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

[Goatcheese]

Wow, i dont think i could make these as well as you did. Well done :wave:

 

[hawaiianeyz]

Halo Switchback wiring Question

First of all, absolutely beautiful job on the retrofit jobs Brian!! I just finished retrofitting my 1999 4runner headlights and I have a couple Halo wiring questions to ask...

1) I want my halos to turn on when my parking lights (first turn on my turn light stalk) go on. What component do I tap into (headlight wiring or side marker wiring)? If I splice into the headlight wiring, what colored wire do I splice into? If I splice into the side marker, what colored wire do I splice into?

2) Since I have the XSB switchback halos, I want them to turn amber and blink with my turn signal... What component do I tap into (headlight wiring or side marker wiring)? If I splice into the headlight wiring, what colored wire do I splice into? If I splice into the side marker, what colored wire do I splice into?

Thank you ahead of time for any information you can provide!!

-Joey

 

[BrianSD_42]

1) I want my halos to turn on when my parking lights (first turn on my turn light stalk) go on. What component do I tap into (headlight wiring or side marker wiring)? If I splice into the headlight wiring, what colored wire do I splice into? If I splice into the side marker, what colored wire do I splice into?

--> What year truck do have? If it is a 99 model then the "running lights" electrical is possibly different than the electrical on my 97 4Runner.

On the 97 I have no DRL and manually turn the running lights (corners), followed by the headlights using the controls on the steering column. To wire up my halos as running lights I simply tapped (parallel) into the running light (+) wire so anytime my running lights are on then the halos are on. This means (at least on my truck) that I can never run the headlights without the running lights/halos on. No big deal to me. I don't know the light wiring colors but you should be able to tell with a $15 DC voltmeter.

2) Since I have the XSB switchback halos, I want them to turn amber and blink with my turn signal... What component do I tap into (headlight wiring or side marker wiring)? If I splice into the headlight wiring, what colored wire do I splice into? If I splice into the side marker, what colored wire do I splice into?

Getting them to run amber (full time) and then blink on the turn signal may be a challenge -- I just don't know. I'm happy with my normal turn signal and do not need this functionality. If no one else response here, I'd suggest opening a new thread titled appropriately.

 

[hawaiianeyz]

--> What year truck do have? If it is a 99 model then the "running lights" electrical is possibly different than the electrical on my 97 4Runner.

On the 97 I have no DRL and manually turn the running lights (corners), followed by the headlights using the controls on the steering column. To wire up my halos as running lights I simply tapped (parallel) into the running light (+) wire so anytime my running lights are on then the halos are on. This means (at least on my truck) that I can never run the headlights without the running lights/halos on. No big deal to me. I don't know the light wiring colors but you should be able to tell with a $15 DC voltmeter.


Getting them to run amber (full time) and then blink on the turn signal may be a challenge -- I just don't know. I'm happy with my normal turn signal and do not need this functionality. If no one else response here, I'd suggest opening a new thread titled appropriately.

Thank you for the quick response! I kind of figured that's what I needed to do to have the halos turn on with the DRL, but I just wanted confirmation. As far as the blinking halos are concerned, I want them to run white (full time) and then blink amber on the turn signal. I don't think it's possible to have them run amber full time and blink amber at the same time.... If no one responds to this thread i'll be sure to start a new thread with the aforementioned question. Thank you again for the response!!!

 

[kolelt]

Brian, great write up bud. They look bad ass. Definitely not a cheap mod if you want quality parts. This will be on list to do after elocker swap.

If you had a chance to redo. Would you redo anything different

 

[kolelt]

If I had to redo ....

My current recommendation is to do the Mini D2S projector retrofit not the FXRs. My FXRs have shown some degradation over time. Nothing to major but when I did the set of D2S last year (also linked in this thread) the cutoff was cleaner and the install and alignment was 10x easier. FxR are very hard to properly align along the horizontal plane when glueing.

Also with regards to bulbs just save the money and get the Morimoto 5000k (or is 5500k) bulbs. The expensive Phillips are not worth the extra cash imo. I've run both and it is near impossible to tell the difference.

Updated recommendation:
* Morimoto 5k bulbs (not 6K!)
* Mini D2S (see my other projector thread)
* Use the stock BLACK plastic housing or buy a new one for $40, swapped onto the aftermarket TYC headlight. More on this in the other thread.
* 35W still better than 50W

:flypig:

Thanks Brian. Great info.

