Heavy_GD
New member
You have a point, during my last inspection they put the headlights in an alignment box (thing) and all was good per their specs but I may adjust them down a little more myself and see if that helps.
HID vs LED for Headlights
- Thread starter Ixz72
- Start date
You have a point, during my last inspection they put the headlights in an alignment box (thing) and all was good per their specs but I may adjust them down a little more myself and see if that helps.
Cool, that was the one I was thinking about. Once I have a few more months on my Sylvania's, I may just go ahead and give that one a shot (since apparently the whiter halogens rarely last more than about 12 months).
With all the new LED bulbs constantly coming out right now, still curious to see if some 4 diode bulbs that would work great appear at some point.
Heavy_GD
New member
Welp, you nailed it... I should have done that months ago.
I adjusted the lights down quite a bit from where they were.
If you have a projector housing, he is correct. Also the hide do not have the heat issues or the clearance issue. The space between the battery and the back of the bulb is pretty tight.
I've done research previous to signing up to this board and I'm convinced I'm going to get HID over LED for my low beams...specifically XD Philips 4300k. I also want similar temp LEDs for the fogs.
As for the High/DRL, I can't think of any options. I'm not sure if HIDs are dimable, but I'm told that LEDs are not, they are either 0 or 100 so they will not function as DRL lights. If you power on your DRLs, you will basically be running the high beams. A rep at XD told me that HIDs won't be the best option for high beams since ppl usually use them in a quick burst, and the HIDs take a while to warm up.
I guess if you dont use DRL's, LEDs would function for the high beams...I'd like to have another option so I can still use my DRLs tho.
SNORunner01
New member
I have xenon depot LED kit... and they are much brighter than the OEM halogens and look better as well.
Not sure how anyone would think the LEDs are not as bright as OEM halogen... that is just incorrect in my opinion. The HID are without a doubt brighter than LED... but I did not care nor want them to be that bright.
Not sure how anyone would think the LEDs are not as bright as OEM halogen... that is just incorrect in my opinion. The HID are without a doubt brighter than LED... but I did not care nor want them to be that bright.
Edwin562
New member
I personally believe that in order to upgrade output on your headlights regardless of what OEM set up you have, a proper projector retrofit for the type of lighting you want is absolutely necessary. LED projector retrofits & HIDs projector retrofits do have their difference. Of course going this route will cost a pretty penny but you are investing in a good solid upgrade output of light. I have been on both sides of this spectrum from my prior builds. For city driving with minimum offroading, just upgrade halogen bulbs to slight upgraded bulbs and then run dedicated LED lights for offroading. such as the PIAA bulbs below:
https://www.amazon.com/15211-Xtreme-White-Performance-Halogen/dp/B00067BVKK
If I absolutely don't like the output of the stock headlights and consider LED/HID upgrade then have a professional retrofit your headlights to your liking. This will ensure to satisfy your needs and not be a complete ******* blinding everyone with poor decision of lighting. Retrofit kit such as kustom 54 as below:
14-18 Toyota 4Runner Retrofit
This is just my .02 cents. :cheers:
I just placed my order for my PIAA halogen bulbs for both my low beams & fog lights. I been using this set up for years and absolutely love it. a Single good quality light bar for those night runs at the trails. That's all I need. :cheers:
https://www.amazon.com/15211-Xtreme-White-Performance-Halogen/dp/B00067BVKK
If I absolutely don't like the output of the stock headlights and consider LED/HID upgrade then have a professional retrofit your headlights to your liking. This will ensure to satisfy your needs and not be a complete ******* blinding everyone with poor decision of lighting. Retrofit kit such as kustom 54 as below:
14-18 Toyota 4Runner Retrofit
This is just my .02 cents. :cheers:
I just placed my order for my PIAA halogen bulbs for both my low beams & fog lights. I been using this set up for years and absolutely love it. a Single good quality light bar for those night runs at the trails. That's all I need. :cheers:
jasonaaron480
New member
I had led for a year in my low beams and then switched to a 55w HID kit and noticed a major difference immediately.
I made a video here that shows how to install the HIDS and also compares them to the LEDs I had as well
Toyota 4Runner - HID install | The Ronin Chronicle
Let me know what you think!
