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-   95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners (https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/)
-   -   Projector headlights (https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/projector-headlights-200657/)

AlexJet Jan 5, 2010 12:08 PM

Projector headlights
 
I was looking to upgrade my 2001 4Runner reflector headlights to projector ones.
I looked at the web, but can't find 4Runners projectors for 3rd Gen, but I did find ones for '97-'00 Tacoma.

1. Does anyone knows if there are 4Runner specific projector headlights? If ye, could you post up a link?

2. In case there is no 4Runners available, would Tacoma ones fit 4Runner? Is there any modifications need to be done to fit them?

Taco projector from HALO:
http://www.topgearautosport.com/img/350/101103A9RC.jpg

b0n3mast3r Jan 5, 2010 12:16 PM

You would need some front in tacoma part like grill

AlexJet Jan 5, 2010 12:25 PM


Originally Posted by b0n3mast3r (Post 51325065)
You would need some front in tacoma part like grill

What about mounting locations for the screws???

Grilles are not much different. Or I'm missing something? ...Oh, they like inverted vs each other.....

http://images31.fotki.com/v1056/phot...SC01078-vi.jpg
http://images01.olx.com/ui/2/14/28/f_17430628_1.jpeg

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_...0054_large.jpg
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_...0004_large.jpg

xskydivingdudex Jan 5, 2010 12:26 PM

ur best bet is just to do the retrofit urself or to get someone who knows how to do it... i looked into this a while back and thats y i dont have it done yet.

Midget96 Jan 5, 2010 03:38 PM

Just get the drop in G3 ebay projectors. They work great, have a good cutoff and amazing output. Rivals most OEM projectors.

Check HID Planet for a better review of them and pics.

Rock Slide Jan 5, 2010 06:16 PM

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/a.../#post50901220

AlexJet Jan 6, 2010 02:40 AM

Why nobody actually makes a set for 4Runner???

akaphilly Jan 6, 2010 03:44 AM

only the 1337est n1nj4s can make them.. not including me :)

there was a set pre made in the for sale section a few months back.. they sold quick..

Midget96 Jan 6, 2010 05:50 AM


Originally Posted by AlexJet (Post 51325844)
Why nobody actually makes a set for 4Runner???

It takes less than an hour to make them at home, thats why.

michalik_piotr Jan 6, 2010 07:16 AM

Those will not fit. I saw those a few months ago on a truck and got excited too.... plus i've heard they have a poor pattern anyways. i'm doing the ebay "len" drop in projectors next. you can get the projectors, bulbs and ballasts for $125.

AlexJet Jan 6, 2010 08:17 AM


Originally Posted by Midget96 (Post 51325891)
It takes less than an hour to make them at home, thats why.

Are you sure? As far as I saw the forums, it may take a day or 2 to make them...

crackiswack Jan 6, 2010 09:10 AM


Originally Posted by michalik_piotr (Post 51325925)
Those will not fit. I saw those a few months ago on a truck and got excited too.... plus i've heard they have a poor pattern anyways. i'm doing the ebay "len" drop in projectors next. you can get the projectors, bulbs and ballasts for $125.

those look goofy though. If you go through the trouble of opening up the headlights, then why not just do a full retrofit

Midget96 Jan 6, 2010 03:14 PM


Originally Posted by crackiswack (Post 51326003)
those look goofy though. If you go through the trouble of opening up the headlights, then why not just do a full retrofit

Because the eBay ones are cheaper, take zero fabrication, use D2S/R bulbs and have the output that most OEM projectors have. Really a tough choice...

crackiswack Jan 6, 2010 05:10 PM


Originally Posted by Midget96 (Post 51326306)
Because the eBay ones are cheaper, take zero fabrication, use D2S/R bulbs and have the output that most OEM projectors have. Really a tough choice...

actually, after looking at comparison to some OEM projectors, the g3s are pretty blah. Super weak width, sloped cutoff, and hot spots? I'll pass

AlexJet Jan 7, 2010 02:42 AM

As of yesterday eBay listings were showing over $150 for FX projectors for retrofit thread been linked, so retrofit can esily cost above $500 mark. Price tag is high...

Midget96 Jan 7, 2010 09:08 AM

https://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g.../DSC_2716h.jpg
G3 "Ebay" Projectors w/cutsom shield

https://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g.../DSC_2747h.jpg
Nissan FX projectors

There is not a $400 and 15 man hour difference between these two.

StupidPig on HID Planet took these, and he's apparently the only person selling these right now. For $10 he puts in the custom shield for you to give you a great cutoff.

MillerPKA Jan 7, 2010 09:46 AM

Ok now I'm interested. Wheres a link to these g3s? We'd have to purchase the shields separately from a user on hid planet or does he offer the kit?

crackiswack Jan 7, 2010 10:06 AM

First, lets compare similar pictures first of all
FX
http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g2.../DSC_2747h.jpg
Stock G3
http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g2.../DSC_2723h.jpg
Modded G3
http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g2.../DSC_2719h.jpg
If you don't think there isn't a significant difference in width, then I don't know what to tell you. Some people are willing to pay for quality, and I don't even think an FX projector is all that great, and it easily trumps the G3 in terms of width. Just look at the lower left and right corners and along the cutoff line towards the end and compare, where additional output is most important. I would hate to see a comparison to a good projector such as an ls430/TL/s2k
Second, the kit doesn't come with ballasts for that price of $150, so add in a decent set of ballasts for $100+ depending on if you go OEM or not, then you are looking at a total of around $250. If you are totally lazy you can purchase a kit from TRFS for ~$400 total. http://store.theretrofitsource.com/p...8b811d2c93ba5a
So the difference in price is $150. If you put together your own kit for much less. I picked up a set of FX's on HIDplanet for $50 shipped a while back with clear lenses, OEM matsua ballasts and phillips OEM 85122+ bulbs for $120 shipped, and built my own wire harness for ~$15. Build your own shroud for $10, and total would be around $200. LESS than the cost of these aftermarket projectors and you get OEM components.

No argument about the additional time required to do the install, except that it would take longer than an hour to do a retrofit with those g3 projectors once you factor in all the time spent removing the headlights, baking, reassembling, wiring, aiming, installing, reaiming etc. So you are probably looking at 10 hours vs. 20 hours. Also the G3 projectors are held in place by a single threaded insert and nut attached at the very end of the projector and the headlight housing. I would be very concerned about the durability of such an install if the vehicle is used offroad like its meant to be.

At the end of the day it comes down to personal choice, available time, and skill level, but to true lighting enthusiasts, a real retrofit is superior to those lights in every way

robertcrav Feb 1, 2010 09:29 AM

Link?
 
Hey Midget do you have pics of yours?

Also, does anyone have a pic of the stock beam pattern vs the g3 vs fx..?


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