H.i.d.

[AlexJet]

HID are coming to our life. I was wondering how they are perform on 4Runner. Let post some images of HIDs. I do not have them right now, but considering to get. This is the main reason of this thread to see the difference between stock OEM headlights and HID.

This image I've made last night. It was raining and I mentioned that my stock headlights aren't so good and fog lights doesn't make any difference. I'd like to see how HID will light the road.

 

[AlexJet]

As you can see this is not a perfect image, so I did the same picture in parking lot:

 

[iFORCE]

 

[AlexJet]

Does anyone else have HID? Please post some images.

 

[AlexJet]

Nice light output iFORCE. Where did you got this HIDs? I remember you wrote that they were around 350USD.
I'll try to find similar locations and make a picture of stock low-beams to feel the difference.

 

[TranceKrayz]

check mine....

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12598&highlight=hid+retrofit

the output is great. i drive on pitch black highways a lot, and stock halogens are nothing compared to them.

 

[AlexJet]

check mine....

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12598&highlight=hid+retrofit

the output is great. i drive on pitch black highways a lot, and stock halogens are nothing compared to them.

I like the way you've done yours HIDs, but I don't think I'll go with your way, due to complicated installation of the projector elements. As far as I got the point, you have perfectly center projector in reflector before you glue it and this can be the challenge. Anyway I like the look and light output. I also mentioned that you removed your headlight without removing the front bumper. Was it difficult?

 

[CGY_LTD_V8]

HID's are something I would like to explore too. All of our other vehicles have them and driving without them feels so wierd. I am guessing that maybe I would be able to take it to a dealership to have them installed? I know I wouldn't be able to do it.

~Lauren

 

[00328]

I also mentioned that you removed your headlight without removing the front bumper. Was it difficult?

AlexJet - Good eye! I noticed that also, so it definitely can be done. The tough part is removing that long trim piece.(only tough if you don't know how to do it!). Still trying to figure it out. Those pics give me hope.

TranceKrayz - What is the secret to removing that long trim piece?
BTW you are damn resourceful, impressive.

 

[TranceKrayz]

Once you get it on the first try....it's not hard at all! I popped it in and out like 5 times already. The tough part is reaching the last bolt on the headlight if you don't take apart the bumper. This bolt is located between the fender and the headlight itself. I guess I'm just flexible enough. I reached in and felt for the bolt, then reached in again with the ratchet and hoped to find the bolt again. Took several tries though.

For the trim piece, there two rows of clips holding it in. the first row you need to worry about are the ones in the back (closest to the radiator), these are the hardest. I believe there are 6. If you look behind it you'll see 6 rectangle slits. I took a flathead that would fit (a tiny one), and pushed in there to slightly release the clips. If you reach under the bumper from the inside you'll feel these clips. basically press in the front and back of the clips with your fingers and wiggle and pull them out. After you pull out all these clips, you'll notice that the back of the trim piece is now loose and you can slightly pull it up. In the front there are more clips. All you need to do is look in through the crackin the front and you can see these. push them in with the tiny flathead and pull out the trim piece. Once you pull out the piece, you can reinstall the clips you took out from the back row so that you can simply reinstall the trim piece later.

 

[TranceKrayz]

BTW.....i don't recommend that anyone simply install HIDs into these reflector housings. You guys have all heard this already, but I just want to remind you. The housings are great, but still cause lots of glare with the increased output of HIDs. Given the addition of the hieght of our trucks, I'd feel bad for the drivers of lower cars. But hey I'm all for modding our trucks!

 

[Techenigma]

So what your saying is dont install HIDs in these housings without painting the outside black like iForce?

BTW.....i don't recommend that anyone simply install HIDs into these reflector housings. You guys have all heard this already, but I just want to remind you. The housings are great, but still cause lots of glare with the increased output of HIDs. Given the addition of the hieght of our trucks, I'd feel bad for the drivers of lower cars. But hey I'm all for modding our trucks!

 

[TranceKrayz]

painting the housings like iforce did greatly reduces the glare because it gets rid of most of the chrome reflectors. so yes, painting the housings does make it better.

 

[TranceKrayz]

a member just made a great post that shows exactly how to remove that trim piece. take a look here:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13367

 

[AlexJet]

OK, I've googled the Internet, send tens emails and what I got. The most popular is 6000K kits. Some guys saying that projectors wouldn't be better reflector, some - definitely yes. As I understand it actually depends on a projector itself.
The question I still didn't find the answer is: Do we need to upgrade from reflector to projector headlamp in 4Runner or just install HID in reflector (I do not know if projectors in 2006 will be better)? This might be a challenge with wiring to new H11 bulb and turn signals, plus new trim piece.
I'd appreciate if you, guys who have HID, will share your experience and write what exact HID you have, like where did you get from, manufacture, K and what type is it.
It looks for me a good idea to combine all this information in one thread.

 

[iFORCE]

OK, I've googled the Internet, send tens emails and what I got. The most popular is 6000K kits. Some guys saying that projectors wouldn't be better reflector, some - definitely yes. As I understand it actually depends on a projector itself.
The question I still didn't find the answer is: Do we need to upgrade from reflector to projector headlamp in 4Runner or just install HID in reflector (I do not know if projectors in 2006 will be better)? This might be a challenge with wiring to new H11 bulb and turn signals, plus new trim piece.
I'd appreciate if you, guys who have HID, will share your experience and write what exact HID you have, like where did you get from, manufacture, K and what type is it.
It looks for me a good idea to combine all this information in one thread.

one thing first. projectors will always be better then reflectors for HIDs. Putting HIDs in a reflector system will ALWAYS produce too much glare. whether it be way to much or a little glare.. it'll produce it. If you have the time, money, and effort... do what some of our brave 4runner members have done and retrofit some in. I personally have mine in our stock headlights but with blacked-out housing. This reduces the glare and the difference is huge when compared to painted to non-painted.

