Headlights on 2nd Gen runner...don't flame for covered topic pls

[loko ino]

Ok..I searched and could not find it.
The 2nd Gen 4runner headlights suck, but have that odd shaped light. I thought I read somewhere that you could take the front end off the P/U and swap to those headlights, thus making it easier to upgrade. Is this correct or am I wrong?
Other option is to get some Hilux headlights, I have a source but shipping is killer, or order those awesome headlights from a member here who makes the projectors, also kinda spendy. What are you guys doing? Mounting more lights up front, maybe?
Let me know...and again, sorry if this has been beaten to death. I found tons of headlight threads but did not find the one about replacing front housing/ front end.

 

[Iroke17]

just get some open back 7x6 and a set of HIDs

 

[KidVermicious]

just get some open back 7x6 and a set of HIDs

That's what I'm saying. I hear a lot about these funny headlights that second gens have, but nobody has come around and said exactly what makes them funny.

 

[loko ino]

That's what I'm saying. I hear a lot about these funny headlights that second gens have, but nobody has come around and said exactly what makes them funny.

they are not square, the are kinda tear dropped on one side.

If I get HIDs I don't want to blind oncoming traffic. I keep reading about how crappy the cutoff is when you just throw HIDs on 2gen with the crappy lenses we have. The stock lenses focal point diffuses a lot of the light, without projector. In contrast, the Euro version in the Hilux is a European spec that is a lot better as far as the focal point is concerned and does better job with HIDs but still will lack the cutoff.

So basically I guess it boils down to:
1. Do I care if a slightly blind incoming traffic
2. Will it look ghetto..

BTW, my lenses are open-backed.

 

[Iroke17]

some open backs have a projector in them i have a set and i also run 10k hids and no one ever flashes there brights at me and im telling you hids are crazy nice compared to a regular bulb.

i dont see why everyone is scared of "blinding people" they have the same opportunity to run them as you.

 

[KidVermicious]

i dont see why everyone is scared of "blinding people" they have the same opportunity to run them as you.

Because it's better if they blind you back? C'mon man, that makes no sense. Headlights that are poorly aimed or too bright are just as much a hazard as lights that are too dim. Not saying that's you, but the roads are full of d!ckheads who lack basic courtesy. Don't be one of those guys.

 

[loko ino]

OK..so I found the thread at Yotatech that gave me all my options. I think the easiest is to swap out the radiator support and grill from a pickup, then I can put in the Hella e-code H4 compatible lenses...or even get projectors for HID if I wanted..but from what I am reading just doing the H4 conversion will greatly improve what I have..and then upgrade the wiring and voila...decent headlights without blinding oncoming traffic.

 

[92-SR5]

OK..so I found the thread at Yotatech that gave me all my options. I think the easiest is to swap out the radiator support and grill from a pickup, then I can put in the Hella e-code H4 compatible lenses...or even get projectors for HID if I wanted..but from what I am reading just doing the H4 conversion will greatly improve what I have..and then upgrade the wiring and voila...decent headlights without blinding oncoming traffic.

Just get housings and an HID kit from DDM tuning, lifetime warranty is a plus as well. I have the 4500k and love them. I never get brighted since I have been running their housings. I am way against anything above 6000k due to the fact that you have less light output and blue just looks terrible (not to mention illegal). Blue also casts shadows differently.

I have ran 6000k, 5000k, and 4500k. From experience the 4500k have the most light output but it doesn't give you the HID "look" many people go for. I can care less about looks though, I'd rather have more light.

 

[loko ino]

Just get housings and an HID kit from DDM tuning, lifetime warranty is a plus as well. I have the 4500k and love them. I never get brighted since I have been running their housings. I am way against anything above 6000k due to the fact that you have less light output and blue just looks terrible (not to mention illegal). Blue also casts shadows differently.

I have ran 6000k, 5000k, and 4500k. From experience the 4500k have the most light output but it doesn't give you the HID "look" many people go for. I can care less about looks though, I'd rather have more light.

OK..so am I crazy? My headlights are not rectangular..they have a little angle on the inside corners, so if I were to get 200mm housings I would have gap in the inside top corners..not to mention I don't think rectangle housings will fit in there in the first place.

 

[92-SR5]

OK..so am I crazy? My headlights are not rectangular..they have a little angle on the inside corners, so if I were to get 200mm housings I would have gap in the inside top corners..not to mention I don't think rectangle housings will fit in there in the first place.

No you are correct. 92 is the year where they had both. Mine was built in June of 92 and it has the pickup front, I guess it would be because I have a 22re?
This is the "pickup style" front as you were talking about swapping. Which shouldn't bee too hard I wouldn't think.
This is the best picture I have on hand showing my front end/grill.

 

[loko ino]

No you are correct. 92 is the year where they had both. Mine was built in June of 92 and it has the pickup front, I guess it would be because I have a 22re?
This is the "pickup style" front as you were talking about swapping. Which shouldn't bee too hard I wouldn't think.
This is the best picture I have on hand showing my front end/grill.

that's exactly what I want!! Guess I "lucked out" and got the cool tear drop shaped ones..lol.
Swapping for a 2gen truck rad support should work...now to find one..lol

Thanks for pic.

 

[92-SR5]

No problem! Glad to help.

 

[mikebontoft]

I don't get it.

It's not a pickup only style... they came out with the sealed beam (I think they are sealed) square headlights from 90-92 where they did a facelift for an updated design. not sure if they did it the same year for the Hilux though.

Lot of 4runners with the older core support/headlight/grille assembly in the junkyard.


You could try something though. get a spare headlight and separate the lens from the housing. Pour in some plaster and fill the lens. separate the two when you're done.

Since the fluting (weird lines) on these headlights diffuse the light, attempting to use a projector retrofit is pointless and straight hids end up throwing the light everywhere but where they should go. Some have the fluting inside and others on the outside.

If it's on the inside, your mold will need to be sanded enough to get rid of them. Once that's done, you get some Plexiglas (not sure on what type worked the best) and lay it over the mold.

From here on I don't know the perfect procedure. some have heated up the plexiglas first, then used a vacuum table to form it over the mold. Others have simply used a heat gun.

After that... you trim the excess off and seal the lens onto the housing. I'll have to find the thread I got that from. it's been a year or two.

 

[hoe_nah]

^^^the procedure is on hidplanet forums. You can use plexiglass, some use lexan..ive tried this and its not as easy as it sounds..

Quick fix just run hids or if u have time swap the pickup front and retrofit those, I have a friend with e55 projectors on his pickup. If you wanna get creative heres an idea I had...run the gen1 pickup front on a gen2 4runner, the ones wih the circle headlights haha...it was just an idea ive always wanted to make happen

 

[loko ino]

^^^the procedure is on hidplanet forums. You can use plexiglass, some use lexan..ive tried this and its not as easy as it sounds..

Quick fix just run hids or if u have time swap the pickup front and retrofit those, I have a friend with e55 projectors on his pickup. If you wanna get creative heres an idea I had...run the gen1 pickup front on a gen2 4runner, the ones wih the circle headlights haha...it was just an idea ive always wanted to make happen

hmmm..i know a guy with one in the back of his shop..and room in his shop to work....

 

[jeffe]

So what did you end up doing? I just ordered these:

IPF H4 Rectangular Headlamp Insert (820H)

IPF Wiring Harness (M002)

IPF H4 Performance Bulbs - 3 Versions


I called them and they told me they should be plug and play, no cutting and should fit. It was a lot of coin but I'm hella tired of not seeing anything while driving at night. They will be here on Monday, so I guess we will see...