1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

New Headlights, retrofit time (Switched to Alpharex)

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by PVT Pablo, Sep 14, 2020.

  1. Sep 14, 2020 at 4:34 PM
    #1
    PVT Pablo

    PVT Pablo [OP]

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2016
    Member:
    #1694
    Messages:
    2,232
    First Name:
    Paul
    Kitsap County, WA
    Vehicle:
    2016 4Runner TRD Pro
    Coming soon!

    20200914_193202.jpg
     
    7385 and V4runner like this.
  2. Sep 14, 2020 at 8:17 PM
    #2
    Tylandus

    Tylandus New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2017
    Member:
    #4687
    Messages:
    92
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    Vehicle:
    Former Taco owner. 2019 4Runner SR5 Premium/3rd row.
    deets?
     
  3. Sep 15, 2020 at 4:32 AM
    #3
    PVT Pablo

    PVT Pablo [OP]

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2016
    Member:
    #1694
    Messages:
    2,232
    First Name:
    Paul
    Kitsap County, WA
    Vehicle:
    2016 4Runner TRD Pro
    They are DNA Motoring Headlights. They are exact match to OEM except a few things.

    -Top chrome eyebrow is now black instead of chrome
    -Area around low beam projector is now black
    -Turn signal area is black

    My stock headlights were beginning to peel so I figured it was a good time to get new ones. They were 250 bucks which isn't bad in my mind.

    Installing later today.
     
    7385 likes this.
  4. Sep 15, 2020 at 5:16 AM
    #4
    Tylandus

    Tylandus New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2017
    Member:
    #4687
    Messages:
    92
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    Vehicle:
    Former Taco owner. 2019 4Runner SR5 Premium/3rd row.
    Ah, I see. Do you know if the projectors are made for halogen or HID or LED bulbs?

    Additionally who did you order them through? Quick googling brings me to their website, but apparently have to go through a dealer to buy them.
     
    Last edited: Sep 15, 2020
  5. Sep 15, 2020 at 5:30 AM
    #5
    PVT Pablo

    PVT Pablo [OP]

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2016
    Member:
    #1694
    Messages:
    2,232
    First Name:
    Paul
    Kitsap County, WA
    Vehicle:
    2016 4Runner TRD Pro
    Well everything came to full stop once I put in my HID lowbeams. The projector optics are trash compared to OEM (in this instance throwing HID's into the halogen projector won't work like the OEM projectors). Im going to do some more fitting but as of right now I am far from impressed with the aftermaket projectors optics.
     
    Last edited: Sep 18, 2020
    7385 likes this.
  6. Sep 15, 2020 at 6:01 AM
    #6
    Tylandus

    Tylandus New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2017
    Member:
    #4687
    Messages:
    92
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    Vehicle:
    Former Taco owner. 2019 4Runner SR5 Premium/3rd row.
    That sucks. If I had the money, I'd be looking at the following:

    https://alpharexusa.com/product/14-...or-headlights-mid-night-black/?v=f24485ae434a
    https://alpharexusa.com/product/14-...or-headlights-mid-night-black/?v=f24485ae434a

    or
    https://www.theretrofitsource.com/toyota-4runner-xb-led-heads-B-LF531?quantity=1

    Nowhere can I find a review or even light output on the AlphaRex models though.
     
  7. Sep 15, 2020 at 6:16 AM
    #7
    PVT Pablo

    PVT Pablo [OP]

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2016
    Member:
    #1694
    Messages:
    2,232
    First Name:
    Paul
    Kitsap County, WA
    Vehicle:
    2016 4Runner TRD Pro
    Those alpharex will be my next try for sure. I'm gonna test some different bulb gaskets and see if I can make this happen but so far the beam pattern looks like any of the fake Chinese projector lights right now.
     
  8. Sep 18, 2020 at 7:45 AM
    #8
    PVT Pablo

    PVT Pablo [OP]

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2016
    Member:
    #1694
    Messages:
    2,232
    First Name:
    Paul
    Kitsap County, WA
    Vehicle:
    2016 4Runner TRD Pro
    Update: After doing a ton of research on projectors, retrofits, ect. I decided to buy a set of Morimoto M LED 2.0 LED projectors that come with a set of brackets to install into my aftermarket headlights. Total price all in is about $680 bucks with the headlights and retrofit kit.

