ok, yesterday i switched out my 98 headlights for the newer glass ones. i havent had time to aim them yet, but im not sure if thats the solution or not. the newer headlights work fine, except that there is light going almost directly out sideways from the truck on both sides. this isn't right, is it? or is this just how the newer style headlights are... i noticed the driver side headlight sticks out a tad more than the corner light, but the passenger side lights are even, and both sides have light coming out almost perpendicular to the truck. anyone else who's done this swap have any problems?

thanks in advance

 

Directly sideways? Nah, that's not right. FWIW, I put the new clear glass on my 97. Drivers side aimed in great. Passenger side is darn near at the limits trying to keep it relatively low. I've taken the glass off a few times to check and see if I missed anything, but can't find it. Frankly, my glass is off from the corners enough to notice it - trying to keep it inline. If i were to line the glass up it'd point out to 1 o;clock if you know what I mean.

Anyways - no suggestions. But some agree-ance.

 

yeah, i thought it was weird too.

i went back outside tonight to look at them and i figured out its just the drivers side light doing it. if i cover the passenger light, there is still light going sideways on BOTH sides of the truck. so is the LH side light just sticking out too far or what? is there a defect in the light?

the only thing that i can think of is the bracket, does anyone know if the brackets differ from 96-98 and 99-02. should i have used the 99 lights in the 98 brackets to make it fit better?

 

I think more info might be needed here. Do you mean they don't shine any light ahead, but ONLY shine out to the sides? hard to imagine that.
I've installed quite a few after market lights, both bulb replacements and entire headlight assembly replacements, and they can be a crapshoot quality-wise. Biggest problems Ive seen is not the fit on the truck, but in getting the bulbs to seat in the right spot so the bulb output bounces off the reflector properly. This can be very difficult to determine, but first off just double check that the bulbs fit perfectly into the holders and that the retainer rigns fit over them straight, square and tight.

But, if you mean that they throw a good beam forward and also have light going straight out the sides (more than you had before) - some newer lights are designed like that. I like it - it helps on trails and curvy roads at night, and it's nice in the fog.

 

no, there is a normal beam ahead, just light going out also. maybe it is supposed to do it and im just not used to it. or maybe its the bulbs not in right and its not reflecting properly.

 

I bet we can help you on Friday!

 

well i think i found out the problem, look at the pic...



so the middle part that covers the bulb is supposed to be straight up and down, like a cross (like in the passenger light). on my driver light, it is turned diagonal. i looked at another 4runner and it had both center reflector pieces straight up and down. so im guessing thats the problem. i guess this is what happens when you buy 'OEM' parts off ebay...