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

[Doc_Fry]

Ilegal still illegal, you can interpret it any way you prefer.

I am not interpreting it anyway. There is recommendations then there is law. There are things that meet standards and ones that do not. Just because it doesnt meet some abc standard it does not make them illegal. Yes, some states it is illegal to modify you headlights not where I live. By saying that it is illegal to modify a headlight would even include changing out headlight bulbs different from factory spec...

 

[FourEyedWilly]

Well, my Tundra's headlights (low-beams) were not adjusted properly when I took delivery of it back in 2009. I never modified the headlights at all, and I got flashed all of the time. It might be the case that for some unknown reason your headlights weren't properly adjusted/aimed from the factory.

I don't want to come across as questioning your decision -- personally I do think the stock low-beams are very bright (then again, I came from a 14-year old Saturn that I've been driving for four years). Just throwing this out there as something I experienced.

Did you not have the headlight adjuster in the cab? (left of the steering wheel) I had to aim mine down as they were set at 0.

Glad I don't have all these HID problems. I live in Las Vegas. I think replacing the bulbs with candles would most likely suffice here.

 

[Woz1976-MT]

Did you not have the headlight adjuster in the cab? (left of the steering wheel) I had to aim mine down as they were set at 0.

Nope, I didn't have HID's on my Tundra -- standard halogens (I had an SR5 w/ the TRD Off-Road Package). It's just that the headlights weren't properly aimed from the factory. I finally got sick of having people flash their lights at me so I had the dealer check, voila!

 

[Woz1976-MT]

You are mistaken brother, 10 seconds google search:
Drivers who want a customized look for their car might be tempted to get a HID headlamps kit to install, but this popular alteration is illegal in all 50 states. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that no HID headlamps meet the federal photometric standards, so if you install these you may end up with a pricey ticket.
here is Montana laws for you
Table of Contents, Title 61, Chapter 9, MCA

Please show me the USC (United State Code) or CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) that states that modifying your headlights is prima facie "illegal". And as for MCA's, I am a Montana law enforcement officer and it is NOT illegal to modify your headlights here. There are only requirements for number, height, spacing, and sufficient lighting to reach a certain distance in front of your vehicle.

Read MCA 61-9-202, 61-9-203, 61-9-220, 61-9-221, 61-9-225 and 61-9-226 for specific legal requirements in Montana.

 

[Saker]

More than likely, it was improper adjustment from the factory, which it probably is still improperly adjusted.

Do yourself a favor and check your headlights.

https://www.coolbulbs.com/HID-VISUAL-HEADLIGHT-AIMING-PROCEDURE.pdf


And, I have HID's and don't get flashed. (Properly adjusted)

 

[Victor_inox]

I am not interpreting it anyway. There is recommendations then there is law. There are things that meet standards and ones that do not. Just because it doesnt meet some abc standard it does not make them illegal. Yes, some states it is illegal to modify you headlights not where I live. By saying that it is illegal to modify a headlight would even include changing out headlight bulbs different from factory spec...

whatever floats your boat, I have no dog in this fight.

 

[Woz1976-MT]

whatever floats your boat, I have no dog in this fight.

I don't want this to be a fight, but if you can find in the CFR for vehicle lighting equipment (https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/49/571.108) where is says modifying stock headlights and/or aftermarket HID's are illegal, I will concede to your statement.

I do believe, after I Googled as your suggested, that you found an NHTSA "request for comments" regarding 49CFR571 -- and that has to do with glare from OEM and aftermarket HID's. I do believe there is a requirement to have some kind of glare-limiting cut-off now (haven't found it yet) but that in and of itself doesn't make modifications for HID's illegal. The excessive glare is illegal (and it is in Montana though no one has quantified it yet).

All of the internet sites I found referred to the same NHTSA document, which is not law. So there were a LOT of people giving bad advice on this topic. I'm presenting this so that you and other forum members have actual facts, rather than internet opinion.

PS: Thanks to [MENTION=103267]Saker[/MENTION], now I'm thinking of doing HID low beams again! I'll probably keep changing my mind back and forth for the next six months or so.

 

[RyanEJ25]

Good thing you did that. The problem is the projector is meant for light output from a halogen bulb not and HID bulb. The distance in the projector with an HID bulb changes how the light is projected and there is a cutoff but glare above the cutoff. A proper retrofit with side mounted bulbs is the correct retrofit. I had HIDs in my last Subaru then did a proper retrofit and it's night and day difference. I hate people with reflector type housings and HIDs. They arent meant for that much light and the new distance in the hid bulb so light goes everywhere.