    Here's a link to the projectors: https://lightwerkz.net/products/retro-quik-toyota-4runner-14-18

    Basically what I'm going to have to do is open up the headlights (which should be easy on fresh butyl rubber and new non-brittle headlights). I'll unscrew the crappy halogen projector, install the new projectors and put it back together. The kit comes with all the wiring needed and after all is said and done, I'll have perfect LED low beams, and a quad high beam, all other functionality will remain OEM.

    Should have this kit in a few days and I'll get it installed with pictures.
     
    Last edited: Sep 18, 2020
    7385 and Tylandus like this.
  9. Sep 18, 2020 at 8:11 AM
    #9
    BimmerChop

    BimmerChop Rich

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2020
    Member:
    #14794
    Messages:
    88
    Gender:
    Male
    CT
    Vehicle:
    '17 Super White TRD Pro
    Awesome! Sounds like a great plan. Can't wait to see your results
     
  10. Sep 20, 2020 at 5:14 PM
    #10
    PVT Pablo

    PVT Pablo [OP]

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2016
    Member:
    #1694
    Messages:
    2,232
    First Name:
    Paul
    Kitsap County, WA
    Vehicle:
    2016 4Runner TRD Pro
    No going back now

    20200920_201103.jpg
     
  11. Sep 21, 2020 at 2:55 PM
    #11
    PVT Pablo

    PVT Pablo [OP]

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2016
    Member:
    #1694
    Messages:
    2,232
    First Name:
    Paul
    Kitsap County, WA
    Vehicle:
    2016 4Runner TRD Pro
    And they are done. That sucked haha

    20200921_173717.jpg

    Knowing what I know now I'd have a pro do it because it was such a hassle.

    New functionality is pretty cool. DTRL is now the low beam, and then I have quad high beams.

    The look pretty mean off too.
    20200921_173944.jpg
     
    newtotoyota, TRDPro916 and Mtbpsych like this.
  12. Sep 21, 2020 at 3:02 PM
    #12
    siblue

    siblue Well-Known Honda Butt Pirate on GRC forum

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2016
    Member:
    #1950
    Messages:
    497
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    Socal
    Vehicle:
    22 GX460 Blackline
    How does new projector mount to shroud?
    Looks good
     
  13. Sep 21, 2020 at 3:09 PM
    #13
    Mtbpsych

    Mtbpsych New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2018
    Member:
    #7922
    Messages:
    1,887
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5
    Good job! Looks solid:woot:
     
    PVT Pablo[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  14. Sep 21, 2020 at 3:11 PM
    #14
    ForRun

    ForRun 4Runner

    Joined:
    May 25, 2019
    Member:
    #10019
    Messages:
    3,045
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 orp
    Nice, can you post up pics of the beam pattern on a wall? Just wondering if mine are the same. Also do yours have the morimoto logo projected? It looks like a viking or something
     
  15. Sep 21, 2020 at 3:13 PM
    #15
    PVT Pablo

    PVT Pablo [OP]

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2016
    Member:
    #1694
    Messages:
    2,232
    First Name:
    Paul
    Kitsap County, WA
    Vehicle:
    2016 4Runner TRD Pro
    The new projector mounts to the OEM projector mounting area using a supplied bracket. The shroud over the front of the projector is mounted to the lens.

    Yep I will post them up as soon as it gets dark. I do not have the projected M logo or whatever it is, I think those were only on the 1.0's and they did not carry over to the 2.0's.
     
    siblue[QUOTED] likes this.
  16. Sep 21, 2020 at 3:22 PM
    #16
    ForRun

    ForRun 4Runner

    Joined:
    May 25, 2019
    Member:
    #10019
    Messages:
    3,045
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 orp
    Please let me know. I asked Kustom54 about the logo and he said it's the biled2....here's a pic

    20200917_191320.jpg
     
  17. Sep 21, 2020 at 3:26 PM
    #17
    Jynarik

    Jynarik I like boobies

    Joined:
    Jul 10, 2019
    Member:
    #10510
    Messages:
    2,192
    Gender:
    Male
    Austin Texas
    Vehicle:
    2019 trd pro voodoo
    Looks great
     
  18. Sep 21, 2020 at 3:29 PM
    #18
    siblue

    siblue Well-Known Honda Butt Pirate on GRC forum

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2016
    Member:
    #1950
    Messages:
    497
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    Socal
    Vehicle:
    22 GX460 Blackline
    This might be my next upgrade if I don’t buy 21 LED headlights
     
  19. Sep 21, 2020 at 3:39 PM
    #19
    PVT Pablo

    PVT Pablo [OP]

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2016
    Member:
    #1694
    Messages:
    2,232
    First Name:
    Paul
    Kitsap County, WA
    Vehicle:
    2016 4Runner TRD Pro
    Ooooh yes I have a similar pattern on my lens. I think thats just a byproduct of the light shining through the plastic lens.

