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OEM LED headlights conversion adapters for 14-20 halogen 4Runners!

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by mynameistory, May 1, 2022.

  1. Dec 16, 2022 at 3:18 PM
    #91
    daveeasa

    daveeasa New Member

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    Hmm, I would have expected Tory would have told me about that? Do you guys also have to drop the parking brake to get DRL on? I know the Tacoma requires that. Is it something simple like that?

    The three things which I know have tripped people up with DRL testing are

    1. Head Unit settings
    2. Auto on stalk and ambient light sensor thinking it's dark (parking garage) so night mode, hence dim / parking lights on
    3. Parking Brake engaged which must be dropped and reset to start the DRL from ECU

    Outside of that, the harness doesn't disconnect the high beams, it uses a T to control the shutter through a relay so even if the relay is totally useless, if your low beams and high beams work, DRL shouldn't be affected. All the "smarts" (if you can call them smarts) are directed at that shutter wire.
     
  2. Dec 16, 2022 at 4:35 PM
    #92
    CJT4Runner

    CJT4Runner Frosty

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    Did the head unit settings.
    Don’t have Auto headlights.
    Tried putting the parking break on and off to no avail.

    Tried following the manual.

    F2A5A831-AB0B-4720-8EA7-4DB7FB4D950C.jpg
     
  3. Dec 16, 2022 at 4:37 PM
    #93
    daveeasa

    daveeasa New Member

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    Disconnect the harness and observe the DRL next?

    If you need a refund, no problem with that. I don't see any reason why there'd be trouble but I have no way to test these, I'm going entirely off feedback from other 4Runner owners.
     
  4. Dec 16, 2022 at 4:48 PM
    #94
    CJT4Runner

    CJT4Runner Frosty

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    I’ll have try that when I get home tomorrow. I won’t be able to get to it till then. Heck no on the refund! You have an excellent product and I don’t mind a little experimentation to help you out!
     
  5. Dec 16, 2022 at 6:54 PM
    #95
    CJT4Runner

    CJT4Runner Frosty

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    Well…. I’m an idiot. Turns out my DRLs were on the entire time but I couldn’t see them during the day and there is no DRL indication on the instrument cluster. The harness works perfect.
     
    daveeasa likes this.
  6. Dec 16, 2022 at 7:27 PM
    #96
    mynameistory

    mynameistory [OP] New Member

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  7. Jan 15, 2023 at 9:23 AM
    #97
    rageandlove

    rageandlove New Member

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    First, great work to Story and Dave. Love this!

    Second, apologies if this has been covered (I'm not educated enough to read Eletroboy's diagram), but is the reason Dave's "Plug and play quad high beam" harness lights up both the LED high beams as well as the DLRs because of limitations in what is possible in the wiring?

    Ideally, I'd love a harness that gave the LED high beams but just left the DLRs the DLRs. I'd rather not risk having an illegal high beam due to the reflector change, and I have light bars if I really need light.
     
  8. Jan 15, 2023 at 9:54 AM
    #98
    daveeasa

    daveeasa New Member

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    I think I understand what you're asking for. I believe it would be straightforward. I'd use 87a off the relay to send the "DRL" signal to the 9005 connector instead of a direct T.

    You'd effectively obtain the behavior of newer 4Runners as Tory has described to me, only the LED "high beam" meaning high beams opens the LED shutter but the 9005 bulb only runs PWM DRL.

    I wouldn't personally be concerned about legality of high beams but I realize my usage patterns aren't the same as others. High beams should only be used when no oncoming traffic exists so extra "spray" (for lack of a better term) doesn't make them more or less legal, it's all about trying to ensure you can see the road/trail best and that means putting light out at a distance rather than in the foreground.

    Anyway, I think it's possible to do if that's what you really really want.
     
  9. Jan 15, 2023 at 5:12 PM
    #99
    rageandlove

    rageandlove New Member

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    Hi Dave and thanks for the reply. I'm game to try. I have a 2019 FWIW. Here is where I would like to end up:
    1. LED low beams.
    2. LED high beams.
    3. DRLs that function as OEM - on when the car starts, off when the lights come on, etc.
    4. Being able to put LEDs in the DRLs to get a better white color. Like this person did.
    On the last point, with your suggested approach, the DRLs would get 12v power, correct?

    I guess if it works, you could have a fourth option to sell. Let me know how to proceed.