 

[Woz1976-MT]

... I hate people with reflector type housings and HIDs. They arent meant for that much light and the new distance in the hid bulb so light goes everywhere.

Now, "hate" is a strong word (but I definitely understand how you feel).

The high school kids (and adults who will never progress mentally from that era) seem to think you can just pop a xenon bulb in the socket... doesn't work. Well, it does but it blinds the sh*t outta' every other driver on the road.

This brings me to my question... does the kit the OP purchased create a proper cut-off?

 

[proimion]

I'm surprised the level of interest in this. As I predicted in my original post, many of you think this can be "fixed" by re-aiming the lights. I guess you'll have to trust me on this because I have no photos. I don't think the aim is high. 25ft out from my garage door, the light is right where it should be acc'd to guides I've read. I've never been flashed with the halogens.

Here's a functional test I did. I walked 75 feet out on my flat suburban street around 10pm. I stand 6'5". At that height from that distance, it was OK. Very, very, very bright, but the light did not cross that threshold into glare. Then when I squat down about 2-3 feet--blam! Totally blinding light. Debilitating. Of course, 3-4 ft above ground is where you'd be at with, say, a Honda Accord.

This pattern carried over to my road tests in an Accord. Then from behind, if the 4R was far enough behind me so the driver could see my tires on the ground (what they teach in driver ed for safe stopping distance behind a car), then the lights were aimed directly into the trunk lid--OK. But move forward a few feet and the Accord filled with light and the glare came through the mirrors.

I understand that factory aim is not infallible and that the beam moves with different loads and such. But my decision was that I did not want to monkey around with the aim. While it might improve things in certain cases, it still doesn't solve the problem. I was done worrying about my lights and the problems they might be causing other drivers.

 

[proimion]

This brings me to my question... does the kit the OP purchased create a proper cut-off?

No. The kit is just a bulb, wiring, and ballast that is inserted into the existing PROJECTOR housings on the 2016 Toyota. The cutoffs are in the housing, not the bulb and they cannot be adjusted. Nevertheless, acc'd to XenonDepot's web site, this retrofit is a "no brainer" for the 2014-16 4R.

I've since learned that the projector housings on the 2014-16 4R may not be ideal for HID, and my experience backs that up--at least not ideal for other drivers.

The 2010-13 runners had REFLECTOR housings which are totally and in all other ways unsuited for HID.

 

[Woz1976-MT]

No. The kit is just a bulb, wiring, and ballast that is inserted into the existing PROJECTOR housings on the 2016 Toyota. The cutoffs are in the housing, not the bulb and they cannot be adjusted.

I've since learned that the projector housings on the 2014-16 4R may not be ideal for HID, and my experience backs that up--at least not ideal for other drivers.

Yeah, I was aware it's in the lens (projector), I just wasn't sure if Xenon Depot did some kind of reverse engineering or something to create a product that would work with the stock projector. Damn, I keep wondering if it's worth shelling out the cash only to find out I don't like it (at the same time, I've pissed away more money in Vegas -- for nothing).

 

[Victor_inox]

I don't want this to be a fight, but if you can find in the CFR for vehicle lighting equipment (https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/49/571.108) where is says modifying stock headlights and/or aftermarket HID's are illegal, I will concede to your statement.

I do believe, after I Googled as your suggested, that you found an NHTSA "request for comments" regarding 49CFR571 -- and that has to do with glare from OEM and aftermarket HID's. I do believe there is a requirement to have some kind of glare-limiting cut-off now (haven't found it yet) but that in and of itself doesn't make modifications for HID's illegal. The excessive glare is illegal (and it is in Montana though no one has quantified it yet).

All of the internet sites I found referred to the same NHTSA document, which is not law. So there were a LOT of people giving bad advice on this topic. I'm presenting this so that you and other forum members have actual facts, rather than internet opinion.

PS: Thanks to [MENTION=103267]Saker[/MENTION], now I'm thinking of doing HID low beams again! I'll probably keep changing my mind back and forth for the next six months or so.

I linked you a your state law
61-9-203. Headlamps on motor vehicles.
Read for yourself.
particularly this
"Component with which the vehicle was sold or could have been equipped for sale when new as standard or optional equipment in compliance with federal statute or regulation governing the sale at the time of manufacture."
you vehicle hasn`t been sold with HIDs therefore making it illegal to operate on public roads. How about you stop by next state patrol vehicle and ask an officer yourself if you don`t believe me. housing developed for halogen bulb is not correct for HID bulb.

