RIG's Light Up The Night Project

[RunninInGA]

Coming from a 2G TL with stock 4300k headlights and aftermarket 3000k fogs with yellow lamin-x film, my 2002 Sport Edition is lacking in light output, especially on the crackhead-filled streets of Atlanta and critter-filled rural roads I drive. That being the case, this thread will serve as a place for me to ask questions, get feedback, and document my progress.

This will likely be somewhat of a s**t show to begin with, however I have an initial idea of what I'd like to accomplish as well as a couple products I'm going to use.

First up is to delete the DRL and figure out how to mod the fogs where they can be turned on independent of the heads and parking lights. I'd like to be able to light up the fogs WITH the high beams also and have seen threads indicating it can be done on the 4G. If anyone can point me in a direction on the 3G, I would be grateful. I AM NOT AN ELECTRICAL GENIUS, BUT I DID STAY AT A HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS LAST NIGHT, SO IT SHOULD BE POSSIBLE IN THEORY.

I'll snap a couple before pictures tonight and post them here for documentation purposes. Advice and/or constructive criticism is ALWAYS appreciated. Also, be patient with me and my progress as my schedule has not allowed much wrench time lately.

Current (Before) 2002 Stock Setup

Before Lowbeams Only

Before Lowbeams with Fogs

Before Highbeams without Fogs

EDIT: Those drag marks on the road are from a friend's 2G TL 6-speed swap. That was a fun car to drive.

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Here ya go... Enjoy!

2002 Toyota 4Runner: Fog Light Mod - YotaTech Forums

BTW, Ripcord just did this, and has some good info in his thread, permalink to the exact post in that thread, here > http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...unner-build-photo-timeline-18.html#post951268

 

[Clemsonfan15]

So I would imagine a retrofit is in the very near future for you?

 

[jham]

What's your budget? Do a retrofit if it allows.

 

[RunninInGA]

Here ya go... Enjoy!

2002 Toyota 4Runner: Fog Light Mod - YotaTech Forums

BTW, Ripcord just did this, and has some good info in his thread, permalink to the exact post in that thread, here > http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...unner-build-photo-timeline-18.html#post951268

Thank you! I've seen the YT thread and also read about the mod on JA's site, and I'll do this to begin with, however ultimately I want to be able to run the fogs independent of the parking lights, i.e. fogs by themselves (like I did below). I may end up settling though because as I mentioned earlier, I am not an electrical engineer.

So I would imagine a retrofit is in the very near future for you?

What's your budget? Do a retrofit if it allows.

I have the money for a retro fit, however I am not a fan of the "terminator" look that you get with these housings. No offense to those that have done it - I appreciate the work involved - but at the same time I'm not sure how to accomplish what I want without doing a retrofit of some sort. The jury's out on this for the time being (I'm still reviewing available / reasonable options).

I've also read conflicting posts regarding HIDs in the stock fogs on an 02 as to whether or not they will fit and would appreciate anyone with an 02 with HIDs in the fogs to speak up.

I'm going to order a conversion kit soon for the fogs and begin working there because it's less labor intensive. I'm also thinking about where to mount a 20" RI led bar and a couple other goodies.

 

[jham]

I like it! Someone searching for a quality lighting setup apart from projectors. Definitely keeping an eye on this thread. I love the performance of projectors but am not overly fond on the non-stock appearance either.

 

[giguchan]

ok i'm in.... i'm going to stay tuned to this one too.. like the OP, i am looking for more light too. not too interested in retrofits.. and yes i think the work and effort involed worth it- it's just not for me.

 

[Dirtco]

Thank you! I've seen the YT thread and also read about the mod on JA's site, and I'll do this to begin with, however ultimately I want to be able to run the fogs independent of the parking lights, i.e. fogs by themselves (like I did below). I may end up settling though because as I mentioned earlier, I am not an electrical engineer.

I'm going to order a conversion kit soon for the fogs and begin working there because it's less labor intensive. I'm also thinking about where to mount a 20" RI led bar and a couple other goodies.

After looking at the write-ups for this it seems like it would be pretty simple to have the fog lights work whenever you want. By cutting the fog light wire and connecting it to the tail light circuit you are changing when power is fed to the relay. In theory you should be able to hook that wire up to a constant or ignition wire and have the results your looking for.

I have the Rigid Industries 10" SR Specter series light bar, the lumen rating is close to the standard 20" SR light bar, but half the size and a lot easier to mount.

 

[RunninInGA]

After looking at the write-ups for this it seems like it would be pretty simple to have the fog lights work whenever you want. By cutting the fog light wire and connecting it to the tail light circuit you are changing when power is fed to the relay. In theory you should be able to hook that wire up to a constant or ignition wire and have the results your looking for.

I have the Rigid Industries 10" SR Specter series light bar, the lumen rating is close to the standard 20" SR light bar, but half the size and a lot easier to mount.

Power would have to be given to the relay when the motor is running otherwise fogs would be on when the key is in the ACC position, correct? Would this be IN ADDITION or INSTEAD OF the fog relay splice referenced in the above threads (Ripcord's and YT)?

As far as the RI led bar, where'd you mount the 10"? When I was thinking 10", I thought about the hood scoop, but am now thinking a 20" behind the grill. I've got a stock bumper that I'd like to not drill into, but could possibly fab up a mounting bracket of some sort if necessary that would run along the top of the bumper (the 10" is cheaper than the 20").

