berettashot117
New member
Zimm is on the fast track to the ban hammer lol
Please post pics of HID lights (low beams and/or fogs) in the OEM light reflectors
- Thread starter SilverGs
- Start date
momo.75
Registered User
Actually, there are a ton of people on T4R.ORG that might have things installed at a shop, but can offer good advice. Just because you might not actually do the install doesn't mean you can't be informed. The main thing is to offer constructive ideas or suggestions instead of being a troll and trying to stir up trouble. If you don't have anything to offer, other than insults, just move on.
riceandpho
Elite Member
what im trying to say and cookieroe and philsey, is that and hid in non hid design reflector or projector , is and can be dangerous. looking at the pic of your gs, if u can afford those hre wheels, u can afford to get a retro done, u might as well do it on both vehicles, better visable performance for u and your family. i like your gs, but maybe you need to vip that out. i just want to say , hid is bright, its better, but only use it on true hid projectors for best of everything.
alex56
New member
What that zimm? OOO...ya sorry I but cant hear ya from up here!
I'm not one to boast, but.
Let me clarify, YES, I am in college. WORKING ON MY DOCTORATE, and have a stable JOB at the same time. Sorry that young, pay 21k in tuition a year, without debt. AND still have a way badder ass rig then you do with much more worthier mods.
And while i might not have the most free time in the world,
I DO most of the work on my rig. I know many shops around town that let me use their space and give me a hand. (many know this). Only on certian occasions have I not been able to do the work myself. (ex. When i was first starting out).
There are cases in which on this forum, (I believe) it is ok to get nasty with people, (if YOU and the person(s) are ina heated discussion). But <b> YOU </b> straight telling someone to F themselves for no reason after their opinion is way uncalled for! get it through your thick skull!
<b> REGARDLESS </b> once again... Somehow you just came out of the woodwork of the forum on this post and decided to be a <b> D BAG </B> to an innocent member. Stop trying to make me look bad now when your just digging yourself a bigger hole!
Just stop while your at it!
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ARK_SWAMP_RIDER
New member
There's been pics provided, but here are some that I've got showing the difference and also of my setup.
These two pics really show the difference. They are not 4runner's, but definitely show reflector housings vs projectors.
Reflector:
Projector
My 4runner, you can see the two hot spots. In these spots, it was brighter, but in other places not so much.
Comparison shot showing brightness. HID's are the way to go. How you choose to incorporate them is entirely up to you, I won't criticize either way. I'll say that I previously ran HID's, but have sense removed them and will be going with HIR's until I can afford a retrofit.
These two pics really show the difference. They are not 4runner's, but definitely show reflector housings vs projectors.
Reflector:
Projector
My 4runner, you can see the two hot spots. In these spots, it was brighter, but in other places not so much.
Comparison shot showing brightness. HID's are the way to go. How you choose to incorporate them is entirely up to you, I won't criticize either way. I'll say that I previously ran HID's, but have sense removed them and will be going with HIR's until I can afford a retrofit.
alex56
New member
Just sticking up for a fellow innocent member on this one here. I'll leave this one for the others to duke it out.
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Mark86
Super Moderator
All of the arguments in this thread are over. Let's move on...
Ian
New member
Just a data point for anyone looking to add HIDs to a pre-'06 (pre-projector t4r): I've had the DDM 4500k 35w low beam kit with harness on my 04 4runner for 40,000 miles now and have not been flashed ONCE. On the other hand, I've been flashed in my '08 BMW with factory OEM HIDs so much that I asked the dealer to check the aiming twice -- both times in spec at two different dealers. Draw your own conclusions. Just a data point for people looking to do this...not criticizing anyone who has done a retrofit (those are a lot of nice looking installs).
You seem to have misunderstood the reason why I started this thread.
1. It was never about what I can afford or not. It was about functionality - period.
2. You're saying that Lexus does not know how to design HID headlights and I now need to retrofit the GS I've had for over 9 years to a projector HID??
3. VIP the GS? Your taste in cars has to be the same as mine?
I will eventually get a retrofit , but not just yet. I'll rock the halogens a tad longer.
CookieRoe
Senior Member
I do notice BMW and some Acuras' low beam are very bright. Sometimes I say, WTF, but I guess it's all about the angle (whether you are coming down on a downgrade or up). Not going to comment on the reflector b/c the subject has been beaten to death.
AWESOME GS!!!!!! Holy crap, that is my favorite gen GS. My respects!! :thumb3: Your car seems to be very much modded (tastefully). Some people mod their rides to the point it looks gawd awful (looking like rides after the guys at Pimp My Ride are done). Lexus cars/SUVs are top notch, I don't care what others say. Our family have been customers since 1991.
So how did the HID kit in the GS work for ya? Any problems? (longevity wise).
Please keep us up to date on the "mods" of your truck
riceandpho
Elite Member
I said hid in non hid design relflector or projector is dangerous. About the gs, i see some with a projector retro thats all, i do perfer hid projectors over reflector setup, i like width and throw. I like your gs, i perfer the vip look like in japan. So dont judge my taste, the functionality on hid projectors is better than reflectors. I hope u didnt misunderstood me.
