HID headlamp SwapGrade for 3rd Gen?

[octanejunkie]

LED headlamp SwapGrade for 3rd Gen?

Would some thing like this 8000K H4 120W 12000LM 4 Sides COB LED Headlight Kit Hi Lo Beam Light Bulbs Pair | eBay work?

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[coltonbaxter31]

Those aren't HID those are LEDs... Not sure how LEDS would work. I got LEDS for my KC lights to replace my halogen bulbs and they weren't bright at all. But that's just my opinion. I don't think I've seen anyone on here use LEDs for headlights, but I could be wrong


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[octanejunkie]

Those aren't HID those are LEDs... Not sure how LEDS would work. I got LEDS for my KC lights to replace my halogen bulbs and they weren't bright at all. But that's just my opinion. I don't think I've seen anyone on here use LEDs for headlights, but I could be wrong


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SuperBrightLEDs.com sells an LED version too, not sure how good they are either.

What do most guys do to upgrade their headlamps?

NB, I'll change the title of this thread from the computer. Thanks, Colton.

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[coltonbaxter31]

Most guys run HID ballast and bulbs. They're the best way to get the most wattage to your headlights. There is a night and day difference (pun intended). I've only run HIDs in my 4Runner and I hate driving anything with halogen bulbs.

You can get h4 HID kit on Amazon for pretty cheap for how good they work. They're simple to install as well


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[octanejunkie]

Going to look on Amazon for H4 HIDs

Something like these 6Ks
Innovited AC 55W HID Xenon Conversi...p/B00FC22JU0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_r8tRxbSWW6941

Or would I be better off going with 3" projectors?

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[coltonbaxter31]

Projectors are nice because they concentrate all the light but they require retrofitting and opening up the headlights and aligning the projectors themselves. I retrofit projectors if you have any questions


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[Black798]

Your better to go with the 3 inch projectors. I have never ran the drop in hid bulbs but I think i would have been disappointed with the output. And the glare to oncoming traffic is terrible with the drop ins. The projectors are a lot more expensive, I think my whole kit was around 500, but it was well worth it and the install is really straightforward. Check out the retrofit source.

 

[Unner]

Don't be that guy that puts HID bulbs in halogen housings. Nobody likes them. Either retrofit projectors into your housings or get better halogen bulbs that burn brighter.

 

[A.Wilson013]

For what it's worth: I far prefer my retrofitted HID projectors on my 17 year old vehicle to my wife's LED projectors on her Lexus. The cutoff is cleaner, there's more intensity to the light, and the "throw" is farther. The ONLY thing I like about her headlights is how wide the beam is. To me, however, it's unnecessary. I could so how someone who lived in the country could appreciate it for deer and the like, but for where we live, it's not needed. And it's not like the beam on my headlights is narrow, it's just not as wide.

In my opinion, you get what you pay for with lighting 9 times out of 10. I bet you'd be happier with just some nice PIAA bulbs than you would with the $50 LEDs.

 

[Unner]

For what it's worth: I far prefer my retrofitted HID projectors on my 17 year old vehicle to my wife's LED projectors on her Lexus. The cutoff is cleaner, there's more intensity to the light, and the "throw" is farther. The ONLY thing I like about her headlights is how wide the beam is. To me, however, it's unnecessary. I could so how someone who lived in the country could appreciate it for deer and the like, but for where we live, it's not needed. And it's not like the beam on my headlights is narrow, it's just not as wide.

In my opinion, you get what you pay for with lighting 9 times out of 10. I bet you'd be happier with just some nice PIAA bulbs than you would with the $50 LEDs.

I just put a decent set of bulbs in mine. $23 for Phillips Extreme vision or something like that on Amazon. Much better than my Sylvania Xtravision I had been running because they are available easily. I drive a lot, but the Xtravision didn't even last 6 months. Pretty disapointed with that, but these are supposed to last 3 times as long based on their hour rating. I want to do a projector retrofit, but I'm leaning more towards a KISS with my truck at this point.

