Finally purchased a 4runner!

[mightyduck]

Just picked up a 2006 SE with 120k in great shape. Took it into a dealer to get lots of fluids changed, brakes, and some other services. Hasnt had the 120k service done yet so ill probably get that done fairly soon (I think that is mainly spark plugs?).

I don't plan to turn this thing into a rock crawling monster but I'm still super stoked at the idea of modding it a bit. My main problem is that I don't have much money and my bigger problem is that I really don't know nuthin bout cars. :bash:....I just like to ski and surf and kayak and such..


To do list:

- upgrade headlights (I was thinking either silverstar ultras or some form of HID conversion kid) ...whats the other option that people opt for similar to silverstar? Whats the company that sells the HID kit thats is very complete and ready to go go specifically for the o6 runner? ...probably lots of those..

-I want some bomber fog lights mainly for snow. looking to get orangeish but not super crazy. Suggestions?

- brighter backup lights

- led interior lights

- This might be down the line but I would like to somehow raise the front to even the car out. Maybe bring the rear up 1/2 inch and bring the front up to match it? not really sure but I dont plan to get rid of the x-reas so that leaves only spacers as options?

- I want some wider roof bars (seems like the best way to do that would be get some thule towers and bars?)

- pasti-dip! I hate chrome...I think im gunna black out all the lettering on the car. Maybe the side mirrors and maybe the door handles. I cant really decide what I want to do with the emblems and front grill/back chrome piece. Anybody got picks/suggestions? Also thinking about center caps.

- I would also really like to blackout the chrome trim on the projector itself. A while back I read a thread and I think I remember this requiring baking open the housing? I probably wont mess with that if so..but who knows maybe ill get super ambitious.

Iv only noticed a few things about the car so far that may deem fixing. The main one is the display panel on the dash that has the time/radio/whatever is very dark and isnt lit at all for night driving. Am I missing a knob or something (already found the dial left of the steering wheel)? I figure the backlight burnt out or something...

Second even more minor thing I noticed is a funny little square hole right above the shifter. It has either an "A" or an "R" inside it. I feel like it should have some sort of cap over it or something? is it a button? it scares me haha.

The front headlight housing is also slightly fogged or maybe just yellowish from age I cant really tell. I tried using a little Bluemagic headlight restorer crap and to be honest I cant really tell if it did anything although I probably gave it a fairly half ass effort.



I have super lame internet and I'm not sure if the pics I tried to post are working but everyone knows what a stock 06 SE looks like anyway.


Any suggestions, comments, links to good threads, horror stories regarding mods I'm considering, brand recommendations, or other ideas would be very appreciated! For a lot of the lighting mods I really don't even know where to begin although I guess the search bar would be a good start:shrug:

stoked to be part of the club :bravo:

 

[OrdnanceMarine]

Welcome and it sounds like you have your work cut out for you!

The button above the shifter will allow you to release the shifter from park without turning the key to the accessory position. The tabs that hold the cover in are easy to break and then the cover is easy to lose. I am guessing that happened here.

 

[TOPSECRETTUNDRA]

Nice SE you got there, same color as mine. I went with this kit for the HIDs.

Xtreme Digital HID Conversion Kits With Philips Bulbs

I like that style kit because instead of running off the factory harness for power, it has separate relays that run off the battery to supply power to the kit.

I would just get the color matched grille if you don't like the chrome. My 99 had the chrome grille, mirrors, door handles and rear bumper when I got it and I hated it so I had them all painted to match.

Good plan to get the maintenance done before modding.

 

[mightyduck]

Headlight Lighting:

Thus far I'm looking at Sylvania Silverstar Ultra, Xenondepot h11 4300k HID kit and the PIAA super whites (just saw one quick post on the super whites).

What does the H11, or 9006 refer to? I assume it corresponds a specific bulb to car? H11, H7, H9 etc..are HID low beams? and 9006, 9005, etc..are Halogen lows or fogs?

I really don't want to blind people and I worry about the beam pattern (or potential lack of beam pattern) that the HID would provide. Is this a valid concern or do they work quite well with the 06 factory projector setup?

The Silverstars are tempting just based on price and ease of modification. Seems like people like them other than their lifespan. Does anybody know the exact bulb to ask for at the store? (part number or model number or something?)

Can much be said for alternatives to the Sylverstars like Superwhites and such?

@SecretTundra: Whats the benefit of seperate relays through the battery rather than running off the factory harness?

Also looking at getting some brighter reverse lights. Any 921 bulb from xenondepot, or vleds or such should work, right?


Interior Lighting:

I enjoy the dull yellow interior lights up front but want some more light for the trunk. I'm just trying to replace the bulb...anybody know what bulb I should grab?


Thanks in advance!

 

[zopperman]

Headlight Lighting:

Thus far I'm looking at Sylvania Silverstar Ultra, Xenondepot h11 4300k HID kit and the PIAA super whites (just saw one quick post on the super whites).

