Yoter
New member
It seems like HID projector retrofits are becoming increasingly popular these days and I thought it would be useful to have a picture thread where people could compare different shrouds and paint schemes etc. I also added some general info about HID's below.
And I am sure it would also be fun for those who worked hard on their retrofits to have a chance to show them off.
Edit: [MENTION=94545]MTD[/MENTION]'s first post included some very useful info that everyone should try to include:
What kind of projector?
Shroud?
Paint used if any?
Halos used?
Very Simple FAQ About HID Lights and Retrofits:
What are HID bulbs?
In Short HID bulbs create light by shooting an electric arc across a salt filled chamber (no filament), when the bulb is ignited the salts melt into plasma, which produces a very bright light.
What are ballasts?
A ballast regulates the power given to the bulb; HID bulbs need more power when first turned on and then less as they warm up. They also require current regulation, which the ballast takes care of.
Is it okay to install HID bulbs without projectors?
Usually the answer is NO, Having HID's in halogen reflector housings is similar to driving around with your brights on all the time. Due to the new position of the "hot spot" of the bulb within the housing it will reflect the light in a different pattern then original halogen bulb was designed for.
You probably will be blinding everyone on the road its inconsiderate and dangerous.
Some 4runner owners (as reported on page 3 of this thread by Steezemcqueen) have had decent results, ie not blinding everyone with using "cut off shields" with hid bulbs without projectors.
What do projectors do?
Projectors focus the beam of the HID bulbs so that you can see further and in greater clarity. They also provide something known as a "Cut Off" this allows you to use HID's with out blinding everyone around you, a cut off can provide a stream of colored light at its focal point many people tune their projectors to get the most color possible. They also give you HI and LOW beam function something otherwise lost with the installation of HID bulbs; Projectors that have this function are known as "Bi Xenon".
Are HID retrofits Legal?
No in short any modification to your DOT approved lighting is illegal and may result in a ticket, accident, injury or death and In California it also causes cancer.
Proceed at your own discretion.
Average Cost?
A quality install using new parts can be done for around $300
The aftermarket HID suppliers have grown and parts can be found now for significantly less cost (as low as ~$100) on Amazon and Ebay while many people have had good results using less expensive HID retrofit kits from Amazon and Ebay it is important to note that usually the quality control/reliability is not the same as going through a specialized retailer.
Resources:
Where to buy:
Most people purchase the needed parts from The Retrofit Source, they have very good customer support and quality parts. The Retrofit Source online: headlight upgrades for all applications
Hid parts can also be found on ebay, Amazon or at junk yards and if your feeling lucky.
Where to learn:
HID Planet is a great forum dedicated to HID retrofits that has boat loads of useful info, a link to their FAQ page is below:
[Read First] FAQ and Useful Links (Work In Progress))
On T4R:
Rickashay
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/102734-rickashays-projector-retrofit-thread.html
BrianSD_42 's Morimoto Mini D2S 3.0 Panorama Halo Retrofit DIY ***Complete Guide***
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...s-3-0-panorama-halo-retrofit-diy-journey.html
BrianSD_42
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...it-97-4runner-project-toyota-4runner-org.html
SQ-MD
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...ctor-retrofit-write-up-experienced-sq-md.html
Bandit Runners
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/101725-bandit-runners-projector-headlights.html
GottaBeTRD
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/80110-planning-my-projector-retrofit.html
(Shoot me a PM if you have a writeup I am missing and I will gladly add it)
Other Sites:
1998 4runner headlight retrofit hid projector write up / review - YotaTech Forums
And I am sure it would also be fun for those who worked hard on their retrofits to have a chance to show them off.
Edit: [MENTION=94545]MTD[/MENTION]'s first post included some very useful info that everyone should try to include:
What kind of projector?
Shroud?
Paint used if any?
Halos used?
Very Simple FAQ About HID Lights and Retrofits:
What are HID bulbs?
In Short HID bulbs create light by shooting an electric arc across a salt filled chamber (no filament), when the bulb is ignited the salts melt into plasma, which produces a very bright light.
What are ballasts?
A ballast regulates the power given to the bulb; HID bulbs need more power when first turned on and then less as they warm up. They also require current regulation, which the ballast takes care of.
Is it okay to install HID bulbs without projectors?
Usually the answer is NO, Having HID's in halogen reflector housings is similar to driving around with your brights on all the time. Due to the new position of the "hot spot" of the bulb within the housing it will reflect the light in a different pattern then original halogen bulb was designed for.
You probably will be blinding everyone on the road its inconsiderate and dangerous.
Some 4runner owners (as reported on page 3 of this thread by Steezemcqueen) have had decent results, ie not blinding everyone with using "cut off shields" with hid bulbs without projectors.
What do projectors do?
Projectors focus the beam of the HID bulbs so that you can see further and in greater clarity. They also provide something known as a "Cut Off" this allows you to use HID's with out blinding everyone around you, a cut off can provide a stream of colored light at its focal point many people tune their projectors to get the most color possible. They also give you HI and LOW beam function something otherwise lost with the installation of HID bulbs; Projectors that have this function are known as "Bi Xenon".
Are HID retrofits Legal?
No in short any modification to your DOT approved lighting is illegal and may result in a ticket, accident, injury or death and In California it also causes cancer.
Proceed at your own discretion.
Average Cost?
A quality install using new parts can be done for around $300
The aftermarket HID suppliers have grown and parts can be found now for significantly less cost (as low as ~$100) on Amazon and Ebay while many people have had good results using less expensive HID retrofit kits from Amazon and Ebay it is important to note that usually the quality control/reliability is not the same as going through a specialized retailer.
Resources:
Where to buy:
Most people purchase the needed parts from The Retrofit Source, they have very good customer support and quality parts. The Retrofit Source online: headlight upgrades for all applications
Hid parts can also be found on ebay, Amazon or at junk yards and if your feeling lucky.
Where to learn:
HID Planet is a great forum dedicated to HID retrofits that has boat loads of useful info, a link to their FAQ page is below:
[Read First] FAQ and Useful Links (Work In Progress))
On T4R:
Rickashay
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/102734-rickashays-projector-retrofit-thread.html
BrianSD_42 's Morimoto Mini D2S 3.0 Panorama Halo Retrofit DIY ***Complete Guide***
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...s-3-0-panorama-halo-retrofit-diy-journey.html
BrianSD_42
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...it-97-4runner-project-toyota-4runner-org.html
SQ-MD
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...ctor-retrofit-write-up-experienced-sq-md.html
Bandit Runners
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/101725-bandit-runners-projector-headlights.html
GottaBeTRD
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/80110-planning-my-projector-retrofit.html
(Shoot me a PM if you have a writeup I am missing and I will gladly add it)
Other Sites:
1998 4runner headlight retrofit hid projector write up / review - YotaTech Forums
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