Projectors in 96-98 housings

[Chatt4r]

Has anyone retrofitted projectors into 96-98 housings? The light output is very poor with the stock head lights and I can't get them adjusted how I would like them. Also are the 99-02 headlights a big improvement in lighting?

 

[SKRS1]

Has anyone retrofitted projectors into 96-98 housings? The light output is very poor with the stock head lights and I can't get them adjusted how I would like them. Also are the 99-02 headlights a big improvement in lighting?

The 96-98 housings are not suitable for a retrofit due to the lines that would distort the projector's light pattern (plus they look ugly).
I have 99-02 housing in my 96 and I still hate the light output, I'm using PIAA extreme white 4300k bulbs and there was a barely noticeable improvement.

99-02 housing and a proper retro fit is the best you can do to improve your lighting.

 

[Chatt4r]

The 96-98 housings are not suitable for a retrofit due to the lines that would distort the projector's light pattern (plus they look ugly).
I have 99-02 housing in my 96 and I still hate the light output, I'm using PIAA extreme white 4300k bulbs and there was a barely noticeable improvement.

99-02 housing and a proper retro fit is the best you can do to improve your lighting.

That's kind of what I figured, are there any other options for better lighting any legal driving lights that have decent light output and a good cut off that won't blind other drivers.

 

[D Farms]

well if you were really hurting to do some work, you could actually grind down the flutes on the inside of the plastic lens, then polish it smooth, but it would be a lot of work for some plastic lenses.

 

[BrianSD_42]

The lenses for all 3rd gen lights are glass but the early years were cloudy glass.

What you want to do is keep your 97 housings but also buy a set if TYC headlights for $75/pair on eBay.

Retrofit the 97 housings but bake on the clear 99-02 TYC glass.

Swap Z Glass Hans!

There is an entire how to thread I wrote about this. Its listed in the Tutorial and Documentation v2 thread, linked as a sub-sticky.

 

[D Farms]

Im not sure anyone has used the old housing with the new glass but it would look sweet with the smooth reflector bowl.

 

[BrianSD_42]

It will work.

Here is how I did my projectors.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...it-97-4runner-project-toyota-4runner-org.html

:bat:

 

[BlackCat914]

Im not sure anyone has used the old housing with the new glass but it would look sweet with the smooth reflector bowl.

I did. I used TYC or whatever brand headlights from an '02, popped them in the oven and pulled the glass off. I then installed them on my '97's factory housings when I did my projector retrofit.