HID upgrade, which one to go with?

[scott78945]

Guess I have decided to upgrade my headlights to HID as LED's just don't seem to have the technology there quite yet for the same brightness. I have done loads of searching and found 2 of the most popular brands are Kensun and T4R sponsor, XenonDepot.

XenonDepot is roughly double the price of the Kensun brands HID's from Amazon. Is one really that much better than the other? Can anyone comment on if they have tried/used either of these. I believe the 2014's use H11's in the headlights and fogs. I would be upgrading both. I can't see upgrading the high beams as I rarely use them and upgrading the DRL seem that I would go through bulbs fairly quickly given that they are on all the time.

Anyone use LED's with good outcome? Thoughts? Thanks guys.

 

[Lexusbstrdchild]

Have the xenon depot h11 hids in the stock projectors. Love them. Its a great solid kit with no issues. You cant go wrong. Great bulbs, ballasts, separately fused and relayed lights. Highly recommend it.

 

[Saker]

[MENTION=2458]scott78945[/MENTION],

Your low beams are H11's & your Fogs are H16's.
H16's run at a lower wattage than the H11's and the fogs with HID's will probably blind oncoming vehicles.
Check this out for the Fog Light solution, I just installed some and they work really good and color match your 5000 kelvin HID's.
Link: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/172771-direct-replacement-led-fog-light-assemblies-2014-other-5th-gens.html

I have used products from The Retrofit Source with great results. Good people to deal with. Very knowledgable, with great products!
Check out the link: H11: Morimoto Elite HID System - HID Systems from The Retrofit Source Inc for the H11 system with a five year warranty instead of a 3 year from XenonDepot.
Hope this helps & good luck on your purchase!

 

[scott78945]

Thanks guys for the info. I'll have to check them out Saker. I was hoping I could upgrade the fogs with just putting in new bulbs so that retro fit will have to wait a little.

 

[ccastonguay]

Just a consideration

Good morning, First post, I have been deep lurking in the posts, getting ready to pull the trigger on a TE or TEP, I have come across a couple posts in regards to HID or LED lights.

Since I have recently moved to Colorado, there have been a few concerns about the led lights not providing enough heat to melt frost or ice from the head lamps/ fogs. I only mention this because it says your location is NY.

Just my .02

 

[Saker]

Thanks guys for the info. I'll have to check them out Saker. I was hoping I could upgrade the fogs with just putting in new bulbs so that retro fit will have to wait a little.

Forgot to mention, check out post 101 in the first link I provided.
(There is a discount code there)

 

[scott78945]

Good morning, First post, I have been deep lurking in the posts, getting ready to pull the trigger on a TE or TEP, I have come across a couple posts in regards to HID or LED lights.

Since I have recently moved to Colorado, there have been a few concerns about the led lights not providing enough heat to melt frost or ice from the head lamps/ fogs. I only mention this because it says your location is NY.

Just my .02

Never thought of that, thanks. I will probably be going with HID for the lows and maybe just stick with the stock for the fogs for a little while longer. They will look a little odd but it is what it is.

 

[Jhalko]

Never thought of that, thanks. I will probably be going with HID for the lows and maybe just stick with the stock for the fogs for a little while longer. They will look a little odd but it is what it is.

I've had multiple snow storms I've been caught in where the stock halogens didn't melt the snow and ice of either. I wouldn't have that be your deciding factor. I added some amber rigid spot's in my lower grill which is nice.

 

[adio3x]

The difference between XD and that other brand is the hardware. XD uses genuine Philips bulbs, which are also used by high end car manufacturers. I've never had a problem with my XD Extreme kits as far as burnouts go and I've had them in since 2010.

 

[Miguelon]

The Retrofit Source Inc

 

[scott78945]

Thanks guys for all the replies. I was hoping I was going to get a better idea of which to choose but now with all these other options posted I am now even more confused, LOL....

 

[Saker]

I just placed an order with TRS after speaking with Carlos there.
Everyone has to succumb to their own personal preferences! :lol:
I was informed of no heat issues in the 2014 T4R OEM halogen projectors with the 50W ballasts & bulbs.
I also went with the XB35 bulb because it is a better bulb.

H11: Morimoto Elite HID System

Ballasts: 2 x AMP: Morimoto 5Five DSP
Bulbs: 2 x H11: XB35 5000K
Harness Type: 1 x HD Relay: H11/H9/H8

 

[mugenrios2k]

good info....

saving for later reference :bravo:

 

[GtothedoubleE]

[MENTION=103267]Saker[/MENTION]

New to the forum here but quick question I also want to upgrade the lights I have 2014 Limited 2x4 with Halogen Projectors. Let's say you pop in Piaa bulbs is that not suggested or is it better to get a morimoto setup from TRS like the one you bought and install that? Can that also just be put into oem halogen projector housing without issue?

