Bandit Runner's Projector Headlights
- Thread starter Bandit Runner
- Start date
Bandit Runner
Senior Member
Thanks everyone.
Painting the housing black when you do a projector retrofit will not effect light output because the housing surface is no longer used as a reflector.
Yeah, I was wondering how they would look in the end too, but I really like them now.
Believe me, If I can do this - Anyone can.
Thanks, I got them aimed pretty good yesterday. I'll see about getting some output pics.
Quick question: Do these lights use a lot more power from the battery? Because when I was aiming them, I had them on for only a couple of minutes without the truck running, and my battery went dead. Maybe its just that my battery is almost 10 years old? I know I'm due for a new one.
Painting the housing black when you do a projector retrofit will not effect light output because the housing surface is no longer used as a reflector.
Yeah, I was wondering how they would look in the end too, but I really like them now.
Believe me, If I can do this - Anyone can.
Thanks, I got them aimed pretty good yesterday. I'll see about getting some output pics.
Quick question: Do these lights use a lot more power from the battery? Because when I was aiming them, I had them on for only a couple of minutes without the truck running, and my battery went dead. Maybe its just that my battery is almost 10 years old? I know I'm due for a new one.
rickashay
New member
No they actually consume WAY less power once they are running. (I forget the exact numbers but...I can dig them up if you need) However, they take more to initially fire up the bulb. If your turning them on/off repeatedly or something it will be using a lot of power because you are re-igniting the bulb every time. I still don't think they take enough though to kill a strong battery that quickly though.....
Yoterman87
New member
looks sick dude great job!!!!!!!!!
Bandit Runner
Senior Member
Thanks for the reply. I was shutting them off and turning them back on while making adjustments, thereby trying to save power. I guess I should have just left them on the whole time. Now I know. Thanks.
Bandit Runner
Senior Member
I took a couple of quick pics of the lights this morning.
On a Walgreens wall about 30' away:
Brights:
On a Walgreens wall about 30' away:
Brights:
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A.Wilson013
New member
Well shoot, looks like I need to do this now.
As a beginner to this type of project, was it hard?
As a beginner to this type of project, was it hard?
Bandit Runner
Senior Member
It wasn't too bad. Just take your time, and pay attention to what you are doing. If I can do it, anyone can. Good luck.
madbomber08
New member
Ok here's a dumb question,
Does that HID bulb have high and low beams? I guess normal halogen 4runner bulbs have both high and low beams in one bulb so these must too, right?
Does that HID bulb have high and low beams? I guess normal halogen 4runner bulbs have both high and low beams in one bulb so these must too, right?
Bandit Runner
Senior Member
It doesn't work like that. There is no high and low beam. The projectors have a solenoid that moves the cutoff shield. So when you hit the "high beams", it moves the shield and there is no cutoff anymore. The lights don't actually get any brighter. They are just allowed to shine higher.
Hope that makes sense.
madbomber08
New member
It makes a lot more sense. So when you say a solenoid, there's actually an internal "plate" within the bulb itself that moves to reveal high beams? Or within the projector?
Edit: Plate is a terrible word for it. I hope you know what I mean when I say it.
rickashay
New member
Not trying to jack your thread Bandit, I just saw this ^ post and thought I'd try to help!
Have a look at the picture:
20111207-IMG_0791 by Headlight Hookup, on Flickr
The "plate" your referring to, is actually called the "shield." In the photo, you can see the shield and how it is located inside of the projector. It is completely independent from the bulb in terms of it's mechinical ability to move. You can also see in the pic, the little black pivot point that the left side of the shield is connected to, and the silver wire that is connected below that black pivot point. The solenoid drives the wire when triggered by HI beams, which then rotates the shield down, and out of the way of the bulb's beam entirely.
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Bandit Runner
Senior Member
No problem. I'll take all the help I can get. I just have a very general knowledge of how these work. You definitely have a much more in-depth knowledge of the inner workings.
Thanks.
SCRunner12
New member
Do you have a picture of the hole you made for the hi/lo wire? I just got the same kit and will be retrofitting mine in the next week.
Bandit Runner
Senior Member
Sorry, but I do not. I'll try to explain it though, if I remember correctly.
There is the main circular hole in the center of headlights. Then there are a couple of small square-shaped holes around the perimeter of the main hole. However, these smaller openings are not connected to the circular opening, there is material in between them. All I did was to cut a small slit from the main circular opening to one of the square slots, to connect it.
When you install the projector, slide the wires through the slit, so that they end up running through the square opening. Then they don't interfere with the mounting of the projector in the circular hole.
I hope that makes sense. Its a little hard to describe without pictures. Once you're looking at the back of the light housing, I think you'll see what I mean.
Good luck.
Coast2Coast
New member
More pics of the truck please! Outside in the wild to get a better look at the overall new look 
Bryan3GT4R
New member
Great write up, looks great, new project on my list now.
Bandit Runner
Senior Member
More pics of the truck please! Outside in the wild to get a better look at the overall new look
Well, if you insist:
More pics here:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/70298-bandit-runners-build-thread.html
and here (although a little old):
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/98701-badlands-offroad-park-indiana-trip-report-pics.html
Thanks.
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SCRunner12
New member
Thanks a lot for the explanation! I was a bit confused, but once I saw this pic by Rickashay I saw what you meant. Seems easy enough.
Did you just cover then entire backside of the projector with silicone when sealing them up?
Bandit Runner
Senior Member
Thanks a lot for the explanation! I was a bit confused, but once I saw this pic by Rickashay I saw what you meant. Seems easy enough.
Did you just cover then entire backside of the projector with silicone when sealing them up?
Thanks for adding the pic. I was going to search for one, but didn't have the time.
I did not seal anything with silicone. I just put the OEM rubber boot back on, and that pretty much covered all the openings in the back of the light housing.