    They are awesome but doing this is not for the faint of heart. Having done this one time i'll definitely pay someone else next time haha
     
    siblue[QUOTED] likes this.
  20. Sep 21, 2020 at 3:46 PM
    #20
    siblue

    siblue Well-Known Honda Butt Pirate on GRC forum

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2016
    Member:
    #1950
    Messages:
    497
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    Socal
    Vehicle:
    22 GX460 Blackline
    I did a few 3rd gen Tacoma sets. It was a pain but still fun to learn.
     
    PVT Pablo[OP] likes this.
  21. Sep 21, 2020 at 3:55 PM
    #21
    ForRun

    ForRun 4Runner

    Joined:
    May 25, 2019
    Member:
    #10019
    Messages:
    3,045
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 orp
    One video I saw online showed an M projected on the ground. Mine does not have that.
    One reason I asked for a beam pattern, it has 2 peaks that resemble an "M"
     
  22. Sep 21, 2020 at 3:58 PM
    #22
    PVT Pablo

    PVT Pablo [OP]

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2016
    Member:
    #1694
    Messages:
    2,232
    First Name:
    Paul
    Kitsap County, WA
    Vehicle:
    2016 4Runner TRD Pro
    Yep the 1.0's had the M logo projected on the ground. Thankfully they did away with it on the 2.0. Too ricey for me.
     
  23. Sep 21, 2020 at 5:00 PM
    #23
    PVT Pablo

    PVT Pablo [OP]

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2016
    Member:
    #1694
    Messages:
    2,232
    First Name:
    Paul
    Kitsap County, WA
    Vehicle:
    2016 4Runner TRD Pro
    I'm not sure how I feel about this however, seems one of my morimotos isn't perfectly aligned or something, I have two cut offs.

    Right

    20200921_195303.jpg

    Left

    20200921_195306.jpg

    Not sure how to fix this but it's kind of annoying for 400 dollar projectors.
     
  24. Sep 21, 2020 at 6:02 PM
    #24
    ForRun

    ForRun 4Runner

    Joined:
    May 25, 2019
    Member:
    #10019
    Messages:
    3,045
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 orp
    Did you align 25' on a level surface? I use a laser level because I've yet to find one. Most lots, garages, shops are all pitched for drainage
     
  25. Sep 21, 2020 at 6:30 PM
    #25
    PVT Pablo

    PVT Pablo [OP]

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2016
    Member:
    #1694
    Messages:
    2,232
    First Name:
    Paul
    Kitsap County, WA
    Vehicle:
    2016 4Runner TRD Pro
    The issue isn't the alignment, the beam pattern is actually doubled on the right side. I'm gonna call tomorrow and see whats up with that.

    You can see the left bulb has a perfect cutoff, while the right is kind of fuzzy.
     
  26. Sep 21, 2020 at 6:48 PM
    #26
    ATCRich

    ATCRich New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2020
    Member:
    #16654
    Messages:
    33
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rich
    Vehicle:
    2020 Super White TRD ORP
    Really like those alpharex units, but that’s some serious coin....
     
  27. Sep 21, 2020 at 7:15 PM
    #27
    ForRun

    ForRun 4Runner

    Joined:
    May 25, 2019
    Member:
    #10019
    Messages:
    3,045
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 orp
    funny how so many ditched the alphrex and others praise it. not sure what to make of that
     
    ATCRich[QUOTED] likes this.
  28. Sep 25, 2020 at 1:56 PM
    #28
    PVT Pablo

    PVT Pablo [OP]

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2016
    Member:
    #1694
    Messages:
    2,232
    First Name:
    Paul
    Kitsap County, WA
    Vehicle:
    2016 4Runner TRD Pro
  29. Sep 25, 2020 at 2:12 PM
    #29
    ForRun

    ForRun 4Runner

    Joined:
    May 25, 2019
    Member:
    #10019
    Messages:
    3,045
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 orp
    Any luck with the beam pattern? I'll try to grab a photo of mine later tonight
     
  30. Sep 25, 2020 at 2:20 PM
    #30
    4R777

    4R777 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2018
    Member:
    #8099
    Messages:
    842
    Look really nice.

    I need to replace my headlights badly on my 4th gen. At night it's worse than a small flashlight. Covers are so yellow and cracked. Will not be spending $680+ though. :eek:
     

Products Discussed in

To Top