4Runner stock lights so bright that...

It’s factory. It’s a THEM problem not yours

 

Same here, got flashed so many times driving across a CO on a pitch black hwy. I had to flash my brights back to "show them" they were indeed on low, then they'd keep flashing. I thought at some point someone would turn around and be "that guy". They must be pretty bright...

 

These exist in other markets. Matrix lighting has been around for quite some time. They are not DOT compliant because the DOT has no interest in allowing for good lighting technology

 

There are people on the roads with mental health issues, drunk, high on methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, LSD, mushrooms, pot -- you name it. Rolling down your window to explain anything to someone who has gotten out of their car to confront you puts your life in danger. Countless news reports detail how people have been shot in such circumstances.

In situations such as the one you have described, I strongly recommend taking a side street or pulling into a parking lot and allow the violent character actor to go be violent somewhere else.

 

I agree W/what you said BUT in the heat of the moment you may not be thinking rationally & want to tell the @$$ Hole he's wrong! Again you are %100 correct. I just hope if that happens to me I'll remember your thoughts!!

 

For the people that are getting flashed, have you checked that your headlight alignment is correct, per spec? Taken it to a wall, taped it off, and adjusted accordingly? If you're lifted or leveled, has that been accounted for?

There's nothing one can do when there's rolling hills, or it's a small car that flashes you (since they're in the direct path of light), or you're travelling up a hill and someone is coming down into the light. But each individual can to their part and at least make sure that they're adjusted properly. PO had never adjusted his headlights when we bought the 2016 from him. They were WAY too high, I had to go in and readjust them.

 

This is why we train for such eventualities. Be prepared and train yourself to protect your life and those with you in the vehicle. The roads are full of violent actors and you don't want to get involved with them, but sometimes you don't have a choice so be prepared. When I moved back to America after 25 years abroad I made sure to keep a firearm with me as well as other less lethal means of self defense. These violent actors are everywhere and the next time you get behind the wheel you may meet one. Train yourself so that you don't rely on making decisions in the heat of the moment. Train yourself. Or get training from local groups. Arrive Alive.

 

There's a lot of out there. Happened to me. I had just barely purchased my 22 ORP about a week prior. Family and I was coming home from diner one night and out of nowhere this car zooms past me (I was driving 45ish) in the next lane then all of a sudden slows down and does an immediate lane change in front of me. I was already aware of this vehicle when he sped past me. As he got in front of me, I took my foot off the gas pedal leaving a good amount of space in-between us. He then brake checks me . At this point I already fell further back (probably more than 10 cars lengths) dropping my speed from 45ish to about 30ish. Needless to say, the wife and kids were oblivious to what was happening (of course tic-tok'g away as usual). I didn't say anything as not to startle them. We came up to the intersection at the stop light, he stopped and I can see him peering through his rear-view mirrors. I didn't pull up directly behind him because I knew if I did, chances are, he probably would've came out of his car so I left a good distance between us in case I needed to make a last min getaway. Mind you I had my CC pistol on me as well. Light turns green and he slowly rolls, I guess he was waiting for me to change lanes so he can get besides me. To avoid confrontation, I made a right at the light even though I lived straight ahead and like 3 blocks on that street. Not worth it, jeopardizing the lives of anyone. Who knows what he would've done but I know if it came down to it, I would've protected myself and my family. To avoid that, I took a detour. Didn't need to be a . Funny thing was, when I turned, wife looked up and asked me, where are you going? I just replied with, "I feel like getting a drink from 7 leaves".

 

This is prudent action, although it goes against the grain of my thinking “how come I always have to be the one to back down, move over on the sidewalk, let it go … when I’m not doing anything wrong?”. For me, it’s a tough pill to swallow, but I know playing the long game causes less issues. I have a dashcam n the front, thinking of getting another one for the back, maybe even the sides. Since getting this slow as, gas guzzling beast … I’ve really slowed down my driving to grandpa pace, and hang out in the slow lane … and I’ve grown to enjoy it (I thoroughly enjoy driving my 4Runner). However, I seem to be cut off more, flashed at more (from behind), and passed angrily as if I’m unethically driving or breaking the law (which in almost a saint now). Where did all the a-holes come from??? I do miss some of my past vehicles, and I guess since I was quicker driver than, I didn’t encounter these folks. But I never cut anyone off, or brake checked or anything like that.

 

Regarding our LED lo beams, they really are not that bright compared to other vehicles similarly equipped. I do think the manufacturing of the light lenses is strange to focus brightness at the top / centre of the cut off, as this is idiotic for non rural driving. My wife’s car is pretty low (2023 Lexus IS), so took her car, parked on level ground, then parked the 4Runner behind leaving at least 2 car lengths between us and adjusted my low beam headlights to be just above where her headrest meets the seat (front seats). Now only time I’ve been flashed is when I’m at an intersection where I’m slightly pointed uphill (a lower street), and so I just flash to show my high beams. I do have GTR Carbide headlights on order which are a little less intense at the cutoff line compared to stock LED, but the high beam is LED and better than stock. That should be good for city / suburb driving.

 

I think you nailed it on the head. I’ve generally blamed the cutoff as the problem. But the way you describe it is what it comes down to. In fact, if the hotspot was smidge lower, the cutoff wouldn’t really even matter.

 

It's my religious beliefs (topic for another day). I believe in treating others how you'd like to be treated. I can only hope that one day the world for our kids would be a much better place. It only starts if someone starts. I've since added dash cams to my 4R, both to the front and rear. I was thinking of replacing it with a 4-way camera to capture even more angles.