What does the H11, or 9006 refer to? I assume it corresponds a specific bulb to car? H11, H7, H9 etc..are HID low beams? and 9006, 9005, etc..are Halogen lows or fogs?

I really don't want to blind people and I worry about the beam pattern (or potential lack of beam pattern) that the HID would provide. Is this a valid concern or do they work quite well with the 06 factory projector setup?

The Silverstars are tempting just based on price and ease of modification. Seems like people like them other than their lifespan. Does anybody know the exact bulb to ask for at the store? (part number or model number or something?)

Can much be said for alternatives to the Sylverstars like Superwhites and such?

@SecretTundra: Whats the benefit of seperate relays through the battery rather than running off the factory harness?

Also looking at getting some brighter reverse lights. Any 921 bulb from xenondepot, or vleds or such should work, right?


Interior Lighting:

I enjoy the dull yellow interior lights up front but want some more light for the trunk. I'm just trying to replace the bulb...anybody know what bulb I should grab?


Thanks in advance!

9006 / h1 / h3 whatever is the bulb "size" and shape.
If you do the squirrel finder mod, factory projectors work great with HIDs. It's basically bending a little piece of metal in the projector, search the forum for it.

You can get awesome reverse lights from member [MENTION=67365]Whitebeauty[/MENTION] (he sells LED reverse lights)
Or you can get 7 dollar sylvania 921 bulbs that are brighter than stock, but nothing like the LEDs

i bought a cheap interior LED conversion kit off amazon for 25 bucks and it's great. Comes with bulbs for everything except the visor lights which I replaced with leds too.

 

[JustSomeName]

- upgrade headlights (I was thinking either silverstar ultras or some form of HID conversion kid) ...whats the other option that people opt for similar to silverstar? Whats the company that sells the HID kit thats is very complete and ready to go go specifically for the o6 runner? ...probably lots of those..

I initially got DDM HIDs but they KEPT going out days after I got them, yes, they were way cheaper than others, but they were also very unreliable. I ended up getting Volt brand ones from a company that sponsors on this site, they're a bit more expensive but I've had them for a good 11 months now without any problems

Volt HID Digital+ HID Kits

-I want some bomber fog lights mainly for snow. looking to get orangeish but not super crazy. Suggestions?

I got yellow HIDs + some yellow films, it made for a very yellow effect for my fogs, awesome for the snow (i go up to tahoe about a dozen times a year)

I got the same kit as I mentioned above, the Volts from KBCarStuff and also got yellow films from Lamin-X

Toyota 4 Runner (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009) Fog Light Covers

Here's a rolling shot of the fogs with yellow HIDs & the yellow films

- led interior lights

Got a set for 20 bucks on Ebay. it came with 4 lights for the doors, 1 for the cargo, 1 for the center cabin, 2 for the map light, and 1 each for the 2 sun visors, 10 total lights, although the sun visor ones didn't fit, I had to get that pair from another site. Easy install, took about 20 minutes for all 10 lights.

The same ebay seller also sells them in different colors, I chose hyper white.

10 x White LED Lights Interior Package Toyota 4Runner | eBay

- This might be down the line but I would like to somehow raise the front to even the car out. Maybe bring the rear up 1/2 inch and bring the front up to match it? not really sure but I dont plan to get rid of the x-reas so that leaves only spacers as options?

All the information you'll need if you want to lift your truck

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/102272-4th-gen-suspension-options-faq.html

And finally, welcome!

 

[TOPSECRETTUNDRA]

I really don't want to blind people and I worry about the beam pattern (or potential lack of beam pattern) that the HID would provide. Is this a valid concern or do they work quite well with the 06 factory projector setup?

@SecretTundra: Whats the benefit of seperate relays through the battery rather than running off the factory harness?

They work excellent as they were designed for projectors. My Tundra was ridiculous. That thing would light up the tops of the trees and I'd have people flash their lights at me all the time since the factory headlight housings were not designed for HIDs.

My understanding of powering the ballasts off the battery is factory halogen lights can see a drop in voltage from the factory harness and the lights will dim. The HIDs require a specific voltage and will turn off completely or flicker if running off the factory harness for power. My kit has been great for a couple years so far.

 

[F4injected]

I initially got DDM HIDs but they KEPT going out days after I got them, yes, they were way cheaper than others, but they were also very unreliable. I ended up getting Volt brand ones from a company that sponsors on this site, they're a bit more expensive but I've had them for a good 11 months now without any problems

Volt HID Digital+ HID Kits



I got yellow HIDs + some yellow films, it made for a very yellow effect for my fogs, awesome for the snow (i go up to tahoe about a dozen times a year)

I got the same kit as I mentioned above, the Volts from KBCarStuff and also got yellow films from Lamin-X

Toyota 4 Runner (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009) Fog Light Covers

Here's a rolling shot of the fogs with yellow HIDs & the yellow films

Got a set for 20 bucks on Ebay. it came with 4 lights for the doors, 1 for the cargo, 1 for the center cabin, 2 for the map light, and 1 each for the 2 sun visors, 10 total lights, although the sun visor ones didn't fit, I had to get that pair from another site. Easy install, took about 20 minutes for all 10 lights.

