Good god, the stock projector headlights are so awful

[Hans Moleman]

1st time driving my new 2018 at night and the headlights are terrible. They are dim and have really poor distance.

I read up on some options here.

Xenon Depot HID seem to be the most popular but it was cause glare and hot spots with the stock halogen projectors so I'm not sure if I want to go with this option.

I see some people are replacing the H11 bulbs with H9 but it doesn't seem as popular option as Xenon Depot HID. I'm thinking of trying the H9 and see how it goes.

 

[MattAK]

They do all right if you get some decent halogen bulbs in them. The ones that came with the truck were too dim for me so brighter bulbs was the very first thing I changed. Haven't felt the need to change them since.

 

[916T4R]

I did the H9 install and feel it is a must do. for about $10 a bulb on amazon I got some Philips H9's and the difference is quite noticeable. I eventually may do the xenon depot hid conversion, but for now this makes the headlights very useable and is cheap. Follow the write up in the consolidated lighting thread for details on how to trim the tabs.

 

[meder24]

Definitely try a quality halogen. I am a stickler for good lighting and with quality and properly aimed halogen bulbs, I have been able to hold off on doing a proper HID retrofit now for almost 3 years as I have been pretty satisfied with the stock.

I have tried the H9 swap and they are brighter, but they do produce a bit more glare above the cutoff than the standard H11 halogens.

You should check that the projectors are aimed properly, especially if you are lacking throw. Believe it or not, it is very common for even brand new vehicles to have improperly aimed headlights.

Keep in mind that just because a different type of bulb may appear brighter, that does not make it better. The stock projectors were designed for use with H11 halogen bulbs, so from an optics stand point, H11 halogen bulbs will perform the best.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

First thing I did was upgrade to a Morimoto Elite H11 HID kit, no hot spots and the brightness is way better, also the cutoff on the projectors does well with the HID's as well.

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/hid-systems-34/hid-systems-universal/h11-morimoto-elite.html

 

[Cndnmax]

I’m used to a car with auto leveling Bixenon HID headlights that are simply amazing. But Honestly, I don’t see any major issues with the stock headlights on the 4runner. :noidea:

 

[CollinJ]

They do all right if you get some decent halogen bulbs in them. The ones that came with the truck were too dim for me so brighter bulbs was the very first thing I changed. Haven't felt the need to change them since.

What halogens did you go with? I had HIDs and removed them as I don’t drive a ton at night and when I did I was getting flashed. And before anyone says it, yes I adjusted their aim as well.

 

[Ronin61945]

I switched to the Diode Dynamic LED lights and noticed a significant improvement from the stock lights. I did both the headlights and fogs. I tried the LED's because I was concerned that the HID kits might be too much for local streets and roads.

 

[MattAK]

What halogens did you go with? I had HIDs and removed them as I don’t drive a ton at night and when I did I was getting flashed. And before anyone says it, yes I adjusted their aim as well.

I got some PIAA Xtreme White Plus bulbs. I had them on my 3rd gen and really liked the light they put out. The cost is pricey for a halogen though; there's probably bulbs out there that will do the job for a lot less. I just happen to like these.

 

[Jetboy]

I have the HID kit but I have also removed it.

It produces nearly identical pattern to the halogen bulbs including the hotspots and glare above the cutoff. In my opinion the light is simply too bright for low beams. I think it works just fine in the OEM halogen fixture. Being a side loader the pattern should be very similar and it its. If you compare - the halogen also has some glare and hot spots. It's not the typically problem of HID in halogen projector being at the wrong focal point. It's simply a poor projector lens regardless of bulb.

It also suffers from the headlight height being too high off the road. To aim so you're not blinding others, you have to aim too steeply downward, and then you don't get much throw.

So I went back to the halogen bulbs for now. I also have the XD Depot LED high beams. They're fantastic. I wish I had a way to still use DRLs. I need to sort out whether I can split the wiring up somewhere to send power to a different light bulb for DRL function.

My intention at some point is to put high quality projectors in my fog lights for low beams. I think that that is a much better height for low beam lights to get projection out into the distance with bright lights and not blind other drivers. Then put the HID kit back in the upper lights aimed way out in the distance as a secondary offroad only set. I think that would be the optimal headlight setup with the bonus of not having any light bars.

 

[Hans Moleman]

I have the HID kit but I have also removed it.

It produces nearly identical pattern to the halogen bulbs including the hotspots and glare above the cutoff. In my opinion the light is simply too bright for low beams. I think it works just fine in the OEM halogen fixture. Being a side loader the pattern should be very similar and it its. If you compare - the halogen also has some glare and hot spots. It's not the typically problem of HID in halogen projector being at the wrong focal point. It's simply a poor projector lens regardless of bulb.

It also suffers from the headlight height being too high off the road. To aim so you're not blinding others, you have to aim too steeply downward, and then you don't get much throw.

