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86 Toyota pickup poor headlight lighting

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Old Dec 25, 2018 | 05:24 AM
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86 Toyota pickup poor headlight lighting

Just installed h4 headlights with hids. Bought h4 adapter with relays everything is wired. Checked prongs and have 14 14 and 0 on prongs per multi meter. Still piss poor low beam lighting. A flash light shines brighter. Any suggestions
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Old Dec 26, 2018 | 05:48 AM
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If they are cheap FleaBay hids throw them away. If they are installed in a stock halogen reflector then take them out.
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Old Dec 26, 2018 | 06:37 AM
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Yes

They were from Ebay. But just ordered the led headlights. Is that better.
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Old Dec 26, 2018 | 08:38 AM
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Only if they are Truck-Lite LED's.
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Old Dec 26, 2018 | 04:46 PM
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Yes they are from truck lite. But still why is my headlights dim with hids. Is the plug configuring wrong . Also the h4 conversion plug shows 14 volts on 1 prong and 0 on the other 2. Is that correct .
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Old Dec 26, 2018 | 05:09 PM
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Could be many factors, the housings are set up for standard bulbs, once you put an HID bulb in a standard housing the Correct reflecting is out the door HID bulbs work or they don’t unless they are bad. Voltage will cause flickering but not brightness issues.

Any pics of the housings or the set up?


Last edited by Discombobulated; Dec 26, 2018 at 05:10 PM.
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Old Dec 26, 2018 | 05:53 PM
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What HID's did you buy and did you test them directly to 12V before installation? I always test the ballasts, igniter and bulbs before use.

Last edited by se7enine; Dec 26, 2018 at 05:54 PM.
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Old Dec 26, 2018 | 10:57 PM
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Bulb upgrades are useless if you keep stock wiring. In fact higher power bulbs could damage stock wiring and your headlight dimmer combo switch.
H4 conversion harness should come before bulb upgrade. Pls search more.
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Old Dec 27, 2018 | 05:39 AM
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I think he said he got an H4 adapter with relays.
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Old Dec 27, 2018 | 01:04 PM
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Originally Posted by se7enine
I think he said he got an H4 adapter with relays.
Oh, I see.

Originally Posted by Bpitts23
Just installed h4 headlights with hids. Checked prongs and have 14 14 and 0 on prongs per multi meter.
Did you try the stock halogens to test if your H4 conversion harness is good?
Which prongs are which, how are you probing and in what position? Please see signature.

Originally Posted by Bpitts23
Yes they are from truck lite.
When you get your conversion harness working, I recommend Truck-lites LED, instead. Plug and play, I switched mine in the parking lot.
PLUS, they are not polarity-specific. Work with switched-ground (stock) or switched positive (most H4 conversion harnesses).

Last edited by RAD4Runner; Dec 27, 2018 at 01:11 PM.
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Old Dec 27, 2018 | 10:55 PM
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This is how the prong is set up now for h4 harness .

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Old Dec 28, 2018 | 05:51 AM
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Cheap HIDs is one reason for low output and on top of that 8000k bulbs make it even worse. It also looks like a shielded bulb and a poorly designed reflector housing that weren't designed to work together so less usable light actually reflects out.
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Old Dec 28, 2018 | 10:16 AM
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Tnx for the info, but... simple things are best.
I repeat,
Did you try the stock halogens to test if your H4 conversion harness is good?
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Old Jan 6, 2019 | 06:44 PM
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Rad. What harness do you recommend for the truck-lite leds.
Mine is a stock 85 4runner SR5
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Old Jan 6, 2019 | 07:49 PM
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Happy New Year, Guys!

Originally Posted by thefishguy77
Rad. What harness do you recommend for the truck-lite leds.
Mine is a stock 85 4runner SR5
I simply rewired mine to add a relay in place of the dimmer combo switches, HERE. Electrically simple, retains my switched-ground system and uses only one relay but to some it may feel like performing surgery - LOL!

For most people, a good H4 (refers the connector) conversion harness should work. (Sorry I haven't personally tried the commercial ones.) Most H4 conversion harnesses convert to switched-positive. Some LED lights work only with switched-ground or with switched-positive. My Truck-lites work on switched-ground that I have, and TL's tech support confirms that they will also work on switched-positive.

Last edited by RAD4Runner; Jan 6, 2019 at 07:57 PM.
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Old Jan 6, 2019 | 07:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Bpitts23
They were from Ebay. But just ordered the led headlights. Is that better.
Originally Posted by se7enine
Only if they are Truck-Lite LED's.
Originally Posted by Bpitts23
Yes they are from truck lite. Is the plug configuring wrong . Also the h4 conversion plug shows 14 volts on 1 prong and 0 on the other 2. Is that correct .
Originally Posted by Bpitts23
This is how the prong is set up now for h4 harness .
That's correct pin configuration^^^
You need to do tests if you are to figure this out.
Start with STOCK wiring and do tests I describe or prescribe (LOL) here.
Then let us know what you find out.

Last edited by RAD4Runner; Jan 6, 2019 at 07:59 PM.
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