School me on HIDs

[KidVermicious]

A previous owner did a cheap HID conversion on our 3gen, the light quality is abysmal. Too white and no distance. I understand this is pretty common, some kind of plug and play bulb in an unmodified housing? I might convert back to stock, but my wife would prefer a proper retrofit if I can do it without too much hassle. I've been watching a couple HID retrofit threads and I feel like I'm missing a couple key points. So some specific questions:

The projector serves to focus and control the output of the HID bulb, right?

Does the shroud serve any purpose other than to disguise the guts of the projector?

If I want high beams, I need a separate set of projectors, right? Or is that what the bi-zenon projectors are for?

Without knowing exactly what ballast and bulb are in there now, is it likely that I can reuse them with whatever projectors I pick up, or will I need to replace those as well?

If I can reuse the ballast and bulbs, all I need is a set of projectors and shrouds and to modify the stock housing to accept the projectors, right?

School me, oh T4R.org. Bring me into the 21st century.

 

[zopperman]

The projector serves to focus and control the output of the HID bulb, right?

Yes

Does the shroud serve any purpose other than to disguise the guts of the projector?
.

It also hides the wiring for the Bi xenon (BX) solenoid if applicable or halo wiring or whatever, but for all intents and purposes, you have the idea

If I want high beams, I need a separate set of projectors, right? Or is that what the bi-zenon projectors are for?

Bixenon projectors use a solenoid to "fake" high beams. It pulls down the cutoff shield exposing the upper half of the cutoff instead of using a separate bulb since HIDs take so long to warm up.

If you have halogen high beams, you can retain your halogens and use the BX solenoid by tapping the high beam wires as a signal for the solenoid and leaving the halogen light in place. This gives you halogen and HID high beams

are in there now, is it likely that I can reuse them with whatever projectors I pick up, or will I need to replace those as well?

You can likely reuse the ballast but not the bulb. The stock housing on my truck were 9006 bulbs, projectors are H1 bulbs. 35W DDM ballast for them. I would do the mini H1 if i were you. Least modification required (to most housings) and you will be satisfied with the output.

If I can reuse the ballast and bulbs, all I need is a set of projectors and shrouds and to modify the stock housing to accept the projectors, right?
.

Yes. Projectors and shrouds should be all you need and maybe bulbs

 

[KidVermicious]

Thanks, Zak. I hadn't heard of the mini H1s, here's the first hit I got on Amazon: Amazon.com: Xenon 2.5" Mini Bi-xenon Projector Len Hid H1 with Shroud: Automotive ... am I on the right track here?

 

[zopperman]

Thanks, Zak. I hadn't heard of the mini H1s, here's the first hit I got on Amazon: Amazon.com: Xenon 2.5" Mini Bi-xenon Projector Len Hid H1 with Shroud: Automotive ... am I on the right track here?

Yeah, you are. I probably would have bought a cheap projector like that, but the mini h1's were 90 bucks on black friday sale. I wound up getting mini H1's + halos for under 120 so I was happy.

The housing on my 03 is very big so I wanted a big shroud, hence the gattling 2.0 instead of a smaller one like that. But that's just personal preference

mini H1 from TRS

Bi-xenon: Morimoto Mini H1 6.0 - HID Projectors from The Retrofit Source Inc

Honestly, the amazon projector will probably be fine unless you're an HID nut and dream about perfect cutoffs.

What's your stock bulb? the mini h1's come with an adapter plate for certain bulbs and it's really awesome, it does all the adjustment for you and makes the install super easy.

Here's my headlight build in progress: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...6-0-retrofit-slow-headlight-build-thread.html

 

[philsey]

A previous owner did a cheap HID conversion on our 3gen, the light quality is abysmal. Too white and no distance. I understand this is pretty common, some kind of plug and play bulb in an unmodified housing? I might convert back to stock, but my wife would prefer a proper retrofit if I can do it without too much hassle. I've been watching a couple HID retrofit threads and I feel like I'm missing a couple key points. So some specific questions:

The projector serves to focus and control the output of the HID bulb, right?
** right, but HID projectors, not halogen projectors, they are different.

