Headlight harness

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ambush said:
Word of ADVICE
It helps...BUT they will blow regardless....
Go with DDM HIDs man..
you will not be sorry..
PLUG and PLAY

SERIOUSLY
Click to expand...


The bulbs will blow? Just wondering what you meant by that.

I already picked up the bulbs, they were on sale at my local speed shop (the only place that actually carries high quality stuff around here) and I figured what the heck. For $15, even if they blow in 2 months it'll be worth trying. I just don't want to melt anything or ruin anything on my rig.
 
quicksilvr said:
The bulbs will blow? Just wondering what you meant by that.

I already picked up the bulbs, they were on sale at my local speed shop (the only place that actually carries high quality stuff around here) and I figured what the heck. For $15, even if they blow in 2 months it'll be worth trying. I just don't want to melt anything or ruin anything on my rig.
Click to expand...


I apologize I did not mean anything bad about it...

Just speaking from experience and track records from HI-WATTAGE bulbs...
They dont offer any better LIGHT output to see just a brighter light...
that is it...

I was an advocate of Hella and all other brands of H4 HI-watt bulbs...
blew and blew... Got tired and finally got those DDM hids..
they are only 35 watts with output of 6000k!! Pure WHITE clear NONE GLARE light...

$15 is not bad....
yeah upgrade harness..it will help...


L8er

--Ambush
 
If you're looking to upgrade your wiring harness and make a difference, check this out:

Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply (under tech, then relays)

I ordered a relay harness kit, but I haven't installed yet so I can't provide a review at this point. Basically you are hardwiring your headlights to the electrical system with heavy gauge wiring, to get the most out of whatever bulbs you're using. Retains all factory switch functionality, with the exception of factory DRL's.
 
Yes, you should build a harness if you are running higher than stock watt bulbs. The stock Toyota harness is not very robust. Do be careful with a harness as the 4Runner lights are ground switched. Your high-beam indicator may get dim or not even work. DRLs also complicate things.

The 8” plug adapters do noting to protect the factory wiring. They just prevent the connector from melting. A good way to melt your wiring harness. For the life of me I can't think of one reason anyone would use them. Useless.

"the harness dosnt do anything except make high wattage bulbs safer to use" I beg to differ. Do a voltage drop test? It will tell you how much power is actually getting to your bulbs. I have tested many gen 3 4Runners and have found them losing up to 1.67 volts! This is a HUGE loss. Voltage is light. I can't stress it enough.....Do the test!!

You can e-mail me off list for drop test details.

Mike
98 4runner with 12 gauge headlight harness and Osram 70/65 watt bulbs.
 
madrvr said:
Yes, you should build a harness if you are running higher than stock watt bulbs. The stock Toyota harness is not very robust. Do be careful with a harness as the 4Runner lights are ground switched. Your high-beam indicator may get dim or not even work. DRLs also complicate things.

Do a voltage drop test? It will tell you how much power is actually getting to your bulbs. I have tested many gen3 4Runners and have found them losing up to 1.67 volts! This is a HUGE loss. Voltage is light. I can't stress it enough.....Do the test!!

You can e-mail me off list for drop test details.

Mike
98 4runner with 12 gauge headlight harness and Osram 70/65 watt bulbs.
Click to expand...

Mike, I am interested in further details of your voltage drop tests...
 
the voltage/lumen relationship is not linear. If you actually have 12v at the headlamps, you're getting like 2/3 of the lumens you would at 14v.

However, making a harness for a toy is a sonofagun. I made two. One works mostly fine, except the auxilary lights won't turn off unless you switch high/low beams. On the other one the high beam indicator won't work. No aux. lights on that one.

So, people casually throw out the idea that someone should build a harness, it is not a casual job, imo. It sounds easy but there is a lot of disinformation out there. I think some toys work different than others as well. What may work fine on a 1980 pickup might not on a 3rd gen, etc. Some of the information links people throw around just will not work the way they are shown. If you can buy one, do it.
 
iowajosh said:
So, people casually throw out the idea that someone should build a harness, it is not a casual job, imo. It sounds easy but there is a lot of disinformation out there. I think some toys work different than others as well. What may work fine on a 1980 pickup might not on a 3rd gen, etc. Some of the information links people throw around just will not work the way they are shown. If you can buy one, do it.
Click to expand...

I ordered a harness from Mike in Denver and am awaiting its delivery today or tomorrow...

Headlight Services - 4Runner wiring
 
I received the headlight harness today, and it was essentially just a plug-and-play installation; it took me about thirty (30) minutes, which included removing the battery, drilling three (3) mounting holes for the relay mounts, and properly routing and shielding the cables

here is the kit I received:
4Runnerwiringharness_zps1638dc55.jpg~original


and here it is unpacked:
4Runnerwiringharnessunpacked_zpsf8ea5481.jpg~original


I used the mobile phone to also take photos during installation, but unfortunately they did not turn out too well

I would highly recommend this kit, as it seems well made, the instructions are very straight-forward and easy to follow, and it solved all the issues I had with the headlights on my 4Runner!
 
battery removed and out of the way
batteryremovedforupgradedheadlightwiringharness_zps772a333a.jpg~original


relay holder mounting holes marked & drilled
relaymountingholesmarkedampdrilled_zps594f0af0.jpg~original


relay holders mounted to inner fender (driver's side adjacent to battery)
relaysmountedtoinnerfender_zps0672519b.jpg~original


relays installed into their respective holders
relaysinstalled_zps2bd34773.jpg~original
 
Headlight Wiring harness upgrade success

I upgraded my wire harness to so I could run HELLA 130/90W bulbs in my stock head lights. My high beam indicator on my dash still works too. I plan on posting a thread about it when I can put here is the links for now:

The wiring harness is:

Headlight Relay Wiring Harness H4/9003 With High Heat Ceramic Plugs Dual High Low Beam
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H7W4S9S?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00

Bulbs:

HELLA H4 130/90W Series 130/90 Watt 12 V Halogen Bulb
Amazon.com: HELLA H4 130/90W Series 130/90 Watt 12 V Halogen Bulb: Automotive
 
madrvr said:
Yes, you should build a harness if you are running higher than stock watt bulbs. The stock Toyota harness is not very robust. Do be careful with a harness as the 4Runner lights are ground switched. Your high-beam indicator may get dim or not even work. DRLs also complicate things.


Mike
98 4runner with 12 gauge headlight harness and Osram 70/65 watt bulbs.
Click to expand...

Non-DRL 4Runners are ground switched (like your '98). DRL 4Runners are hot switched. The OP has a 2001, so DRL's and hot-switched heads.

http://tacoma.site40.net/4Runner_96-02_Repair&Wiring/techinfo.toyota.com/ileaf/ewdtmc2/ewdtmpdf/ewdsourc/2002/024runne/systemci/020hldrl.pdf
 
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