 

[jpeaslee]

If I had to redo ....

Updated recommendation:
* Morimoto 5k bulbs (not 6K!)
* Mini D2S (see my other projector thread)
* Use the stock BLACK plastic housing or buy a new one for $40, swapped onto the aftermarket TYC headlight. More on this in the other thread.
* 35W still better than 50W

:flypig:

When I bought my retrofit stuff over black friday (and finally installed it earlier this year), that's exactly what I got, largely off of your recommendation. I couldn't be happier with them! Just make sure you hijack the OEM adjustment screws/clips.

 

[dubate]

Old bump but this was super informative, thanks.

 

[cblock406]

Thanks for documenting your retrofits, they motivated me to push myself on mine!

Quick question, have you been using lamin-x or any other protective film? Doesn't look like there is anything out there that is pre-cut.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Thanks for documenting your retrofits, they motivated me to push myself on mine!

Quick question, have you been using lamin-x or any other protective film? Doesn't look like there is anything out there that is pre-cut.

1) great Avatar man

2) No

3) I don't even know what that is in the context of a retrofit

 

[cblock406]

1) great Avatar man

2) No

3) I don't even know what that is in the context of a retrofit

Haha, thanks! I just meant pre-cut lamin-x clear film (or similar) that protects the glass from rock chips etc.

For example, this is what I have on the lenses of my E36:

https://www.lamin-x.com/BMW-M3-95-99-Ellipsoid-Clear-Headlight-Covers-p/b001e-1cl.htm

 

[BrianSD_42]

Ok got it. Since the OEM and TYC lenses are glass I don't think it is really needed.

On my wife's CT200h I had clear bra 3M material put over the front bumper and also the headlights (Lexus plastic).

 

[Speedy]

Good info here. I found myself having a lot of trouble seeing at night and realized I had become spoiled by the projectors in the other cars. While researching fog light and LED options I stumbled on these projector retros and they right up my alley.

I thought I had a bead on some salvage yard headlights for $6, but alas someone beat me to them.

I'd like to get a spare set of lights to work with and just box up the stock ones for future use if needed, any recommendation?

I found these for $72 for the pair and they're glass (which I want).

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1996-2002-...ash=item3ac7f217b3:g:NS8AAOSw0fhXiSF5&vxp=mtr

I found these that are already painted black and include the black side markers. I'd rather just get the black side markers but can't find them by themselves.

https://www.amazon.com/SPPC-Headlig...A+4RUNNER+black+CORNER+LIGHTS#customerReviews

 

[Speedy]

Ended up going with Depo head lights and TYC side markers. Already disassembled and painted. Easy peasy, not sure why folks say it's hard.

Will reassemble here soon, but had a question on wiring. The high beam solenoid has a wire harness that come out the back of the Morimoto Mini D2S Stage III setup. How are you guys handling that?Run through small hole at the back of the bucket? Do these wires hold up to being in the oven for re-assembly? I was gonna put some loom on it, but wonder now if it'll melt.

 

[BrianSD_42]

FYI this exact set is now for sale. $650 + shipping.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-...ctor-headlight-trs-kit-$650-san-diego-ca.html

I have been running the Mini D2S 4.0 for about a year now and my FX-R set has sat in my garage. I went through the trouble of swapping over my halos to the D2S 4.0 kit and after all that work I don't think the D2S 4.0 is actually better than the FX-R so I'm not convinced it was worth all the work. But I am set on selling this set since transferring the halos back to the FX-R would be a PIA.

The short of is ---> now for sale!

:snacker:

 

[APhelps]

Gotta give Brian the thumbs up here. Taking the headlights apart and doing the work isn't exactly the easiest thing to do.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Thanks!. It isn't the hardest thing to do just time consuming. In fact this FX-R set was made over the course of 2 days and at least 10 hrs. It is like building a model car level difficulty.
.

 

[APhelps]

Thanks!. It isn't the hardest thing to do just time consuming. In fact this FX-R set was made over the course of 2 days and at least 10 hrs. It is like building a model car level difficulty.
.

One thing I think you should modify is the oven baking temperature. I bought a pair of 99 headlights and ended up cracking them a few times because I was baking them at 270 for 6 minutes, I swapped to 350 for 7 minutes and the headlights basically slide right out. Works way better and is what I'd recommend. (Ended up buying a pair of TYC headlights as well)

I've going to send you a PM since I have a few questions for you on your DS2.0 swap.