Brian's FX-R 3" HID Retrofit on 97 4Runner Project (T4R.org)

[BrianSD_42]

With that tape is there any negative effects like heat build up that may be detrimental to the life of the bulb?

If you are referring g to putting tape on the bulb, don't do it. That was a terrible idea and it didn't work out.

 

[MTD]

If you are referring g to putting tape on the bulb, don't do it. That was a terrible idea and it didn't work out.

Whooooa lol yea I was talking around the projector? You put tape on the actual bulb?

 

[A.Wilson013]

Hey Brian,

In your parts list you have an extra set of headlights from Ebay. Is this 100% necessary? If so, why?

I got in on the Tacomaworld group buy last week and will be performing my retrofit next month. Pretty dang excited.

Thanks in advance.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Whooooa lol yea I was talking around the projector? You put tape on the actual bulb?

As shown in the pics, when repainting the corner lights I painted the $3 bulbs and put tape on them. It was definitely a bad idea because it smoked.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Hey Brian,

In your parts list you have an extra set of headlights from Ebay. Is this 100% necessary? If so, why?

Thanks in advance.

They are only necessary if you have 96-98 cloudy glass lenses on your headlights.

It is better to keep the stock housings but you will want that clear glass.

 

[SCRunner12]

Hey Brian,

In your parts list you have an extra set of headlights from Ebay. Is this 100% necessary? If so, why?

I got in on the Tacomaworld group buy last week and will be performing my retrofit next month. Pretty dang excited.

Thanks in advance.

Like Brian said, you don't need an extra set if you have the 99+ already. Although from my experience I would think about getting a new set of the TYC's from Rockauto or the like. My 00 glass isn't in the greatest shape from being on the car for 13 years. Kind of takes away from the wow factor looks wise. It won't effect output, but why put $3-400 worth of new parts into subpar housings looks wise. Plus you will come out on top in the end by selling your stock 99+. Just my opinion, but something to think about.

 

[marcdc]

Any recommendation on where to buy OEM 99-02 complete headlight assemblys? I don't want to mess around with eBay and I feel like it's better to go all OEM. Is there a preferred OEM parts site that you guys recommend?

I guess I could do TYC headlight assemblys from Rockauto (showing at $36 a piece), but if I were to do that where would I order a set of OEM housings from? And do we have a part number for the housings?

Sorry for the potentially dumb questions but just trying to do it once and do it right. Thanks guys

 

[BrianSD_42]

[MENTION=92499]marcdc[/MENTION] can you list what you have now and what you want?

Example: currently have stock 97 housings with cloudy lenses but want to do a full retrofit.

 

[marcdc]

[MENTION=65101]BrianSD_42[/MENTION] no problem.

I currently have a 98 4Runner with the old style lens and plan on doing a FX-R retrofit. I live in Brooklyn and there is a shop here that's local to me called HID Illusionz that's well regarded on the HID retrofitting forums. The guy, Rich, will do a full retrofit for me and have it done in a day or two, and all I need to do is provide the light assemblys. I don't want to give him my existing OEM lights bc they're old and worn, plus I'd prefer to have the newer style clearer lens. I'd also like to give him a matching set of parking light assemblys so everything matches (bc I think I'm going to have the interior housings painted black).

Trying to figure out the best way to do this. The sooner I can get him the parts, the better. Trying to have the whole thing completed by Thursday of next week, so it would be great if I could have the parts in hand by Tuesday.

Thanks so much for the help.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Hi,

If you have the original 98 lenses then you will want to buy a set of TYC from eBay for $75 and use the clear lenses.

As per my instructions in original post, you will want to bake the light assembly and remove the clear (TYC) lenses. Then wrap the 2 clear lenses in something protective to put with the rest of the parts. give it all to the guy doing the retro and tell to just put the clear lenses on when sealing them up during the final step.

You will just throw the TYC housings away or put on CL. Don't try to use them instead of the stock housings, I assume someone is going to do the sanding and painting so your old stock housings will be like new.

It is important to understand that the quality of the plastic (specifically the part that adjusts) on the TYC/eBay lights is completely inferior and crap. But the glass is just fine.

 

[marcdc]

Hi,

If you have the original 98 lenses then you will want to buy a set of TYC from eBay for $75 and use the clear lenses.

