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Headlight an Tail light recommendation??

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by 4Runner850, Mar 27, 2024.

  1. Mar 27, 2024 at 10:23 AM
    #1
    4Runner850

    4Runner850 [OP] New Member

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    Just purchased a 2018 4Runner SR5 an was looking to upgrade the head an tail lights.
     
  2. Mar 27, 2024 at 10:25 AM
    #2
    JET4

    JET4 Old Member

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    welcome
     
    4Runner850[OP] likes this.
  3. Mar 27, 2024 at 10:30 AM
    #3
    laxman09

    laxman09 Gassy Member

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    Options headlights: OEM 2021 LED Low beam halogen high or 2022+ quad LED. Or morimoto.

    Tails: OEM or Morimoto

    Or... Just put H9 bulbs in your headlights and look up the trim mod
     
    siblue, 4Runner850[OP] and steelevo like this.
  4. Mar 27, 2024 at 10:33 AM
    #4
    steelevo

    steelevo Not so new anymore...

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    Welcome.

    For the taillights, the OEM ones are good and perform well. The only options will be cosmetic changes. Some aftermarket taillights will reduce lighting performance. I run smoke Eagle Eyes taillights with Lasfit LED reverse bulbs.

    For the headlights, it will be determined your budget and end goal. The best bang for your buck is the H9 upgrade. The next best upgrade will be to OEM LED headlights. On my 2016 Limited and 2020 Pro, I ran the H9 upgrade and was impressed with the performance. When I upgraded my 2020 to OEM LED, I was surprised with how well they performed over the H9 upgrade. With headlights, stick with OEM and stay away from the aftermarket junk out there.
     
  5. Mar 27, 2024 at 10:37 AM
    #5
    steelevo

    steelevo Not so new anymore...

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    4Runner850[OP] likes this.
  6. Mar 27, 2024 at 10:39 AM
    #6
    4Runner850

    4Runner850 [OP] New Member

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    You dont happen to have links to any of this do you??
     
  7. Mar 27, 2024 at 10:43 AM
    #7
    laxman09

    laxman09 Gassy Member

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    google "site:4runners.com _________"

    in the blank area, but whatever you want to search and youll find wayyyy more opinions and ideas than youre ready to read. Its how I learned a lot really fast.
     
    broken-giver likes this.
  8. Mar 27, 2024 at 11:16 AM
    #8
    whippersnapper02

    whippersnapper02 New Member

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    Pretty much look at all the brands and see what you like.

    Headlights: I went Alpharex Nova MK2 but they have been sitting on the shelf for a year so you get a google pic.

    [​IMG]

    Tails: I went USR black housing because all the others look like Ford tails or just straight terrible.

     
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2024
    4Runner850[OP] likes this.
  9. Mar 27, 2024 at 1:44 PM
    #9
    TheGreekFreak

    TheGreekFreak New Member

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    Not sure if it's plug and play but I'd go OEM LEDs for the headlights. Happy with them and haven't heard of any issues from other owners so far.

    For taillights, I'm still weighing either leaving them alone or having my body shop guy add a light tinted clearcoat on them. Otherwise, from past experience, aftermarket ones are usually cheaper quality and can become just another headache to deal with.
     
    4Runner850[OP] and steelevo like this.
  10. Mar 27, 2024 at 2:10 PM
    #10
    whippersnapper02

    whippersnapper02 New Member

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    Don't tint your tailights sot they work less.
     
    alittleoff likes this.
  11. Mar 27, 2024 at 2:18 PM
    #11
    TheGreekFreak

    TheGreekFreak New Member

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    I've seen him do it to other cars and it looks great, with no noticeable impact on light visibility.

    He essentially adds a slightly darker clearcoat and it comes out looking OEM, similar to what you'd see on stock taillights from other manufacturers that are tinted a shade darker from the factory. Most people wouldn't even notice if they weren't familiar with the stock 4Runner taillights.

    I've only held off because I think the lighter stock taillights might match my new wheels better.
     
  12. Mar 27, 2024 at 2:27 PM
    #12
    whippersnapper02

    whippersnapper02 New Member

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    Nah.
     
  13. Mar 27, 2024 at 2:45 PM
    #13
    PVT Pablo

    PVT Pablo

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    For tails, OEM, USR, or Morimoto only. I have not been impressed with any of the other tail lights. The rest are dim and have reduced performance.

    Headlights, I have had OEM halogen, OEM halogen with HID, Alpharex, and Morimoto. Morimotos have been my favorite.
     
    4Runner850[OP] likes this.
  14. Mar 27, 2024 at 3:14 PM
    #14
    steelevo

    steelevo Not so new anymore...