 

[octanejunkie]

Huge learning curve for me here guys, I appreciate the input and experiences shared, but lighting talk is all greek to me.

What is "wrong" with HID bulbs like this going into standard housings exactly?

 

[Yoter]

Here is an old thread that might be useful:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/157607-projector-retrofit-picture-thread-faq.html

 

[A.Wilson013]

Huge learning curve for me here guys, I appreciate the input and experiences shared, but lighting talk is all greek to me.

What is "wrong" with HID bulbs going into standard housings exactly?

Essetially, they're very, very bright. When installed in a reflector housing (no projector) they throw that very, very bright light every which way, including into the eyes of everyone else on the road. There are ways to mitigate this somewhat (HID bulbs that have little shields, aiming your headlights lower, etc), but the best way would be to install a projector into the housing.

The projector acts to focus all off the lighting power below the "cutoff" line which keeps them completely out of the eyes of everyone else on the road, and allows for much better all around performance.

Here's a good example....

And a great thread....
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/engines-suspension-wheels-tires-audio-accessories/111641-hids-everything-you-need-know-then-some.html

 

[Unner]

Huge learning curve for me here guys, I appreciate the input and experiences shared, but lighting talk is all greek to me.

What is "wrong" with HID bulbs like this going into standard housings exactly?

Our trucks were designed with Halogen reflectors for Halogen bulbs. HID bulbs need a different type of reflector in them. Most cars with HID's from the factory run them with projectors to get the correct output, but some cars, like the IS300, had HID reflectors without projectors but the reflectors were designed for HID bulbs.

HID's in our housings will shine everywhere but where you need them. The ground directly in front of you, the trees above you, and oncoming traffic. You want your light directed where you need it.

 

[octanejunkie]

Essetially, they're very, very bright. When installed in a reflector housing (no projector) they throw that very, very bright light every which way, including into the eyes of everyone else on the road. There are ways to mitigate this somewhat (HID bulbs that have little shields, aiming your headlights lower, etc), but the best way would be to install a projector into the housing.

The projector acts to focus all off the lighting power below the "cutoff" line which keeps them completely out of the eyes of everyone else on the road, and allows for much better all around performance.

Here's a good example....

And a great thread....
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/engines-suspension-wheels-tires-audio-accessories/111641-hids-everything-you-need-know-then-some.html

Great explanation and info, thanks!

 

[octanejunkie]

Building my Project project list

So after reading this amazing HID thread linked by [MENTION=50507]CookieRoe[/MENTION] (thanks again for the link [MENTION=63487]A.Wilson013[/MENTION]) I have a few questions

1) 4300K or 5000K?
My fogs are 4300K and I don't use them full time like some knuckleheads out there.

2) What paint for the stock reflectors?
I kinda don't want to "ruin" my stock head lights in case I ever want to revert and go back to stock (I'm weird like that and I don't want to spend $$$ or buy aftermarket crap headlights housings to preserve my stock ones) but dip is only rated to 200° and I'm sure it gets hotter than that in there.
Can primer and BBQ paint be removed from stock reflectors or is that a one-way journey?

3) Drill a hole for solenoid wiring?
How are these run through the stock housings, do ya gotta drill?
(nervous about "ruining" stock housings)

4) Halos or nah?
I like the idea of Halos as DRLs and I would wire them to power on with the markers and have a relay turn them off when the actual headlamps are used - but how to route the halo wiring out of the stock housings (same question as 3, sort of)

Thanks in advance, y'all :rockon:

 

[A.Wilson013]

So after reading this amazing HID thread linked by [MENTION=50507]CookieRoe[/MENTION] (thanks again for the link [MENTION=63487]A.Wilson013[/MENTION]) I have a few questions

1) 4300K or 5000K?
My fogs are 4300K and I don't use them full time like some knuckleheads out there.