     
  10. Jan 15, 2023 at 6:02 PM
    #100
    daveeasa

    daveeasa New Member

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    I don't really know, as I don't own a 4Runner. You'd probably be best vetting your plan with @mynameistory in that regard. I know he said the DRL is 6V half strength for the newer 4Runners or at least I think he did? So the old ones are full 12v with PWM dimming? Not super sure to be honest.

    All I can do is build my harness and have the high beam disconnected when the shutter is open. That's within my capabilities. I'm not sure what the net behavior becomes.
     
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  11. Jan 16, 2023 at 2:11 PM
    #101
    mynameistory

    mynameistory [OP] New Member

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    I think that would work... Basically the low beam signal would disconnect the DRL circuit at 87a on the relay? That way, anytime the low-beams are on, there's no way for current (PWM or steady +12V) to reach the 9005 bulbs.
     
  12. Jan 17, 2023 at 9:41 PM
    #102
    rageandlove

    rageandlove New Member

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    Thanks. I have a 2019. I *think* that means it would be steady +12V to the DLRs, right?

    @daveeasa ... is the best way to proceed once Tory and I net out on the DLRs is to DM you?
     
  13. Jan 18, 2023 at 3:31 AM
    #103
    daveeasa

    daveeasa New Member

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    I added a 4th variant for you. Let me know if you or Tory would prefer different language in the description so it's clear to the buyer what they should get? Having 4 choices seems like it might be a bit overwhelming.
     
  14. Jan 18, 2023 at 6:00 AM
    #104
    daveeasa

    daveeasa New Member

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    Those of you who have done the install, as far as mounting the relays goes, would a zip tie like this work better than a standard zip tie? I'm about out of my 8" zip ties and going to purchase new ones so thought I could streamline the install a tiny bit if these would work?

    upload_2023-1-18_6-0-28.jpg
     
  15. Jan 18, 2023 at 7:40 AM
    #105
    mynameistory

    mynameistory [OP] New Member

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    Should be +12V but will be PWM. Then disconnect once low-beams are lit. I don't think there's anything wrong with passing PWM through a relay, correct?

    Hard spot to get in to measure, I could do a visual sometime today to help jog my memory. The spot I zip-tied to is definitely too tricky for a bolt/nut with the headlight installed. But if people are putting new headlights in the same time as the harnesses (likely), it would probably make it worlds easier to mount, even with metal hardware.
     
  16. Jan 18, 2023 at 10:15 AM
    #106
    daveeasa

    daveeasa New Member

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    Yeah, as far as mounting goes, since I don't have any chance of getting hands on a 4Runner (unless I buy one which is certain to trigger a divorce) I'm counting on the rest of you to tell me what might be better than the boring 8" zip tie or if that's totally sufficient / as good as it gets.

    Something like this is possible to as I sell the SR Tacoma kits so I have this hardware pack:

    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/sr-sr5-oem-led-headlight-harness-v2.736263/#post-26211450
     
  17. Jan 29, 2023 at 1:42 PM
    #107
    rageandlove

    rageandlove New Member

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    OK! @daveeasa - order placed for the new variant (LED high beams only). Now off to find a set of dual-LED lights.

    @mynameistory - I think that PWM means if I want a LED bulb I'll have to install anti-flicker drivers too, correct?
     
  18. Jan 29, 2023 at 2:16 PM
    #108
    Foothills

    Foothills New Member

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    Replaced halogen lights in this truck with Sylvania Zevo led bulbs, very bright with great pattern, no flicker, same color as OEM led fog lights, guaranteed for 5 years.
     
  19. Jan 29, 2023 at 2:33 PM
    #109
    rageandlove

    rageandlove New Member

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    Any chance you can share a link to what you are using? If there is something that works without drivers ...
     
  20. Jan 29, 2023 at 2:49 PM
    #110
    Foothills

    Foothills New Member

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    https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/...k-cool-white-light-2-pk-0200504p.html?loc=plp
    https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/...k-cool-white-light-2-pk-0200518p.html?loc=plp

    Plug and play. Part numbers for the above that I installed are same as these below.

    https://www.sylvania-automotive.com/sylvania-h11-led-fog-and-powersports-bulb-2-pack/H11SL.BX2.html
    https://www.sylvania-automotive.com...g-and-powersports-bulb-2-pack/9005SL.BX2.html
     
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2023
    LuLu and rageandlove[QUOTED] like this.
  21. Jan 29, 2023 at 8:41 PM
    #111
    daveeasa

    daveeasa New Member

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    Interestingly enough, you're the 2nd guy to buy this variant, not the first. I sure hope the other guy knew what he wanted. I assumed that order was yours. If he's on here, perhaps he can chime in once he receives and installs. Though if you guys are anything like me, it can take some time between purchase and install on these things.
     
