5th Gen HID / Projector retrofit installation (pics).

[tHeGeeK]

Thanks I'll try that. I was trying to pry a little with a screw driver and some protective tape, but it unnerves me.

Kyle

 

[Jaker]

Thanks I'll try that. I was trying to pry a little with a screw driver and some protective tape, but it unnerves me.

Kyle

I wouldn't use a screwdriver if I were you. Just use your hands spaced a good amount a part and use brute strength to peel back the bumper. You may feel a bit anxious at first, but trust me: it will come off.

 

[tHeGeeK]

I wouldn't use a screwdriver if I were you. Just use your hands spaced a good amount a part and use brute strength to peel back the bumper. You may feel a bit anxious at first, but trust me: it will come off.

Yeah, I was a little hesitant at first with the true strength, but it worked quite well. Headlights apart, painted, all that's left is to aim and put back together. I went crazy and will have a Quad Bi-Xenon setup with 4 his and 4 lows. Also order the fog light HID kit. It will be like driving in daylight.

Thans for the write up and extra help!

Kyle

 

[Jaker]

Yeah, I was a little hesitant at first with the true strength, but it worked quite well. Headlights apart, painted, all that's left is to aim and put back together. I went crazy and will have a Quad Bi-Xenon setup with 4 his and 4 lows. Also order the fog light HID kit. It will be like driving in daylight.

Thans for the write up and extra help!

Kyle

Awesome. Can't wait to see the pics. However, the fog light HIDs aren't very useful in my humble opinion.

 

[philsey]

Can't speak to The Great White North, but I remember reading that some states have laws against displaying more than 4 lights at once.

 

[tHeGeeK]

I'm sure it's difference in other provinces, but in BC you can have 2 forward lights on each side of the front of your vehicle; plus one pair of fog lights. I will see if I get flashed with the fogs on, but I won't be using them all that often. I tried to post pics, but it keeps giving me errors; not entirely finished, had a bad ballast, so on hold till it comes, then final aiming.

 

[philsey]

Awesome. Can't wait to see the pics. However, the fog light HIDs aren't very useful in my humble opinion.

Second this. Suggest you hold up your time and money on the fogs until you've driven with the projectors awhile. They (fogs) seem ineffective with projectors IMO.

 

[tHeGeeK]

Managed to get the pictures in, sorry, photography is not in my future. The fogs are already bought and in, I agree they don't really add much when my HL are on, but they are good when the fog is out up here and the HL are off.

 

[thebwlife]

HIDs in the fogs arnt bad there is a decent cut off on them.

 

[Jono.ful]

just finished doing my retrofit. you definitely DO NOT need to remove the bumper. Simply remote the grille, rad shrouds, 3 bolts in each wheel well, then you will be able to pull the bumper cover forward enough to access the lower mount for the headlight. easy-peasy.

 

[splash101]

Would like more light up front while maintaining optimal safety.

Read some of the forum threads and this:

Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

Is is correct that one of the "Complete Retrofit Kits" such as the FX-R from the Retrofit Source would be safe and effective and that the "HID Systems" are not advisable?

I am confused by the advice not to use halogen housing with an hid kit because it seems like I would end up using the stock plastic housing and the chrome in there with an FX-R kit.

 

[Jesse1983]

Would like more light up front while maintaining optimal safety.

Read some of the forum threads and this:

Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

Is is correct that one of the "Complete Retrofit Kits" such as the FX-R from the Retrofit Source would be safe and effective and that the "HID Systems" are not advisable?

I am confused by the advice not to use halogen housing with an hid kit because it seems like I would end up using the stock plastic housing and the chrome in there with an FX-R kit.

you need a "complete kit" because an "HID system" doesn't include the projector which is essential for a proper retrofit.

you would still use the majority of your housing, but the projector is installed in the reflector bowl to focus the insane amount of light. see here:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/60125-jesse1983-10.html#post1028711

 

[Lenny33]

Did I see a price tag of $1K?!?! Why is this so much on the 4Runner? I installed a set for both hi and low beam on my FJ and I remember it costing closer to $100. Can't remember what company it was off hand, but they worked very well at that price.

 

[Jesse1983]

Did I see a price tag of $1K?!?! Why is this so much on the 4Runner? I installed a set for both hi and low beam on my FJ and I remember it costing closer to $100. Can't remember what company it was off hand, but they worked very well at that price.

big difference between the cost of a kit and the cost to pay a reputable company to do the job.

 

[splash101]

you need a "complete kit" because an "HID system" doesn't include the projector which is essential for a proper retrofit.

you would still use the majority of your housing, but the projector is installed in the reflector bowl to focus the insane amount of light. see here:

So the reflector bowl serves to correctly focus the light within the stock housing - thanks.

 

[Lenny33]

big difference between the cost of a kit and the cost to pay a reputable company to do the job.

This was an easy project on the FJ. I am defiantly no electrical genius or master mechanic, but I do a lot of stuff myself and like to tinker (probably like 90% of the members here) and it was a very doable project.

Not being argumentative, just think I must be missing something. Is this easier on the FJ for some reason? I ask because I will definitely do this to my Runner for around $100, but no way am I spending $1K for it - too many things higher on my wish list as a new owner.

 

[Jesse1983]

So the reflector bowl serves to correctly focus the light within the stock housing - thanks.

the reflector bowl focuses the stock light output. if a retrofit is done the reflector bowl does not focus the light, the projector does.

 

[Jesse1983]

This was an easy project on the FJ. I am defiantly no electrical genius or master mechanic, but I do a lot of stuff myself and like to tinker (probably like 90% of the members here) and it was a very doable project.

Not being argumentative, just think I must be missing something. Is this easier on the FJ for some reason? I ask because I will definitely do this to my Runner for around $100, but no way am I spending $1K for it - too many things higher on my wish list as a new owner.

like anything else, it depends on the products you use, etc. Did you do a complete retrofit, or did you put HID's in the stock housing? If you did a complete retro did you use an easier to install kit like the mini's?

My kit was like $300 and I did the labor myself.

 

[splash101]

the reflector bowl focuses the stock light output. if a retrofit is done the reflector bowl does not focus the light, the projector does.

OK, got it. What is the purpose of the shroud?

 

[Hawaiian4runner]

you need a "complete kit" because an "HID system" doesn't include the projector which is essential for a proper retrofit.

you would still use the majority of your housing, but the projector is installed in the reflector bowl to focus the insane amount of light. see here:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/60125-jesse1983-10.html#post1028711

I really like your setup. Is it OK to paint the reflectors? Does it get hot? Want to get as much of a black out effect without blackening the housing.