I un-installed my HID low beam kit. Here's why.

[Copper78]

Just bought HIDS, installing them today. Need something brighter than the phone screen jammed in people's faces so they can see me comin while they're texting. Case closed.

 

[flatspin]

Seems like there are a lot of opinions and maybe a few axes to grind on this matter. Once again, we can remove the bias and actually do some testing, get real numbers and do some comparisons.

So, once again, if anyone has a light/lux meter here around Austin, we could do a quick test to see the amount of light above cut-off before and after as I still have the old bulbs in my glovebox.

 

[Dragracer_Art]

I had my wife follow me for about 40 minutes a week or so ago. She drove the '16 4Runner with Xenon Depot HID's and I drove the '16 Corolla.

I was getting a little irritated with the amount of glare hitting my mirrors and it was obvious that her HID's were way overpowering my headlights... as I could see MY shadow in the illuminated area of my headlights.

I still love the output of the HID's... but I DO need to crank the adjusters down a bit.

 

[massoverland]

This thread should constantly be up there.

I drive a bunch on county roads across Texas, mostly at night.

I am so happy to finally have found a post which gives one the other side of HID's.

With the increase in 4Runner owners and new members, it's important everyone knows what their HID investment will end up costing others and themselves.

Thanks, OP!

 

[TRUSTYAXE]

A good read for those that havn’t.

 

[Krudy]

If you find it necessary to install HID or LED headlights to see better at night go see your eye doctor. Probably cataracts or Vitamin A deficiency. Your eyes are bad, please don’t make others as well.

 

[badger109]

I was on the fence about getting HIDs (without the proper retrofit) for a long time. I agree the oem lights are sorely lacking in brightness. When on wet roads I often question if the lights are even turned on. Passengers point it out all the time.

Finally one day I encountered another 5th gen with the swap. From a ways back I immediately noticed. Pulled up beside it - night and day difference. I also thought it was aimed more-or-less the same as mine (factory).

As soon I passed the guy I made up my mind really quick. It was terrible... So much glare from the side mirrors, extremely irritating. I'm not gonna put others thru all that.

Fwiw I'm gonna put H9 and 9011 halogens in at some point.

 

[e60ral]

If you find it necessary to install HID or LED headlights to see better at night go see your eye doctor. Probably cataracts or Vitamin A deficiency. Your eyes are bad, please don’t make others as well.

Consumer reports showed they are some of the worst headlights on the market



Most of these complaints can be fixed with a #2 Philips screwdriver in about 2 minutes ... fix your headlight aim

 

[jblawrence25]

What’s up guys, what are your thoughts on something like the company Perde and their bulbs? They are obviously not HID but should be significantly brighter than factory? I have a 2005 4Runner. Any other bulb replacements besides HID or LED that are a lot better without blinding others? Thanks for the info.


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[Krudy]

Consumer reports showed they are some of the worst headlights on the market



Most of these complaints can be fixed with a #2 Philips screwdriver in about 2 minutes ... fix your headlight aim

I wish more people owned a screw driver and had 2 minutes to spare I guess.

 

[Decipher]

If you want really great halogen bulbs with a super white color, check out the Philips Crystal Vision. I've used these in the past in many applications and they are nice and super white, so you get the perception of crisper light since it's higher in the Kelvin scale.


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[Keith Bickford]

Hi. I see you have a 1.75" lift on the front, and a 1" lift on the rear. Did you correct the headlight aim after doing the lift? This is critical as the angle change will cause a projector type light with a very flat top cutoff point to aim above horizon.