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  22. Jan 30, 2023 at 9:16 AM
    #112
    mynameistory

    mynameistory [OP] New Member

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    I'd avoid those bulbs for anything other than decorative use. They are dimmer than factory halogen bulbs at any distance greater than 40 feet.

    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ector-headlights.589465/page-72#post-21596941

    @rageandlove the problem with PWM is that the 4Runner is tuned for halogen, which has a much slower ignition than LED for dimming. So any LED bulb you stick in there (without a modified driver circuit) will just do full blast high-beam brightness with a slight flicker effect.

    I only have experience with the Xenon Depot 9005 kit, which offers DRL drivers as an option to properly dim your bulbs (though I noted a "humming" appearance to the lights, the way a fluorescent bulb might hum). However, those can get fairly pricy especially if you're just doing DRL.

    These decorative 9005 bulbs from Diode Dynamics should do the trick: https://www.diodedynamics.com/9005-hp48-led-bulbs.html. Though I can't say whether you will see a flicker, they will at least be reduced in output so that you're not blinding everyone in DRL mode.
     
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  23. Feb 1, 2023 at 9:21 PM
    #113
    rageandlove

    rageandlove New Member

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    Yes, I live in the PNW with no heated garage, so the "mod season" is best from April - Sept. Plus I'm going to try and find used before I spring for new.

    I'll give them a whirl and report back.
     
  24. Feb 11, 2023 at 7:12 PM
    #114
    rageandlove

    rageandlove New Member

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    OK. They flicker like crazy. Completely useless. If anyone wants them for the price of shipping let me know.

     
  25. Feb 27, 2023 at 11:20 AM
    #115
    Rockeye

    Rockeye New Member

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  26. Feb 27, 2023 at 11:44 AM
    #116
    mynameistory

    mynameistory [OP] New Member

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    I'd recommend the plug n play quad beam. Everything will plug straight in, no additional work or wiring needed.
     
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  27. Feb 27, 2023 at 11:48 AM
    #117
    daveeasa

    daveeasa New Member

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    TLDR, I believe the LED high beam only is for people who are super concerned about the potential for quad high beams being blinding to oncoming drivers due to the different bucket behind the halogen bulb when serving in full brightness mode.

    I don't see the downside myself, high beams shouldn't be used with oncoming traffic and the headlight is designed to work in DRL mode (at least I assume it is) so not a massive problem having more light (even if not aimed for downroad use) vs less light when highs are on.

    But, it would help if I could observe the difference myself, it's possible that the bucket creates such unfocused light that the foreground is washed out with high beams on and distance vision is reduced vs LED high beam only?

    I rely on Tory for all of this and he is the one who wanted quad high beams so that's what I would pick if I splurged and bought myself a T4R.
     
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  28. Mar 1, 2023 at 6:16 AM
    #118
    mynameistory

    mynameistory [OP] New Member

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    With the altered pattern in the new reflectors, it's impossible for me to say whether they are useful or compliant as high-beams. There will definitely be more foreground light than the older style reflectors. But as Dave said, high-beams aren't for cross-traffic use and I'd rather have the option than not.
     
  29. Mar 1, 2023 at 7:10 AM
    #119
    daveeasa

    daveeasa New Member

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    I could see how maybe having the option for quad high beams vs led only high beams at runtime might be nice. That would require at least one extra relay though and further complicate an already complicated harness and burn a switch spot.

    Maybe someone with the quad high beam harness can get a photo (just disconnect the high beam connector on one side) showing the difference?
     
  30. Mar 1, 2023 at 7:56 AM
    #120
    kmeeg

    kmeeg LionRunner

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    I'm waiting for @mynameistory give me a good news something like a new easy plug and play harness where I can run my quad highbeams with stock headlight stock on my 2021 4Runner with stock bi-LED headlights. Hopefully a solution not having to remove the bumper. Right now my additional highbeams are turn on and off with a separate switch (the same switch I use for my auxiliary lights) :(
     

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