HID Retrofit questions; 03-05 or 06-09 housings?

[wvuviv30]

I am replacing my headlights soon on my ’05 4Runner as they are showing their age; the lenses are cracking and glazed over for the second time. So it’s time to Upgrade!!! But I am not sure what path to take? First I question myself on, do I want keep the 03-05 lights/front end or ‘update’ it to a 06-09 look.

My current set-up is Phillips Xtreme (+80) in the Low beam and Phillips HIR in the high beam. I don’t have any complaints with the light output, but wish the distance was a little better on the highway.

I am looking at the Bi-Xenon projector light set-up and I am also going to use the High Beam splitter to have the HIR and HID illuminate at the same time. I haven’t decided yet if I am going with either a 4300K or 6000K bulb. I know there are a ton of benefits to HIDs, brighter and wider lighting. When I am using a Bi-Xenon light, does the distance improve? Especially on high beams? Or would I get more useful distance by using a pair of Hella 500FF (not mod’ed) or IPF 968 lights?

When doing the Retrofit does it even matter to which head light housing to use?

If I stick with the 03-05 housing, which projector should I go with? I also want to stick with an ‘off the shelf’ projector. How much more beneficial is the FX-R over the Mini-D2S? I know that the FX-R has a little more involved with modifying the housing than the Mini-D2S.

If I go with the 06-09 headlights, I see that Morimoto has a Quick-Retro install kit that makes it almost plug & play (with minor mod’ing) using the Mini D2S projector housings. Is there anything “negative” with this kit?


Price comparison: Using the Mini-D2S as the light source

03-05: $400-500
Headlights = $55 x2
HID Mini D2S kit = $295
High Beam Split = $15


06-09: $600-700 for lights, ($800-1000 with body panels)
Headlights = $140 x2
Quick-Retro Kit = $300
Highbeam Split = $15
Below headlight trim = $40 x2
Grill = $100-200

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Seems like you've done your research. As far as difficulty, etc. The 06-09 with the quick retro kit is by far a better option because it's plug and play. The real question is, how comfortable are you doing it on the 03-05 headlights since cutting, etc is involved. And are you willing to spend more to make it easier

I did a retro on my acura years ago, and had a set of projectors that I planned to retro into my 03 headlights but it was just too much of a headache for me to want to take on, so I just waited and bought an 08 that had the projector lights. I do plan to do the quick retro swap sooner or later since it is so straight forward.

The other info I will tell you, is if you want good performance and are going through the trouble of doing the highbeam or bi-xenon route, definitely get 4300K over 6000K. I had 6000K for a few years and it wasn't bright enough so I swapped the bulbs out for 4300K. I have 4300K on my 4Runner now with the stock headlights and everyone thinks it came stock that way, and the light output is so much better.

 

[gaterose]

I've done both, the '06-09 retroquik on mine and the Mini H1 in '03-05s on [MENTION=72620]A_HuL[/MENTION]'s.

The output will be the same since you're going with D2S. I've read that the H1 mini has better output than the D2S and I'm apt to believe that after seeing A_Hul's and another friend with a 1st gen taco.

The '03 wasn't THAT much more difficult than the retro quit. It just involves trimming a bit from the back of the bulb mount, otherwise it's basically plug n play once you have the housing open.

Just make sure you align the projectors, or at least get close, before you seal the lights otherwise you may end up sealing them with a projector misaligned.

Also if you order the retroquk kit, I'd ask for straight adapters for the D2S, the 90 is a tight fit and may require trimming the housing or cause misalignment by pushing against the housing.

Don't forget the 25% off TRS coupon through tacomaworld's ongoing group buy!

My Retrofit

A_Hul's retrofit

 

[wvuviv30]

The other info I will tell you, is if you want good performance and are going through the trouble of doing the highbeam or bi-xenon route, definitely get 4300K over 6000K. I had 6000K for a few years and it wasn't bright enough so I swapped the bulbs out for 4300K. I have 4300K on my 4Runner now with the stock headlights and everyone thinks it came stock that way, and the light output is so much better.

I meant to say 5000k.

I looked it up and it looks like I am running 3700k (low) and 3600k (high) in my current lights.

 

[wvuviv30]

The output will be the same since you're going with D2S. I've read that the H1 mini has better output than the D2S and I'm apt to believe that after seeing A_Hul's and another friend with a 1st gen taco.

I've been reading up on HID Planet as well... I think the MiniH1 has a wider beam but a little shorter distance than the MiniD2S. I would like to stick with the D2S bulb since its the "HID" platform bulb.

After the initial post, I am thinking about this. I'll purchase the MiniD2s first and install and mod the lights, since its the easiest and "safest" to install. IF I don't like the performance I can always resell or rebuild the lights and use the FX-R projectors (or another style).

 

[riceandpho]

i would go with a new 03-05 housing with fxr projectors, i used a mini d2s projectors before, even though it was better than stock 06+ halogen projectors, it wasnt that good of a projector after i swapped it out for a rx projector on my housing. it just dont have enough throw of light where you need the intensity at the distance, the 03-05 housing have more room to put better projectors. you can be [MENTION=50507]CookieRoe[/MENTION] and use tl projectors. but the fxr will perform better than the mini d2s, although the mini h1 is a good performer.

 

[paraordnance]

Get a new set of lights at Rockauto.com for like $130 and install TL with ZKW lenses for like $210. I don't think 06+ conversion will worth it in the end since you have to add all that trim