Headlights

[Reinout]

If anyone is interested I have someone somewhat locally to me selling 2002 glass headlights for $40 on offerup.

Also someone else selling HID retrofit headlights on offerup for $450.

Headlights off of 2002 4runner for Sale in Graham, WA - OfferUp

96-02 4Runner HID Headlights for Sale in Seattle, WA - OfferUp

 

[RandyBobandy]

I upgraded to the 99+ headlights and noticed a huge difference even with used units, I might try the LED bulbs that Brillo is using before going to a projector retrofit

 

[brillo_76]

You can search the forum for wiring diagram of the headlights put a replacement put a resistor were the low beam bulb will go something like 100 ohm 5w. So when they are high beam current can flow back through and light the indicator.

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[Tampa_T4R]

Are the 96-98 housings inside(the reflective part) the same as the 99-02? I want to do the retrofit, but I would rather just keep my OEM housings and buy the clear lenses from rock auto. I just can't tell if the 96-98 have the same nice reflective part as 99+, and can't seem to find a picture online of just the housing without the impossible to see through lens.

 

[Ed_C]

Are the 96-98 housings inside(the reflective part) the same as the 99-02? I want to do the retrofit, but I would rather just keep my OEM housings and buy the clear lenses from rock auto. I just can't tell if the 96-98 have the same nice reflective part as 99+, and can't seem to find a picture online of just the housing without the impossible to see through lens.

Don't have links to the images, but the inner reflectors are different.

 

[Tampa_T4R]

Don't have links to the images, but the inner reflectors are different.

Damn... I’d really like to see what they look like before I open mine up

 

[RandyBobandy]

Are the 96-98 housings inside(the reflective part) the same as the 99-02? I want to do the retrofit, but I would rather just keep my OEM housings and buy the clear lenses from rock auto. I just can't tell if the 96-98 have the same nice reflective part as 99+, and can't seem to find a picture online of just the housing without the impossible to see through lens.

the reflectors on the earlier lights are smooth, you can't just put a clear lens on them because they won't reflect light properly and will scatter it everywhere as the old style lens is what does the reflecting. If you want OEM housings you are better off buying used ones from ebay because every photo I have seen of aftermarket headlight housings shows horrible and erratic light output

 

[Dieselchessy]

Just for an update on the snow/ice.

I’ve drove a few days now in the white stuff. The lenses haven’t got covered while driving but also if they are covered when started they don’t melt off.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

I am interested to know if an LED bulb in the high beam indicator would replace a high watt 6 ohm resistor to make it illuminate. That resistor is drawing just over 2a just to make a bulb light up.


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[gamefreakgc]

So I tried this upgrade and it's been working out well so far. That relay is pretty decent and hooked up without issue. The Hella bulbs are definitely brighter and are the same color as normal. The high beams are really powerful as well.

I seem to have lost my high beam indicator. That's not surprising since there's a relay harness in front of the headlight plugs now. Any ideas how to get the indicator back?

Glad you like it as well. It's perfect for what I need.

I actually never noticed if my high-beam indicator turns on or not. I use my light bar instead of high beams when I need it.

 

[3bears]

Just for an update on the snow/ice.

I’ve drove a few days now in the white stuff. The lenses haven’t got covered while driving but also if they are covered when started they don’t melt off.

true ….leds don't produce much heat up front

 

[brillo_76]

true ….leds don't produce much heat up front

Can you use load resistor to produce enough heat under your headlight to melt it off?

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[shadow247]

I just wanted to throw this out there for anyone looking for a Plug and Play headlight relay harness. I came across this one from TacomaWorld, and it has amazing reviews, and appears to have much higher quality components than some of the more well known brands out there making these.

Headlight Services - Wiring

 

[brillo_76]

I just wanted to throw this out there for anyone looking for a Plug and Play headlight relay harness. I came across this one from TacomaWorld, and it has amazing reviews, and appears to have much higher quality components than some of the more well known brands out there making these.



