HID Projectors....suggestions???

J

jamesj

New member
i have a 2005 4runner sr5 and i just purchased a brand new set of headlamps and i would love to start the project of putting some HID projectors in the lamps.
which projectors work well with this vehicle and those headlamps? i have heard the LS430's are one of the best you can get. any others?

Finally, if i decide not to take on this project, does anyone here in the forums do this kind of job for a fee? some people i have seen here have done beautiful work and i would love to get into contact with some of them to see if we can work something out.
 
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The output on the LS430's is incredible, but one thing that bothers me about them is that they include a reflector below the projector (which is one of the reasons they cast such a wide beam pattern). Check out these threads at Hidplanet (you might need to register):
HiDPlanet.com
HiDPlanet.com

I am going to be retrofitting RX330/350's with AFS into my headlights in a month or so. I looked at a lot of projectors and finally decided on these on a couple of decisions. LS430's would've been ideal, but they're difficult to come by and are fairly large. TSX's have the weird flare in addition to the step cut-off on the right side. S2000's are nice and sharp but also difficult/expensive to get ahold of. I don't like the slope cut-off of most of the european projectors. The RX's are an ideal balance for me. They have a good width, color is very good on these (if you've seen an RX driving towards you, you will notice some flicker of color--it's not dramatic but nice). They are readily available and can be modified to increase output and produce a sharper cutoff. But, I'm leaving them stock because I don't particularly like the razor-sharp cutoff, there's too much of a contrast between the lit and unlit portions of the beam and it strains my eyes. They also have a uniform beam pattern (compared to the Infiniti FX) with decent foreground light. Another nice projector are the previous generation Acura TL with the step cutoff. They are bi-xenons and are 3" versus 2.5" for all the ones I listed.

I bought a used/broken headlight off eBay to practice on before taking apart the real ones.
 
Hid retrofit

jamesj said:
i have a 2005 4runner sr5 and i just purchased a brand new set of headlamps and i would love to start the project of putting some HID projectors in the lamps.
which projectors work well with this vehicle and those headlamps? i have heard the LS430's are one of the best you can get. any others?

Finally, if i decide not to take on this project, does anyone here in the forums do this kind of job for a fee? some people i have seen here have done beautiful work and i would love to get into contact with some of them to see if we can work something out.
Click to expand...

PM sent
 
I would suggest FX-R over anything also, based on price, availability, ease of installation, size and performance right out of the box. LS430 is a nice projector, widest but not the brightest and its only low beam where FX-R or TL is a bi-xenon. TL is considered the best but you will have clearance issues with battery on drivers side. Measure everything out before going ahead I could barely fit TSX with 1" to spare, any less clearance and it will be nightmare to replace the bulbs. TL is a bit longer and I see a problem here. FX-R can be had for $160 with clear lenses (you want these) when LS430 usally sold OEM with fresnel lense. TL with ZKW-R lenses go for about $230. LS430 cost even more.
I will be re-doing my retro by fall with FX-R
 
Yeah...go with the LS430's if you can find them. I've been running with them for a while now, and the output is incredible. They fit the 4Runner fine and look OEM.
 
I bought my fx-r projectors and love them! I got them from the retrofit source, you can go wrong with them. The output if awesome when driving down the fwy I light up all five lanes!
 
tkr128 said:
The output on the LS430's is incredible, but one thing that bothers me about them is that they include a reflector below the projector (which is one of the reasons they cast such a wide beam pattern). Check out these threads at Hidplanet (you might need to register):
HiDPlanet.com
HiDPlanet.com

I am going to be retrofitting RX330/350's with AFS into my headlights in a month or so. I looked at a lot of projectors and finally decided on these on a couple of decisions. LS430's would've been ideal, but they're difficult to come by and are fairly large. TSX's have the weird flare in addition to the step cut-off on the right side. S2000's are nice and sharp but also difficult/expensive to get ahold of. I don't like the slope cut-off of most of the european projectors. The RX's are an ideal balance for me. They have a good width, color is very good on these (if you've seen an RX driving towards you, you will notice some flicker of color--it's not dramatic but nice). They are readily available and can be modified to increase output and produce a sharper cutoff. But, I'm leaving them stock because I don't particularly like the razor-sharp cutoff, there's too much of a contrast between the lit and unlit portions of the beam and it strains my eyes. They also have a uniform beam pattern (compared to the Infiniti FX) with decent foreground light. Another nice projector are the previous generation Acura TL with the step cutoff. They are bi-xenons and are 3" versus 2.5" for all the ones I listed.

