Upgrading headlights in 93 Previa

[93_Previa]

Hi All,

Although this is my first official post on TVT (very exciting!), I have been using this forum extensively for the various maintenance/repair duties on our 93 Previa LE All-trac. So far so good.

So...as the post title suggests...I'm looking for a way to improve the poor headlights (light projection, beam pattern, etc.) on our 1993. I have to drive with my brights on sometimes just to be able to see adequately! Not ideal at all.

Like other posts have pointed out, the 91-93 Previas use the inferior 9004 bulbs and poor beam patterns, compared with the 94+ Previas that have the improved 9003 bulbs, better beam patterns and slightly improved plastics (thanks TheMAN).

I have searched and found several threads that detail this, but am having trouble figuring out the best way to proceed to improve the headlights on my 93!

Below are a couple of the threads I found...
http://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/showthread.php?1672-1995-Previa-headlamp-assembly-replacement-not-compatible-with-MY-91-through-93
http://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/showthread.php?1178-91-toyota-previa-to-98-toyota-estima-conversion/page2&highlight=headlight

Is it possible to go and get a salvage headlight assembly from 94+ Previa and install it in my 1993 without having to cut/thread/jerry-rig anything??? Is it a direct "plug and play" installation?

If this is the best option...how much of the headlight assembly do I need to remove from the salvage vehicle to get it to work??? In other words, how much of the assembly and wire harness/etc. would I need to remove from the salvage vehicle?

I am not interested in doing a JDM lighting option (Right Hand Driving), nor am I interested in trying to buy EDM (Left Hand Driving) and dealing with importing/purchasing from Europe.

Any suggestions are appreciated...Thanks!!

[TheMAN]

The 94-97 headlights bolt on, but you'll need to rewire the bulb connectors to make them work
I recommend soldering and shrink wrapping the wires only, rather than using those crimp on "butt" connectors due to these being a critical safety item

[93_Previa]

Thanks TheMAN! Most likely I will be looking for a 94 - 97 Previa headlight assembly then. I just wasn't sure if the 94-97 headlight assemblies were, in fact, bolt on or not. I don't want to have to modify any body work, trim, etc. to make this work...so it sounds like the 94-97 headlight assemblies are the way to go.

Correct me if I'm wrong...the only way to get 94-97 Previa Headlight assemblies is to buy them used from a donor vehicle (i.e. salvage yard)? It may be possible to buy them "new" from Toyota, but they are pretty expensive...correct?

I will just need to look into the wire splicing thing and how to make them reliable and water-resistant as possible.

And also, thank you for mentioning the DOT/safety verbiage in many of your posts...very important and often overlooked. Just because someone can sell you something doesn't mean you should buy it and use it...especially safety items like headlights!

[Kurtanius21]

Why not try ebay? There are tons of them on eBay for cheap. Buff em out, polish, and bam, they're like new. In fact eBay is where I get most car parts for older cars. I got my 95 SAD shaft there for 80 bucks. I have seen Kouki lights on there as well

Does anyone know about installing Kouki headlights? I am eying a pair on e-bay, but I think some drilling is requires to fit those on. Is there a way to install the kouki's on a 91 without body work? I love the look of those headlights and grill.

[TheMAN]

the "kouki" (98-99 JDM) headlights require drilling and/or cutting to make them fit
they are also illegal and UNSAFE to use on American roads

most new USDM headlights you find on ebay are aftermarket replacements made by Depo or TYC, which uses inferior materials and craftsmanship. Usually, the only way to get the Japanese made Koito headlights are from Toyota, which are ridiculously expensive... at that price, I rather spend my money importing glass headlights from Europe. Sometimes, you're lucky to find true Toyota OEM headlights in a Toyota box on ebay though, but I never bothered looking because I dislike spending my money on plastic crap headlights when there's a choice. Otherwise, buy them from a junk yard (make sure it says "koito" on the bottom edge of the headlight, next to "TOYOTA") and refinish them and protect them with clear coat.

FWIW, the 98-99 Previa in the rest of the world retained the same front and rear fascias as the 90-97... you can buy 98-99 headlights from Europe and they're the same shape as the earlier years... it was only Japan that got the updated styling

[93_Previa]

Just so I'm clear here...

If I buy a 94-97 Previa headlamp assembly (Right-Part No.: 81110-28300/Left-Part No: 81150-28300) from Toyota, it should have everything I would need to replace my 93 Previa's headlights, correct? I wouldn't need to 'buy' anything else to replace the headlights, correct? Or will I need to be doing some cutting/splicing as well, even with the OEM 94-97 headlamp assemblies?