 

[Dirtco]

Power would have to be given to the relay when the motor is running otherwise fogs would be on when the key is in the ACC position, correct? Would this be IN ADDITION or INSTEAD OF the fog relay splice referenced in the above threads (Ripcord's and YT)?

As far as the RI led bar, where'd you mount the 10"? When I was thinking 10", I thought about the hood scoop, but am now thinking a 20" behind the grill. I've got a stock bumper that I'd like to not drill into, but could possibly fab up a mounting bracket of some sort if necessary that would run along the top of the bumper (the 10" is cheaper than the 20").

You should be able to cut the same wire, but instead of soldering it to the tail light circuit, run that wire straight to the battery or an ignition powered source. Just make sure whatever you tie into is rated for the extra draw. If you go straight to the battery the lights should work whenever you want, even if the vehicle is off. Again, in theory it should work fine but I have not tried it. When I get around to doing this I will wire it like Ripcord did, that way I don't have to worry about leaving the fog lights on when the vehicle and lights are off.

Here is where I have my mounted. The amber Dually D2's are wired to the factory fog light harness, and the 10" SR is wired directly to the battery.

If you YouTube "Rigid Industries hood scoop" there is a guy that installed one in his newer Tacoma. I think his is aimed a little low but it still gives you an idea of how bright it is.

 

[RunninInGA]

Morimoto 3five 3000K H3 conversion kit was delivered today from The Retrofit Source. This represents step 1 in my quest. Weekend is gonna be busy, but I hope to be able to install these into my stock fog housings after the radiator / tranny cooler install and before the rest of the weekend's activities put me asunder.

Haven't had a chance to look yet, but does anyone know off the top of their head if the bumper cover need to be removed to access the fogs?

 

[RunninInGA]

Time for a little update. Still need to install the 3000K HID kit I have sitting in my garage in the fogs, but I've been focused on some other things lately. Yesterday I removed the halogen interior lights and installed these LEDs. For documentation purposes, here's a before (haha) and after that I also posted in the "What did you do today" thread:

Before:

After:

 

[Hepar]

Interior lights look good. Definitely an upgrade there. Look forward to seeing how the other lights turn out.

 

[giguchan]

Running in GA,
what you have there is exactly what i need to do to the inside of my toyo... I have to have you do all the leg work in this, but i am glad that you are!
what are the part numbers to the bulbs/LEDS that you used in the cargo, center and in the front. i NEED TO DO THIS!!
thanks man.

 

[jham]

Ha! That before picture... Pretty much what my interior was before LEDs - a bunch of burnt out bulbs.

I finally found my ideal lighting setup for now. My hella 500 fogs converted to 5k HID, aimed low enough to avoid blinding other drivers. Smooth, even, bright light in a flood pattern all over the road right in front of me. If your HID conversion on the fogs works, I'll buy a set and add them in yellow.

 

[RunninInGA]

Running in GA,
what you have there is exactly what i need to do to the inside of my toyo... I have to have you do all the leg work in this, but i am glad that you are!
what are the part numbers to the bulbs/LEDS that you used in the cargo, center and in the front. i NEED TO DO THIS!!
thanks man.

I bought the kit from this member here: Toyota 4Runner Forum - View Profile: so_LED

 

[jham]

Running in GA,
what you have there is exactly what i need to do to the inside of my toyo... I have to have you do all the leg work in this, but i am glad that you are!
what are the part numbers to the bulbs/LEDS that you used in the cargo, center and in the front. i NEED TO DO THIS!!
thanks man.

Go to oznium.com and order the LED done light replacements, they are the squares. Order the small ones, file down inside your light mount to make them fit flush, wire them up and enjoy.

 

[spoiler900]

Just wanted to shout out, my two rides are a 2001 Acura TL and a 1999 4Runner, love them both and wouldnt change either for another ride!

 

[Nashvegas34]

ok i'm in.... i'm going to stay tuned to this one too.. like the OP, i am looking for more light too. not too interested in retrofits.. and yes i think the work and effort involed worth it- it's just not for me.

:wink2:
I see what you did there with your avatar in this thread... #headlights

 

[RunninInGA]

Ha! That before picture... Pretty much what my interior was before LEDs - a bunch of burnt out bulbs.

I finally found my ideal lighting setup for now. My hella 500 fogs converted to 5k HID, aimed low enough to avoid blinding other drivers. Smooth, even, bright light in a flood pattern all over the road right in front of me. If your HID conversion on the fogs works, I'll buy a set and add them in yellow.

Don't know how I missed this post sorry. I'll post pics of the fogs - should get to them this weekend I think. Any pics of your hella HIDs anywhere?

Just wanted to shout out, my two rides are a 2001 Acura TL and a 1999 4Runner, love them both and wouldnt change either for another ride!

My TL was 2002. I loved that car. Lowered 2" all around, braced suspension front (upper and lower) and rear, several power mods, and brakes that allowed me to stop way back there. Your 99 has the 4 speed tranny. I was on my third tranny when I wrecked it and was about to need another one. Had I not wrecked it, I was planning to do a 6-speed manual tranny swap.

You got any photos anywhere? I miss the sh1t out of my TL. Mine was not a type s, but was a factory monster for sure.