Headlight upgrade, what else do I need?

[fightman80]

Hey folks,

Well after careful deliberation....ha ha ha.....and taking your votes into account, I've decided to go with the Headlight upgrade. Thanks for all of your votes and opinions!

Now, if I purchase the headlights, do I also need to buy new signal lens? Did those stay the same from 96 - 02?

 

[xskydivingdudex]

i think they are different also... not 100% sure tho. Mine are non-fluted lenses with the yellow/orange reflector on the side.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Where are you getting these from?

You shouldn't need new signal lenses.

 

[96743runner]

If you are talking about the corner marker lights then no you don't need to buy a new pair with 99-02 headlights. They did change it slightly in 99 but your old pair should fit with the new headlights.

A pic of the differences:

The one on the left is a 96-98 corner lens and the one on the right is the "updated" 99-02 version. These lights actually don't function as turn signals..only the lights on your bumper act as turn signals.

 

[Jon]

99-04 4RUNNER 4-RUNNER CRYSTAL HEAD LIGHTS BLACK LAMPS: eBay Motors (item 190455224379 end time Nov-09-10 17:51:45 PST)
I went with these guys. Really pleased with the outcome and ease of installation. I'd get the DDM HID kit at the same time. One extra thing that I did was sealed the wiring boot in the back with household cocking around where the boot fits to the housing and the hole where the wires come through. No water's getting it there this time!

 

[fightman80]

Thanks guys for all the info! I ended up buying these:

1999-2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER GLASS HEAD LIGHT LAMP RL NEW on eBay.ca (item 290487530509 end time 12-Nov-10 17:27:44 EST)

Broncosi has bought them, and says they are great quality.........

Got them for $133.-- shipped! Can't wait to get these in! :bluejump:

 

[Duhockey]

Thanks guys for all the info! I ended up buying these:

1999-2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER GLASS HEAD LIGHT LAMP RL NEW on eBay.ca (item 290487530509 end time 12-Nov-10 17:27:44 EST)

Broncosi has bought them, and says they are great quality.........

Got them for $133.-- shipped! Can't wait to get these in! :bluejump:

really? good quality? cuz there have been tons of people here that have said that all the aftermarket ones were crap so I have been waiting it out, trying to finding a set of OEM used ones that were in good shape.

 

[fightman80]

really? good quality? cuz there have been tons of people here that have said that all the aftermarket ones were crap so I have been waiting it out, trying to finding a set of OEM used ones that were in good shape.

I guess I'll have to let you know when I get mine.......So far all the feedback I read on the seller was good......and Broncosi said he used them on his rig.

 

[Elton H]

ya the after market ones i got where pure crap they fit fine but the light pattern plan sucked good lights for projectors

 

[Duhockey]

ya the after market ones i got where pure crap they fit fine but the light pattern plan sucked good lights for projectors

Heres a question for you then Elton, I know you and one other said the quality was bad, is it just the quality of the actual light?

or is it the quality of the casing/plastic etc.

cuz what Im thinking is if its just the light, why pay more for OEM or Used OEM when Im just gonna swap the lights out for DDMtuning HID's HID Kits, BMW Aftermarket Bumpers & Lighting, DEPO - DDM Tuning

Ive been holding out about a year now looking for used OEM in good shape, you think its worth it if I immediately replace the actual bulbs/light?

 

[Elton H]

the fit and finish is good its just the way the lights spread the light or lack there off i think with hid's it just be even worse

 

[96743runner]

Heres a question for you then Elton, I know you and one other said the quality was bad, is it just the quality of the actual light?

or is it the quality of the casing/plastic etc.

cuz what Im thinking is if its just the light, why pay more for OEM or Used OEM when Im just gonna swap the lights out for DDMtuning HID's HID Kits, BMW Aftermarket Bumpers & Lighting, DEPO - DDM Tuning

Ive been holding out about a year now looking for used OEM in good shape, you think its worth it if I immediately replace the actual bulbs/light?

