Mods, now lighting...

2018 Limited. Taking the easy mods one step at a time. Thule bars, Roof-rack, K&N and Hood deflector. Lighting is next biggest issue with stock. Very poor illumination on low beams and fogs (Driving lights.) Over the years I installed hella driving lights in the front pushbars of my 4 Runners, Range Rovers and Landcruisers. I would also replace stock headlight bulbs with Hi Intensity Phillips and Sylvania but now with LEDS and what is offered by Phillips with their headlight upgrades, there so many choices. I've also read of some issues with interference with radio.

Over at Amazon under 4 Runners there are many choices. I'd like to know if anyone has found best plug and play solution? On my long distance trip last few weeks to Alabama and back it would have been better/safer with better lighting.

 

The most popular headlight upgrade is H9 conversion. Much better output while retaining proper beam pattern.

Some of the full LED headlight conversions look nice, but they're expensive.

I would skip drop in LED's.

I run Osram Nightbreaker laser H11, and I'm satisfied. I also upgraded high beams to Nightbreaker unlimited. And, I use Rigid D-SS ditch lights for night off road shenanigans.

 

Upgrading fog lights to brighter road legal fog lights would be beneficial. Diode Dynamics, Baja Designs, Rigid to name a couple manufacturers.

 

Get All The Lights!!! Lol

 

I ended up doing the Morimoto XB fogers and Zenon Depot LED Low Beams. Both in the 5500K range. Really good. pure white light (no blueish tint to it) and the beams have a very good distance and a hard cut off-line. Wish I had a good pic at night looking out the windshield.
Im looking at doing a full housing swap but having a hard time justifying $1000+ on it. This set up costs me about $350 and is really a joy on the dark nights. Very easy on my eyes... maybe not so much for oncoming traffic

 

I will say that the best mod I have done to my lights, for everyday usage, was the DD SS3 Pro fog lights. I love those!

 

I’ve also got the DD SS3 Pro Fogs (amber) on my 2021 OR and they are sooooo much better than the OEM fogs. Combined with a set of BD Squadron Pro driving lights for off road, I’ve got very good visability…

 

I just ordered the SS3s in Pro level, color yellow. Hope they’re as good as advertised.

 

Based on how much better than OEM my SS3 Pro’s are, I can’t imagine you being anything other than delighted….

Cheers,
Bob

 

Your raptors look super bright. What raptors are these?

 

$30 GTINTHEBOX 3 Pcs Grille Led White Light for 2014-2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro Grille SR5 TRD Off-Road Limited TRO Pro,Smoked Lens

Amazon.com: GTINTHEBOX 3 Pcs Grille Led White Light for 2014-2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro Grille SR5 TRD off-road Limited TRO Pro,Smoked Lens : Automotive

It may just be the angle the picture is at, but they are fairly bright...
I also wired them to only come on when the headlights are on (Low and/or high), not the DRL's or when the ignition is on like I see a lot of others do.

 

Finally completed the lighting upgrades recommended. Thanks for your input. Installed the Osram Nightbreaker laser H1's and Diode Dynamics SS3 Yellow Fogs. Looking toward upcoming road trip to test out all.

 

What bulb are you using for your High Beams? I checked on Amazon and it’s telling me the 9005 Nightbreaker won’t fit a 2019 4Runner.

 

I did not change out high-beams. They are stock and fine for now. The low-beams and fogs really were inadequate and needed the upgrades.

 

These:

OSRAM HB3 12V 60W 9005NBU Night Breaker Unlimited Auto Bulbs Halogen Headlight 2X

$63 OSRAM HB3 12V 60W 9005NBU Night Breaker Unlimited Auto Bulbs Halogen Headlight 2X

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FFVYCSK

It looks like the price went up.

I might look elsewhere for them, or choose a different bulb next time around.

 

Now you need to upgrade your distance lighting. (I too have the DD SS3 Max fogs.) Add some DD SS5 Spot beams behind the grill.



They also have a kind of neat backlight feature. Mine are wired into the parking light circuit.



The OEM high beams with the SS5's. The road slopes off about 1/4 mile away.

 

I just love the output of those SS5’s!!!

 

I don't think it's necessary to replace the entire headlight assembly, it's enough to change the bulbs

 

Or, if you wanted, you could by my 2021 Bi-LED assemblies from my 2021 TRD pro… just sayin. Lol

 

To mount my SS5's, I used Rago Fabrications brackets.


The specific parts I used were: I was quite happy with the quality of the RF mounts / brackets and other than having to add a .250" shim under each light to get the height perfect, it was pretty much a bolt in installation.

 

After doing both the H9 conversion and swapping to 2022 factory LEDs, I can tell you the difference is staggering. The factory headlights from 2020 and older are terrible. 2021s are an easier upgrade.

 

I was quite happy with the quality of the RF mounts / brackets and other than having to add a .250" shim under each light to get the height perfect, it was pretty much a bolt in installation.[/QUOTE]

Looks good and that picture answers a lot of questions in regards to mounting. I have upgraded low and high beams, added DD SS3 spots, and tied it all together so brights and spots come on at the same time. We do a ton of driving on back roads at 4am going to fishing spots and my current set up has helped us avoid quite a few deer already, because we can actually see them. I need a bit more punch for some of the areas though as well as some of the gravel and dirt roads we end up on. Pretty sure the SS5s will do that.

 

I really like to have discrete high power lights behind the grill and little worried about the heat produced by the high power lights that could damage the plastic grill. Wish light manufactures have more details of the heat produced my lights.

So far I have experience with DD SS6 & Auxbeam 32in light bar and no issues. The Auxbeam had better light out put than DD SS6 but none have good lighting like those fancy Baja Design lights (per videos).

 

It’s not hard. Have a blanket or saw horses handy to place the bumper on so no paint gets scratched.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KuI6y8TdjIc

 

Based on my personal experience, I'd say the SS5's will not disappoint you at all. I had a DD 30" Stage LED bar (all driving pattern LEDs) on my Tacoma and it was pretty impressive. The SS5's totally blow it away. Just pick your light pattern / lens carefully. I started with the driving lens, then went to the spot lens for less width and more distance / punch. You might want the driving pattern lens.

I'd also highly recommend Hotshot Offroad for your lighting purchases. I buy all of my stuff from them because of their over-the-top customer service.

Hotshot Offroad

 

On my last 4R I broke a couple clips and the bumper never fit right again. Probably won't do it again.

 

I won't say anyone to do it and I get the blame.
But I can't remember how many times I have removed my bumper. My theory was no hard pulls. Everything slow and gentle. Check multiple times if I have removed all the bolts on side and under and remove all the pins in middle.





I take extra care removing the section the top 10mm bolt on the sides. I remove the bolt, pull the bumper back and out. Else it will break.

 

I've had mine off at least three times working on different lighting options. I take my time and make sure to be very gentle. I also make sure I have somebody helping me - generally my Toyota / Lexus Certified Service Technician son. No problems yet. Perhaps I have an unfair advantage though.

 

Installation was complex with my mechanic friend’s lift, taking us an hour as there were
bracket “tunnels” to work around the back of the OEM fogs. Pleased with beam spread and throw,
especially on the Alabama rural highways.