Does the shroud serve any purpose other than to disguise the guts of the projector?
** correct, esthetic, but needed.

If I want high beams, I need a separate set of projectors, right? Or is that what the bi-zenon projectors are for?
** No. Yes. B-Xenons are the way to go. Even if you have halogen HBs like I do. This combo rocks.

Without knowing exactly what ballast and bulb are in there now, is it likely that I can reuse them with whatever projectors I pick up, or will I need to replace those as well?
** You could, but I sure would not. Start fresh with quality components. Anyone who puts HIDs into reflectors does not know what they are doing.

If I can reuse the ballast and bulbs, all I need is a set of projectors and shrouds and to modify the stock housing to accept the projectors, right?
** see above.

School me, oh T4R.org. Bring me into the 21st century.

Kid, if you'll do some searching in the 5G section, there is quite a bit of info.

myself, jesse1983, harper7, and several others have posted threads. I have a large interest in this and can help if you want. Disclaimer: a pnp hid kit in ANYTHING other that HID projectors is not so good.

Here are pics of a pnp in a 2014's halogen projectors - you be the judge.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...r-fog-light-hid-conversion-2.html#post1565824

By pm if you wish, let me know what you're willing to spend, and will you DIY.
I had mine done by a retrofitter. It's not cheap.

Here is a site with THE experts:

HiDplanet : The Official Automotive Lighting Forum

This is the best source for quality componentry, and top notch CS.

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/

My retrofit - ck out my output pics.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...hid-projector-retrofit-installation-pics.html

And finally - ask anyone with a proper retrofit how they like it. Best automotive lighting you'll ever own. But don't buy crap, go to TRS.

 

[zopperman]

And finally - ask anyone with a proper retrofit how they like it. Best automotive lighting you'll ever own. But don't buy crap, go to TRS.

I agree, unless money is really tight (which for me it always hence why I waited till black friday and suggest cheaper things)

TRS products are all top notch. I couldn't swallow paying so much for the halos till I got them, they are perfect circles and incredibly bright. Their customer service is really great too, they'll walk you through everything. There is an ongoing comparison on HIDP of the mini h1 v an ebay (or amazon) projector and the mini h1 is definitely better, but not by a huge amount for an untrained eye so to speak.

Morimoto vs eBay Bi-Xenon projectors- Pictures.

[MENTION=51186]philsey[/MENTION] - your cost was nearly ~1k according to your thread for FXRs (which are a step up from mini h1's, but harder to install) The kit was 315 for HID's and projectors, what was the rest of the cost? just labor?

also ETA - here's a link to [MENTION=93434]gshadow325[/MENTION] 's quad retro (which mine may turn into soon) and [MENTION=72620]A_HuL[/MENTION] also has a good write up of the modification required for a 9006 housing.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/157515-another-projector-retrofit.html#post1565805

 

[philsey]

... but harder to install)

..... just labor?

I bought spare headlights to send in for the retrofit, so that cost, plus shipping out and back is also in there. (I later sold my takeout HLs on here, but for some loss).

So, a fair bit in labor, yes. But partly because I wanted 'premium' projectors, the install was more complicated... and I simply WAS NOT going to diy.

Many have criticized my cost of this upgrade. But look at any M-B, Lexus, Audi, etc that offer HIDs as an option -- it's usually $1400-$1500.

 

[Millerad1651]

If you want to start over, TRS sells a kit thats plug and play. You don't have to cut your housing, everything fits though the stock opening. It'll give you both low and high beams. And its a quality kit that many 3rd genners have used.

Bi-xenon Morimoto Mini Stage III Kit (H1) - Complete Retrofit Kits from The Retrofit Source Inc

You want the H4/9003 harness. There are 5 or 6 guys who've bought this lit in the last month. I would also suggest going with the 4300 or 5000 bulbs.

There are 5 or 6 threads in the 3rd gen section covering these kits and installs as well.

 

[zopperman]

I bought spare headlights to send in for the retrofit, so that cost, plus shipping out and back is also in there. (I later sold my takeout HLs on here, but for some loss).

So, a fair bit in labor, yes. But partly because I wanted 'premium' projectors, the install was more complicated... and I simply WAS NOT going to diy.

