Recommendations for headlight replacement

[adrianp]

I'm looking to upgrade original headlights on an '04 4Runner. Even restoring them back to clear, with bright bulbs, it's still not that great. So looking to replace them as the wife has trouble at night.

I was looking at these headlights from Carid and getting the LED bulbs. About $400 for it all.

https://www.carid.com/2004-toyota-4...-halo-led-projector-headlights-284661493.html

Has anyone installed these? How was the install? Light output?

Recommended alternatives?

Thanks,
Adrian

 

[chompster4runner]

I'm looking to upgrade original headlights on an '04 4Runner. Even restoring them back to clear, with bright bulbs, it's still not that great. So looking to replace them as the wife has trouble at night.

I was looking at these headlights from Carid and getting the LED bulbs. About $400 for it all.

https://www.carid.com/2004-toyota-4...-halo-led-projector-headlights-284661493.html

Has anyone installed these? How was the install? Light output?

Recommended alternatives?

Thanks,
Adrian

If your handy, do a proper HID projector retrofit. Cost about 400 from theretrofitsource.

 

[V8Limited4wd]

Get TYC ones from rockauto.com. If you are willing to do some work, I would recommend upgrading to the 06+ projector headlights and an HID kit. You'll need the parking light/DRL socket and wires and a new filler panel under the headlight. Pic of my setup below:

 

[dknguyenn]

I've got those with an HID kit. They're mediocre at best. Projectors are terrible. I'm about to polish out my factory ones and just go back to those for a while until I retrofit. If you want to see for yourself I'll have mine back from my detailer within a week. I'll sell you these that are only a few days old. I like the halos on these a lot and I'll probably will be adding those on my retrofit too.

 

[Ed_C]

OP - if your original headlight lenses are in good condition (no cracks etc) I suggest installing a pair of cheap aftermarket lights from Rock Auto (they're a sponsoring vendor here,probably have a discount code posted in their sub forum) temporarily and do a HID projector retrofit on the factory headlights. You can practically fit any aftermarket 3" lens projector in the lowbeams while a smaller 2.5" lens Mini H1 type fits in highbeams.

 

[earthrealm]

I'm looking to upgrade original headlights on an '04 4Runner. Even restoring them back to clear, with bright bulbs, it's still not that great. So looking to replace them as the wife has trouble at night.

I was looking at these headlights from Carid and getting the LED bulbs. About $400 for it all.

https://www.carid.com/2004-toyota-4...-halo-led-projector-headlights-284661493.html

Has anyone installed these? How was the install? Light output?

Recommended alternatives?

Thanks,
Adrian

am running them, why the $400 price tag?..its about $160 n then about $30 for 6000k xenon bulbs.
many people are running this assy on their truck, decent enuff for the price

 

[adrianp]

If your handy, do a proper HID projector retrofit. Cost about 400 from theretrofitsource.

Taking a look. I'm fine with wiring and following instructions. I thought doing this type of retrofit had issues, especially with oncoming traffic?

Get TYC ones from rockauto.com. If you are willing to do some work, I would recommend upgrading to the 06+ projector headlights and an HID kit. You'll need the parking light/DRL socket and wires and a new filler panel under the headlight. Pic of my setup below:

I have the v6 Sport, will these still fit? I'll see if I find posts on doing this to see what's needed.

I've got those with an HID kit. They're mediocre at best. Projectors are terrible. I'm about to polish out my factory ones and just go back to those for a while until I retrofit. If you want to see for yourself I'll have mine back from my detailer within a week. I'll sell you these that are only a few days old. I like the halos on these a lot and I'll probably will be adding those on my retrofit too.

Ok thanks for the info, I definitely don't want mediocre. The wife just wants to see at night, too dark for her here in GA. She's too used to all the street lights in Miami.

OP - if your original headlight lenses are in good condition (no cracks etc) I suggest installing a pair of cheap aftermarket lights from Rock Auto (they're a sponsoring vendor here,probably have a discount code posted in their sub forum) temporarily and do a HID projector retrofit on the factory headlights. You can practically fit any aftermarket 3" lens projector in the lowbeams while a smaller 2.5" lens Mini H1 type fits in highbeams.

Yea, no cracks. I just have to do a more permanent clearing so it stops hazing. I may try the 06+ one's and see how that goes.

am running them, why the $400 price tag?..its about $160 n then about $30 for 6000k xenon bulbs.
many people are running this assy on their truck, decent enuff for the price

On their site it was like $200 for the headlights and then $100 for each LED upgrade.

 

[V8Limited4wd]

Yes it will fit, there will just be a tiny space in the area where the grill meets the headlight which isn't noticeable due to the change in design in 2006. The projectors are not made for HIDs and will never be as good as custom built ones. However, they still work well with HIDs, light up the road better than reflectors, has a nice cutoff to avoid any glares, and it's a fairly easy swap to do compared to making custom headlights.

I used info from this thread for the install:

www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/203327-how-do-03-06-headlight-swap.html

 

[jsmith21]

Get TYC ones from rockauto.com. If you are willing to do some work, I would recommend upgrading to the 06+ projector headlights and an HID kit. You'll need the parking light/DRL socket and wires and a new filler panel under the headlight. Pic of my setup below:

How do the TYC ones compare quality wise to oem? I've been tossing around the idea of getting some of the smoked housing sport ones to replace my oem ones that I've blacked out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[V8Limited4wd]

How do the TYC ones compare quality wise to oem? I've been tossing around the idea of getting some of the smoked housing sport ones to replace my oem ones that I've blacked out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quality is excellent and very close to OEM. I have not had any issues with condensation or performance with the light output or fitment. I'm glad I saved 50% by buying these over OEM (~$400).

 

[chrisholly]

headlight

I bought some from carid for my sons 2004.... he wanted halos and they had some great sets for around $250. Pretty easy install. Just have to get behind the trim piece under the headlight and a screw inside fender well. Some great youtube videos of the install.