What to do with current HID system?

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bruinjay

New member
Hey folks,

I bought a used '14 TEP with an HID system installed into what appears to be the stock projectors. Previous owner stated the bulbs are 6K. I am not at all happy with the lamps' performance-- they're blue and quite anemic. Furthermore, when I engage them, the DRLs flicker for a few seconds, and shut off.

What should I do? Replace the bulbs swap out the entire system? Or try to get back to stock halogen? Attached is a short youtube vid to illustrate what the set up looks like in current form.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4n-zol3l14

Any guidance is appreciated,

Thank you
 
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I dont recognize the brand of HIDs. If you have two "boxes" (which are the ballasts) identical on both driver and pass side I would say you must have HID fogs too? Judging by the way it is installed and the rust on a few of the screws already, I would ditch the system altogether. Who knows what they did? I wouldn't dick around putting new bulbs on something I don't know works correctly. I would get it back to stock, get rid of the DRL flicker. Then either leave it stock, or research HID set ups like Xenon Depot or Morimoto. Or if you have the cash to really do it right, do a complete HID projector retrofit.
 
I second ditching that system. Loose components aren't cool and will only be a liability. Undue everything the previous owner did and start fresh!
 
Thank you, for that feedback. It appears the HIDs are cheap EBAY setup to the low beams and DRLs. The wiring thats run appears to be pretty extensive too :( I see some good reviews about the H11 system from XD, but might still be sub-optimal.

How hard would it be to go back to stock?

Thanks
 
bruinjay said:
Thank you, for that feedback. It appears the HIDs are cheap EBAY setup to the low beams and DRLs. The wiring thats run appears to be pretty extensive too :( I see some good reviews about the H11 system from XD, but might still be sub-optimal.

How hard would it be to go back to stock?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Shouldnt be hard. The old plugs for the original bulbs should still be there, they usually plug into another plug that goes to a relay that triggers the ballasts to come on and light up the bulbs. Then you would need just the stock low beams, and high beams since the highs light up half power to be your DRLs. Which would also explain why your DRLs flickered. Basically just find where your stock plugs are at, save those, and junk the rest of that garbage!
 
uood8 said:
I would go with Halogen fogs and the retrofit source hid kit. That's def a cheap kit, I'd trash it.
Click to expand...

+1 on that. Xenondepot or TRS (The retrofit source ) Morimoto kit.

If you go the TRS route, you can get 15% discount with "Toyotanation" coupon code.
 
Thank you guys for all your insight! Now just have to figure out what the factory wiring looks like... would anyone be so kind as to post a picture inside the engine bay so I know what to look for?

I've ready some older posts that HIDs burn more rapidly than Halogens. Is this still the case?

On a separate tangent, what are your thoughts about LEDs? I've seen some posts about the H11 for the fogs and DRL's, but what about the low & his?
 
bruinjay said:
Thank you guys for all your insight! Now just have to figure out what the factory wiring looks like... would anyone be so kind as to post a picture inside the engine bay so I know what to look for?

I've ready some older posts that HIDs burn more rapidly than Halogens. Is this still the case?

On a separate tangent, what are your thoughts about LEDs? I've seen some posts about the H11 for the fogs and DRL's, but what about the low & his?
Click to expand...



You will find the stock h11 connector behind the round plastic cap pictured. The hole drilled in the center with the blue and red wires are connected to the ballast.

As far as burning more rapidly do you mean heat generated vs halogen?

With LEDS i haven't seen a owner yet with a setup, although someone did purchase a kit but ended up not using it.
 
I would suggest , as others said, to remove the cheepo ebay stuff and start anew.
You can go back to factory if you so desire because all of you factory plugs should have remained intact. Replace with quality bulbs and you will be back OEM.
Or, you can choose other quality HID systems, TRS or XenonDepot systems in a lower kelvin temperature 5500K or below and get quality results.
(More than likely the issue you are having with the color is the cheepo kits are sold as 6000K and are more likely 8000K color temp.)
Do not do the HID's for the high beams unless you do a complete retrofit and seperate the DRL or you will continue to get that flicker with the DRL's.

Here is a link that may help:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/174334-hid-upgrade-one-go.html#post1760969
 
Really, nothing wrong with ebay cheap kit but as long as the ballast doesnt cut out which is common for cheap ballast. 35 watt is 35watt but in test shows that ebay chinese ballast drives a bit over 35 watt which doesnt harm anything.

Just change the bulb to a good brand 4300k and you're good to go. Although, the stock halogen projector isnt great for width and intensity, it will provide you the oem look and a better evening lit. TRS XB35 bulb is a great start for $50 bucks.
 
I had the same problem a week ago. I inherited an HID system that was beginning to dim and fail. I gladly had my mechanic remove it and went back to stock halogen so I can properly research a better lighting system should I choose to.
 
I'll get some tonight! I don't have any LEDs currently, but am considering for FOGS and DRLs:)

Anyone got pics of LEDs in those positions to share?

Still considering a quality HID kit too, but getting back to stock is still definitely on the table. What halogen bulbs do y'all like to cast a nice, bright white beam?

Thanks!
 
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bruinjay said:
I'll get some tonight! I don't have any LEDs currently, but am considering for FOGS and DRLs:)

Anyone got pics of LEDs in those positions to share?

Still considering a quality HID kit too, but getting back to stock is still definitely on the table. What halogen bulbs do y'all like to cast a nice, bright white beam?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
I found the Sylvania silver stars or whatever they were called were good for halogen, but lasted about a year. Same with any other of the "brighter" bulbs I tried back in my "tuner" days lol.
 
I appreciate everyone's input. I think I'll source everything I need from XD. Let me know what you think of this menu:

Lows: 9005 HID w/ Phillips 4300
Highs: 9005 LED Headlight Kit or Phillips H11 Bulbs
Fogs: Phillips H11 LED Bulbs
DRL: 9005 LED bulb
 
Im guessing its like a 8k bulb they are running. A cheap fix would be replacing the bulbs for some other cheap ones and going with a lower number like a 6k. But I agree with everyone else Id ditch it and go with xenon depot. Those guys are good. :thumb:
 
Id go phillips all around. I dont know about led drls, I haven't heard anybody do those with much success yet. But thats something you can research on here :)
 
Yes, definitely starting fresh. The lousy kit installed on the vehicle now doesnt even have rubber grommets to keep condensation out of the headlamp-- super ghetto job. I'm looking forward to giving this vehicle the lighting capacity it deserves.

LED light bars too...down the road...just a little ways :)
 
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