97 headlights

[jrybon]

My lights have the strangest patten. The top left of each does not project. Kinda like a frowning eyebrow or a less-than sign. /o or < . Is anyone else noticing this? I replaced the lens on one side with an aftermarket and reused the old bulb cuz it was brighter than the aftermarket.

Has anyone tried removing those metallic cones that come in the lenses?

Is there a special tool needed to adjust the pattern? I've stripped out two lens assemblies trying to adjust them with a phippips screwdriver.

And how are you supposed to adjust the height of the driver side lens? That one is buried too deep to reach with a screwdriver. The oem lenses had hex features on the back of the adjusters, so it could be turned with a socket. The aftermarket ones dont, and I miss them.

 

[JC_ez]

Why are you trying to change the headlight pattern? It is supposed to be like that....it's an ECE styled pattern. It should look like this:


-----<------<------

Each headlight has a flat horizontal cutoff on the left hand side to not disturb traffic. Each headlight has a 15 degree upwards flare to the left side to illuminate objects on the side of the road.

Put back your stock OEM headlamps (the aftermarket ones give a crappy light pattern). Then adjust them like this:

1) Find a place with a level ground and a wall.

2) Drive up to the wall (close) and mark the center of each headlamp onto the wall using tape. Use a big + mark at each center. The headlight centers on the 4Runners are marked with a "o"

3) Using tape, horizontally connect the plus signs. Also make another horizontal line parallel to the first line, but 3 inches below. Make sure your tape lines extend left and right BEYOND the + signs.

4) Drive STAIGHT back 20 feet

4) Aim the flat part of both headlight patterns (the left flat part) to the second line drawn (the one 3 inches below the first line)

5) Aim each light left or right until the intersection of the flat left part and the 15 degree upwards flare meets the center of the + mark.

Then you are done. Please do not mess with the center silver cap or modify the headlamp at all...you will make matters worse and destroy the headlamp. No offense, but if you do not understand how the headlamp works, you shouldn't be messing with it.

 

[jrybon]

Thanks for offering a simple alignment method. I still say that pattern sucks. If what you say is right, then I'm going to have to get some driving lights to increase visibility. Going around turns is like driving in the dark.

 

[JC_ez]

I upgraded my 1997 headlamps with 2002 ones. They do not give as sharp of a pattern (it's the same pattern, but fuzzier), but they do project wider and brighter. You may want to consider that upgrade.

Also, since the left side of the headlight pattern is flat, you can aim it higher without offending oncoming traffic. Quickly aim the headlamps like I said in my last post and then go for a drive. If the pattern cuts off too soon, then turn the bottom most hex adjuster counter clockwise in half turns to raise the lamp until you are satisfied.

Low beams usually reach around 70-100 meters, so you can use that as a guideline when aiming.

If you are having troubles with the pattern not going wide enough (even with the 2002 headlamps), a pair of good quality fog lights aimed at 40-50 meters will help you out tremendously.

 

[jrybon]

I am surprised to hear that the 2002 lenses fit the 97 body. Can you post a photo?

 

[uluafishing]

Use a ratcheting box wrench (like a GearWrench brand wrench) to adjust the vertical alignment.

The vert alignment adjuster is a plastic hex head.

Aloha!

 

[toytech76]

Here is my 99-02 headlight assy's in my 97. They bolt right in, same lights, just better lenses

 

[XJeepguy]

Nice ! Are those after market headlamps or factory ?

Are your clear corners from Jason B or somewhere else ?

Thanks

Here is my 99-02 headlight assy's in my 97. They bolt right in, same lights, just better lenses

 

[toytech76]

those are factory off a 99-02 runner I got from a junkyard. The clears I think I got as a present several years ago and they came from a 4wd shop near here

 

[thejaff]

I'll try not to steal this thread but I thought this might apply here.

My headlights are giving me really poor light output, so I took them out to try to clean the insides. Now, I can't open up the lens to clean them out.

Does anyone have any ideas? Do I need to bake the assembly to soften some silicon or should they just pop right open?

On another note, seeing the '02 retrofit looks really good. I might do that, but I'd still like to improve my light output for now before I do that or HIDs. Thanks.

 

[thejaff]

Do you think these lights are legit?

https://www.am-autoparts.com/AM/Headlights/Toyota/4Runner/1999/AM-15504906/

I assume the bulbs are the same for both, correct?

 

[toytech76]

They are probably not factory and the general concensus about non factory headlite assy's is that they have a poor beam pattern. Go with the newer style conversion with better bulbs

 

[thejaff]

Can you suggest a link to look for factory parts?

I know you went to junkyard, but it's been my experience to just pay the extra the first time for a new part that will last.

 

[toytech76]

Best place new is from the dealer. Junkyards typically will charge $100-$150 per side so from the dealer new you are gonna be at least double that per side. The recycler yards wont sell you anything damaged. its just used. Just depends on how much you feel like spending