Off road Lights for a 2015 4Runner

[4runner43]

if your goal is to see as far as you can, you don't want to flood the area in front of the vehicle with really bright light like you will get with a light bar. you need HID spot/driving lights that give a nice tight beam far away. if you have a ton of light in the foreground your eyes will adjust to that light which will make it tougher to see far away.

I'm a huge fan of my XD Phillips 4300k headlights, i recommend them regardless of what other steps you take. Honestly the high beams aren't that bad (this is confirmed by the same review that showed how terrible the low beams are). Upgrade the high beams if you want, but i would put that money towards driving lights first.

Definitely going for the low-beam upgrade. :thumb3:

 

[4runner43]

Lmao!



I agree with this. With my combo led bar on, my head lights might as well not even be on. The bar lights up hundreds of yards down the road and you can see well off onto the sides of the road even at a distance.

Thanks for the insight. The light bar would not be "street legal" so I would see that as an addition for off-road use only, which is why I am concentrating on the hi- and low beams and fog lamps. Not to say I wouldn't go for the light bar, but I see it mounted on the front bumper area rather than the top of my vehicle. If I mounted it on top, then my limited clearance to get it in my garage would be gone, unfortunately. :ybrick:

 

[4runner43]

While you could install that 9005 HID Kit in your High Beams, we wouldn't really recommend it for that application.

All HID lighting has a bit of a warm-up period when first turned on, so if you're the kind of driver that, like most of us, just uses the High Beams for a quick flash of light, then the moment will have passed before they finish warming up.

If you want to upgrade your High Beams we would recommend LEDs, since they are instant-on. You can check out our 9005 Xtreme LED PRO kit with the CANBUS' option so you'll get a pair of our PWM anti-flicker modules. They will regulate the flow of power through the other components and let the High Beams function properly. That being said, however, the LEDs will not be able to dim and provide a different level of brightness in DRL mode, so your lights will be on at full power pretty much all the time.

If you need a 9005 High Beam upgrade that can maintain the lower brightness for DRL mode, you are looking at performance halogen bulbs. The 9005 Philips Crystal Vision Ultras are a good choice for that purpose.

Hope this helps, but let us know if we can answer any more questions for you.

~Robert

Robert, thanks for the insight, it will definitely help in my decision. You didn't mention anything about fog lights, so I am going to assume that my decision noted in my previous posting will do the trick.

 

[XenonDepot]

[MENTION=113833]e60ral[/MENTION] - Thank you for your feedback, I'm happy to hear that you're enjoying your XenonDepot HID Kit
[MENTION=125970]4runner43[/MENTION] - The Philips H11 LED bulbs are a great choice for the fogs. If you want something brighter though, then take a look at our H11 Xtreme LED pro bulbs -- they're significantly brighter then the Philips bulb.

Steve

 

[swim.bike.run]

[MENTION=113833]e60ral[/MENTION] - Thank you for your feedback, I'm happy to hear that you're enjoying your XenonDepot HID Kit
[MENTION=125970]4runner43[/MENTION] - The Philips H11 LED bulbs are a great choice for the fogs. If you want something brighter though, then take a look at our H11 Xtreme LED pro bulbs -- they're significantly brighter then the Philips bulb.

Steve

Steve, why is a manufacturers install of an HID bulb legal in all states but an aftermarket install is not in most states?

 

[XenonDepot]

Steve, why is a manufacturers install of an HID bulb legal in all states but an aftermarket install is not in most states?

Basically what it boils down to is that Aftermarket HID or LED conversion kits are not going to be DOT-approved, while vehicles with HID or LED lighting from the manufacturer were designed and approved based on those setups.

You may find that Enforcement of regulations varies depending on where you live, but HID and LED conversion kits are not going to be 'street legal'.

~Robert

 

[4runner43]

Basically what it boils down to is that Aftermarket HID or LED conversion kits are not going to be DOT-approved, while vehicles with HID or LED lighting from the manufacturer were designed and approved based on those setups.

