How to do the 03->06 Headlight Swap.
- Thread starter Krayziekid
- Start date
Krayziekid
New member
If you don't have DRLs and don't want them up top, you should still get the harness but shouldn't need to splice the turn signals, unless you want quad turn signals lol. You are still going to need to splice in to the parking light connector for the new parking light.
Even if you don't do that, you should get the harness just to plug up the holes with a proper seal.
Krayziekid
New member
Nope. No major updates. The lights and wiring has been working fine. I ended up taking out the bottom (03) DRL bulbs and putting the top (06) DRL bulbs in cause I thought it looked nicer. The bottom ones don't do anything anymore.
Other than that, I am really happy with everything about them. The wiring has stayed strong, the bulbs are still pretty sweet, and I went through some serious muddle puddles and I didn't have a single problem with seals or anything. Now I'm itching to do other mods like this too! Roof rack with even more lights maybe?
Az4runnin
Senior Member
Nope. No major updates. The lights and wiring has been working fine. I ended up taking out the bottom (03) DRL bulbs and putting the top (06) DRL bulbs in cause I thought it looked nicer. The bottom ones don't do anything anymore.
Other than that, I am really happy with everything about them. The wiring has stayed strong, the bulbs are still pretty sweet, and I went through some serious muddle puddles and I didn't have a single problem with seals or anything. Now I'm itching to do other mods like this too! Roof rack with even more lights maybe?
Ya I am Going to get a aftermarket Front Bumper so The Bottom DRL's aren't to Important. Headlights have to Be a Nice Upgrade.
Krayziekid
New member
Yea I eventually want a front bumper too. The headlights were a huge upgrade. Not only are they better than the older 03 housings, but they are also wayyyyy shinier and cleaner which offers even more light output.
So I just ordered 06 headlights, and have no turns in my bumper currently, (LEDs tapped and taped on) and have never had DRLs. If I get the DRL/flasher relay, and then wire as you have with the exception of tapping into the bumper mounted DRL/turn, I should have full functionality?
Krayziekid
New member
I'm confused by the question. What year is your current 4Runner? Are you doing the full 06+ swap (as in as you getting rid of the old reflector assemblies for the new projector ones?)
I am confused as to what you mean by you have no turns in your bumper currently. Are you saying you don't have any turn signals at all?...
Correct, reflectors out, projectors in, 04. As mentioned above, I have LED strips taped on, steel bumper, getting rid of the LEDs and the turns into the headlights is one of the main goals of the swap as well.
Here is what I am working with.
Last edited:
Krayziekid
New member
Correct, reflectors out, projectors in, 04. As mentioned above, I have LED strips taped on, steel bumper, getting rid of the LEDs and the turns into the headlights is one of the main goals of the swap as well.
Here is what I am working with.
Ah ok that makes way more sense. Didn't realize you had an aftermarket bumper. So you want to get rid of those LED strips and make it so you have your turn signals in the 06+ housings? That should be easy as extending the stock turn signal wiring up to the new 06+ harness and matching the colors. That will give you a turn signal in the 06+ housing. I am honestly not 100% sure how to do the DRLs, so I don't really want to comment. I am sure someone around the forum has added DRLs, so there might be a post about it somewhere. I am not sure if it is as easy as adding the relay/flasher or not.
Cool, thanks for the input, I will do some more digging on the DRL flasher, I think that should work though.
TRDSilverBulitt
New member
DRLs are mentioned in the swap. What if my 05 didn't come with DRLs? Do I still need to rewire? Thanks.
Krayziekid
New member
Yes. Either way, you need to do the wiring. 03-09 4Runner's DRLs and turn signals are the same. It all depends though.
Do you want to leave you're turn signals in the lower bumper? Or do you want them in the new headlight housings? If its the former, you don't need to do anything. If its the latter, you need to rewire. Let me know if you have any other questions
vincentshumai
New member
Is this the trim for underneath the headlights?
https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1115175&cc=1432833&jnid=511&jpid=0
I would need the Left + Right side. Going to attempt this mod over the weekend after I get all the correct parts. Thanks for the write up!
https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1115175&cc=1432833&jnid=511&jpid=0
I would need the Left + Right side. Going to attempt this mod over the weekend after I get all the correct parts. Thanks for the write up!
Sir please do a build thread. I have seen your builds on other forums :jaw:
Krayziekid
New member
Yup! Those are the two little trim pieces you need. I ordered them from rock auto too, and they come in an off-black kind of color. I don't know what color 4Runner you have, but for me, a couple of coats of primer and gloss black rustoleum worked perfectly and doesn't look out of place.
Got my swap done, ended up using the 1157a dual filament bulb. I got an 1157 socket and wired one to the turn, and the other to my fogs, which I run as DRLs basically. Happy with the outcome.
Running 4300k hid kit with them as well, pretty happy with the output, but will be doing a retro for sure at some point.
Running 4300k hid kit with them as well, pretty happy with the output, but will be doing a retro for sure at some point.
vincentshumai
New member
Haha, which cars? This is my first SUV ever so this is all a learning experience for me. Crazy how you recognized my username though :girl:
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