hey....newbie here.....k, with my 1995 4runner, I'm importing it to Canada...they require DRL's on the headlights...anyone know how I convert this? Is there a kit or just a part or two to replace?

 

Canadian Tire up here sells a kit, it's about $30 and easy to install. Search your local Autozone, Schucks, etc and see if they have something similar. If you can't find it in WA I think you have a month or so after importing the vehicle to get it done.

 

DRL are required in canada? thats odd. i prob wouldnt, since i HATE DRL, they look stupid, and it kills your battery, if your alternator isnt working just right.

 

Yup, been required here since the early 90s. Hate them or not they do make vehicles easier to see, especially with our shorter days and crappier weather.

 

I have a DRL kit on our motorhome. When the alternator wasn't really working properly, the lights drained just enough power to kill the fuel pump in town. I disabled it. Lights are for night and when I think the weather is bad enough to run lights. Call me a control freak.

 

Only thing I don't like about the DRL's is you can't drive around with only the side marker lights on

 

I like auto headlights, not DRL's. DRL's burnout your bulbs faster. But, if you have to have them on your rig for legal purposes, then, by all means, do. I'm not sure I've heard about anything like that sold in a kit. Is there any exemption from the law if the vehicle is older, and did not come with those as a standard feature? I know in America, if your older vehicle did not come with seatbelts, you don't have to have them in the car. I'm wondering if there is a similar exemption up in Canada.

 

A few years back I heard from Young Drivers of Canada and Stats Can. that DRL or having lights on period, reduce risk of accident by 20%. Just a trivial fact for y'all.

 

I turn my lights on when I'm driving in shadowy areas, or where there is alot of curves, or bling corners, or on any dirt, or one lane road. I also do it when it's raining(that's now law in California, that you have to have headlights on in the rain), fog, or snow, or even when it's dim outside due to smoke, or clouds, or what not. ANY reduced visibility situation, I have headlights on. Just not when I don't need them. I just don't do it around town, or on the freeway, or on mostly straight highways. I learned to drive on some of the windyest roads around. Mostly, California Highway 1. The coast high way. I know what you mean about daytime lights saving lives, I just wouldn't want my car to do it automatically

 

DRL mods are pretty simple, you just need a single relay to turn the headlights on with ignition.

There are 2 popular ways to do this.

1. at the headlights themselves, by running a pair of wires to power up the headlights with ignition.

2. at the headlight switch, by running a single wire to power up the output wire on the switch

Any car stereo/alarm shop can do this for you. It's pretty simple, and the stereo/alarm shops do nicer wiring than most mechanics shops. A 'kit' isn't required, because a single relay is less than $5 thru your stereo shop.

 

thanks guys for all your help....sorry for taking so long to reply.....very intriguing thought with just running wires, I could definitely look into that. And believe me, I've done extensive research into the requirements, and anything from about 91 on must have the DRL's....it was an actual law passed back then.

thanks again!~