vehicle. I'm sure you've just passed the threshold of people being slightly bothered by your bright lights, into the flash-their-brights-at-you zone.

Do you have any lift? A common thing that people forget after lifting or levelling a vehicle is to readjust the headlights. OEM cutoffs on projector housings are aimed at a proper level as to not blind other drivers.

No lift, just the kit from Xenon Depot, I will spend some time messing around with the alignment. Funny thing like you said I see so many cars with people who put the wrong bulbs in reflector headlamps and I'm blinded, or just some random car really bright OEM lights....oh well I'll keep you posted

 

[Erkelbot]

Your "squirrel finder" plates are probably needing to be bent down (forward) a bit. AND, it doesn't hurt to align your headlights to be certain. It's a few turns of a screw, and worth checking anyway to be sure -- regardless of whether you're using halogen or HID bulbs.

 

[theliman]

Hello, I recently replaced my headlight bulbs with the XD Exteme 4300k (Philips).

The other night I was on the way home from work, it was snowing pretty good and the light beam seemed a little high... It was almost like my high beams were on and the snow was coming right at the windsheild if that makes any sense.

Was wondering if anybody else had to make adjustments to their headlights after they went aftermarket with the projector housing.

Thanks
Larry

I also noticed this driving through some bad Colorado snows at night. I believe it's mostly about the squirrel finders, because I had made sure to aim my HID's a little lower already.

I have not had the problem since adjusting the tabs but I also haven't been in any blizzards either. I have not been high-beamed since

 

[riceandpho]

always check the height of the lowbeams after hid upgrade, a good rule of thumb for us 4runner owners, i suggest a 3 inch drop at the lower step cutoff at 25 feet. so if the height of the center of projector is 36, then at the wall will be 33.

 

[paraordnance]

It is really easy to check if your lights need adjustment. Just find a parkade, park your truck 25 feet away from the wall and measure the distance from floor to highest cut off level. It should be about 2" less than distance from floor to center of your projector. If not, adjust till they are.

Keep in mind that HID bulbs designed to work in HID projectors. 4Runner projectors are not designed for HIDs, (they are halogen projectors) they may have different focal points and light distribution, also location of bulb within projector is ultra important. Couple millimeters can be a game changer. If you take H11 bulb and compare it to Phillips HID bulb you may find that distance from the bulb base to the arc is not the same, and that is crucial for focusing light beam in projector. But before you sell your HID kit first try to measure cut off and adjust accordingly.

 

[earthrealm]

YEah, had to readjust my headlights after throwing in a hid projector assy and a rancho 2'' quicklift struts

 

[riceandpho]

It is really easy to check if your lights need adjustment. Just find a parkade, park your truck 25 feet away from the wall and measure the distance from floor to highest cut off level. It should be about 2" less than distance from floor to center of your projector. If not, adjust till they are.

Keep in mind that HID bulbs designed to work in HID projectors. 4Runner projectors are not designed for HIDs, (they are halogen projectors) they may have different focal points and light distribution, also location of bulb within projector is ultra important. Couple millimeters can be a game changer. If you take H11 bulb and compare it to Phillips HID bulb you may find that distance from the bulb base to the arc is not the same, and that is crucial for focusing light beam in projector. But before you sell your HID kit first try to measure cut off and adjust accordingly.

I suggest a 3 inch drop since a 2 to 2.5 drop still aim the lights high. Even after a retro on stock suspension, my cutoff would be above someone's side view mirrors.

 

[lcbjr77]

Here are a list of people that should be flashed when driving at night

1. The guy with the high beams on (in his defense he could just not paying attention and forgot to switch to lows as we passed)
2. The beater with one headlight way outta whack... He could blind bats in trees too
3. The HID light in a reflector housing...Holy blinding Batman
4. OEM HID/LED/Xenon lights, to me some of these will still be bright and seem a little high
5. According to 2 cars the other night ME

Still haven't had time to fool around with my lights yet, A soon as I do I'll keep everyone updated.