I personally got mislead when buying new 99+ headlights (from Burtman) thinking that they were OEM when they were actually the Eagle Eyes brand. In my case, both the quality of the casing and the spread of actual light was beyond awful for the price I paid. It was obvious that the quality of the Eagle Eyes was much lower than OEM since the lights didn't seem to be sealed properly and they did not fit right on my 4Runner. The corner lights wouldn't fit properly with these headlights and the light was really "scattered". They also could never be properly aimed (got fed up and took it to a shop) and even they couldn't aim them. In the end I was so disgusted that I just bought a pair of new OEM 99 lights. You do get what you pay for and I definitely learned the hard way. (Never could get a refund for those POS lights)

 

[broncosi]

I personally got mislead when buying new 99+ headlights (from Burtman) thinking that they were OEM when they were actually the Eagle Eyes brand. In my case, both the quality of the casing and the spread of actual light was beyond awful for the price I paid.

Exactly, the quality is obviously not OME so why pay anymore than the least expensive one. After aiming, like I said before, there are light pattern issues that EVERYONE complains about. I don't see the big deal, it isn't THAT bad for the price your paying. The output is fine, it's the reflective panels on back of the housing that aren't exactly like the OME thus sometimes odd patterns. For the most part though, you can't beat it for the price.

FIGHTMAN: I stick with my guess that you will be happy with these headlights.

 

[Jon]

They look just like the one's that I just installed just not blacked out. IMHO material quality is better than I was expecting. Fittment, ahhh yeah that took a good while and patience on the first one then once I figured it out the passenger side was done in 5min. Suggest doing one side at a time to maintain the same light level height as original, do not bolt in yet because if adjustments are needed they are much easier to do with assembly removed and 10mm socket. Light quality.... just as scattered as everyone claimed it to be. I'm not worried about it though. As soon as I get my Addicted tube bumper I'm hanging some fogs (HID) on it.

Quick tip too- the rubber boot- pull the inner hole inside-out and it's much easier to manipulate the connectors through. Leave it that way once installed and you'll also have a nice place to apply sealant.

 

[Nelsonmd]

One extra thing that I did was sealed the wiring boot in the back with household cocking around where the boot fits to the housing and the hole where the wires come through. No water's getting it there this time!

Uh, FYI, the product you are referring to in spelled caulking. The word you used isn't actually a noun...

I'm kind of surprised the site didn't filter that; you can say that, but not Saturday... Weird....

EDIT: Oh hey, I guess they fixed that one. Neat.

 

[broncosi]

Uh, FYI, the product you are referring to in spelled caulking. The word you used isn't actually a noun...

Uh, you misused the word 'in'. It should be as follows: "referring to IS spelled"
:bravo:

had to . . .

Back the headlights, 1000% agree seal them before installing. I sealed with caulk around the seal of the glass lens to the housing too.

 

[96743runner]

Exactly, the quality is obviously not OME so why pay anymore than the least expensive one. After aiming, like I said before, there are light pattern issues that EVERYONE complains about. I don't see the big deal, it isn't THAT bad for the price your paying. The output is fine, it's the reflective panels on back of the housing that aren't exactly like the OME thus sometimes odd patterns. For the most part though, you can't beat it for the price.

FIGHTMAN: I stick with my guess that you will be happy with these headlights.

He charged me over $300 for the pair. My point was that they're garbage since the lighting is so poor with those, and to me, driving with those were dangerous enough that I felt that I HAD to replace them for OEM 99 lights. I spent almost $450 on new OEM lights (junkyards didn't have any) AND I wasted $300 on the crappy lights so I spent a total of around $750 versus $450 if I had just got the OEM lights to begin with. That's just my experience with these lights but hopefully Fightman will have better luck than I did.

 

[Jon]

Uh, FYI, the product you are referring to in spelled caulking. The word you used isn't actually a noun...

I'm kind of surprised the site didn't filter that; you can say that, but not Saturday... Weird....

EDIT: Oh hey, I guess they fixed that one. Neat.

That's weird y'all must be using something else!