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    If you're looking for the tinted OEM look, go with the Eagle Eyes or Anzo taillights. The link below is to the Eagle Eyes dark smoke on my Solar Octane Pro.

    https://www.4runners.com/threads/solar-octane-thread.31253/#post-449174
     
    4Runner850[OP] likes this.
  15. Mar 27, 2024 at 3:39 PM
    #15
    21NCRunner

    21NCRunner New Member

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    Morimoto headlights, tails and fogs, Cali Raised sliders, Gobi roof rack no riser
    Morimoto Xb heads, tails and fogs

    IMG_4267.jpg
    IMG_4264.jpg
    IMG_4268.jpg
    IMG_4263.jpg
     
    4Runner850[OP] and 1SilverRunner like this.
  16. Mar 27, 2024 at 4:45 PM
    #16
    sherwood4runner

    sherwood4runner New Member

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    I have a 2018 as well. I went Morimoto Gen 1 headlights and USR taillights. I bought the headlights from headlight revolution. I've had some issues with them over the years and each time they replaced them for me, even outside of the warranty period (just paid shipping). The first time they replaced them they replaced them with the Gen 2 version. I considered Morimoto tail lights as well but honestly I think all the aftermarket tail lights look goofy. USR keeps the factory look which I like and blacked out the ugly chrome the factory ones have.
     
    4Runner850[OP] likes this.
  17. Mar 27, 2024 at 4:55 PM
    #17
    3JOH22A

    3JOH22A Toyota Gigolo

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    Spyder tail lights from eBay have been solid in both of my vehicles: P/N 111-T4R10-SEQ-BK https://www.ebay.com/itm/133601006608

    The driving lights, brake lights, and sequential turn signals illuminate separately, not relying on changing intensity like the stock lights:

    [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
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    #17
    4Runner850[OP] likes this.
  18. Mar 27, 2024 at 5:34 PM
    #18
    Steely123

    Steely123 What's the new trend? I'll do it!

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    Welcome
     
  19. Mar 27, 2024 at 9:00 PM
    #19
    bronzestar1

    bronzestar1 New Member

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    Just upgrade to LED bulbs and save your money for some other more functional mods...
     
  20. Mar 28, 2024 at 5:45 AM
    #20
    TheGreekFreak

    TheGreekFreak New Member

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    Wow, are those legal? lol they look really dark. Maybe the lights behind the glass are so much brighter that it remains DOT approved? Or is the glass still clear but everything inside is dark? Definitely matches all the black accents though.

    But I’m looking for a very light smoked look if I’m even gonna touch them, just a shade darker than OEM.
     
  21. Mar 28, 2024 at 5:50 AM
    #21
    broken-giver

    broken-giver BFD

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    I hope you are wearing a cape, because you are a superhero!
    This is what I do and it gives me way more better results than forum search.
     
  22. Mar 28, 2024 at 6:48 AM
    #22
    Borracho Loco

    Borracho Loco My 4Runner identifies as a Prius!

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    Oooh look, another mod.....
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  23. Mar 28, 2024 at 7:24 AM
    #23
    playdixie

    playdixie Missi'ppi Fella

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  24. Mar 28, 2024 at 7:28 AM
    #24
    1SilverRunner

    1SilverRunner My boy, blue

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    Those tail lights man...
    :101010:
     
  25. Mar 28, 2024 at 7:50 AM
    #25
    Borracho Loco

    Borracho Loco My 4Runner identifies as a Prius!

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    Oooh look, another mod.....

    I've been considering getting those tail light hatchback lights. The videos I saw looked like a lot of work to install them. Do they really require drilling or wire fishing? On the site they said on a 1 - 5 scale it was a 2, (minor - 1hr install time).

    What was your experience?
     
  26. Mar 28, 2024 at 8:47 AM
    #26
    steelevo

    steelevo Not so new anymore...

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    Surprisingly, yes they are DOT stamped and legal. They also have a non smoke lens version with black housing.


    https://www.4runners.com/threads/new-style-tail-lights-eagle-eyes.12751/#post-147616

    https://www.reddit.com/r/4Runner/comments/ghdrcf/somebody_asked_to_see_the_signal_light_but_id/
     
    TheGreekFreak[QUOTED] likes this.
  27. Mar 28, 2024 at 9:06 AM
    #27
    playdixie

    playdixie Missi'ppi Fella

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    It takes a little time, yes.

    Is it terrible? No. Does it require drilling? Not from the video I watch.

    This video right here is one I watched (non-drilling):

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZANkVAR7OY&t=182s

    And like any installation: Just take your time. The scariest part was removing the rear spoiler.
     
  28. Mar 28, 2024 at 12:46 PM
    #28
    Borracho Loco

    Borracho Loco My 4Runner identifies as a Prius!

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    Oooh look, another mod.....

    Thank you so much for this video. It makes the install look waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay easier than the first video I saw. I think that's very do-able and will probably be my next (and soon!) mod.

    Pre-She-Ate-Cha'
     
    playdixie[QUOTED] likes this.
  29. Mar 28, 2024 at 3:16 PM
    #29
    playdixie

    playdixie Missi'ppi Fella

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    And if you aren't sure about taking the rear spoiler off, here is a vid that gave me a good idea of what to do:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7d5nGv47F8k

    Again, not hard. Just take your time and be careful. That rear spoiler is fiberglass.

    And like they used to say about the Corvette: Cove your ass in Fiberglass. :D
     
  30. Mar 28, 2024 at 6:35 PM
    #30
    bronzestar1

    bronzestar1 New Member

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    $800 for headlights?! Oh hell no...
     

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