Need to adjust headlights after lift?

[rra640]

I was wondering if there is a need to adjust the headlights down after doing a lift. I notided that my lights are much brighter then before the lift.

If they need to be adjsuted, does anyone know how?

I get my new MT/R's today!

 

[mtnracer]

Whether or not you need to adjust the lights depends on how much lift you got. Do you notice that your lights are now blinding other drivers in low beam?

What size MTRs are you getting?

 

[rra640]

I guess I'm between 2.5-3 inches higher in the front with the stock tires. I haven't driven at night yet since I did the lift last weekend, but noticed pulling in to the garage that the light on the wall is much brighter. I guess I can have the wife drive it and I could drive the opposite direction and see if it makes a difference. Standing in the driveway in front of it doesn't blind me.

Went with 275/70/17's

 

[AlexJet]

I'd do it, especially when you level your vehicle.

 

[rra640]

Do you know how to adjust them??

 

[sketch1]

Usuaually there is a screw you turn on the housing.... don't know if the 4runner works the same or not.

 

[teotwaki]

Do you know how to adjust them??

look for this funky "knob" with the small nut and serrated wheel

 

[animator]

Do you know how to adjust them??

To expand a bit more on the above answer, it's also a good idea to do it with the lights shining onto a wall. Measure your distance from headlight to the wall, then measure from the ground up to the center of the beams. There's charts and diagrams available that tell you exactly how to do this, so search around.


If anyone watches that show "Trucks", there was an episode on how and why to adjust the lights after installing a lift a few years ago.



But it seems kinda wierd that they'd seem brighter to you while in the vehicle...

 

[teotwaki]

.... But it seems kinda wierd that they'd seem brighter to you while in the vehicle...

The headlights are now pointing more forward rather than down at the road ahead of the vehicle. I remember a similar observation as it was almost as if the brights were on. A 4Runner is about 2.5" low in the front with the nose angling downward. With the lift the headlights are 3" higher and shining further out, illuminating signs, reflectors and so on, appearing to be "brighter".

 

[animator]

The headlights are now pointing more forward rather than down at the road ahead of the vehicle. I remember a similar observation as it was almost as if the brights were on. A 4Runner is about 2.5" low in the front with the nose angling downward. With the lift the headlights are 3" higher and shining further out, illuminating signs, reflectors and so on, appearing to be "brighter".

To me that doesn't make any sense, because you're in your truck, in the same position as before, so the only thing that should change is the beams' relative height to the wall in relation to the vehicle's added height. How would this make them appear brighter to the driver?

I realise it *would* make them appear brighter to oncomming drivers, due to the increased distance the beams are now projected, but as far as angles go, there wouldn't be any changes from doing just the lift.

I do agree with them appearing brighter against road signs and reflectors though. I have a truck that I lifted 6" over stock and added 35" tires, and there was definitely a noticable difference in reflections at night, but the lights never appeared "brighter" from my standpoint as a driver.

 

[teotwaki]

To me that doesn't make any sense, because you're in your truck, in the same position as before, so the only thing that should change is the beams' relative height to the wall in relation to the vehicle's added height. How would this make them appear brighter to the driver?

I realise it *would* make them appear brighter to oncomming drivers, due to the increased distance the beams are now projected, but as far as angles go, there wouldn't be any changes from doing just the lift.

I do agree with them appearing brighter against road signs and reflectors though. I have a truck that I lifted 6" over stock and added 35" tires, and there was definitely a noticable difference in reflections at night, but the lights never appeared "brighter" from my standpoint as a driver.

Well, lets just call it semantics. He is seeing more light directly in front of him that is illuminating everyingt in front of him rather than just pointing at and illuminating the ground as if the "brighter" high beams had been selected. Insert beating a dead horse icon right here

 

[Expat]

There's charts and diagrams available that tell you exactly how to do this, so search around.

Here is the LINKY TO ADUSTING HEADLIGHTS