GTR Ultra 2 High Beam Install & Review on 4Runner

GTR Ultra 2 LED High Beam Step-By-Step Install and Review For the 5th Gen 4Runner

GTR Ultra 2 LED High Beam Step-By-Step Install and Review For the 5th Gen 4Runner

Why upgrade lights?

The 5th Gen 4Runner is a new “Old School” vehicle.

Meaning that while being new it has a lot of dated technology, or lack thereof, in its function. But honestly, it is one of the reasons that most of us love it.

However, there are a few areas that absolutely need modern upgrades and one of the first ones is Lights. The stock halogen lights are adequate for getting around urban areas that have street lights but getting into the backcountry they are completely lacking.

One of my 1st upgrades for my 5th Gen 4Runner was high beams and fog lights.

The main reason I chose those first was when I turn them on it’s because I need light and they should be as bright as possible. I needed my high beams to project as far as possible to ensure nature’s creatures didn’t impact my travels. And conversely, I needed my fog lamps changed to an amber hue to cut down on dust, rain and snow blindness.

Both of those lights were replaced with Supernova V4s (see the full install here). These lights have been absolutely fantastic. Great visibility and color temperature.

I did have one of the amber fog lights fail, but Headlight Revolution has a field destruction program to exhibit returns. In short, you destroy your original lights based on the guide, send them an image and your replacement is sent out asap.

The New 3350-Lumen Ultra Bright GTR Ultra 2s

I was going to order the same Supernova V4 bulbs for my Low Beams until I saw a video from Headlight Revolution on the new Ultra 2s.

So in comes one of the brightest LEDs out there the new GTR Ultra 2s.

Stock low beams halogen bulbs are around 270 Lumens while the GTR Ultra 2 LED bulbs are 3350 Lumens! My Supernova V4 high beams are 3600 Lumens!

Check out the install and review video.

Find It Online:

GTR Ultra 2s LED High Beam Headlight Step-By-Step Install

The installation is extremely easy, with all of the LED bulbs they are designed as factory replacements and fit in the housing the same. They also use factory plugs so no hacking and splicing wire harnesses.

Unlike the Supernova V4s, the driver cables are permanently connected to the light.

Step 1. Remove Front Radiator Cover

 GTR Ultra 2 LED High Beam Step-By-Step Install and Review For the 5th Gen 4Runner: Step 1. Remove Front Radiator Cover

The first step is to remove the front radiator cover off of your 4Runner. This is done by carefully releasing all clips securing the cover in place. You don’t technically need to do this but it might help you get some clearance if things are tight in your engine bay.

Step 2. Remove Dust Cover (Passenger Side)

 GTR Ultra 2 LED High Beam Step-By-Step Install and Review For the 5th Gen 4Runner: Step 2. Remove Dust Cover (Passenger Side)

From the passenger side, reach in and remove the gray dust cover with a quarter-turn counterclockwise until it releases.

Step 3. Remove Factory Bulb From Housing

 GTR Ultra 2 LED High Beam Step-By-Step Install and Review For the 5th Gen 4Runner: Step 2. Remove Dust Cover (Passenger Side): Step 3. Remove Factory Bulb From Housing

Remove the factory bulb from the housing with a quarter-turn counterclockwise. Then, remove the halogen bulb from the OEM harness.

GTR Ultra 2s vs OEM Bulb

 GTR Ultra 2 LED High Beam Step-By-Step Install and Review For the 5th Gen 4Runner: Step 2. Remove Dust Cover (Passenger Side): GTR Ultra 2s vs OEM Bulb

Comparing the Ultra 2 to the OEM Bulb. The fan in the new bulbs makes it a lot longer.

Step 4. Plug in Cable From Driver Side To OEM Harness

 GTR Ultra 2 LED High Beam Step-By-Step Install and Review For the 5th Gen 4Runner: Step 2. Remove Dust Cover (Passenger Side): Step 4. Plug in Cable From Driver Side To OEM Harness

Plug in new cable from driver to OEM harness. Without putting force on the rear fan, place Ultra 2 bulb into housing. With jamming anything into the bulb, find space in the crowded housing for the driver and extra cable length.

Lastly, just replace the dust cap.

Note: The driver’s side is the exact same as the passenger but one note is less amount of space due to battery placement.

Even so for me as I have the Genesis Offroad Dual Battery system, that takes up more of my headlight working space. Prepare to have a few cuts.

GTR Ultra 2s Review

 GTR Ultra 2 LED High Beam Step-By-Step Install and Review For the 5th Gen 4Runner: Step 2. Remove Dust Cover (Passenger Side): GTR Ultra 2s Review

After having the bulbs in for a few months I have to simply say, I Love the Lights!

I don’t have a negative thing to say about them, except perhaps cost. These are expensive light bulbs, however, you truly get what you pay for. My brother had bought a set of Amazon specials and they were bright and have lasted a long time, but he gets flashed multiple times a night… and not in a good way. With the cost, I did have some interpretation when I was purchasing them.

Here are the questions that I had:

#1. Won’t oncoming traffic be flashing me constantly?

Not even once.

The way the beam pattern is cut off it never has caused any issues even in my raised vehicle. In the image above, you can see the GTR Ultra 2s installed on the left and factory on the right. It has the exact same cut off the line as the factory. It also has a brighter and more even wide throw across the beam. The center hotspot is larger than the factory but adds more light directly in front of the vehicle where it was drastically needed.

#2. While all the new LED lights I have are the same color temp of 6,000K, will they differ from my Supernova V4s?