I bought a used/broken headlight off eBay to practice on before taking apart the real ones.
Click to expand...
Along with...tkr128's Two Threads

LS430 Retrofit On 2006 4Runner
HID Retrofit on 2006 4Runner - Toyota - 4Runner . org Forum

via 1MZ-V8

TSX Retrofit On 2007 4Runner
TSX retro finally done! - Toyota - 4Runner . org Forum

TSX Retro Update Pictures
TSX retro update pictures - Toyota - 4Runner . org Forum

S2000 Retrofit On 2007 4Runner
say byebye to my tsx retrofit setup, welcome my s2k on board! - Toyota - 4Runner . org Forum

via lawwailok

TSX Retrofit On 2004 4Runner HID Teaser
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/47504-2004-t4r-hid-retrofit-teaser.html

via paraordnance

[pictures]...TSX Retrofit On Lexus SC300
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/all-other-vehicles/41938-pictures-tsx-retrofit-lexus-sc300.html
 
Me likey this.........

K.C. said:
TSX Retrofit On 2004 4Runner HID Teaser
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/47504-2004-t4r-hid-retrofit-teaser.html
Click to expand...

I have a 2005 and DON'T want to do the 2006+ OEM projectors. When installing the newer projector, the well known grille piece will be missing and having a WHITE runner will make it stand out like a sore thumb. I really like what paraordnance has done with his runner, oh my GAWD it's awesome. I'm handy, but this is something I would definitely not do, much rather pay someone.

How much will buying a retro be about? (with TSX projectors)? Anyone?
 
CookieRoe,

First and foremost....THANK YOU for not wanting to opt for the 2006+ Headlights.

I have the 2006+ projectors because it came w/ the vehicle, but if I didn't have it, I wouldn't bother getting them.

Because they are expensive, the projection isnt that great & the beam pattern isn't sharp.

I would do a retrofit. I've done a TSX projector retrofit on a Lexus SC300 before.

And I'm sure you want them to look OEM like nothing was done to it...I'm the exact way!!

Since you have a 2005, you don't have the shroud like the 2006+.

I would truly and definately get the LS430 Projectors.

I wouldn't even be able to tell you how much TSX/S2000 or LS430 are.

$200-$400...then you need the ballast, the harness and the bulbs.

Money is the least of your worries...trying to find them is another thing.

If you have any additional questions, don't hesitate to let me know.
 
K.C. said:
Money is the least of your worries...trying to find them is another thing. If you have any additional questions, don't hesitate to let me know.
Click to expand...

Getting the 2006+ projectors would've been easier to do, but it would've been the "shortcut" way to do it. I want to keep the stock lenses, but want OEM projector HID (acura, infiniti, lexus, whatever) retro fitted in them. Throwing HIDs at a reflector (or projector) not meant for it is just irresponsible (I don't care what anyone says).

Thanks for offering help!
 
I will be re-doing my retro this winter with something more exotic like LS460 bi-xenons. I really suggest go bi-xenon route, it will be nice addition for driving at night on back roads

Go to HIDPlanet forum, and spend couple weeks reading HID retrofit essentials before you begin, really helps and answers a lot of questions. Its my daily reading now
 
Last edited:
paraordnance said:
I will be re-doing my retro this winter with something more exotic like LS460 bi-xenons. I really suggest go bi-xenon route, it will be nice addition for driving at night on back roads

Go to HIDPlanet forum, and spend couple weeks reading HID retrofit essentials before you begin, really helps and answers a lot of questions. Its my daily reading now
Click to expand...

Can't wait till see your new set-up this winter!

When doing it again would you still color the surround part red, to reduce glare? Did the phillips bulbs help you see the signs better, that you couldn't read before?

I read your teaser thread, were you ever able to do a write up on how to do it?

I have a pretty idea onwhat I need, just some directions on how to do it, any good links?
 
Teqeeler said:
Can't wait till see your new set-up this winter!

When doing it again would you still color the surround part red, to reduce glare? Did the phillips bulbs help you see the signs better, that you couldn't read before?

I read your teaser thread, were you ever able to do a write up on how to do it?

I have a pretty idea onwhat I need, just some directions on how to do it, any good links?
Click to expand...

when I will be re-doing retro, lot of things will be done differently. I dont have any problem with signs any more. A lot of things have changed since I last posted in that thread. Biggest problem was a poor quality bulbs from HID kit. I replaced them with Phillips and its like day and night. Then I changed ballast to 55 watt and moved 35 watt to my fogs, what a difference it made! About 30% brighter and with a fogs on, its almost too bright. Now signs illuminate as they should from light bouncing off the road surface

this thread on HIDPlanet forum has a little more pictures and a lot more discussion, follow through, I might update it soon with some new night shots with my current set-up

2004 4Runner HID retro TSX
 
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