Bottom line: It seems like the best option for those with 91-93 Previas to "upgrade" their headlights is to get a 94-97 Previa headlight assembly (the full assembly!), add a new relay set to decrease the voltage drop, and then put in some decent bulbs (suggested were the Phillips Xtreme Vision H4).

There is a great headlight-fix summary at Zen Seeker's Previa site at: http://zenseeker.net/Previa/PreviaMaintenance-Headlights.htm

In other forums on different sites I've seen folks recommend a new relay as well (to decrease the voltage drop and thereby increase the light output). Does anyone have any suggestions on the relay? I found this website http://headlightservices.com/4runner3.html for a guy that sells "kits" for wiring harnesses/relays that take into account what Zen Seeker's webpage says about Toyota relays in that, "It is IMPORTANT to NOTE that Toytoa grounds the power through the headlight switch and already uses a relay to power the headlights. You need to find a relay kit specially designed for a Toyota which adds a relay to the ground wires, otherwise you will be just adding more resistance and complexity to your circuit without an improvement in lighting".

Thoughts???

[TheMAN]

you still need to buy H4 (sealed beams ones also work) bulb connectors and wire them in to make these work... you shouldn't expect buying headlights from toyota to not need anything else, because those headlights are NOT meant for your year of vehicle plus the fact that the bulb connectors are part of the wiring harness, not the headlights themselves!

I'm not telling you how to spend your money, but if it were me, I rather spend the same amount of money on glass headlights from german ebay than buying brand new crappy plastic headlights from the local dealer

relay "kit" and overlay harness is completely optional and gains are marginal if your electrical system is in good shape

[timsrv]

For easy wire changes (plug-n-play), here are some adapters on eBay.......it's what I used when I made the conversion to H4 bulbs.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WIRE-HALOGEN-9004-HB1-TO-9003-H4-TWO-HARNESS-ADAPTER-PLUG-PLAY-HEAD-LIGHT-LAMP-/131516033667?hash=item1e9ef76a83:g:4psAAOSwCZ5VfT-8&vxp=mtr

Here's a link to a write-up that might have some helpful information.
http://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/entry.php?159-JDM-headlights-conversion-write-ups-by-TimsRV-and-Previa-dude

[TheMAN]

when I built my overlay harness and relay system for my headlights, I bought a pair of those 9004 reverse connectors... they fit, except the terminals are way too short, making them not contact the stock headlight connectors until I removed the rubber o'rings... even then, they were finicky as the clips don't work too well with them, so I ended up zip tying them on.... if I were to do it again, I'd glob some dielectric grease in too for safe measure, or just chop them off and use H4 connectors and not look back

[93_Previa]

Still somewhat confused...would I be able to simply get a 9004 (HB1) to 9003 (H4) harness adapter, like what TimsRV suggested, buy some new 9003 bulbs, and then keep my current 93 Previa headlights? Or do I need to get the 9004 to 9003 harness IN ADDITION to the 94-97 headlight assemblies?

Thanks TimsRV and TheMAN...this is very helpful! You all are saving me quite a bit if headache...thanks!

TheMan, I will have to look into the glass EDM headlights on German eBay and see what they run price-wise...you made a very good point about spending money on something like plastic that will yellow over time. I appreciate your suggestions! Any links/suggestions as to how to find the correct glass for this swap? Are they called "Estimas" in Germany...or Previas? And is there a year range for these German eBaby glass headlamp assemblies that would be compatible with a 93 Previa? I don't mind spending money on something that is worth it...

And thank you for the helpful links as well...this forum is great!!

[TheMAN]

94-97 headlights use 9003 bulbs, you will need to rewire or buy the plugin adapters like tim showed us
JDM and EDM headlights also use H4 headlights (any year of the 1st gen Previa)... rewiring are also needed

It's called the "Previa" all over Europe and Asia, Estima in Japan only, and Tarago in Oceania
What you want are headlights from a 90-99 Previa from Europe, where cars drive on the right side of the road... UK, Ireland, and Malta drives on the left, which means you don't want to buy headlights from there

[timsrv]

BTW, I didn't have any issues with my adapters, but that was over 5 years ago & the adapters I purchased were from a different seller. I'm guessing the ones in the eBay link I posted are the same, but some of this eBay stuff is a roll of the dice. Like TheMan said, it's not likely you'll ever go back to the old style bulbs, so cutting off the old connectors and soldering/shrink tubing on the new ones might make more sense. Tim

[93_Previa]

So I can't just put 9003 (H4) bulbs using the 9004 (H1) to 9003 (H4) plug in adapter that timsrv posted (ebay link) into my existing 1993 Previa headlight assemblies, correct?