So I went back to the halogen bulbs for now. I also have the XD Depot LED high beams. They're fantastic. I wish I had a way to still use DRLs. I need to sort out whether I can split the wiring up somewhere to send power to a different light bulb for DRL function.

My intention at some point is to put high quality projectors in my fog lights for low beams. I think that that is a much better height for low beam lights to get projection out into the distance with bright lights and not blind other drivers. Then put the HID kit back in the upper lights aimed way out in the distance as a secondary offroad only set. I think that would be the optimal headlight setup with the bonus of not having any light bars.

It sounds like the stock halogen projectors are terrible no matter what you do. I didn't want to have to spend the money on a full projector retrofit.

 

[Jetboy]

It sounds like the stock halogen projectors are terrible no matter what you do. I didn't want to have to spend the money on a full projector retrofit.

They're not terrible. Just not great. They're way better than traditional reflector lights. I think a less bright, but brighter than OEM bulb in them could be pretty decent as an option.

And of course I'm comparing the pattern with them perfectly clean. How often are your lights clean? I'd guess that when dirty - having $1,000 projectors and $10 projectors doesn't make much difference.

Anyway - I think brighter bulbs or even a less bright HID kit could work okay in the OEM projector housing. But I'd save your $250 on the kit I have. It's not doing me much good sitting in a box. A brigher H11 would be the best option for easy install and low cost IMO.

My other general thought is that if you have your low beams on - you probably don't really need great lights anyway. Why would anyone want the brightest possible low beam? You should look for a moderately bright low beam. You have low beams because you're in traffic and/or in town where it doesn't really matter. Where you really want bright lights - you typically have high beams on.

 

[NHinAK]

I’m used to a car with auto leveling Bixenon HID headlights that are simply amazing. But Honestly, I don’t see any major issues with the stock headlights on the 4runner. :noidea:

Having an unexpected child left me with having to unload my 17' IS 350F Sport. Those headlights were amazing, so I know where you're coming from. I really don't understand why Toyota is so slow to upgrade their lights. Sure, there really is no issue regarding the functionality. However, Bi-Xeons are already being phased out as LEDs are becoming powerful enough to be used. Here's Toyota, using crappy H11s in a pseudo projector housing...WTF Toyota!

 

[philsey]

...It's simply a poor projector lens regardless of bulb.

aaaaand there you have it folks. Lens. Boom. Except that it's not simple, a high quality lens improves the stock lights remarkably - I've seen it. Thing is, once you've gone there, you might as well retrofit, and that's where everyone wimps out.

:lookout:

 

[delloro]

Xenon Depot HID seem to be the most popular but it was cause glare and hot spots with the stock halogen projectors so I'm not sure if I want to go with this option.

I did and it was among the best money I have ever spent on an aftermarket part. I cannot imagine not having them.

 

[philsey]

My other general thought is that if you have your low beams on - you probably don't really need great lights anyway.

DUDE... seriously ... listen to yourself.

Why would anyone want the brightest possible low beam? You should look for a moderately bright low beam. You have low beams because you're in traffic and/or in town where it doesn't really matter. Where you really want bright lights - you typically have high beams on.

The proper solution is a quality Bi-Xenon retrofit. Well aimed, broad, focused presentation. Fog lights become unneeded and the bi-X high beams simply rock. Ya know Jet, you know a lot about a whole lot of shit ... proper lighting? Meh.

You guys spend thousands upon thousands on tires, wheels, lifts, racks, etc etc etc etc etc HAVE OF WHICH IS POSING ....... and then b!tch and b!tch about the lights, and wimp out at $1000 for great visibility. Jeez, I just don't get it.

:noidea:

 

[Mobbes]

Are they really that bad? Haven't driven at night yet...

 

[philsey]

Are they really that bad? Haven't driven at night yet...

Hell no, they're wonderful. Read the damned thread.

:wtf:

 

[4runr4eva]

1st time driving my new 2018 at night and the headlights are terrible. They are dim and have really poor distance.

I read up on some options here.

Xenon Depot HID seem to be the most popular but it was cause glare and hot spots with the stock halogen projectors so I'm not sure if I want to go with this option.

I see some people are replacing the H11 bulbs with H9 but it doesn't seem as popular option as Xenon Depot HID. I'm thinking of trying the H9 and see how it goes.

I completely agree. I just ordered the H11 Volt kit from XD. I tried swapping halogens, but they are just so warm in color temp and just adequate for night driving. Every new car that passed me, gave me HID/LED envy. I bit the bullet and will install the kit this weekend.

After I bought my T4R, I filled out a survey for Toyota. I mentioned the lights being a real let down and also the stock suspension. Maybe 2020 will be the perfect model year.

Good luck OP.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Honestly, the cutoff on the stock projector really impressed me. I've done retros in my last 2 vehicles, but the cutoff on the stock projectors with the Morimotos is really nice, here's a cutoff shot of my Morimoto XB LED fog lights and Morimoto Elite HID kit, nice and crisp lines