You may find that Enforcement of regulations varies depending on where you live, but HID and LED conversion kits are not going to be 'street legal'.

~Robert

Robert, now I am really confused. If the HID and LED conversion kits are not 'street legal', then why do it? Perhaps you could clarify this for me (and others?). How does this work in Canada? Thanks.

 

[4runner43]

[MENTION=113833]e60ral[/MENTION] - Thank you for your feedback, I'm happy to hear that you're enjoying your XenonDepot HID Kit
[MENTION=125970]4runner43[/MENTION] - The Philips H11 LED bulbs are a great choice for the fogs. If you want something brighter though, then take a look at our H11 Xtreme LED pro bulbs -- they're significantly brighter then the Philips bulb.

Steve

For the Fog lights, your Shop By Vehicle process suggests the H16 Xtreme LED Pro Fog Light Kit. How does this compare to the H11 Kit that you suggested?

 

[XenonDepot]

[MENTION=125970]4runner43[/MENTION] - The law is written in a way that basically states that you only install a halogen bulb into a headlight designed for a halogen housing -- regardless of the performance of the product.

Why do it? Why are you interested in upgrading your lighting?

 

[jasxn]

[MENTION=125970]4runner43[/MENTION]

take a look at Baja Designs Squadron Pro R (Driving Combo or Spot) to replace your fogs. check out [MENTION=120150]TotalAutomotiveLV[/MENTION] they're having a sale with 'SEMA17' as the promo code (if that doesnt work try T4R). its half the cost of the BD light bar. and then you can save $500+ and use a fraction of it to get a cheap light bar in the mean time if you dont want to drop $$$ all at once.

I have the Squadron Sports in my fogs its bright but not enough so I plan on upgrading the sports to pros and using the sports as my ditch lights.
Ditch lights will help with the side view.

I almost wrecked my Dads 3rd gen a long long time ago. almost ran into a heard of deer! so once i got my 5th gen recently I swore i'll upgrade all the lights before i upgrade the suspension. lol

 

[jasxn]

[MENTION=125970]4runner43[/MENTION] what year is your 4R btw?
lol nothing is street legal unless stated like Rigid DOT approved LED Fog replacement. But the DOT is US Dept of Transportation. But I'm sure it'll be okay. hell you have TYPE-Rs and GTRs roaming around! Canadas emission/safety rules seem much more relaxed than here in the US.

If you have the projector lights, you can get away with HIDs without any worry from the cops. make sure to adjust the aim (if youre truck is lifted).
Although our projector lights are rated for halogen bulbs it'll be fine.

[MENTION=12905]XenonDepot[/MENTION] has great service and I'm glad I purchased thru them.

edit: nevermind i saw the thread title. HIDs will be fine. dont worry.

Edit2: Youtube all your light questions. so many videos out there showing the difference in lights.

 

[TotalAutomotiveLV]

FOG Light Kits are great and provide an option for increased lighting when needed.

Here are some Fog Light Kits that might help, or at least, give you something to think about.

Baja Designs - Click Here

RIGID - Click Here

KC HiLights has 2 behind the grille kits that have been popular recently.

KC Behind the Grille Mount Kit - Click Here

All 3 of these brands are part of our Road to SEMA Specials and Promotions - Click Here

If we can help in any way, please let us know.

Thanks
_

 

[4runner43]

[MENTION=125970]4runner43[/MENTION] - The law is written in a way that basically states that you only install a halogen bulb into a headlight designed for a halogen housing -- regardless of the performance of the product.

Why do it? Why are you interested in upgrading your lighting?

Thanks for the clarification - I don't know about the laws in Canada, but I will ask one of my friends who works in a shop that does all kinds of conversions.

My question about "why do it?" was really aimed at the idea that if it is illegal in certain situations, then why would you do it. I am not going to worry about that at this time.