Happily, these top tier companies have common standards and benchmarks as the light is an even temperature across all of the brands I have installed. In the photos below you can see the difference in the low beams only on the left when the high beams come on in the right side photo, the light fills seamlessly with the low beams, for a crystal clear view.

#3. A friend asked me if a true white light causes eye fatigue on long trips vs a softer yellowish temperature?

 GTR Ultra 2 LED High Beam Step-By-Step Install and Review For the 5th Gen 4Runner

After a few, all-night drives and already being tired I can report, not at all. To me, it was the opposite as my eyes didn’t have to strain to look for critters or tires on the highway.

#4. Do the LEDs get hot in the inclosed low beam housing?

This remains to be seen in the winter months. I wonder how effectively the fan will work without fresh air to circulate.

Final Thoughts

 GTR Ultra 2 LED High Beam Step-By-Step Install and Review For the 5th Gen 4Runner

Shout out to Headlight Revolution (not Sponsored, but did get a Black Friday Discount… but hey message me!) for doing extensive product testing, educating and customer service.

I have purchased all my lights from them because I know that I am going to get quality products and services.

Note: Always keep at least one of each factory light bulb in a protective box in the vehicle just like fuses. It may seem unnecessary… that is until you need them.

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Fred
Fred
3 years ago

Do the drivers and the back of the fans get very hot ? I put these in my 2014 Toyota Camry and measured the heat coming off of them. 160-170 + degrees was the reading. Nobody at Headlight Revolution can tell what me temp they can heat up to.

Rob D
Rob D
1 year ago
Reply to  Fred

I have these installed on a Toyota Avalon and my drivers get as hot, if not hotter, than the bulbs themselves. I am working on creating a couple of mounting brackets to keep them away from any wires I have in the general area. I was also kicking around the idea of designing some aluminum heat syncs to pull some of that heat away from the driver. I don’t think the bulbs were designed to be used in a headlight enclosure that is sealed for waterproofness.

Dennis
Dennis
3 years ago

Why is this labeled HIGH BEAM Intructions when you are doing the low beams with the housing caps?

Barry Buick
Barry Buick
4 years ago

Please advise the Installation technique for the GTR Ultra 2 low beam bulb into a 2010 Genesis Coupe

Mark
Mark
4 years ago

Well they work pn lexus is 300

Jeroweezy
Jeroweezy
4 years ago

I just installed on a 2017 and i tried to tuck the wires as best as possible but they are touching the metal parts…should the heat and touch metal parts be okay??

James Tennier
James Tennier
4 years ago

Are these a direct replacement for 2014 Freightliner cascadia?

Trevor Varney
Trevor Varney
4 years ago
Reply to  James Tennier

You may have to contact Headlight Revolution for other figments beyond a 5th gen 4Runner.

reaghan
reaghan
4 years ago

Do they fit 2017 chevy malibu LT ?

Trevor
Trevor
4 years ago
Reply to  reaghan

You may have to contact Headlight Revolution for other figments beyond a 5th gen 4Runner.

Danny
Danny
4 years ago

I have a 2016 Toyota 4Runner. Will these fit?

Trevor Varney
Trevor Varney
4 years ago
Reply to  Danny

They should fit as I don’t believe there are any changes to the lights.

Danny
Danny
4 years ago
Reply to  Trevor Varney

Thank you Trevor. Love the website. Thanks for the great content.

Cliff Miller
Cliff Miller
4 years ago

I talked to the guys over at HR and they told me that these should fit the 2020 4Runners even though they aren’t listed yet.
Specifically, I asked about the 2020 TRD Pro and they said they should work fine.

On another note, great site you’ve built here Trevor, I highly appreciate your well organized and thorough topics and reviews and with the installs as well-thanks!

ZMilin
ZMilin
4 years ago

I have these as high and low beams. The Low beams may need modification to the GTR light heat sinks (mine did). The highs fit with no issue. These are brigt as f$@&. Ive only been flashed once since Dec and it was on a weird hill where it happens a lot (my wife with her OEM Lexus RX gets flashed). Aside from that, no issues.
The DRLs will not work the way the OEM does. These can not be dimmed. I just leave my lights on and they still turn off after arming the T4R. The cut off line is great on the lows and the highs will light up the damn moon. A quick blip of the high beams will actually scare the living shit out of the person in front of you so be be kind. I love these lights but wish they had a lower light temp. The 6k is pure white.

Trevor - @adv_built
Trevor - @adv_built
4 years ago
Reply to  ZMilin

I haven’t been flashed once with them, but ya they are bright! I really like the temp, any reason you prefer the warmer temps?

ZMilin
ZMilin
4 years ago

Just personal preference. Ive learned to live with it. Im not taking these out anytime soon.

James Roark
James Roark
4 years ago

Do these act as DRLs too?

Trevor Varney
Trevor Varney
4 years ago
Reply to  James Roark

Good question. The DRLs are the high beams.

Cliff Miller
Cliff Miller
4 years ago

Will these work in the Toyota TRD Pro?
Thanks!

Trevor
Trevor
4 years ago
Reply to  Cliff Miller

It should, the differences between the TRD Offroad and Pro are mainly cosmetic and suspension.

Cliff Miller
Cliff Miller
4 years ago
Reply to  Trevor

Thanks, Trevor! I’ll definitely give them a try.

Ryan Pellegrino
Ryan Pellegrino
4 years ago

What year is your 4runner heard some people couldn’t get the gtr ultra 2 to fit?

Trevor
Trevor
4 years ago

It’s a 2018. Headlight Revolution doesn’t have it listed specifically for the T4R. It’s tight but it fits.

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