Headlight Mod (Must have and cheap)

[Singtoe]

I have not come up with any creative mods lately and I still have to do the V8 conversion to do. I know, you want the conversion now. I try to start it by the end of the month.

Anyway. My headlight mod is to wire in a switch to keep the low beams on all the time. So what. Well when you use the high beams, your low beams automatically turn off.

My mod keeps them on all the time (when you use the switch) and when you switch the high beams on, the low beams stay on making it that much brighter.

To do the mod, Get a switch, ( I use a Toyota fog light switch) and mount it in one of the blanks spots on the left side of the steering column. Take one of the terminals and wire it to a ground. Take the other terminal and tap it to the Blue with black stripe wire either at the headlight or headlight switch. (your choice but the headlight switch is easier)

That's it.

To Test. Turn lights on. Turn High Beams on. Hit your new switch and you low beams should turn on at the same time as your high beams.


Not my picture or even one that is wired to keep the low beams on but every Mod thread needs pictures, and this what mine looks like.

 

[TheDurk]

WARNING!!!!!!: This will only work on non-DRL trucks that have switched grounds.('99 and earlier in US, I believe.) Bad things will happen on a DRL 4Runner that has switched hots if you try to wire this way.

 

[the great him]

you will also burn out your bulbs faster this way... your affectively doubling your heat from the bulb and they will not last long like this just an fyi

 

[Singtoe]

I used to run a diode on the high beam to the low beam wire and never killed light bulbs prematurely. I have killed diodes though thus the switch.

My light bulbs generally last 2-3 years. As for over heating, the headlight housing is glass so it can handle it.

The Daytime running light issue. My 4runner doesn't have them so it is a non-issue.

If you wanted to do this mod on those trucks, you will need to supply 12volts to the low beam side and it should work. Came up with better solution, see post #6

 

[TheDurk]

I used to run a diode on the high beam to the low beam wire and never killed light bulbs prematurely. I have killed diodes though thus the switch.

My light bulbs generally last 2-3 years. As for over heating, the headlight housing is glass so it can handle it.

The Daytime running light issue. My 4runner doesn't have them so it is a non-issue.

If you wanted to do this mod on those trucks, you will need to supply 12volts to the low beam side and it should work.

I wasn't posting the warning for you, obviously. I was concerned that someone with a 2000+ would try to do the same thing following your directions.

Even changing to a 12V supply through the switch, there are some subtleties to the fusing of such a hookup, as the left and right lamps are fused separately on the DRL setup. If you brought in a 20A circuit to the white-green wire at the dimmer relay, that would work in high-mode. But if the switch were left on in low mode, then the circuit would be double fused and not properly protected, i.e. a fire hazard. To do it right, you'd need a couple of relays and aux. fuse blocks. I would not recommend anyone try this on a 2000+ unless they are quite good at electric circuits. Easy to make it work, not so easy to make it safe.

 

[Singtoe]

I wasn't posting the warning for you, obviously. I was concerned that someone with a 2000+ would try to do the same thing following your directions.

Even changing to a 12V supply through the switch, there are some subtleties to the fusing of such a hookup, as the left and right lamps are fused separately on the DRL setup. If you brought in a 20A circuit to the white-green wire at the dimmer relay, that would work in high-mode. But if the switch were left on in low mode, then the circuit would be double fused and not properly protected, i.e. a fire hazard. To do it right, you'd need a couple of relays and aux. fuse blocks. I would not recommend anyone try this on a 2000+ unless they are quite good at electric circuits. Easy to make it work, not so easy to make it safe.

I did some serious consideration and I have found the solution that keeps all the fuses in check and is super easy to install for those that have DRL.

Mount a switch in the dash, install wires on to it and run them through the firewall to the fuse box under the hood. Find the Dimmer relay. Temporally pull the dimmer relay out. You will insert your wires between the relay and the socket. Take one of the wires from the switch and insert it into terminal 4 of the dimmer relay. Then take the other wire from the switch and insert it to terminal 1 of the dimmer relay. Re-install the dimmer relay.

For a safety factor you will need to install a 20 amp fuse between the terminal 4 wire and the switch. Toyota did not fuse that circuit. (maybe because it is such a short run in the fuse box).

To test - Start 4runner up, Turn on high beams. Turn your new switch on and you will see the low beams come on along with you high beams.

 

[TheDurk]

I did some serious consideration and I have found the solution that keeps all the fuses in check and is super easy to install for those that have DRL.

Nicely done. A tip of the hat, sir. I would suggest the in-line fuse be done close to the take-off at the 4 terminal.

 

[Singtoe]

Dous, this was the mod i was referring to.

 

[Dous]

Dous, this was the mod i was referring to.

I tested it out last night, there was a pretty big difference!

 

[Tucson4runner]

Ok I was good without pics until the last few steps about runners with DRL's has anyone done this to their 2000+ and taken pictures?

 

[Royisme]

Ok I was good without pics until the last few steps about runners with DRL's has anyone done this to their 2000+ and taken pictures?

Same here. Although, I may forge ahead anyhow... if I do it, I'll post some pics.