Headlight Services - Wiring

Looks like its heavier wire. Folks really have to watch what gauge of wire they use and how many amps they are pulling through the wire.

I rewired a 1968 GMC truck because its owner decided to put a high output alternator on stock wiring and melted the entire engine harness right out out of the truck.



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[Tampa_T4R]

the reflectors on the earlier lights are smooth, you can't just put a clear lens on them because they won't reflect light properly and will scatter it everywhere as the old style lens is what does the reflecting. If you want OEM housings you are better off buying used ones from ebay because every photo I have seen of aftermarket headlight housings shows horrible and erratic light output

That would be true if They didn’t have projectors

 

[Brian.]

I just wanted to throw this out there for anyone looking for a Plug and Play headlight relay harness. I came across this one from TacomaWorld, and it has amazing reviews, and appears to have much higher quality components than some of the more well known brands out there making these.

Headlight Services - Wiring

Just for kicks and giggles I looked up pricing on the components they claim to use (hey, we're DIYers, right?!!?) Looks to be the fairly typical 50/50 split of materials and labor, meaning you could head on over to Amazon and buy the raw materials for just a hint over $50... probably cheaper if you're less picky about brand names. Even if you have to buy a quality crimper, you're in for the same price and walk away with a tool. :loco:

I've made hundreds of these myself, motorcycles have crap for headlight wiring (and they used to run all that power through the damn handlebar switch!!). It's just about as simple of a circuit as you can make, plenty of diagrams out there that detail what's needed.

I haven't done it yet, but want to verify what was said earlier from Stern, that a harness doesn't really gain you much with these trucks. The link has good info on that at the top, above the chart that shows performance decrease based on voltage. I use the battery instead of the Alt (though have done the Alt before, after installing an adjustable regulator and kicking it up to the maximum/14.X) since the harness takes power off the battery, but checking Alt output is good too.

 

[Ed_C]

the reflectors on the earlier lights are smooth, you can't just put a clear lens on them because they won't reflect light properly and will scatter it everywhere as the old style lens is what does the reflecting.

That would be true if They didn’t have projectors

If you're doing a projector retro get the cheapest '99-'02 clear glass aftermarket lights and swap the lenses. I've seen photos on this forum of members who have done such a thing (projector retrofit in OEM '96-'98 headlight housings with newer lenses swapped over).

 

[4Runner4Leon]

I haven't done it yet, but want to verify what was said earlier from Stern, that a harness doesn't really gain you much with these trucks.

I didn't say that DS said the harness won't help (or if I did, I didn't mean to) - what he said was that he would put in new headlights first, and only do the harness if that didn't help enough. And he sells upgraded harnesses, so he could make money by pushing the harnesses. Here's part of our email discussion:

On 2018-08-09 20:40, Leon wrote:
> So based on what we discussed, if this was your car/money, would you
> start by spending the $179 on a harness or $400 on new headlights?
>
> Leon

Start with the headlamps -- real Toyota units -- and the optimal bulbs, with a precise, correct headlamp aim job per the "VOL" specs at Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply . If you find you still want more/better, then would be the appropriate time to look into a harness.

Cheers DS

 

[jacks21]

I too am looking to replace my current headlights on my ‘99. Was wondering if I should go the Halogen or LED route and was leaning towards the LED route. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Sorry for Stomping on your question, new to the group and won’t let me post my own thread.

 

[Tampa_T4R]

If you're doing a projector retro get the cheapest '99-'02 clear glass aftermarket lights and swap the lenses. I've seen photos on this forum of members who have done such a thing (projector retrofit in OEM '96-'98 headlight housings with newer lenses swapped over).

Yeah, that's the picture i'm looking for, really want to see what they look like before I buy some clear lenses from Rock Auto(they are only $40 and glass). It's kinda hard to find a good price on the 99-02 lights.