How to Aim Headlights

[Clemsonfan15]

I just got my new '99+ headlights today and they look pretty good when they are off. I tried them out tonight and they are WAY off.

I know there are two screws per light to adjust, but I couldn't find a screwdriver small enough to fit in there. Even if I did I wouldn't really know how to aim them properly.

Don't shops do this? Any recommendations on where to take it to get it done? How much should I expect to pay?

I might just have to take it to the dealership.

 

[toytech76]

a standard #2 philips will wok fine, you just need one long enough. You need a set of headlight adjustment units that fit on the headlites to adjust them properly. Dont go to the stealer. You can go to most any shop or even a body shop and they can do it for you. I dont think it would be more than $60 just to aim them

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Alright. I was reading on the internet on how to aim them and it seems like a lot of measuring and very time consuming.

I think I'll just take it somewhere. I was hoping it would be like $20. Lol.

I guess I'll call around. So any body shop? Maybe I'll ask at Auto Zone.

 

[toytech76]

it may only be that much im not sure. Getting to do your own work in a shop sure has its advantages

 

[Clemsonfan15]

it may only be that much im not sure. Getting to do your own work in a shop sure has its advantages

Do they just use a machine to measure the lights and then adjust accordinly?

How long does it take? 15 minutes?

 

[Elton H]

should be two 10mm nuts

 

[Clemsonfan15]

I think those are just to hold the light in here. The auctual adjustment is done by two white knobs on the back.

 

[Elton H]

that's how ive adjusted mine

 

[Stick Figure]

that's how ive adjusted mine

i think you are doing it the hard way.... if you look at the 10mm nut that you are adjusting you should see a "gear" attached to it, well if you use a long #2 screwdriver inserted from the top down you can spin that gear. it basically spins between a could plastic tabs to keep it in place. if you don't get what i'm talking about, i'm pretty sure the procedure is in the owners manual.

 

[00Spork]

Yeah, its not hard at all to aim your lights by yourself, and you can choose where to aim them. Just back into your garage and shut the garage door and use the adjusting screws like he said^^^^. the passenger side is kind of a bi#ch because you have to take the grille off to access one of the adjusters, at least i did. It took me about 20 minutes to get mine adjusted. I would not suggest paying someone else to do something this easy. its really not hard to mess up

 

[Clemsonfan15]

I just don't know where to aim them. I know the driverside one should be a little lower than the passenger side. I mean doesn't the distence you are away from the door make a difference?

 

[MillerPKA]

This is a lot easier than most of you think. Most body shops will do this for you for free, maybe a 5 or 10 dollar hassle fee if you're unlucky. most body shops routinely adjust headlights, i think they usually mark the rolling garage door at a certain point, then you back up a certain distance and adjust accordingly. should take 10 minutes tops

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Your right on Roor. Just got back from Mieneke and they did it for free.

I was honestly expecting to pay, but he was really nice.

He did say he didn't know if it was perfect, since it wasen't dark outside, but said it was better than before. So I guess I'll know tonight.

 

[K.C.]

Here's a reference from the 4th Generation, but I'm sure it's about the same.

How To Aim The Headlights On An 2007?
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=32679

via icantsee

I don't follow the measuring technique. Park behind a normal height passanger car & if you see your headlights in the reflection of the vehicle's side mirror, then your lights are too long.

Just go to a wall & park ~25 feet away from it & adjust the lights.

My friend is a headlight & retrofit nut. He said he adjusted them about 10x before he was satisfied.

 

[spongerx]

Clemsonfan15 lets see some pics of the new headlights. Are they working better than the old ones?

 

[Clemsonfan15]

I think they are. I just went out to some friend's land in the middle of no where last night, only to find out they weren't aimed exactly right, better than before, but still off. Would have been nice to be able to see really well in some sketch areas.

I can tell already that they are wider and I'm pretty sure they are brighter too. It's been raining for the past three days and might snow tonight so I'll see what I can get some pictures.