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

2020 TRD Off Road Headlight Help

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by travelinscout, Feb 18, 2020.

  1. Feb 18, 2020 at 8:01 PM
    #1
    travelinscout

    travelinscout [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2020
    Member:
    #13203
    Messages:
    630
    Gender:
    Male
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD ORP MGM
    I am new to the forum, and I apologize if this topic has been done to death. I am sure that I am not the only one who hates the stock headlights. I just bought a 2020 TRD Off Road Premium, and I absolutely LOVE the vehicle! Except for the weak, yellowish stock headlights. I am not looking to blind other drivers, but I live in a very rural area, and I simply cannot see at night. I have seen the Morimoto for about 1100 bucks, but I am looking more in the under 150 area for replacing low beams, high beams, and maybe fog lights.

    Thank you for your help in advance!
     
  2. Feb 18, 2020 at 8:09 PM
    #2
    SlvrSlug

    SlvrSlug Slightly bent.

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2018
    Member:
    #6172
    Messages:
    7,853
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Ramona Ca.
    Vehicle:
    2017 4-Runner SR-5 P. Kings, Built Right uca’s, Durabumps, RSG sliders
    Welcome.
     
    travelinscout[OP] likes this.
  3. Feb 18, 2020 at 8:20 PM
    #3
    ForRun

    ForRun 4Runner

    Joined:
    May 25, 2019
    Member:
    #10019
    Messages:
    3,044
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 orp
    I recommend the 12 buck H9 mod. I tried about all others.
    Heres a comparison https://www.4runners.com/threads/headlight-comparison-before-and-after.11875/
    The XV2 would have been a winner except they had dark and brite spots that follow the road that were obnoxious. The GTR color and brightness hurt peoples eyes. The 1100 buck XB.. picture shows, they are not that good, they need fog lights on to be complete and the distance just is not that good
     
  4. Feb 18, 2020 at 8:39 PM
    #4
    fajitas21

    fajitas21 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2016
    Member:
    #2395
    Messages:
    1,344
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Lee
    Collierville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2020 ORP
    Custom scratches
    I bought some GSR something headlights from Headlight revolution for both my 4Runners. Much better. About $130 for a set of low beams. That did the trick and didn't have the annoying fans.
     
    White runner likes this.
  5. Feb 18, 2020 at 8:44 PM
    #5
    MattAK

    MattAK Headin' for the hills

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2018
    Member:
    #8097
    Messages:
    279
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Utah
    Vehicle:
    2019 Tundra SR5 dbl cab white
    Welcome! I had PIAA Xtreme White Plus and Philips Crystalvision Ultra H11's in my '16 Trail Premium and then tried Auxbeam LED's in my '08 Sport projectors. I'm now using H9's on my '08 using this adapter harness from Amazon.

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TXRWOPA/

    The PIAA's weren't really worth the cost, the Philips were ok and a lot cheaper but I got them from Xenon Depot before they got bought out so not sure if I could find them again. The LED's were stupid bright up close but the brightness fell off pretty noticeably at the furthest point. There's a great thread on TacomaWorld about it, should read it. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-hid-vs-led-vs-halogen-h11-projector-headlights.589465/

    The H9's I'm using now are pretty good in my '08 projectors and the bulbs are cheap so I'll probably stick with these until I feel like doing an HID retrofit, if ever.
     
  6. Feb 18, 2020 at 8:59 PM
    #6
    2016Pro

    2016Pro Why all of the Pro hate?

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2018
    Member:
    #7739
    Messages:
    1,805
    HIDs work great in 4runners. Love mine
     
    anthonydotb likes this.
  7. Feb 18, 2020 at 10:30 PM
    #7
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2018
    Member:
    #7255
    Messages:
    2,709
    New Mexico
    The adapter harness isn’t necessary for a 2020. Just need to modify the bulb base. It’s a huge upgrade over stock for $14 (literally twice as bright).
     
  8. Feb 19, 2020 at 3:44 AM
    #8
    travelinscout

    travelinscout [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2020
    Member:
    #13203
    Messages:
    630
    Gender:
    Male
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD ORP MGM
     
  9. Feb 19, 2020 at 3:46 AM
    #9
    travelinscout

    travelinscout [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2020
    Member:
    #13203
    Messages:
    630
    Gender:
    Male
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD ORP MGM
    Thank you everyone for the replies! As far as the H9 bulbs, are those for hi or low beam, and can I get them at Autozone? Is it possible to post a link? What about the fogs?
     