Many have criticized my cost of this upgrade. But look at any M-B, Lexus, Audi, etc that offer HIDs as an option -- it's usually $1400-$1500.

Hey if you're happy with it that's what matters. I opted for the budget/diy option because i'm a broke college kid who spends way too much money on lights as it is.

you do what makes you happy. :thumb3:

I know what you mean though, any vehicle i have from here on out will have projectors and HIDs. I have an addiction

 

[philsey]

.... There are 5 or 6 guys who've bought this lit in the last month. I would also suggest going with the 4300 or 5000 bulbs..

Very good advice. Resist anything else.

 

[KidVermicious]

Kid, if you'll do some searching in the 5G section, there is quite a bit of info.

myself, jesse1983, harper7, and several others have posted threads. I have a large interest in this and can help if you want.

There've been a bunch of threads on these, I know. I just didn't want to sidetrack any of them with my silly questions. I appreciate you chiming in.

I don't mind DIY at all, in fact I prefer it. Much less expensive that way, although the kit Miller linked is a lot less money than I expected a plug and play kit to be. I definitely won't be spending the sort of money you invested in your setup - I drive a 1st gen, remember? That's code for "cheap bastard".

If you want to start over, TRS sells a kit thats plug and play. You don't have to cut your housing, everything fits though the stock opening. It'll give you both low and high beams. And its a quality kit that many 3rd genners have used.

Bi-xenon Morimoto Mini Stage III Kit (H1) - Complete Retrofit Kits from The Retrofit Source Inc

You want the H4/9003 harness. There are 5 or 6 guys who've bought this lit in the last month. I would also suggest going with the 4300 or 5000 bulbs.

There are 5 or 6 threads in the 3rd gen section covering these kits and installs as well.

This is tempting. I need to look and see exactly what is in the truck now, but that's inexpensive enough that it may convince me I don't need to DIY.

 

[jmildoc]

if you want to start over, trs sells a kit thats plug and play. You don't have to cut your housing, everything fits though the stock opening. It'll give you both low and high beams. And its a quality kit that many 3rd genners have used.

bi-xenon morimoto mini stage iii kit (h1) - complete retrofit kits from the retrofit source inc

you want the h4/9003 harness. There are 5 or 6 guys who've bought this lit in the last month. I would also suggest going with the 4300 or 5000 bulbs.

There are 5 or 6 threads in the 3rd gen section covering these kits and installs as well.

what~!!!!!!!! Show me the threads on these?!!!!

 

[Millerad1651]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/61409-diy-cheap-easy-hid-projector-retrofit.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/102734-rickashays-projector-retrofit-thread.html

His involves a little more than plug and play, but still relatively easy.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...it-97-4runner-project-toyota-4runner-org.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/156134-projector-retrofit-question.html

Also, the TRS website has a very detailed FAQ and build section. It answered most of my questions.

 

[Jedrattle]

Perfect timing for this thread. I'm dazed and confused with all the retro fit threads and all the info given out. Millerad...I looked at the plug and play link you posted. What is the deal with the oem Denso w Amp conversion? Also I read that the shroud depth can effect light output some. Anyone have any experience with that? My big fear is the aiming of them. I don't want to screw it up.

 

[SantaCruzRunner]

Dont be cheap. Don't blind people. Do a retro. End o story.

 

[Bandit Runner]

Here's another good thread that was recently started in the 3rd gen section:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/157607-projector-retrofit-picture-thread-faq.html

Here's another really good info thread:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/engines-suspension-wheels-tires-audio-accessories/111641-hids-everything-you-need-know-then-some.html

And here's a link to my retrofit thread:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/101725-bandit-runners-projector-headlights.html

Probably the best mod I ever did.

Good luck!

 

[hoe_nah]

honestly if you wanna cheap out go get some stock projectors. im sure ppl like myself who do retrofits on vehicles with stock projectors are looking to dump the stock ones for cheaaaaaap. TRS now offers clear lens for most stock projectors. you can then modify them with the clear lens and make your own shield, delete those squirrel finders and use an hid kit or stay halogen. i just did my 2011 xb so i may use those stockers on my 4runner