I made a video here that shows how to install the HIDS and also compares them to the LEDs I had as well
Toyota 4Runner - HID install | The Ronin Chronicle
Let me know what you think!
Axix23
New member
nice video.
meltdowner
Member
I don't know about that... I have stock headlights and the visibility is low. With an HID upgrade you get great visibility at night... especially on dark highways and it's very helpful.
Projector retrofit
I have my old projectors for sale. They are clear glass and will fit 4th gen.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-...en-projector-headlights-2006-$100-obo-dc.html
I have my old projectors for sale. They are clear glass and will fit 4th gen.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-...en-projector-headlights-2006-$100-obo-dc.html
A couple of quick things.
In my 2014 LE, I replaced my low beams with Xenon Depot H11's HID with Phillips 4300 bulbs and I LOVE them. Had to adjust them down quick a bit though as they were too far up. Even had to adjust them down more when I lifted. I've had them on probably 2 years and I've only been flashed when I had a ton of weight in the back.
My wife has a Subaru Outback with HIDs from the factory and our cutoff from distance is the same. Also same "bleed" from above the cut off. So people complaining that our projectors can't handle HIDs don't know what they are talking about.
As for High Beams, I'm waiting on the new Xenon Depot 9005 LEDs that will run dim for the DRLs too.
In my 2014 LE, I replaced my low beams with Xenon Depot H11's HID with Phillips 4300 bulbs and I LOVE them. Had to adjust them down quick a bit though as they were too far up. Even had to adjust them down more when I lifted. I've had them on probably 2 years and I've only been flashed when I had a ton of weight in the back.
My wife has a Subaru Outback with HIDs from the factory and our cutoff from distance is the same. Also same "bleed" from above the cut off. So people complaining that our projectors can't handle HIDs don't know what they are talking about.
As for High Beams, I'm waiting on the new Xenon Depot 9005 LEDs that will run dim for the DRLs too.
Let me explain a bit further as you might be confused on what others have said. No one said that our projectors can't handle HIDs. But what they did say is that it isn't designed for HID use.
I'll explain why our projectors are not designed for HID use and the differences as best I can - If you look at our halogen projector and a HID projector they look very similar. It has bulb, projector glass, cutoff, etc - all there. But the lens design is very different. Halogen projectors lenses are designed for a hot spot in the middle field of view. This hot spot gives drivers a further throw to see down the road. OEM HID projectors lenses are designed to spread the light as wide as possible and create less of a hot spot in middle. The reason is because HID bulbs are much brighter than halogens and don't need a hot spot to throw the light. When you are using HID bulbs in a halogen projector housing this hot spot is much brighter than intended and while you may see better this hot spot is more dangerous for oncoming drivers as you are effectively blinding them. This is why everyone recommends re-aiming the projector so the light doesn't blind oncoming traffic.
good HID projectors have a hot spot, the hot spot is what you want and why LED's don't make good headlights (the 2 point sources in the projector don't allow it to properly focus the hot spot). ths hot spot is in your lane not in the face of other drivers.
Not sure why you are quoting me as I did not misstate nor did I say that good HID projectors don't have a hot spot.
What I said was "OEM HID projectors lenses are designed to spread the light as wide as possible and create less of a hot spot in middle."
i quoted you because there isn't anything magical about the projector design, HIDs just have more lumens than the halogen bulb. all of your isocandela plots will have a hot spot in the middle because that's what you want, glare on the side is low intensity and has nothing to do with the hot spot.
The reason you have to adjust your aim is because it's a large amount of light, very high up, and the US light pattern is diffused and intended to throw light further than the european pattern which requires sharp vertical cutoffs and the cost of distance.
The reason you have to adjust your aim is because it's a large amount of light, very high up, and the US light pattern is diffused and intended to throw light further than the european pattern which requires sharp vertical cutoffs and the cost of distance.
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Let me explain a bit further as I don't think you understood MY point.
I wasn't debating the housing design specs. Neither you nor I know the original design specs for the headlight housing, unless you have the inside scoop and work for Toyota. And that really isn't the issue.
What IS the issue is if HIDs will work in the housing and how well they work, right? Again, my point is that looking at the light output for the Subaru OEM HID vs my 2014 4Runner with Xenon HIDs, you can hardly tell the difference. The only difference being mine is a bit brighter (thanks Phillips bulbs..).
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