Newbie and Question

[4runnerndachi]

I just bought my first 4runner, and toyota today. 03. Love it so far....


first question...

how does the HID or Xenons work. is it a replacement of the whole headlight assembly, or do you just replace the bulb?

#2
where can i find a decent chrome grill guard

 

[Uneek]

I just bought my first 4runner, and toyota today. 03. Love it so far....


first question...

how does the HID or Xenons work. is it a replacement of the whole headlight assembly, or do you just replace the bulb?

#2
where can i find a decent chrome grill guard

HIDs work by having xenon gas inside a capsule. Unlike Halogen bulbs, there's no filament in HIDs. Instead there are two electrodes and a high voltage arc in between the electrodes excites the salts inside the HID capsule producing light. The high voltage comes from a ballast and there are ignitors to start up the bulbs.

There are two ways of doing the HIDs. The first and best way to do it, is by retrofitting. You would be putting in projectors into your headlights. It will involve some cutting, hacking, gluing, etc. to get the projectors in and aligned properly. This is the best way because the optics (projector and reflector) are optimized for the best light performance output.

The second way is using rebase capsules. There are many companies that will attempt to align the HID burners to the same location of Halogen bulbs. These bulbs will fit directly into your headlights. But due to the brighter and more intense light from HIDs, the amount of glare is also increased. Rebase kits for certain cars are ok and blinding for others. It all depends on the reflector of the Halogen headlights.

There are a few members here who've done both retrofits and rebase kits. For more information on retrofits, you can go over to hidplant.com.

Good luck.

#2 try searching. My personal favorite is the T&H bullbar.

 

[Jacobzky]

have you ever thought of getting replacement bulbs like PIAA or MTEC? they're not as superior as hid but close.

 

[4runnerndachi]

have you ever thought of getting replacement bulbs like PIAA or MTEC? they're not as superior as hid but close.

Oh is this an option, versus HID?
I would rather not do a lot of tampering with the current assembly, I heard something about simple replacement bulbs that give a better light, similar to HID (someone called it, the Poor Mans HID)

 

[Uneek]

I recommend against that route.

Bulbs acheive HID color by coating the glass with a blue tint to filter out the yellow light making the light whiter, but reduces light output. You do get the HID look. You can probably get higher wattage HID look a like bulbs, but you risk burning up your wire harness.

 

[Jacobzky]

especially knock offs/never heard brands.

 

[Koz]

Welcome to the 4Runner Family!

Koz

 

[4runnerndachi]

especially knock offs/never heard brands.

Well i bought a eurolight xenon,
and toyota, just told me i shouldnt install them...it may burn the wiring