HID Install- Squirrel Finder(s)?

[RPC]

Hey Ya'll. I pulled the trigger on the Phillips HID kit from XenonDepot and think I'll get it next week some time. Steve says the install is cake but I have a question.

I've been reading a lot about headlight MODs and keep finding threads that talk about "squirrel finders." What are these? Why knock/cut 'em out? The kit is going in an '08 4WD SR5.

Thanks!

 

[4runr30]

x2 I have no clue what people are talking about! :bigok:

 

[thetaxguy]

Make that +3. I have not seen any squirrels with my HIDs.

 

[darkie3495]

the squirrel finder is a metal flap inside the projector. It's used to allow light above the cutoff for halogen bulbs. When you upgrade to HIDs, you'll notice that if you don't bend this down, you'll get a "halo effect" above that cutoff that could potentially blind oncoming traffic.

lawwailok posted a thread showing what it looks like and how to modify it to create a clean cutoff line.

I'm sure someone has it bookmarked and can provide the link.

Hope this helps.

Kevin

 

[RPC]

Nice work Darkie, thanks!

 

[K.C.]

the squirrel finder is a metal flap inside the projector. It's used to allow light above the cutoff for halogen bulbs. When you upgrade to HIDs, you'll notice that if you don't bend this down, you'll get a "halo effect" above that cutoff that could potentially blind oncoming traffic.

lawwailok posted a thread showing what it looks like and how to modify it to create a clean cutoff line.

I'm sure someone has it bookmarked and can provide the link.

Hope this helps.

Kevin

darkie3495,

You're right...here I come!!

Squirrel Finder

Squirrel Finder is the little box above the cutoff line when you turn on the headlight.

The Squirrel Finders will produce glare to oncoming traffic specially if you put HID kit in the 06+ projector style housing.

On-coming cars will flash you, because they think you have your high beams on.

Pictures & Descriptions were a courtesy by lawwailok

HID Project Write Up Detail, Updated With 4300k(PICS)
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=29458

via lawwailok

How To Aim The Headlights On An 2007?
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=41882

via icantsee

 

[RPC]

Excellent, thanks for the link!

Want to weigh in on which option is "best": breaking the metal tab completely off and using aluminum tape to patch the void OR just bending the tab toward the shield until you like what you see?

 

[K.C.]

Excellent, thanks for the link!

Want to weigh in on which option is "best": breaking the metal tab completely off and using aluminum tape to patch the void OR just bending the tab toward the shield until you like what you see?

Don't break off the tab...because it will be close to impossible to fish out the broken tab.

Plus...it will be nearly impossible to put aluminum tape.

Just bend it a little & put the bulb back in & check it. You may have to redo it many times.

 

[RPC]

Thanks again, K.C.

You da' man.

 

[K.C.]

Thanks again, K.C.

You da' man.

You're very welcome!!

I just noticed that you're from Sacramento.

Eric (lawwailok) is setting up an offroading outing on July 4th...I'll keep you posted.

I added you onto my Buddy List.

 

[darkie3495]

darkie3495,

You're right...here I come!!

I knew you would come through....

 

[RPC]

Yeah K.C., right up the road from 'ya!

I've had this bad boy for about two months and haven't seen any dirt yet, but I bought it for a reason & look forward to further information on 7/4!

 

[K.C.]

I knew you would come through....

 

[DCameraMan]

Thanks for the post, about to get HIDs for my 06' and had no idea what the squirrel finder was

 

[RPC]

DAMN, you brought this one back from the dead!

*DC- Have had my HIDs since early 2009 and are still the best mod I've done