I contacted lightwerkz and he recommended the FXR Bixenon Projector Retrofit Kit Stage 2 - I think this is the one Bi-xenon FX-R Stage III Kit - Complete Retrofit Kits from The Retrofit Source Inc
What shrouds, ballast and harness should I be getting?
Now I need to talk to my mechanic and see if will install these for me.
Thanks for all the input and feedback folks! :thumb3:
What shrouds, ballast and harness should I be getting?
Now I need to talk to my mechanic and see if will install these for me.
Thanks for all the input and feedback folks! :thumb3:
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riceandpho
Elite Member
on lightwerkz stage 2 kit, looks like u get denso ballast and philips bulbs, and a custom harness. looks like the best from them. u can always do the stage one and ask to use philips bulbs, but the stage 2 is the best of the best for oem use, oem ballast has a faster start up than the aftermarket. i think you want the biggest shroud, like apollo one, it can cover the expose projector good. as to see if they would want to paint that too.
AWESOME GS!!!!!! Holy crap, that is my favorite gen GS. My respects!! :thumb3: Your car seems to be very much modded (tastefully). Some people mod their rides to the point it looks gawd awful (looking like rides after the guys at Pimp My Ride are done). Lexus cars/SUVs are top notch, I don't care what others say. Our family have been customers since 1991.
So how did the HID kit in the GS work for ya? Any problems? (longevity wise).
Please keep us up to date on the "mods" of your truck
Thanks CookieRoe! The GS has been modded mainly for functionality and you can't see most of the mods as they are under the skin. I did every possible performance mod other than Forced Induction and headers. I also did every possible mod for handling and braking.
The cosmetic mods are very few such as the bodykit and the CF hood (and those glaring HID fogs).
The HID kit in the fogs lasted more than 6 years - the bulbs that is. I have to replace one of the bulbs now. Everything else still works perfectly fine.
I won't be doing any heavy duty mods to the truck as it's a second vehicle and can't really afford to have 2 heavily modded vehicles. I'll keep to the simple stuff like lighting (even though that's already adding up to quite a bit of $.....) and maybe a nav HU.
Thanks riceandpho! I talked to my mechanic last night and he's willing to give this a shot and was wondering if there's a good DIY (hopefully specific to a 4th gen 4Runner) that he can read so that he knows what he's in for as he has not done a retrofit before.
I briefly searched on google, but can't find anything specific. Do you know of any good DIY's for this type of install?
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philsey
New member
Hey Silver. Do I take this to mean you're going to have your mechanic perform the retrofit on the headlights? If you're going to pay someone, if it were me, I'd pay experts like Lightwerkz. Just my .02.
And +1 on oem componentry, get the best.
However, for DIY info, go here HiDplanet : The Official Automotive Lighting Forum.
The issue I have with sending them off to lightwerkz is that I would still need someone to do the following:
1. Take OEM headlights off
2. Park truck for 1 week (which is not possible) or waste money on cheap ebay lights ($85 + $55 shipping to Canada) and get someone to install them.
3. When retrofitted headlights come in, have someone remove existing cheap ebay lights and install new ones.
Is the retrofit very complicated that its best not to have even a highly skilled mechanic do this? Desmond (my mechanic) has been a Lexus tech since 1990 and Toyota cars/trucks for the majority of his career - he's in his late 50's now. He's currently the shop supervisor at the local Toyota dealer.
I remember someone suggesting here on this thread that I do the retrofit myself if I'm mechanically inclined - my assumption based on that comment is that its not that complicated for someone who's mechanically inclined.
Thanks!
thegreatdivorce
New member
Wow. There's some awful advice in here, as well as some great advice.
The question was never "Is HID brighter than halogen?", it was about which is better, specifically in the 2003-2005 reflector housings.
HID in halogen housings is:
- always illegal (fact. You literally cannot debate this. Even if you "know people at the Plasma Garage.")
- frequently dangerous
- always suboptimal (halogen projectors with the 'squirrel finders' bent down do a fair job of mitigating glare, but still show major hotspots and lack of proper spread.)
Obviously we can all do what we want, but I'd encourage people to make the smart, responsible choice. Don't just throw something in that makes things feel brighter for you. It's not a good idea.
If you want more info on the how, why, what, go search around on NASIOC (Subaru forum.) P-n-P HID folks tend to get ripped a new one there, but at least it's backed up with incontrovertible evidence, not just "zomg look how brite my 10000K's are dawg." or "Take your PNP kit and drive off an embankment."
The question was never "Is HID brighter than halogen?", it was about which is better, specifically in the 2003-2005 reflector housings.
HID in halogen housings is:
- always illegal (fact. You literally cannot debate this. Even if you "know people at the Plasma Garage.")
- frequently dangerous
- always suboptimal (halogen projectors with the 'squirrel finders' bent down do a fair job of mitigating glare, but still show major hotspots and lack of proper spread.)
Obviously we can all do what we want, but I'd encourage people to make the smart, responsible choice. Don't just throw something in that makes things feel brighter for you. It's not a good idea.
If you want more info on the how, why, what, go search around on NASIOC (Subaru forum.) P-n-P HID folks tend to get ripped a new one there, but at least it's backed up with incontrovertible evidence, not just "zomg look how brite my 10000K's are dawg." or "Take your PNP kit and drive off an embankment."
