How do I adjust headlights.

[vicpick58]

Tried the Google search, but did not see anything about how to do a 5th gen T4R.

Now that the days are getting shorter, I am using the headlights more and have been getting flashed by oncoming drivers more and more. I carry quite a bit of weight in tools and equipment and my TE so the lights shine a little high.

I just went out and tried to figure out how to adjust them, I put a socket on what I thought was the adjusting screw and turned it quite a bit one way and then the other but got no change in the aim of the light beam.

Do any of you guys know if there is some kind of trick to doing what I thought would be a simple headlight aiming?

 

[Dagwoods]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/103306-aiming-headlights-down.html

This thread helped me. Was the third result on search page when I searched "headlight adjustment, 5th gen"

 

[GrantK]

There is a small bolt on the back of the headlight module between the high and low beam. IIRC, the passenger side you tighten to lower, the driver side you loosen to lower. It takes a LOT of turns to adjust them just a little. I think I rotated about 5 full turns to lower the lights 2" at ten feet.

Try it at night where you can see it against a wall at 10-20 ft.

 

[chargedtaco]

You can also use a philips screw driver...more room than using a ratchet.

 

[GrantK]

You can also use a philips screw driver...more room than using a ratchet.

Mine doesn't have a Phillips head and there is no way you could get a screwdriver between the light and battery.

 

[Jtraskell]

Mine doesn't have a Phillips head and there is no way you could get a screwdriver between the light and battery.

Grant, look at Harpers photo here....http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/63007-headlight-aiming.html#post527781

You see those two plastic Rails, just above the ratchet bolt? Those plastic rails/ridges act like a guide. Get a long enough Phillips head, place it in-between the rails and what you should find, is a Phillips head screw there, then start turning. Be Safe.

 

[GrantK]

Grant, look at Harpers photo here....http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/63007-headlight-aiming.html#post527781

You see those two plastic Rails, just above the ratchet bolt? Those plastic rails/ridges act like a guide. Get a long enough Phillips head, place it in-between the rails and what you should find, is a Phillips head screw there, then start turning. Be Safe.

I see what you're talking about. It's not actually a Phillips head screw in the channel, but a Phillips head screw driver placed in the channel can be used to turn the adjusting bolt by working against the cutouts in the side of the washer under the bolt.

Looks easier than using a socket and ratchet. I'm going to try that next time.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Yeah back in school we were adjusting a Honda I think and were like, "damn these headlamps are a pain in the ass to adjust!" Spent something like an hour trying to adjust them when it finally dawned on me after the god knows how many times I stared at the head light housing.

It was one of those 2001 Space Oddessy moments, took philips head screwdriver, inserted into slot where geared washer met and turned, insert chorus, black monolith, and happy screeching. LoL

 

[Jtraskell]

I see what you're talking about. It's not actually a Phillips head screw in the channel, but a Phillips head screw driver placed in the channel can be used to turn the adjusting bolt by working against the cutouts in the side of the washer under the bolt.

Looks easier than using a socket and ratchet. I'm going to try that next time.

Ahh, when I adjusted mine, I could never see what the end of the Phillips was hitting, I just know it worked very easy.....I assumed it was a Phillips head screw fitting or whatever....now I know. Silly me for assuming....be safe.

 

[vicpick58]

OK now I understand, it was the bolt/screw that I thought it was. I just did not understand that it would take a LOT of turning until results happen.

I also must admit that I did not get the Phillips screwdriver thing until you all explained it.

As a contrast the fog light aiming knob is quite sensitive, just barely turn it for results.

Thanks for the help.

 

[PapasToy]

Adjustment screw not attached

I was able to adjust the headlight on the passenger side of my 2011 Trail Edition but the adjustment screw on the driver side headlight appears to be disconnected from the light since the light just flops around when I reach behind the light and push on it. I have turned the screw both directions using the philips screwdriver trick revealed in this thread (Thank you!).

Has anybody come across this problem and found a way to reconnect the adjustment screw to the headlight?

In the meantime my driver side headlight is pointing into the ground.

 

[Saker]

I was able to adjust the headlight on the passenger side of my 2011 Trail Edition but the adjustment screw on the driver side headlight appears to be disconnected from the light since the light just flops around when I reach behind the light and push on it. I have turned the screw both directions using the philips screwdriver trick revealed in this thread (Thank you!).

Has anybody come across this problem and found a way to reconnect the adjustment screw to the headlight?

In the meantime my driver side headlight is pointing into the ground.

Sounds like you may need to remove the headlight assembly and see whats going on.
You should be able to figure it out then, you may need to order a assembly....IDK

Looked this up on rockauto, see the photo.
I see the adjuster in the photo...this should look exactly like yours......

 

[LandCruiser]

Yeah back in school we were adjusting a Honda I think and were like, "damn these headlamps are a pain in the ass to adjust!" Spent something like an hour trying to adjust them when it finally dawned on me after the god knows how many times I stared at the head light housing.

It was one of those 2001 Space Oddessy moments, took philips head screwdriver, inserted into slot where geared washer met and turned, insert chorus, black monolith, and happy screeching. LoL

https://youtu.be/nIwrgAnx6Q8

 

[PapasToy]

Thank you, Saker. That is the one.

I was hoping for a short cut but I think you are right in that I may need to pull the whole assembly and even then it appears to be completely enclosed. I may look into upgrading the lights if I have to replace the assembly anyway.

 

[CK4RNR]

Is this applicable on a 2016? Can't seem to find the bolt being referenced, or any bolt at all?

 

[CK4RNR]

Found the adjustment screw!

 

[Superd]

2016 access holes

For those like me who had problems following this perhaps this will help:
1. Open hood
2. Look for holes in plastic over top of lights between hi and low beams.
3. Stick Phillips driver through hole and engage serrated edge
4. Turn until appropriate
5. Kick self severely in shins for not figuring this out

Other observations developed the hard way:
1. Those plastic pop studs you would have removed to figure this out push down hard to release and lift them out.
2. When you put them back and want them to stay just push until they click. NOT all the way.
3. LED bulbs do not work well in projector lights but HID bulbs work fine if you realign.
4. LED in main beams and fogs are a revelation

 

[sbronemann]

My wife is less than impressed with the stock headlights. Ordered some Phillips LED H11 bulbs from Xenon Depot yesterday. So gonna give them a try and see how they work out.

For those like me who had problems following this perhaps this will help:
1. Open hood
2. Look for holes in plastic over top of lights between hi and low beams.
3. Stick Phillips driver through hole and engage serrated edge
4. Turn until appropriate
5. Kick self severely in shins for not figuring this out

Other observations developed the hard way:
1. Those plastic pop studs you would have removed to figure this out push down hard to release and lift them out.
2. When you put them back and want them to stay just push until they click. NOT all the way.
3. LED bulbs do not work well in projector lights but HID bulbs work fine if you realign.
4. LED in main beams and fogs are a revelation

 

[Saker]

My wife is less than impressed with the stock headlights. Ordered some Phillips LED H11 bulbs from Xenon Depot yesterday. So gonna give them a try and see how they work out.

You will be even much more less impressed when you place those LED's in your projectors.....

They don't play well there.

 

[sbronemann]

You will be even much more less impressed when you place those LED's in your projectors.....

They don't play well there.

I have read both sides of it. Some say they are amazing, some say they don't make a difference. It's definitely a lot of $$ to not make a difference!