Xenon Headlamp Kit For Fortuner

[paul1970]

I'm not impressed by the amount of night driving visibility with the standard Tungsten headlamps on my Fortuner and was thinking of installing a HID upgrade.

The question is where would I find a good shop that supplies a quality kit (not after a cheapo Chinese no name thingy). I've never really bought any car accessories here in Thailand so I don't now if there is a big chain (similar to Halford's in the UK) or if you have to go trudging through these small mom and pop type places to try and find what your looking for, so any suggestions are welcome.

While I'm at it does anyone know if Rain-X or similar is available in Thailand ?

[Kwasaki]

Don't know where you live but most main towns have an auto electrical outside shop set up.

We upgraded with Philips relay halogen bulbs H4 12v 100/ 90 p43t-38 increased brightness by seems like double.

Funny though it is writen on the box " not approved for public roads " good old Thailand.

Edited October 14, 2010 by Kwasaki

[thaicbr]

kwasaki......... thats cos it is almost double the wattage..dohhhh. normal H4 bulbs are 60/55

[hkt83100]

Philips relay halogen bulbs H4 12v 100/ 90 p43t-38

Please be aware that chances are high to overheat your headlamps, the reflectors will get blind and after about one years the chrome layer will start to fall off. A scenario I don't want to see again, once was enough. It can be an expensive experience.

[JohnLeech]

Deservedly, hkt.

These bulbs are labelled "not approved for public roads" because their use on public roads is as illegal in Thailand as it is in most of the world.

While they may help the driver see the road they blind any oncoming driver even more badly than those who drive with their headlights permanently on high beam (something that happens all too frequently here).

Using them isn't "funny". Its dangerous.

[MYKTHEMIN]

I have used these "Big" lamps in cars for years, in Subaru's to Mercedes even a lowly Ford, never had a problem with them and if they are adjusted correctly neither will anyone else! Have 130/90's in both my car and pickup here and the visability is so much better than the standard 60/55 crap, so fit and enjoy, just make sure they are alligned correctly, seems something that most cars here suffer from and most of the halfwits drive on main beam and fog lights, so go for it!

[MoonRiverOasis]

The only real Western-style auto accessory store chain is Autobacs:

http://autobacs.co.th/

For HID Xenon kits, there are a couple of specialist fitters (who also sell the kits) I have used before and can recommend:

http://www.svautoshop.com/

http://www.bpautoshop.com/

As for the kits themselves, the cheap Chinese kits start at around 1,800 Baht, the better Asian kits sell for 3,500-6,000 Baht, and the name brand kits (Philips, Bosch) start at around 15,000 Baht. At the low-end lifespan is ~1 year, middle-end 3+ years, high end 5+ years.

If your Fortuner doesn't have projector lamp housings, I would also recommend upgrading them - standard reflectors designed for halogen lamps will wash-out, losing their intended beam pattern when fitting Xenons (i.e. blinding oncoming traffic). The specialist vendors listed above can probably help you with this, but here's a couple of links:

http://www.rstyleracing.com/index.aspx?ProductID=Product-091107152959244

http://www.rstyleracing.com/index.aspx?ProductID=Product-091107150759236

[katabeachbum]

Philips relay halogen bulbs H4 12v 100/ 90 p43t-38

Please be aware that chances are high to overheat your headlamps, the reflectors will get blind and after about one years the chrome layer will start to fall off. A scenario I don't want to see again, once was enough. It can be an expensive experience.

Vigo has huge reflectors able to absorb much heat. My 2006 has since new been using above bulb size supplied by 2,5mm2 copper directly from battery relay controlled. passed 100k km and reflectors still as new. Fortuner is unable to handle the same heat, so the only way to increase light is Xenon/HID.

lightbulbs in combo with +13,8 volt supply (up from stock 12,7 volt), provides more than 100% increase in lux (amount of light). adjusted correctly low beam does not blind others. Light pattern is more comfortable than Xenon/HID.

Heat is also depending on user, you dont leave headlights on when car stand still for 5 minutes or more, only foglights if more than parkinglight is needed

[Kwasaki]

I have used these "Big" lamps in cars for years, in Subaru's to Mercedes even a lowly Ford, never had a problem with them and if they are adjusted correctly neither will anyone else! Have 130/90's in both my car and pickup here and the visability is so much better than the standard 60/55 crap, so fit and enjoy, just make sure they are alligned correctly, seems something that most cars here suffer from and most of the halfwits drive on main beam and fog lights, so go for it!

Everyone to there own and Yes !!! l find them great, the tinted front screen on the Yaris seemed much darker than the Vigo, the Vigo l find Ok with std 60/55.

They correctly set up, l don't know what the heat thing is all about they do not seem to any hotter than the Vigo the Mrs doesn't get any oncoming vehicles flashes

lights at her unless she hangs a handbag on the light switch lever, bless her.

[mdechgan]

I recommend svautoshop in Pata PinKlao. I do all my work there and am quite pleased from fitting projectors, headlight cleaning and nano coating, CCFL, etc.