Sorry if this is basic information just very confused if you need something else to get that HID look and I wanna do it correctly and not blind other drivers on the road.

Thanks in advance.

 

[F1scher]

You are referring to replacing the stock bulbs with a PIAA Halogen bulb? As long as your wattage is safe, then yes, that is fine. You have stock halogens, and plan to replace them with another halogen.

This conversation is in regards to replacing the stock halogen bulbs, with a PnP HID kit. It may not be the first choice for a retrofit, but the stock halogen projectors in the 2014 seem to accommodate a high quality HID kit, like those sold by TRS, without major glare issues. We dont need to start the discussion again about HIDs in a halogen projector.

The choice is yours obviously, but you really wont get the look/output of HIDs with a halogen bulb. Any halogen bulb that has the "look" of a HID in terms of coloration, likely will have lower output that your stock halogen. You really cant compare the two.

It would be my recommendation, that should you want to upgrade your halogens with another halogen bulb, you look into a Phillips or Osram bulb (X-Xream Vision by Phillips, or Osram Night Breakers might be worth looking into). Anything above 5k (4300k really) will decrease your overall luminosity. I am by no means a lighting expert, but there are a million discussions out there on the most luminous halogen bulbs available. Check out Daniel Stern, or the Candlepower forums .

[MENTION=103267]Saker[/MENTION]

New to the forum here but quick question I also want to upgrade the lights I have 2014 Limited 2x4 with Halogen Projectors. Let's say you pop in Piaa bulbs is that not suggested or is it better to get a morimoto setup from TRS like the one you bought and install that? Can that also just be put into oem halogen projector housing without issue?

Sorry if this is basic information just very confused if you need something else to get that HID look and I wanna do it correctly and not blind other drivers on the road.

Thanks in advance.

 

[GtothedoubleE]

[MENTION=108915]F1scher[/MENTION]

Thanks for the information! I'm leaning towards getting the HID Kit from TRS if it's safe to do so with the OEM Halogen Projector, that makes it easier.

 

[Saker]

You are referring to replacing the stock bulbs with a PIAA Halogen bulb? As long as your wattage is safe, then yes, that is fine. You have stock halogens, and plan to replace them with another halogen.

This conversation is in regards to replacing the stock halogen bulbs, with a PnP HID kit. It may not be the first choice for a retrofit, but the stock halogen projectors in the 2014 seem to accommodate a high quality HID kit, like those sold by TRS, without major glare issues. We dont need to start the discussion again about HIDs in a halogen projector.

The choice is yours obviously, but you really wont get the look/output of HIDs with a halogen bulb. Any halogen bulb that has the "look" of a HID in terms of coloration, likely will have lower output that your stock halogen. You really cant compare the two.

It would be my recommendation, that should you want to upgrade your halogens with another halogen bulb, you look into a Phillips or Osram bulb (X-Xream Vision by Phillips, or Osram Night Breakers might be worth looking into). Anything about 5k (4300k really) will decrease your overall luminosity. I am by no means a lighting expert, but there are a million discussions out there on the most luminous halogen bulbs available. Check out Daniel Stern, or the Candlepower forums .

You responded & explained it very well!

 

[Saker]

[MENTION=108915]F1scher[/MENTION]

Thanks for the information! I'm leaning towards getting the HID Kit from TRS if it's safe to do so with the OEM Halogen Projector, that makes it easier.

You can call the people at TRS, tell them what vehicle you have, discuss your desired outcome and concerns, if you have any. They will surely guide you in the right direction.
I spoke with Carlos, he was quite familiar with the 2014 T4R halogen projectors and what will work without issue.

 

[GtothedoubleE]

[MENTION=103267]Saker[/MENTION]

thanks I will be giving them a call this week. New to all this and loving my 4 runner so far! thanks for the help guys.

 

[F1scher]

You can call the people at TRS, tell them what vehicle you have, discuss your desired outcome and concerns, if you have any. They will surely guide you in the right direction.
I spoke with Carlos, he was quite familiar with the 2014 T4R halogen projectors and what will work without issue.

You have any idea what the necessary wire modification is (in terms of the dust boot) i.e. is there drilling required?

Also - I know there was a thread somewhere about wiring the TRS harness to the stock adapters - has there been any clarification if the harness directly plugs into the stock adapters?