pawl

I have been looking and searched around for what the differences are between the headlights. Everywhere I look, it seems that they are completely interchangeable. When I try finding replacement lights, I get different part numbers and the 99+ are way cheaper ($100+ vs $35)! I was wondering what the differences are between them? Same question goes for the corner/parking lights I suppose.

(I ask because I just got my 1996 Hilux Surf and need to put DOT/SAE lights on. That and my Japanese units shine to the left so highway driving blows.)

pdyebrasil

They upgraded in '99 to a clear lens on both the headlights and sidemarker lights. Pre '99 headlights focus the light using the lens (glass), while the newer headlights use the reflector for focusing. '99+ are a much better design, and look much nicer as well.

They are also a direct bolt-on, no modifications needed. The only thing to watch out for is the super cheap aftermarket imitations... I bought a set a long time ago and the beam pattern was horrible; much worse than my original '98 headlights.

pawl

Do the 99+ lights use a plastic lens instead of glass now? Or is it also supposed to be glass?

Since projector's are a pretty common mod, would it be better to start with 99+ headlights for a project like that?

I ordered lights by TYC since I've had pretty good experiences with their stuff before. Buying the newer style saved me well over $150, basically half the cost on the whole order. Should make the front end look nicer too

fibercarbon

i have a 1997 and the headlights are very dim.. i was looking on ebay at replacement headlights and wondering which ones are best and which possible HID upgrade kit to go with.. I see they have ANZO / TYC and other brands.. any recommendations ?

Keith122

I use TYC brand in my body shop. Pretty decent lamps. Stay away from very inexpensive lamps, they will suk.

pawl

I just ordered new headlamps and corner lamps from Rockauto. They are all TYC brand (which I have had good luck with in the past) and are arriving pretty quick. The price was great too since I got all the lights shipped for less than what the wreckers are asking for a single used headlamp!

I haven't done HIDs in the truck, but from past experience, you really don't get much out of HIDs without the right lamp. If you just put them in a regular lamp you will just end up spraying the light at other drivers and you won't get any benefit.

Start by checking to make sure your lights are aimed correctly. Then get a good headlight bulb. Bulbs have a lifespan and it varies but many are only rated for 200 hours or less (that'll be less than a year for me). If that doesn't do it for you, then you can look into doing a projector retrofit. Its a lot of work and can be quite expensive but I've seen lots of guides here and if you do it right, the results are very very impressive.

I'm going to be taking my original Hilux Surf lights off and had been hoping to make use of them but if the lens does all the aiming, I don't know if I'll have much use for them anymore. Maybe I'll make some sort of offroad light out of them or something.

exist

Not realllllllly.. Bake the lenses off, slide a Mini H1 in place of the original bulb, tighten a nut - bake the lenses back on.. done.. 4runners and tacomas are some of the easiest vehicles to retrofit hands down. I was nervous about the 93 'runner and the '97 tacoma I did but it was literally plug and play after some VERY minor trimming.

hrt4me

I have a pair of clear headlights and DDM Tuning 35W HID kit to sell if you're interested...

fibercarbon

Im going through the same issue... I have a 1997 4runner SR5 4x4 V6 170k
i really want to get a lift to make the truck look better instead of buying a new truck.
Toytec
ToyTec Superflex Rear Coils (96-02 4Runner)
P/N: 024RCB
Not Sure Shocks.. Was looking at extended travel rear Bilstein 5100 series shocks
ToyTec Superflex Rear Coils (96-02 4Runner)
That Combo on there...
Come to $399.99 and that is for the REAR END ONLY and does not include install time and labor...

FRONT:
Toytec/Eibach front coil lift springs
TOYTEC/EIBACH FRONT COIL LIFT SPRINGS $163.99

'96-'02 4Runner 3" lift (Will not work on stock length shocks
So Gotta find out what shocks to get for the front...
For that above and thats not including FRONT SHOCKS YET!!!
Shipping is 45$ FED EX..

UP TO 609$ And still need front shocks and most likely some other parts... AND ALOT OF WORK
Thats alot of Money..

fibercarbon

Already ordered and have had for about 2 weeks sitting around at my house now because the connection where the water washer looks different from the ones I have seen pictures of coming from the Bulb for the Aftermarket HID Kits.. $42$ Does anyone elses kit look like this??

fibercarbon

this is what the 9003 HID 5000K Bulb looks like on their amazon page....

fibercarbon

Shouldnt the bulb where the connections are be more like this:
2x H4 9003 HB2 Bi-Xenon HID Conversion Kit Replacement Light Bulb 6000K 6K

fibercarbon

Also found these.. SEE How the water protection washer is before ALL THE Connections.. This looks like how it should be to me ?? I might be wrong?
ANYONE HELP?

cnmrosko

I own a 98 4runner and in July 2007 I replaced the stock headlight bulbs with (PIAA 15224 H4 Style Xtreme White 12V 60/55=110/100). The low beams recently went out, the high beams still work. These bulbs are WAY brighter than the stock bulbs were. I am pretty satisfied with the performance and longevity of the PIAA bulbs.

busmup808

The 99s are way nicer than the 98 lens and like mentioned above they bolt right on. Mines a 98 with 99 headlights.