Head lights
- Thread starter hert1028
- Start date
Unner
New member
I vote no. Don't be that guy with HID's in reflector housings. Either get good halogen bulbs, or do a projector retrofit. Really the only two ways to do it right.
I suppose if your truck is lifted 10 feet high it could blind some folks.
Point them nice and low and as long as you're not using 55W HIDs they'd be fine.
Keep in mind many factory halogens output over 40-50W its just most of that power gets converted to heat.
Or stick them (35W) in your fogs.
It's not as simple as just aiming them down. The reflector is made for a different light source and has a lot more specific beam pattern than you realize. When you put in the wrong light source you might end up OK but more than likely you've distorted your beam pattern enough that you will blind oncoming traffic and even run the risk you won't see as much as you're supposed to even if it's brighter. Bright doesn't count if it's pointing on the ground 10' in front of you, with the rest going into the sky and oncoming traffic.
A higher power halogen bulb shouldn't affect your beam pattern, but you might exceed intensity or glare restrictions. You also run the risk of burning up your wire harness or even melting your reflector.
A projector retrofit, while not technically legal would be your best bet for increased performance without causing safety issues for yourself and others. The projector would be legal if coming from a street legal car, with the caveat that it was legal in the lamp it was removed from- the front lens will still affect your beam pattern but a clear lens like on the runner should be minimal. If the donor lamp had optics on the lens, your pattern will be out when using it on the runner. Using a lens with optics, like on the older runners would definitely affect your pattern. If you do wind up with a retrofit, be sure the projector is mounted solidly, and ensure the lamp is all sealed up when you're done. I'm not sure how the 4runner lamps vent as I've never taken one apart but that is another consideration to prevent fogging.
Unner
New member
Couldn't have said it better myself.
gamefreakgc
Elite Member
You could cut the wire and then crimp on some wire connectors. That way you can easily connect it back together when you sell.
TheOGConCon
New member
Plug and play LED headlights were the route I took, no regrets
If you want to see what they look like in stock reflector housings, check out the photos here - http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/209277-vleds-led-headlight-bulbs.html
If you want to see what they look like in stock reflector housings, check out the photos here - http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/209277-vleds-led-headlight-bulbs.html
This sounds like a great upgrade here, I am curious is there a PIAA part number similar to this one for the factory fog light housings as well for my 2000 Limited by chance?
Rock_Rat
Senior Member
I replaced my factory fog lights with these: H3 H-120E PIAA Plasma Ion Yellow 2500K. I no longer need them since I've replaced them with the PIAA 510's. Sitting in the garage collecting dust.
EDIT: I don't have the PN handy. I wasn't impressed with the yellow fogs. They didn't project enough light for my satisfaction. I would recommend something different. EDIT: Part Number: 13556
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Good article. He's had versions of that article up for years. I remember looking at it in 2001-2002 when I was considering an HID "upgrade" on my SAAB. Glad to see he's kept it up to date. He doesn't mention LEDs but the same principles apply! Factory LED headlights are just starting to show up in the "everyday" market cars and they take a ridiculous amount of work and very tight manufacturing tolerances to make a legal lamp.
If you're interested in the technical details, check out FMVSS 108 (US) or CMVSS 108 (Canada) for the full legal requirements.
Rock_Rat
Senior Member
Good read this morning. Thanks for posting. I never thought about it in this perspective. I don't have them only because I never wanted to be that guy on the road blinding everyone. To me it's just rude.
Thanks for the input guys, I guess I should have clarified that I am looking as much light as feasible for my night time off road trail runs without having to add/mount extra lights, yellow is probably a good choice for fog though!
I found the PIAA 10703 Nighttech H3 seems to be the counterpart bulb for the fog lights. Since they sound so bright and durable I think I will order these for my fogs and the 10704 for the headlights, hoping the light increase all around will be enough so I dont have to add bonus lights for off roading!!