taking orange reflector out of headlamps

[jamesj]

taking the orange reflector out of my headlamps when doing my retro HID's. is this ok to remove this ? or is it a law to have them? 2005 4runner SR5.

 

[TTurner]

In Texas i know there is no law requiring the reflectors. I took mine out when i painted my headlights black. I would just google it to find out. Its what I did. I believe the reflectors or some kind of reflection is only required on the rear But that is in Texas

 

[chaz]

in NJ it is illegal to remove them front or rear if your car came from the factory with em. its also required for state inspection, of course some go to private places where they let it go.

 

[jamesj]

State inspection ?

in NJ it is illegal to remove them front or rear if your car came from the factory with em. its also required for state inspection, of course some go to private places where they let it go.

what is this state inspection everyone talks about? i'm in Ohio and we have never had this. we only have an emissions test every other year.

 

[martini]

Orange reflectors in the headlights? I've only noticed then on the corners where the turn signal is. Is this the one you're talking about? If not does anyone have a picture? If it is the corner wouldn't your front turn signals be white without an orange bulb (not sure if there is already an orange bulb, I'd have to go look).

 

[Merlin]

gotta have in HI. local laws may vary.

 

[chaz]

jamesj, your kidding me ,right? i know some states dont have any except emission tests but come on ,you never heard of vehicle state inspection stations? in NJ it use to be every year, its cut back to every 2 now.

 

[jamesj]

how would i know?

jamesj, your kidding me ,right? i know some states dont have any except emission tests but come on ,you never heard of vehicle state inspection stations? in NJ it use to be every year, its cut back to every 2 now.

why would i kid you? i have always lived in Ohio and we have never had vehicle inspections here, so why would i know about them if i never had one?

 

[Redstone8]

taking the orange reflector out of my headlamps when doing my retro HID's. is this ok to remove this ? or is it a law to have them? 2005 4runner SR5.

As required by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 which was introduced in 1968, all manufacturers that sell vehicles in the US and Canada are required to install side facing reflectors and marking lights amber in color in the front and red at the rear. Sometimes the reflector and light are combined as in the case of some cars ( 2003 Maxima for example) when it is installed in the bumper. Other designs incorporate it into the headlight/tail light assembly as it is in the case of the 4th gen 4runner. However in the 4Runner there is no light behind the reflector. Instead it's right above it. Although the manufacturer must comply with this standard when manufacturing the vehicle, not every state adopts FMVSS 108. Your local laws may differ and may or may not permit you to remove the reflective device or change its color or alter the light in any way. Check you local state laws first before you open up your headlights.

FYI the Japanese version of the 4th gen T4R called the Hilux Surf does not have this reflector up front. And the parking light up front is clear instead of amber as it is in the US models. A simple bulb change can fix that if you are trying to achieve an all clear look with all bulbs illuminating white light up front. But I know some people just hate looking at the little orange reflector. Good luck and post some pics if you decide to follow through with this.