Headlight Beam Question

[MikeinCincy]

I was following my girlfriend the other day driving and she called me and informed me that one of my headlights is "brighter than the other". I figured, how could this be? My truck is only 2 years old. Are the headlights already dying? This can't be.

So, when I got home, I parked my truck with the headlights on and got out and looked at them head on. I started crowching down and notcied that the driver side got very bright before the passenger side. This was on level land, btw. So, I am figuring that the driver side headlight is pointing higher than the passenger, but not by much (but enough for her to notice I guess!).

So, the question remains, is this normal? Should my driver side headlight beam be pointing slightly higher than the passenger side? I have never altered the position of the headlights, but I also bought my truck used at 20,000 miles. Any and all help is greatly appreciated, as always.

-Mike

 

[CJ3Flyr]

My '07's right headlight is aimed a hair higher than the left. I just chalked it up to mis-calibrated robot:bash:

Drive up to a wall at night. You can really see it when you're about 15-20ft away.

:cheers:

 

[MikeinCincy]

My '07's right headlight is aimed a hair higher than the left. I just chalked it up to mis-calibrated robot:bash:

Drive up to a wall at night. You can really see it when you're about 15-20ft away.

:cheers:

Wait, so your right headlight is higher than your left. By right, you mean your passenger headlight?

 

[MikesToy]

Mine is too. I think it's a safety thing. Just in case someone on the opposite side turns on his/hers high beams at you, you can focus on your right side to make sure you're not falling off the road.

 

[Uneek]

Actually, I think it's the driver side headlight is aimed lower. It's lower to reduce glare for on-coming traffic.

 

[Fo_SheeZy]

My passenger headlight is aimed higher than my drivers side as well.

 

[icantsee]

Actually, I think it's the driver side headlight is aimed lower. It's lower to reduce glare for on-coming traffic.

Yup...that's right!!

MikeinCincy

Indeed the right side is aim slightly higher...but you cannot tell if you're looking at the headlights, only when you are against a wall.

Not obvious like what your gf sees.

How to aim the headlights on an '07?
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=41882

You'll see my post...that should help you out.

 

[MikeinCincy]

Thanks a lot guys. All makes sense. I am just glad I don't have to fool around trying to adjust it. I guess that's just the way it's supposed to be! You guys are great.

 

[icantsee]

Thanks a lot guys. All makes sense. I am just glad I don't have to fool around trying to adjust it. I guess that's just the way it's supposed to be! You guys are great.

MikeinCincy...

I think you do need to adjust the headlights, because it's not suppose to be noticably off when squatting down.

 

[MikeinCincy]

MikeinCincy...

I think you do need to adjust the headlights, because it's not suppose to be noticably off when squatting down.

Oh. Darn. I will run a few tests tonight. Is there an ironclad way of knowing for sure if they aren't positione dcorrectly? I don't want to start fooling with them if they don't need it.

 

[BlairB]

Oh. Darn. I will run a few tests tonight. Is there an ironclad way of knowing for sure if they aren't positione dcorrectly? I don't want to start fooling with them if they don't need it.

Fooling around them with them is really simple, don't worry if you need to.

I have adjusted mine a few times to deal with my various lifts.

 

[1BadGixxer]

Its not a federal issue!!! Just get a 7mm socket and spin it up or down until you're satisfied

 

[mike508]

Headlight aiming

MikeinCincy...

I think you do need to adjust the headlights, because it's not suppose to be noticably off when squatting down.

The right side low beam headlight is supposed to be higher by 2 inches at 25 feet. This is the aiming requirement for the 4Runner and a Mercury that I have the shop manuals for.