2) What paint for the stock reflectors?
I kinda don't want to "ruin" my stock head lights in case I ever want to revert and go back to stock (I'm weird like that and I don't want to spend $$$ or buy aftermarket crap headlights housings to preserve my stock ones) but dip is only rated to 200° and I'm sure it gets hotter than that in there.
Can primer and BBQ paint be removed from stock reflectors or is that a one-way journey?

3) Drill a hole for solenoid wiring?
How are these run through the stock housings, do ya gotta drill?
(nervous about "ruining" stock housings)

4) Halos or nah?
I like the idea of Halos as DRLs and I would wire them to power on with the markers and have a relay turn them off when the actual headlamps are used - but how to route the halo wiring out of the stock housings (same question as 3, sort of)

Thanks in advance, y'all :rockon:

I'm a little busy right now, but I'll say this: It's a one way journey, and BBQ paint looks hideous. I like wheel paint and have used it on all but one retrofit when I've painted.

I don't think they offer at 4300k option anymore. I use, and recommend the 4500, but if you want more blue, 5500 is the way to go. In my opinion, anything higher looks tacky.

If you decide you want halos look at the Panamera Switchback shrouds. I just did a set for a user here and I think they looked pretty nice. Not as gaudy as I expected they'd be.

You do not need to drill for the solenoid wiring. Once you remove the reflector piece from the housing it leave a hole that's plenty large enough to fit those two wires.

For the halo wiring you can either drill a hole, or you can notch out the hole your projector goes in. I did the latter of the two as the panamera wiring harness had a great big (like 1" wide) connector mid way through and I was not about to cut a 1" hole in the housing.

Out of order, and short worded. Hope it helps.

 

[octanejunkie]

I'm a little busy right now, but I'll say this: It's a one way journey, and BBQ paint looks hideous. I like wheel paint and have used it on all but one retrofit when I've painted.

Understood. Matte black or grey?

I don't think they offer at 4300k option anymore. I use, and recommend the 4500, but if you want more blue, 5500 is the way to go. In my opinion, anything higher looks tacky.

I found a 35W H1 HID kit on Amazon that features ballasts and bulbs in all temps up to 15000K; I'm vacillating between 4300K and 5000K because I abhor yellow lights.

If you decide you want halos look at the Panamera Switchback shrouds. I just did a set for a user here and I think they looked pretty nice. Not as gaudy as I expected they'd be.

You do not need to drill for the solenoid wiring. Once you remove the reflector piece from the housing it leave a hole that's plenty large enough to fit those two wires.

For the halo wiring you can either drill a hole, or you can notch out the hole your projector goes in. I did the latter of the two as the panamera wiring harness had a great big (like 1" wide) connector mid way through and I was not about to cut a 1" hole in the housing.

Yes, great info and very relieving. Thanks for stealing a few moments to reply, it's very much appreciated.

ps. probably gonna do this on a budget, and yes I know all the adages

 

[octanejunkie]

Parts selection

Looking at this building budget retrofit thread posted by [MENTION=121873]trd4x4[/MENTION], I found the parts on the Amazon per the OP's link: https://amzn.com/B00B21R0TA

Also listed in the budget build is an Innovited 35W HID bulb/ballast kit from Amazon. Color bulbs from 3000K up to 30000K for $40 with a 2-year warranty. Ballasts are potted.

Looking at DDM, I find a very similar looking kit, H1-V2 Bi-Xenon Projectors w/Shrouds, on sale with similar looking shrouds for $45 with free shipping - only difference between these parts I can see is the Lifetime Warranty DDM is offering.

DDM also offers a HID Kit 35W Bulb/Ballast kit for $30 with a $5 upgrade to Ultra bulbs, with a choice of 3000k, 4500K, 5500K, 6500K; also with a Lifetime DDM Warranty. Ballasts here are potted too.

Thoughts on these kits/sources anyone?