headlight aim pattern

[jonb2]

Hi all--

The headlight beam pattern on my 2007 currently looks like the top diagram in the attached image.

Driver side seems much lower than the passenger side. Passenger side cutoff is aimed about 2" lower than center of headlights at 25' per the aiming instructions. When I look at the headlights standing in front of the vehicle, the lights seem to project evenly left and right.

When I adjusted headlights to the bottom diagram in the attached image, standing in front of the vehicle again looking at the headlights, the driver side seems to project much higher than the passenger side. Tilting my head down looking at the headlights, the driver side always shines brightest first then it's the passenger side. Is that normal?

I always thought that both headlights should project evenly (which they do in the first diagram). But aiming instructions seem to indicate that bottom diagram is correct.

Any help appreciated. thanks!!

 

[riceandpho]

Use the bottom one. And use the bottom cutoff to aim. 2.5 to 3 inch drop at 25ft. Aim driver side first. And line up the pass side to it.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Use the bottom one. And use the bottom cutoff to aim. 2.5 to 3 inch drop at 25ft. Aim driver side first. And line up the pass side to it.

Really? I always thought you want the top beam pattern as the left hand is lower to avoid blinding drivers.

 

[riceandpho]

bottom cutoff for aim, top cutoff is to light up signs, suppose to provide enough light to reflect on the sign.

 

[jonb2]

ok so I'm a little confused here. If I use the bottom diagram using lower cutoff for aim, when I stand in front of the vehicle and look at the headlights, I can clearly see that the driver side beam appears brighter. Is that correct?

When I aim headlights using the top diagram both headlights appear equal in intensity.

So if someone stands in front of the vehicle say 20 feet away and looks at the headlights and slowly bends down while looking at the lights...does the driver side appear brighter before the passenger side (if that makes any sense) ??

that's the way it looks on mine if I use the bottom diagram.

 

[riceandpho]

driver side looks brighter due to your looking at the cutoff effect. its the same with retrofitted lights too, it might look brighter at the eye, but when you drive the cutoff suppose to be perfectly matching.

 

[riceandpho]

<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/s6X4wzqqtNg?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[jonb2]

Wow thanks riceandpho for the clear replies and video is great.

The headlight beams left and right look pretty even on most cars/trucks I see driving the road, and then I look at mine and see my driver headlight appears higher and figure both headlights can't look evenly matched to other drivers....but maybe it actually does look even to them when driving.

Looks like I need to adjust mine this weekend using the bottom diagram in the original post. thanks!

 

[SI2IS2T4R]

_ _ _ - - -

As I understand, the top diagram pattern is the correct default pattern. When I got my '07 4R, I too wondered why the lighting had a step pattern ascending from left to right (driver to passenger). As I conducted some research, I found out that North American 4Runners had their lights set up this way to get the maximum light dispersion out to the road, but with a slightly lower drop on the driver's side to avoid blinding on-coming drivers on the left side. Makes perfect sense. Personally, I don't see why you would need to change anything. The concept makes sense and it works.

 

[riceandpho]

In service manual. Its the bottom one.

 

[paraordnance]

As I understand, the top diagram pattern is the correct default pattern. When I got my '07 4R, I too wondered why the lighting had a step pattern ascending from left to right (driver to passenger). As I conducted some research, I found out that North American 4Runners had their lights set up this way to get the maximum light dispersion out to the road, but with a slightly lower drop on the driver's side to avoid blinding on-coming drivers on the left side. Makes perfect sense. Personally, I don't see why you would need to change anything. The concept makes sense and it works.

Top diagram is not a proper way to align your headlights. Its just wrong. Any car manufacturer will tell you that.

 

[shirlth85]

the bottom one.

Projectors: Headlight Aiming Guide - DIY Installation Guides