2006 will require alot of trim pieces/parts if you want to put those headlights in. Although it'll be easier.. it'll be pricey.

I have D2Rs in my headlights right now.. and have made many horizontal/vertical adjustments in terms of alignment. I've driven behind friends with trucks and lowered cars and all of them have said my headlights are just fine. They've seen X5s that are more blinding then mine.

If your buying bulbs.. buy 4300K ones. They are the stock colors to 90% of HIDs that come with cars. Manufacturers such as BMW, MB, Lexus.. etc. Anything like 6000k will have more of a blueish tinge to it. Yes... cars like BMW look like they have blueish tinge to their lights.. but they don't. Its the color that the projectors produces.. not the light. I have a friend that has 6000k light.... ricey blue is all I'm saying. When I compared my lights to a Lexus IS300, the color temp is exactly the same. The choice is yours.. but I'd highly suggest people get 4300K and no more.

good luck.

 

[TranceKrayz]

IForce is correct.

The only people that will say reflectors are better are the ones trying to push the HID "kits" they're selling. They'll say anything to make you buy.

If you must get a kit, get a 4300K one. It gives you the most light output. anything higher than that is just for looks, not performance.

I got denso HID ballasts from a local seller in chicago. if you don't already know, denso supplies to toyota for their lexus cars. the ballasts even say toyota on them. The bulbs I have are phillips 4300K. The projectors I have came off an AUDI A6 (Hella). They're great projectors, but there are better ones.

As for the 2006 4runner projectors, they're made for halogen bulbs. Some halogen projectors will work pretty well with HIDs (the only one I know of are the acura mdx halogen projectors), others will not. Here's an example of halogen projectors that wont work too well. This is from the newer generation celica:

http://hidplanet.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8816&highlight=celica+projectors

Also, I would not suggest you buy generic brand kits. I would suggest you buy ballasts that are actually made by manufacturers that make them for the car manufacturers (like mine). Who knows how well the other brands work in the long run.

 

[AlexJet]

one thing first. projectors will always be better then reflectors for HIDs. Putting HIDs in a reflector system will ALWAYS produce too much glare. whether it be way to much or a little glare.. it'll produce it. If you have the time, money, and effort... do what some of our brave 4runner members have done and retrofit some in. I personally have mine in our stock headlights but with blacked-out housing. This reduces the glare and the difference is huge when compared to painted to non-painted.

2006 will require alot of trim pieces/parts if you want to put those headlights in. Although it'll be easier.. it'll be pricey.

I have D2Rs in my headlights right now.. and have made many horizontal/vertical adjustments in terms of alignment. I've driven behind friends with trucks and lowered cars and all of them have said my headlights are just fine. They've seen X5s that are more blinding then mine.

If your buying bulbs.. buy 4300K ones. They are the stock colors to 90% of HIDs that come with cars. Manufacturers such as BMW, MB, Lexus.. etc. Anything like 6000k will have more of a blueish tinge to it. Yes... cars like BMW look like they have blueish tinge to their lights.. but they don't. Its the color that the projectors produces.. not the light. I have a friend that has 6000k light.... ricey blue is all I'm saying. When I compared my lights to a Lexus IS300, the color temp is exactly the same. The choice is yours.. but I'd highly suggest people get 4300K and no more.

good luck.

iFORCE, so you have 4300K HID. Where did you bought them and how they are called? What make would you recommend? I like the "black" headlights you've done, but the process looks complicated for me, especially painting. I'm not professional painter and I'm afraid of spoiling my headlights. How did you paint them? Have you closed the reflectors with masking tape or something else?

 

[AlexJet]

IForce is correct.

The only people that will say reflectors are better are the ones trying to push the HID "kits" they're selling. They'll say anything to make you buy.

If you must get a kit, get a 4300K one. It gives you the most light output. anything higher than that is just for looks, not performance.

I got denso HID ballasts from a local seller in chicago. if you don't already know, denso supplies to toyota for their lexus cars. the ballasts even say toyota on them. The bulbs I have are phillips 4300K. The projectors I have came off an AUDI A6 (Hella). They're great projectors, but there are better ones.

As for the 2006 4runner projectors, they're made for halogen bulbs. Some halogen projectors will work pretty well with HIDs (the only one I know of are the acura mdx halogen projectors), others will not. Here's an example of halogen projectors that wont work too well. This is from the newer generation celica:

http://hidplanet.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8816&highlight=celica+projectors

Also, I would not suggest you buy generic brand kits. I would suggest you buy ballasts that are actually made by manufacturers that make them for the car manufacturers (like mine). Who knows how well the other brands work in the long run.

TranceKrayz is it possible to buy them separately and then attach together? I thought that the kit will fit perfectly. Is the ballast, HID bulbs connectors are the same in every make? What about conversion connector to my existing wiring?

 

[iFORCE]

iFORCE, so you have 4300K HID. Where did you bought them and how they are called? What make would you recommend? I like the "black" headlights you've done, but the process looks complicated for me, especially painting. I'm not professional painter and I'm afraid of spoiling my headlights. How did you paint them? Have you closed the reflectors with masking tape or something else?

I bought them off ebay. Denso ballast/phillips bulbs.... from Japan.

headlights = HERE
the surrounding piece that needs to be painted comes away from the reflector. DO NOT PAINT THE PIECE WHILE ITS STILL ON THE REFLECTOR. You don't want to screw up your headlights now.... do we?