 

[4runner43]

[MENTION=125970]4runner43[/MENTION] what year is your 4R btw?
lol nothing is street legal unless stated like Rigid DOT approved LED Fog replacement. But the DOT is US Dept of Transportation. But I'm sure it'll be okay. hell you have TYPE-Rs and GTRs roaming around! Canadas emission/safety rules seem much more relaxed than here in the US.

If you have the projector lights, you can get away with HIDs without any worry from the cops. make sure to adjust the aim (if youre truck is lifted).
Although our projector lights are rated for halogen bulbs it'll be fine.

[MENTION=12905]XenonDepot[/MENTION] has great service and I'm glad I purchased thru them.

edit: nevermind i saw the thread title. HIDs will be fine. dont worry.

Edit2: Youtube all your light questions. so many videos out there showing the difference in lights.

jasxn, thanks for the info. I suspect our rules and regs are a bit more relaxed than they are in the US - us guys north of 49 are a really relaxed bunch :canada: . Your idea about the YouTube stuff is great - why didn't I think of that ?

 

[4runner43]

In following up on this discussion thread, I came across this recent thread where the OP had removed his HID bulbs from his low beam lamps because he suggests they are too bright and he keeps getting "flashed" by approaching drivers. I don't know if anyone has seen this, but I am adding here from the perspective of another point of view.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/225957-i-un-installed-my-hid-low-beam-kit-heres-why.html

4runner43

 

[swim.bike.run]

In following up on this discussion thread, I came across this recent thread where the OP had removed his HID bulbs from his low beam lamps because he suggests they are too bright and he keeps getting "flashed" by approaching drivers. I don't know if anyone has seen this, but I am adding here from the perspective of another point of view.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/225957-i-un-installed-my-hid-low-beam-kit-heres-why.html

4runner43

Having owned a 2015 Q7 with LED/HID I can state with absolute certainty there is a clear difference between the factory lights and the aftermarket version. The Audi lighting system is superb. To each their own on the aftermarket install and regulatory component but the difference is night and day in my opinion.

As far as being "flashed" it doesn't seem to matter whether its stock or aftermarket. As a South Florida driver the issue more lies with the morons driving in the left lane with their high beams on as opposed to the type of bulb.

Just my .02

 

[4runner43]

swim.bike.run thanks for your input. Anyone's .02 is always welcome.

I have been flashed a few times with my stock lights, but maybe it is because of the 2.5" lift I have on my 4R - don't know.

 

[4runner43]

Here is what I have come down to as far as choices go so far, based on what I have learned from this forum and elsewhere, as well as talking to people. What people are using, what they are happy with, what will work on my 2015 4Runner, etc.

All are available through Xenon Depot:

Low beams - Xtreme HID Kit - H11 HID Kit 4300K (5000K ?)
High Beams - 9005 Xtreme LED Pro Headlight Kit with CANbus option or 9005 - Phillips Crystalvision Ultra 9005CVS2 Bulbs
Fog/Ditch(?) Lamps - H11 Xtreme LED Pro Headlight Kit or H16 Xtreme LED Pro Fog Light Kit

===========================================

I am planning on eventually adding some additional lighting such as -

Baja Designs - OnX6 Hi-Power LED Light Bar - 10 inch or 20 inch
Baja Designs - XL Pro, LED Driving/Combo

Fire away folks.

WesternGuy

 

[swim.bike.run]

At the risk of hijacking the thread I’m confused and need clarification.

Unless otherwise stated adding any non-factory installed bulb could be considered a violation of some US transportation law. The Rigid fog lights are SAE/DOT approved and according to Rigids website certain High beams are approved as well.

Why is it difficult to have a low beam approved? Is it the lense, the power output, the manufacturers? I truly don’t get it. My Jeep buddy seems to be able to buy a host of low beam lights that are legal but nothing for a non-JEEP vehicle? Pardon the pun but can someone shed some light on this?

 

[4runner43]

swim.bike.run, not really a hijack, this is a question that it would be interesting to know the answer to. I don't live in the US, but I am sure we have similar requirements for "legal" lights here in Canada.

WesternGuy