The same ebay seller also sells them in different colors, I chose hyper white.

10 x White LED Lights Interior Package Toyota 4Runner | eBay

All the information you'll need if you want to lift your truck

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/102272-4th-gen-suspension-options-faq.html

And finally, welcome!

Awesome thanks for that link to the LEDs! I wanted to buy a set - not individually - so this would be perfect.

For my HIDs, I decided on DDMs because I do not do much night driving, so I couldn't justify the $100+ for the "legit" HIDs. My DDMs are working so far, but I also retained my bulbs in the car in case the DDMs go out.

Never heard of the squirrel mod, but the beam pattern looks pretty decent with the HID in the factory projector. I have a 2007 4runner Sport so essentially we have the same setup! :usa2:

Also, I ordered the lamix vinyls from amazon for about $20. It works well but definitely diminshes light output from original foglight bulbs. I may eventually get yellow HIDs but here in Texas, I don't get much snow and the like so... not sure yet about it.

Next step would be a spacer lift so I'm interested in that but don't really have the tools for it... LOL and trying to justify it other than "I WANT IT NOW CAUSE IT LOOKS AWESOME!!!!"

Anyway, WELCOME and GREAT RIDE!

 

[BOSMECH]

That LED link is a real good deal.

 

[JustSomeName]

That LED link is a real good deal.

SERIOUSLY! I see KBCarStuff trying to sell their set for 100 bucks for only HALF of that set?! ridiculous! it may not be as bright as the KBCarStuff but for 1/5 of the price, I'd rather buy three sets of the cheaper ones in case any of the lights go out!

 

[mightyduck]

Plasti-dip ftw! I was kinda skeptical but its damn easy to use. Sprayed the center caps, and did one badge just to test it out. Gunna try to spray the rest of the badges tonight. Trying to decide if I wanna spray the center chrome bar in the grill....probably will. I notice it less on the badge I sprayed but the caps almost seem wet to the touch. Is this just the bizarre nature of dip? Any good ways to seal it? clear dip maybe?

Grabbed some replacement bulbs from napa for the rear dome light but it was 2 or 3mm longer than the stock one and barely fit. Gunna go for the amazon kit.

Installed some sylvania reverse lights. They seem ever so slightly brighter and slightly more white. I noticed more light output when I stuck my face directly in the light path (rather than looking on from the side, or above). Will the sylvania reverse lights be indicative of what silverstars would be like for front low-beams? Still trying to decide if I want LED reverse lights..seems cool but I dont know how much benefit I would get from them.

Also, I still cant find the thread but a few weeks back I was reading about blacking out the chrome projector housing (interior of headlight..rather than smoking the lenses). Anybody know where to find info on this?

 

[H1_VLTG]

2006 SE is the best of the lot (because that is the same one I have)...just kidding, all 4Runners are awesome. Welcome to the club!

 

[riceandpho]

so where are you located in ca, best hid kit ive used is the ones from The Retrofit Source online: headlight upgrades for all applications
i still prefer you do a retrofit if you want the best. but you will need h11 for the lows and 9006 for the fogs. for the h11, try there new h11b bulbs, its alot better from my last install on projector housing.

 

[mightyduck]

UP in placerville right now.

Put in some silverstar ultras..they seem slightly brighter and whiter. Still considering HIDs. Leveling kit probably to come first..

 

[dixie_boysles]

Very nice but i may be a little biased

 

[mightyduck]

I'm on to trying to understand the 4wd system inside and out. I started with the manual and actually got a huge amount of info from it. Still have some questions/ clarifications about some of the specifics..

-Will the car automatically shift into an overdrive gear when it senses its appropriate?

-manual said its better to warm engine by driving it rather than idling. Soo when in the snow it would be good to resist the urge to defrost the car/warm it up prior to driving off? Any random facts about cold vs warm starts? With minimizing stress on the car in mind any good cold/warm start tips or tricks?

- I feel like this might be incredibly stupid question but can you lock the dif in 2wd mode?

- when locking the dif do you need to be stopped? If your cruising at 45 in H4 can you just go ahead and lock the diff? ...manual was saying something about only driving straight when you lock it?

- can you engage 4wd/diff in reverse?

Realistically ill only need 4wd when going skiing. So say I'm cruising along and it's snowing.. I want to be in H4. If you start to go down a hill maybe throw it into 4th or 3rd for engine breaking? And then only bother with diff lock/L4 if your trying to get through a super deep, steep, and short driveway or something?

Does that all sound about right?

As always..thanks in advance