My dilemma....

[kimberco]

So I purchased my first T4R back in March and I'm loving it! It's a 2005 Sport V8 and I've had ZERO problems with it until just yesterday. My low beam bulb burnt out, easy fix right? I pull into my local advanced auto parts store to grab a new bulb and open up my hood only to find that it was converted by the previous owner to a H.I.D. Lighting Ballast system. The only research I have found online is that these are now (or always have been) illegal? I do not have the funds to convert these back to stock as I'm hearing it would cost me several hundred dollars at a shop to rewire everything. What are your thoughts? Are there bulbs that I can put into this system that are legal? Is this a common problem others of you have run into? Any help would be great as I'm currently rolling on one headlight! HELP!
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[gaterose]

You can find those HID bulbs on ebay for $5-50, but if you want to go back to stock just get some 9006 bulbs, unplug that red plug from the ballast (in your 1st picture) and plug your 9006 into that and put the bulb in the housing.

Not sure who told you it would cost hundreds to rewire, but that light has not been rewired in the first place. That red plug is the factory 9006 bulb plugin. To remove the HID system, simply remove the bulbs, unplug that red plug, and pull the ballasts out; then replace with a 9006 bulb.

edit- this is of course assuming your headlight looks like this

not this

 

[gaterose]

Here's what it looks like stock

that's the same plug you have.

 

[gaterose]

Quick, unrelated question. Can you fit those '06+ headlamps into an '03-'05 without extreme modification?

Yes, there are several threads that talk about this and a lot of members (including myself) who've done it. You will have to have the filler pieces under lamps (~$30/ea OEM, prolly cheaper elsewhere) and a wiring harness (same thing- ~$30/ea OEM, prolly cheaper elsewhere) if you want to use the blinker in the '06 housing. You'll also need H11 bulbs and H11 connector (or H11 HID kit and no connector) and there will be a small triangular gap between the lamp and grille at the bottom. If you want more info, search; the info is definitely on here, with pictures.

 

[krupnation]

OP, how is the HID bulb seated in the headlight housing? I don't see the 3-prong holder like I had in mine. If you look at your high beam bulb you'll see what I mean, or look at the pic Gaterose posted. You should have 3 screws holding a little plastic bracket that accepts the 3-prongs on the 9006 headlight. You insert the bulb, turn it 1/4 turn and it locks in place. That looks like a ghetto setup.

 

[shootersanks]

Not sure who told you it would cost hundreds to rewire, but that light has not been rewired in the first place. That red plug is the factory 9006 bulb plugin. To remove the HID system, simply remove the bulbs, unplug that red plug, and pull the ballasts out; then replace with a 9006 bulb.

This^. To me it looks like a plug and play HID conversion kit. You should be able to disconnect the ballast from the original plug and connect that to a 9006 bulb and be good to go.

 

[kimberco]

They actually look like this:
do I still have the same options with the red wires?
If I have to stick with the HID bulbs, which ones should I buy? I'm not familiar with all the different models and brightness settings.. Thanks so much for the advice!

[/QUOTE]

 

[gaterose]

Are you certain it's that light and not the other? If it is that light, then that means someone has put 2006+ headlights in your '05 4runner.

The easiest solution is to buy a pair of H11 HID bulbs from eBay or DDMTuning.com or wherever else. I would go with 4300K for normal yellow/white light or 6000K for a slightly whiter/bluer light; anything else you're going to be compromising useful light for a "stylish" color.

To use halogen (non HID) bulbs you'll need to buy two H11 connectors and H11 bulbs, as that's the bulb '06+ lamps use. Then replace the red connector with the new H11 connector.

HID bulbs put out much brighter light but in the '03-05 reflector housing can be blinding to oncoming traffic; the '06 projector housings have a shield that can keep the light from blinding traffic by blocking light above a certain horizontal line (called the cutoff).

If you stick with HIDs you may want to search "squirrel finder mod" here on the forum and see if it appears the lamps have had that done. It's a very simple mod that keeps the HIDs from blinding others (and possibly getting you pulled over) and only requires sticking your finger in where the bulb goes and bending the cutoff tab down a bit.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Looks to me like stock wiring is intact, you should be able to remove those and put stock bulbs in no problem

 

[kimberco]

Are you certain it's that light and not the other? If it is that light, then that means someone has put 2006+ headlights in your '05 4runner.

The easiest solution is to buy a pair of H11 HID bulbs from eBay or DDMTuning.com or wherever else. I would go with 4300K for normal yellow/white light or 6000K for a slightly whiter/bluer light; anything else you're going to be compromising useful light for a "stylish" color.

To use halogen (non HID) bulbs you'll need to buy two H11 connectors and H11 bulbs, as that's the bulb '06+ lamps use. Then replace the red connector with the new H11 connector.

HID bulbs put out much brighter light but in the '03-05 reflector housing can be blinding to oncoming traffic; the '06 projector housings have a shield that can keep the light from blinding traffic by blocking light above a certain horizontal line (called the cutoff).

If you stick with HIDs you may want to search "squirrel finder mod" here on the forum and see if it appears the lamps have had that done. It's a very simple mod that keeps the HIDs from blinding others (and possibly getting you pulled over) and only requires sticking your finger in where the bulb goes and bending the cutoff tab down a bit.

I'm pretty sure it's that light. Here is a pic of my T4R
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[gaterose]

I'm pretty sure it's that light. Here is a pic of my T4R

Yep it is the '06 housing so someone has updated the headlights. So this-

The easiest solution is to buy a pair of H11 HID bulbs from eBay or DDMTuning.com or wherever else. I would go with 4300K for normal yellow/white light or 6000K for a slightly whiter/bluer light; anything else you're going to be compromising useful light for a "stylish" color.

To use halogen (non HID) bulbs you'll need to buy two H11 connectors and H11 bulbs, as that's the bulb '06+ lamps use. Then replace the red connector with the new H11 connector.

HID bulbs put out much brighter light but in the '03-05 reflector housing can be blinding to oncoming traffic; the '06 projector housings have a shield that can keep the light from blinding traffic by blocking light above a certain horizontal line (called the cutoff).

If you stick with HIDs you may want to search "squirrel finder mod" here on the forum and see if it appears the lamps have had that done. It's a very simple mod that keeps the HIDs from blinding others (and possibly getting you pulled over) and only requires sticking your finger in where the bulb goes and bending the cutoff tab down a bit.

Btw most aftermarket HID bulbs are going to have the same connectors as the ones you have, so just search for "H11 HID Bulbs" if you go the HID way.

Edit- also if someone has replaced the housings & bulbs there is a decent chance the squirrel finder mod may have been done, I'd just try to double check.

 

[kimberco]

Yep it is the '06 housing so someone has updated the headlights. So this-



Btw most aftermarket HID bulbs are going to have the same connectors as the ones you have, so just search for "H11 HID Bulbs" if you go the HID way.

Edit- also if someone has replaced the housings & bulbs there is a decent chance the squirrel finder mod may have been done, I'd just try to double check.

Thank you so much for helping me with this! Great info and such speedy responses. Props for helping the newbie!