As per my instructions in original post, you will want to bake the light assembly and remove the clear (TYC) lenses. Then wrap the 2 clear lenses in something protective to put with the rest of the parts. give it all to the guy doing the retro and tell to just put the clear lenses on when sealing them up during the final step.

You will just throw the TYC housings away or put on CL. Don't try to use them instead of the stock housings, I assume someone is going to do the sanding and painting so your old stock housings will be like new.

It is important to understand that the quality of the plastic (specifically the part that adjusts) on the TYC/eBay lights is completely inferior and crap. But the glass is just fine.

Thank you for clarifying this, and that's a great idea (and much cheaper than buying OEM)

 

[BrianSD_42]

Thank you for clarifying this, and that's a great idea (and much cheaper than buying OEM)

GLAD TO HELP !!!!!

Anyone else reading benfiting from this thread please leave a comment

:banana:

 

[zacattack20]

Did you use a harness from TRS? Was it the H4/9003 one? If so have you had any problems with it? I read on someone else's retrofit that this harness didn't work right and they had to use some can-bus harness with it.

 

[BrianSD_42]

At first my harness did not seem to be working correctly but after I called them I realized I had it hooked up wrong.

 

[zacattack20]

At first my harness did not seem to be working correctly but after I called them I realized I had it hooked up wrong.

Ok thanks.

 

[Yoter]

I am thinking of picking up some FXR 3" today for the black friday price.
This is my first retrofit, will the output be really noticeably better that then Mini h1 6.0. (I already have matsushita gen 3 ballasts and some philips bulbs)
I guess I am wondering if its worth the added trouble and potential mistakes involved with this installation.
Also does anyone have experience with the multi colored halo's? Are they any good?
I cant make up my mind between amber and white. If I go with the Mini's I will get the smoked shrouds and with the Fxr's I will go with gatling or g37r.

 

[BrianSD_42]

will the output be really noticeably better that then Mini h1 6.0.

I don't know about the H1 6.0, I have never heard of that light. My output is great.

You should call TRS and talk to them.

 

[MTD]

I am thinking of picking up some FXR 3" today for the black friday price.
This is my first retrofit, will the output be really noticeably better that then Mini h1 6.0. (I already have matsushita gen 3 ballasts and some philips bulbs)
I guess I am wondering if its worth the added trouble and potential mistakes involved with this installation.
Also does anyone have experience with the multi colored halo's? Are they any good?
I cant make up my mind between amber and white. If I go with the Mini's I will get the smoked shrouds and with the Fxr's I will go with gatling or g37r.

I personally don't think the fx-r's are worth the hassle. I've compared my fx-rs retrofit to a standard mini h1 and it wasn't much of a difference. If I were you I would go with the mini d2s and just get the projectors since you already have the bulbs and the Ballasts.

 

[BrianSD_42]

:mod: Update 01-07-14 :mod:


Pictures added to pg. 1 of thread

So it has been 1 year since did this mod and some dust has gotten inside the light housings.

I believe the reason is because the default breathing tubes (2) let in dust.

I have now fixed this so no dust can get in.


Here is the fix:

1. Bake lights (every time), open up and clean inside, wipe out the dust

2. Put the glass back on and re-bake, put on the metal clips etc

3. Add silicone sealant around the outside of the light and on the back around where the bulb is. This may be overkill but I don't want to do this a 3rd time.

4. Pull off the 2 rubber breathing tubes on the back of the light

5. Fill one of the tubes PARTIALY with silicone sealant, , enough to block any air, let it dry.

6. Upgrade the second tube with extended hose and filter

7. Add about 6-8" of Fish Tank Air Hose ($6 Petsmart) and glued it to the small breathing rubber. The idea is not to block the airway at all when doing this.

8. Add an air filter into the fish tank hose. I bought Cheese Cloth from Michaels (Arts & Crafts Store) and cut out a 1" by 2" piece and then twisted it up and shoved it in the tube.

9. Test that you can push (blow) air through the hose with the filter installed, better make sure the silicone had a few hours to dry!

10. Once it is dried, install onto the light as such.

 

[zacattack20]

How did you go about opening your corner lights? Did you bake them? If so, how long and what temperature?