  10. Feb 19, 2020 at 6:52 AM
    #10
    MattAK

    MattAK Headin' for the hills

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2018
    Member:
    #8097
    Messages:
    279
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Utah
    Vehicle:
    2019 Tundra SR5 dbl cab white
    It's not necessary on the '08 either but this way I just had to modify the adapter once rather than modifying every single bulb I have to buy.
     
    4runningMan[QUOTED] likes this.
  11. Feb 19, 2020 at 6:54 AM
    #11
    MattAK

    MattAK Headin' for the hills

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2018
    Member:
    #8097
    Messages:
    279
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Utah
    Vehicle:
    2019 Tundra SR5 dbl cab white
  12. Feb 19, 2020 at 7:20 AM
    #12
    skull

    skull New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2017
    Member:
    #3490
    Messages:
    40
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Karl
    NC
    Vehicle:
    2019 Trd ORP
    I tried the JDM Astar high performance 1:1 LED in the low beams...69.99 from Amazon and black led OEM fog lights...very impressed and much better than stock.
     
  13. Feb 19, 2020 at 7:26 AM
    #13
    PrettyGoodSam

    PrettyGoodSam New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2018
    Member:
    #6853
    Messages:
    802
    Gender:
    Male
    Philadelphia
    Vehicle:
    2012 4Runner Trail
    this right here ^^^^^^^^^^^. incredibly easy and cheap mod. increases your output a bunch, no worries about extra power draw and retain the property that the bulbs heat up and help melt snow and ice if that is a thing you encounter where you live. you will have to mod the bulb socket and one of the tabs. search for the h9/h11 conversion thread, it will have all the info. you can also put 9011's in the hi beam housing easily too.

    welcome aboard!
     
    anthonydotb and TN_FunRunner like this.
  14. Feb 19, 2020 at 8:09 AM
    #14
    jedraz

    jedraz New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2019
    Member:
    #12171
    Messages:
    1
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRD Off Road
  15. Feb 19, 2020 at 10:49 AM
    #15
    travelinscout

    travelinscout [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2020
    Member:
    #13203
    Messages:
    630
    Gender:
    Male
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD ORP MGM
    Thank you jedraz! What kind of fitment modifications did you have to do? Tab removal, etc.
     
  16. Feb 19, 2020 at 4:44 PM
    #16
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2018
    Member:
    #7255
    Messages:
    2,709
    New Mexico
    There’s no mods with his bulb choices. Those are stock sizes.

    If you want to stay with stock size bulbs (no mods to the bulb), the Philips XtremeVision H11 +100 is an awesome low beam bulb. $30 on Amazon.
    B9754A90-357A-4444-AD5E-BB3540FCA85D.jpg
     
    jack bauer1 likes this.
  17. Feb 20, 2020 at 6:25 AM
    #17
    Ironguy

    Ironguy New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2019
    Member:
    #12421
    Messages:
    7,224
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ralph
    Bisbee AZ
    Vehicle:
    2020 Black 4Runner Venture 1967 FJ40 Land Cruiser
    New pine scent hanger, new sun shade
    Welcome to the forum. The advice above is all good stuff. Pick one you like.
     
  18. Feb 20, 2020 at 6:54 AM
    #18
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2019
    Member:
    #10964
    Messages:
    6,634
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gary
    Albuquerque, NM
    Vehicle:
    2019 OR, KDSS, RSG sliders, Eibach shocks, 265/70 Falken Wildpeaks
    I, too, think the stock headlights suck. I looked at the two bulbs shown on Amazon, and wonder, why does it say on both that they do not fit a 2019 4Runner?
     
  19. Feb 20, 2020 at 8:29 AM
    #19
    travelinscout

    travelinscout [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2020
    Member:
    #13203
    Messages:
    630
    Gender:
    Male
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD ORP MGM
    Thank you!
     
  20. Feb 20, 2020 at 11:58 AM
    #20
    PrettyGoodSam

    PrettyGoodSam New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2018
    Member:
    #6853
    Messages:
    802
    Gender:
    Male
    Philadelphia
    Vehicle:
    2012 4Runner Trail
    are you looking at the H 11 or the H 9? H 11 is the stock bulb, H 9 requires some modification so it wont fit as you buy it. i just clicked through to that Amazon link you quoted and its for the H 11. the page said it will fit my 2012 4runner.
     