I either have to get 90-99 European glass headlights for the Previa (where cars drive on the right hand side of the road like we do in the U.S.), or get 94-97 Previa headlight assemblies. Then I can use the 9004 (H1) to 9003 (H4) plug in adapters, or rewire them myself, and I will have much improved lighting...is this correct?

You all have been a great resource! Sorry I'm seeming so "dim", even compared to my Previa's current headlights :)

[TheMAN]

you cannot install 9003 bulbs into a headlight that accepts 9004 bulbs... that's like fitting a square peg into a round hole
you do not need the adapter or rewiring until you switch to 9003/H4 headlights

[93_Previa]

Got it...thank you for being patient! I appreciate it! Now I just need to see how to find those glass EDM Previa headlamp assemblies and see what's available.

[93_Previa]

I'm having a very difficult time trying to find the glass EDM (European Domestic Market) headlights that TheMAN mentions for the 90-98 European Previas to replace my 1993 Previa's inferior headlamp assemblies, as per this thread.

Any links or guidance would be much appreciated. I tried the German eBay (i.e. ebay.de), but couldn't find anything. Is there a specific name, or search term, that I should be trying, like the german word for glass ;) ? In all the other threads I've searched through when the European glass Previa headlamp topic comes up the conversation ends with the glass headlamps being "hard to find" and no one ever mentions whether they were successful or not, and if so, where specifically they were able to order them from. Any suggestions?

[timsrv]

Join the club. I've never seen them before & wouldn't even know they existed if it wasn't for TheMANN. If anybody ever finds them, let me know too! Tim

[previaBx]

Got it...thank you for being patient! I appreciate it! Now I just need to see how to find those glass EDM Previa headlamp assemblies and see what's available.

Previa EDM headlights are probably a little better than USDM (but not so much) but most of the few EDM Previa are in Africa today...

[TheMAN]

many previas were exported to eastern Europe, such as Poland
There's plenty of EDM headlights on German ebay right now
http://www.ebay.de/sch/Toyota-Previa-Auto-Frontscheinwerfer/44240/bn_1213843/i.html?_trksid=p2045573.m2388

a lot of these have headlight leveling motors, as that's what's required in Germany. My Dutch spec ones do not have the leveling motors. You can find the dashboard switch and other electronics to make it work if you want, but it's not needed to make the headlights work

[93_Previa]

Thanks TheMAN...that gives a good starting point. I guess I need to contact the seller for details (and now I understand the language barrier aspect here)...but is it true that all EDM Previa headlights (1990 - 2000) will have a glass lens on them? Or do some EDM Previa headlights have plastic lens just like the US versions?

[previaBx]

Glass lens on my '94 Previa...

[93_Previa]

Thanks previaBx!! That's good know. It looks like you're in France....have you seen replacement headlamp assemblies for the Previa for sale in France where you're at? If so, do you know of a source to purchase new glass Previa headlamps from?

I'm a little hesitant to purchase used headlamps from Europe and pay to ship them all the way to the U.S. and find out they are no better than what's available here in the US brand new. Pretty much my only option right now is buying new OEM Previa headlamps for a 94-97 Previa (U.S. version) for just under $400 here in the U.S.

Like TheMAN has pointed out...if I'm going to spend almost $400 for plastic OEM headlights, if there are glass versions from Europe (EDM) that are the same price I'd rather go with glass that won't fade/crack like the plastic does.

[TheMAN]

they should all be glass... European regulations are very strict and back then, plastic technology did not allow the materials to pass material stress/longevity tests

[previaBx]

My '96 Civic (made in USA but EDM) is with plastic headlamp.
I don't know where to purchase EOM headlamp for Previa (except at Toyota). There are few Previa in France and I buy my parts at Rockauto...

[TheMAN]

Is your Civic EG or EK? All EG series and variants have glass headlights, EK are all plastic

[NoLimePlease]

Here is the ones I used. They came from Ebay.

https://flic.kr/p/PwiuEr

https://www.flickr.com/photos/145229561@N02/31191676301/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/145229561@N02/31162345732/in/photostream/ (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145229561@N02/31191676301/)

https://flic.kr/p/PtHaGY

sorry I just cant seem to get photos uploaded. I have a full install photo journal....https://www.flickr.com/photos/145229561@N02/31191676301/


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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/145229561@N02/31162345732/in/photostream/" title="Previa"><img src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5821/31162345732_6d3a3aa061_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="Previa"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/145229561@N02/31162345732/in/photostream/" title="Previa"><img src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5821/31162345732_6d3a3aa061_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="Previa"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>