 

[Victor_inox]

Yeah, I was aware it's in the lens (projector), I just wasn't sure if Xenon Depot did some kind of reverse engineering or something to create a product that would work with the stock projector. Damn, I keep wondering if it's worth shelling out the cash only to find out I don't like it (at the same time, I've pissed away more money in Vegas -- for nothing).

One more thing.
Who do you thing Xenon Depot is? developer with proper testing equipment?
No they repackaging chinese made crap like they making it themselves.
same crap can be had on ebay for a fraction of the cost.
I`ve bought some lamps from them only to send it back.

 

[Woz1976-MT]

I linked you a your state law
61-9-203. Headlamps on motor vehicles.
Read for yourself.
particularly this
"Component with which the vehicle was sold or could have been equipped for sale when new as standard or optional equipment in compliance with federal statute or regulation governing the sale at the time of manufacture."
you vehicle hasn`t been sold with HIDs therefore making it illegal to operate on public roads. How about you stop by next state patrol vehicle and ask an officer yourself if you don`t believe me. housing developed for halogen bulb is not correct for HID bulb.

Read the whole entry; you don't get to cherry-pick how the statute is constructed (or interpreted)...

(5) This section does not prohibit the operation or sale of a motor vehicle the headlamps of which are composed of, covered by, or treated with a tinted or colored material, substance, system, or component with which the vehicle was sold or could have been equipped for sale when new as standard or optional equipment in compliance with federal statute or regulation governing the sale at the time of manufacture.

This refers to headlamp coloring, not the actual equipment. And since I enforce these laws I have read them (numerous times), as well as the the accompanying case law combined with discussions with prosecuting attorneys.

 

[proimion]

(at the same time, I've pissed away more money in Vegas -- for nothing).

I hear ya'! I was just in Vegas this week. Of all the mods I've done, this was one of the least expensive. But the one I have agonized over most.

 

[Victor_inox]

Read the whole entry; you don't get to cherry-pick how the statute is constructed (or interpreted)...

(5) This section does not prohibit the operation or sale of a motor vehicle the headlamps of which are composed of, covered by, or treated with a tinted or colored material, substance, system, or component with which the vehicle was sold or could have been equipped for sale when new as standard or optional equipment in compliance with federal statute or regulation governing the sale at the time of manufacture.

This refers to headlamp coloring, not the actual equipment. And since I enforce these laws I have read them (numerous times), as well as the the accompanying case law combined with discussions with prosecuting attorneys.

Like I said whatever floats your boat. Have a good night.

 

[proimion]

One more thing.
Who do you thing Xenon Depot is? developer with proper testing equipment?
No they repackaging chinese made crap like they making it themselves.
same crap can be had on ebay for a fraction of the cost.
I`ve bought some lamps from them only to send it back.

I agree that XenonDepot can't test every possible combination of bulb/housing/vehicle. And I don't expect them too.

However, the quality of the product I got was very good. It came with European-made Philips bulbs, not cheap crap. The product did exactly what it was supposed to. I would buy other products from XenonDepot for sure.

XenonDepot didn't really know what to do with my feedback, though. I don't think anyone has ever told them their product could be too bright for other drivers. I suggest they take the "no brainer" quote off their website and add a little balance to the sales pitch so people know this could be a problem.

 

[e60ral]

I have the same kit, when adjusted to the max legal height they are too bright for oncoming traffic, if you adjust the drivers side down it is not in their eyes.

When I first got mine I spent a lot of time measuring and aiming, however despite the cutoff being where it was "supposed to be" they were still too bright for oncoming traffic (I also confirmed this by driving by my vehicle). Through trial and error I kept adjusting the drivers side down until I could drive by my truck in my wife's fairly low Volvo without issue and I have had no flashing from other drivers after making that adjustment. I keep a screwdriver in the console in case I get flashed again and need to tweak more.

All that being said, I wish there was a lower setting for driving around town and can't understand how anyone uses the higher wattage kit they sell. I've also considered removing mine, but the stock bulbs felt unsafe I'm some situations (for example driving down unlit roads through woods in deer season when there is just enough traffic thatch can't use brights but not enough that I'm benefiting from other headlights, I couldn't see far enough ahead to be comfortable above 45mph)

Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk

 

[On Point]

too much banter to read all the posts.... bottom line, are these for sale or not?