  21. Feb 20, 2020 at 12:05 PM
    #21
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2019
    Member:
    #10964
    Messages:
    6,634
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gary
    Albuquerque, NM
    Vehicle:
    2019 OR, KDSS, RSG sliders, Eibach shocks, 265/70 Falken Wildpeaks
    The Amazon link I quoted goes to the H11 SilverStar Ultra, and it says will not fit my 2019. Same with the other link quoted for the 9005, says the same thing.
     
  22. Feb 20, 2020 at 12:39 PM
    #22
    Imnrgman

    Imnrgman New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2019
    Member:
    #9319
    Messages:
    10
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Vehicle:
    2018 4runner limited
    3 inch lift
    I have the same issue. It says it will not fit my 2018 Limited
     
  23. Feb 20, 2020 at 12:46 PM
    #23
    PrettyGoodSam

    PrettyGoodSam New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2018
    Member:
    #6853
    Messages:
    802
    Gender:
    Male
    Philadelphia
    Vehicle:
    2012 4Runner Trail
    thats really weird!
     
  24. Feb 20, 2020 at 1:55 PM
    #24
    anthonydotb

    anthonydotb ig: @phantom.rnr

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2019
    Member:
    #11777
    Messages:
    70
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Anthony
    Vehicle:
    T4R Trail Edition Premium KDSS
    None yet
    Do yourself a favor and go to Amazon and search for HID's. Buy the product that best suits your budget and don't listen to anyone telling you otherwise. LED's can't compete with HID's and are preffered due to the angle that the bulb is inserted into the housing. Then once you find the bulb you want, move onto youtube to find tutorials. Some bulbs might require that you make a hole in the plastic housing. I did and couldn't be happier with the results.
     
  25. Feb 22, 2020 at 7:23 PM
    #25
    ForRun

    ForRun 4Runner

    Joined:
    May 25, 2019
    Member:
    #10019
    Messages:
    3,044
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 orp
    So with a new runner I planned on going H9 but those that know me would know I'm a headlight junkie:der:. Anyway figured I would try the Extreme vision 100+ a try.
    Stock and 100+ both taken within 1/2hr of each other... The H9 is couple months back in the old runner.
    I think H9 is best bang for the buck, but 20 bucks more looks a tad better

    IMG_20200222_184002~2.jpg
    IMG_20200222_185438~2.jpg
    IMG_20191220_214557_MP~3.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2020
    4runningMan[QUOTED] likes this.
  26. Feb 22, 2020 at 10:29 PM
    #26
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2018
    Member:
    #7255
    Messages:
    2,709
    New Mexico
    I’m still paranoid about the heat issue with the H9. The performance gain was significant. But the philips H11’s are good too.
     
  27. Feb 23, 2020 at 10:00 PM
    #27
    RotiniDre

    RotiniDre New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2020
    Member:
    #13268
    Messages:
    3
    The Silverstars are interesting for a few reasons.

    1) They were the losers in a massive class-action lawsuit a few years ago. Sylvania ended up sending two checks to everyone who bought Silverstars because of their supposed "brightness." Turns out, that claim wasn't true, and Sylvania settled by sending people 2 checks worth ~$20 to 30 total.

    2) Sylvania admits that the Silverstars suck in projectors and can cause your headlamps to fail minimum legal requirements.

    [​IMG]

    3) They're not much of an improvement over a standard bulb, like a cheaper Sylvania Basic. They're only an improvement over a well-used, long-life type bulb.

    4) The Philips XtremeVision handily creams the Sylvania Silverstar while costing much less, as several other posters have noted. Their subjective impressions are correct. Here is the actual data:

    [​IMG]
     
  28. Feb 28, 2020 at 7:49 AM
    #28
    arnette64

    arnette64 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2017
    Member:
    #4402
    Messages:
    31
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Alexandre
    Amos, QC (Canada)
    Vehicle:
    2020 4runner Off-Road
    TRD Pro Wheels, BFGKO2 tires
    Xenondepot H11 HID with phillips bulb, the way to go!
     
To Top