HID vs Halogen

[Uneek]

Here are some comparison shots of HIDs in a 2006 and Halogens from a 2007. The HIDs are Xenon Depot 4300k and Halogens are stock bulbs Toyota uses. Both trucks are stock height V6 4WD and the aim is what's set at the factory. (In case if the extra weight of the V8 might make a difference in ride height or aim.) Hopefully the pictures will illustrate the differences of HIDs and Halogens in the 4Runner projector headlights.

HID on the left and Halogen on the right, if it's not obvious. : Pic taken from in between the two trucks about 15 ft from the wall.

From the Halogen side.

From the HID side.

Difference from looking at the trucks.

 

[Uneek]

HIDs only

From behind the trucks.

I will try and get some more comparison pictures of the light output with the trucks park at a similar distance from inside the cabin, as well as just general distance of how far light is projected out instead of just beam patterns.

 

[kimboy]

Height wise they look about the same. Remember, your pumping out a lot more lumens with the HID Kit. The increased light output is what really differs in the pics.

Nice lights...

 

[flipmode]

I have HID 4300k in lowbeams and fogs, they are AWESOME. The projectors help focus the beams better than the older reflector style lamps too. the stock setup isn't bad at all either.

 

[Uneek]

Height wise they look about the same. Remember, your pumping out a lot more lumens with the HID Kit. The increased light output is what really differs in the pics.

Nice lights...

:iagree:

As an FYI for folks not familiar with HIDs:
This why many retrofitters are against rebased HID kits. (Rebase: Any HID burner (D2S or D2R, etc.) adapted to fit a halogen socket.) HIDs put out about three times the light compared to halogens. Thus halogen optics (reflectors, projectors, etc.) are designed to maximize the light output and any stray light (glare) is not as noticeable. With HIDs, there's now three times the light and stray light--more glare. While the '06 projectors have a decent cutoff and output, there is still glare created from the squirel finder (the dimmer block of light above the cutoff). Anyone using rebased HIDs in the projectors will need to adjust the aim a bit.

I personally believe retrofitting is the best way to go. I gone rebase because the '06 projectors are decent at light output and I don't have time to retrofit HID projectors or want to pay someone to do the retrofit.

 

[Wai]

With HIDs, there's now three times the light and stray light--more glare. While the '06 projectors have a decent cutoff and output, there is still glare created from the squirel finder (the dimmer block of light above the cutoff). Anyone using rebased HIDs in the projectors will need to adjust the aim a bit.

I personally believe retrofitting is the best way to go. I gone rebase because the '06 projectors are decent at light output and I don't have time to retrofit HID projectors or want to pay someone to do the retrofit.

I absolutely agree. I made a similar response in another thread. Hope it helps:

Sorry but I can't resist saying it every time I see threads about those "HID kits".

Putting HID kit in a halogen housing is a BAD IDEA (projector or not). If you look at the cars that have HID as an option, you can easily tell that the projectors for the HID and halogen are quite different even on the same car model. There's a reason for it; otherwise, the manufacturer could have used the exact same projectors/housing to cut down cost.

For HID in halogen housing, you will have glare, blurry cutoff and the visibility is short. So people usually end up aiming them higher, which in turn blinding the on-coming traffic. You get a false feeling that it's brighter, it is because the glare lights up your peripheral vision to make you feel that it is brighter.

To make it work the way it is supposed to, it needs a shroud to confine the light. The shroud can get rid of the glare and gives a sharp bluish cut-off (or purple-ish like the Audi/BMW).

I had a company called Custom Lightz (see sig) to do a retrofit for me in my Integra with JDM long headlights. They used TSX projectors and shroud, and painted my housing gunmetal. The result is stunning:

They have done hundreds of retrofits, and besides TSX projectors, they have also used projectors from E46, A4, A8, S2000, TL, E55, Porsche (Hella), MDX, Evo, etc etc and mate them with other shrouds (or custom shroud). Angel eyes, CCFL, LED, anything you can think of they can retrofit it.

I will have them work on my 4Runner next. Thinking about TL bixenon with custom shroud, and keep the housing chrome. It should look and function great.


IMHO, it's not just the appearance that matters, it's a safety issue too (for you and the ones who share the road with you). I'm not trying to flame anyone who is happy with their HID kit, just some of my opinions that I think worth sharing.

 

[AlphaQup]

Uneek,

I plan to go the same route for my 06. Now my main concern is blinding oncomming traffic. From your own experience, have you been flashed alot after installing your HIDs? I find people flashing me every so often with my stock halogens, and they are leveled!

I just don't want to be blinding people at night from the unwanted glare.

 

[Uneek]

Uneek,

I plan to go the same route for my 06. Now my main concern is blinding oncomming traffic. From your own experience, have you been flashed alot after installing your HIDs? I find people flashing me every so often with my stock halogens, and they are leveled!

I just don't want to be blinding people at night from the unwanted glare.

I've been flashed from time to time. No more than ten times since installing them and I've had them in for about three months and 2k miles, with that about 70% was in night driving. But ever since going HID, even in my other car with halogens sometimes I think I'm being flashed. Maybe I'm going crazy.

From what I read on ToyotaNation with the 6th gen Camry guys, which has a similar projector setup like the 4Runner, you can bend the squirel finder. The squirel finders is created by the shield inside the projector that's bent in at a 45* angle. They said you can take a screwdriver and push that bent flap on the shield back and it'll get rid of the squirel finder and the glare.

I've also talked to 4RunnerRon (he did the detailed HID install write-up) about it and reaiming can help with the glare. The only downside is highbeam and lowbeam are adjusted together, so the highbeam might lose some of its effectiveness.

 

[lkngood]

Hello,

I see that you installed HID to replace your halogen lights. It looks really nice.

I am planning on doing the same. My ownly concern is glare. SInce I will be using the OEM Halogen Housing since the 2005 4Runner did not come with projectors.

Has anyone done a HID upgrade using the OEM Halogen Housing - any issues. I don't really want to get new projection lights and not sure if they even make one for a 2005 4Runner SR5.

Thanks,

 

[Uneek]

Hello,

I see that you installed HID to replace your halogen lights. It looks really nice.

I am planning on doing the same. My ownly concern is glare. SInce I will be using the OEM Halogen Housing since the 2005 4Runner did not come with projectors.

Has anyone done a HID upgrade using the OEM Halogen Housing - any issues. I don't really want to get new projection lights and not sure if they even make one for a 2005 4Runner SR5.

Thanks,

There are some glare from the squirel finders--basically the sheild isn't straight across, there are two cuts and the tab is bent back to allow some light to leak and go up creating glare to illuminate overhead signs. The '07 Camry is similar to the 4Runner's headlights and Camry owners say that tab can be bent forward minimizing glare.

I've seen it done on a '05, there is more glare, but some members with 2003-05s say the glare isn't that bad. It's a no-no, but I have HIDs in my Camry which has reflectors as well. In the Camry, I've never been flashed. Most likely it's probably due to the lower ride height compared to the 4Runner. Do a search for member AlexJet, I know he has HIDs on his '05.

You have two options for projectors. 1) 2006+ OEM headlights. You will also need the garnish trim piece under the headlight and there will be a small gap left next to the grille. 2) There are aftermarket projectors available for the 2003-05 4Runners. There's a thread that discuss the aftermarket headlights. Option #2 would be cheaper.

But ultimately the best choice for HID is a retrofit that member Wai posted above.