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I'm not sure if I want to dive that deep into modifying this SUV and I was wondering if anyone had tried putting a phillips GEN 3 OEM HID kit into a HL?
The low beam wiring matches up perfectly since it is 9006 but fiting the OEM Phillips style bulb into the stock reticle seems in theory almost impossible. I've tried searching and have come up with nothing. Any help would be appreciated.
If I don't come up with a solution then I'm probably going to end doing the retrofit and customizing it with some CFFL angel eyes(which should be cheaper considering the lower cost of the extra headlights compared to the RSX). Has anyone tried opening up the headlight housings before?
This is an example:
HID retro pic
Also, I'm thinking about upgrading the interior a bit and was wondering if anyone had tried retrofiting a newer model steering wheel ('04 and up) on an older model to take advantage of the stereo controls? Just some ideas...
I feel entirely comfortable driving the HL in terms of rollover -- it doesn't want to tip over or anything (in contrast to when I test drove a 2001 Mercury Mountaineer (twin to the Ford Explorer) which did feel like it wanted to tip over) And my '01 HL doesn't even have VSC. Just don't drive it like a sports car!
Never test drove the Pilot but my hunch is it's ride will be very car like as well. Post your question in the Pilot boards if you haven't done so already.
And of course test drive the two to see which appeals to you the most!
Although a few find it's styling to be a tad plain, (I prefer "refined"), you can't go wrong with a HL -- it's a car people fall in love with!
What is the difference between HL and toyota RV4? Both are listed as mid size SUVs and both have similar hosrspower (4 cyclinders).
What is the adv. of HL over RAV4 and vise versa? I assume RAV 4 is little bit more cheaper and fuel economy is better.
By the way how much gas miles do you get with HL both city and highway and what type of gas? Is your HL V6 and AWD?
There's quite a bit of excitement about the new RAV4, redesigned for 2006, increasing in size to be almost as large as the HL. One person on these boards was really impressed with the RAV4 specs when compared with the HL's.
Took a look at the new RAV4 in the showroom a few months ago (no test drive). My impression is it's a more sporty-styled vehicle, in contrast to the HL's more upscale styling. Toyota is still positioning the HL to be the next step up from the RAV -- the HL redesign expected in the '08 model year will reportedly see the HL grow larger to differentiate it from the RAV.
Bottom line: look at, and test drive, both to see which appeals to you!
Also see posts 10330 - 10414 in the Toyota Highlander board and the HL 2006 vs RAV4 2006 board for more discussion on the HL vs. RAV4 comparison.
V6 HL owners have posted getting 16 - 20 mpg city and 22 mpg highway; subtract 1 mpg for AWD. I have the V6 AWD and get ~18 mpg city; I use regular unleaded. Not the best mpg; this is something that would favor the RAV4. Can't remember for sure what 4cyl HL owners have been getting but guessing it's maybe ~21 mpg city and ~25 mpg highway.
I described the location of the hitch wiring in post #1207 in this forum, but the instructions that came with the converter show how to get at it.
As bucker01 stated in his post #1199, the Toyota hitch comes with two plates that bolt to the sides of the frame members and provide extra attachment points. It is very heavy duty and attaches with 10 bolts instead of 6 for after-market hitches. It would be good to have a helper to hold it up while you start the bolts. It also tucks up nicely below the bumper. The cable from the converter to the receiver was already installed on the hitch, with a rubber grommet to fill the hole in the floor and a connector attached to the hitch for your trailer wiring.
Be sure to use a torque-wrench as directed for the mounting bolts. They have a Loc-tite type compound on the threads and you want to be sure to tighten them sufficiently.
The instructions for the hitch and converter were very complete. The converter attaches to the body with a bolt (included) so there's nothing flopping around and it even included cable ties to secure the wiring.
Using the Toyota parts might have cost a little more, but the extra attachment for the hitch, the instructions and being sure it all fit correctly was worth it.
I have a Toyota Kluger (Highlander V6 LTd) with Auto-On headlight feature. I found this feature a bit "idiotic" as it does not have timer function like european cars (e.g if you pass two consecutive shade area, your parking light will blink twice).
I do like the fact that the system can turn on only the parking lights, however it can become annoying if you pass a multistorey junction with its complicated flyover.
Any thoughts how to adjust this feature....
Thanks Guys....
To negotiate:
If this is before you've purchased the car:
1. You can definitely bargain. Ask them if they can throw in the accessories for free and see what they come back with. Or in a bold accusatory tone ask them whether they will sell you the accessories at invoice if you buy the car today.
2. Ask them what the total cost of the vehicle will be if they install the roof rack and molded dash kit. Lumping the cost together may motivate them to give you a good deal as they want to make the cost seem as small as possible. No matter what price they come back with, raise your eyebrows somewhat and stare at them for a couple of seconds, and then wince, to make it look like this was way more than you were planning on spending (or just say "Oh man!! That's way more than I was planning on spending!").
If this is after you've purchased the car:
1. In a polite but firm tone: "I'm comparing prices for the installation of the molded wood dash kit for a 2006 HL?"
2. "Can you give me a 15% discount for parts for the molded wood dash kit?" Say this like you expect the discount. (Many Toyota dealer parts departments do give 10%-15% discounts.) If they come back with "We can give you a 10% discount" consider yourself successful. If they say no, politely thank them and check with another dealer.
http://www.stwheel.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=AT&Category_- Code=ST4
http://www.wooddash.com/item/TOYOTA_Steering_Wheels_CAMRY_2002_1
Do have a photo of the finished product -- is indistinguishable from the center console you'll find on any '02 or later HL:
As for the standard Highlander, installation is not that difficult. Here's a link on the install
http://www.toyotaparts4u.com/pdf_files/000164820013HighlanderStepBars.pdf
1. Stainless Steel Step Bars
2. '04 HL Spoiler (Preferrably painted)
3. Fenders (matched color -> silver)
4. Grille Guard/Bumper Guard
5. Window Flares
6. I wanted to get my drive and front passenger windows tinted exactly like the rear windows.
Thanx again for any help!!!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Toyota-Highlander-V6-Secret-Weapon-Intake-01-04_W- 0QQitemZ270006953494QQihZ017QQcategoryZ38634QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
It looks like a bunch of smoke and mirrors but that is the only thing I have found so far.
If I understand correctly you're referring to the cup holder door in the console that's between the ashtray and the clamshell doors for the main storage bin? Also your earring is essentially inside the console on the roof of the lower open storage area accessible from the side of the console? If so (and if I'm recalling correctly) you're right this door (as is the case for the clamshell doors) cannot be removed without removing the console first (the cupholders, main storage bin and associated doors are secured to the console via screws accessed from the interior of the console).
Three ideas:
Try attaching some masking or duct tape, sticky side out, to the end of a ~2"x10" piece of cardboard and insert between the door edge and console wall where the earring fell -- if you're lucky you'll nab the earring and can carefully pull it out.
If this fails, then drive up a steep hill -- this may cause the earring to slide off the top of the roof of the lower open storage area and onto to the floor in the rear of the console. You can then remove the black felt at the bottom of the main storage bin inside the clamshell doors to expose two mounting bolts. Removing these two bolts should allow you to gently lift the console up enough to run your fingers or a pencil between the bottom of the console and the carpet to fish out the earring.
If this fails, and the earring is really expensive, then the only option may be the removal of the entire console (not a trivial task). See posts 1052 and 268 for info on removing and installing the console; generally requires removal of one of the front seats or one or both of the armrests.
Hope this helps -- please let me know if I'm not interpreting correctly!
FYI - Mine is Bluestone Metalic.
I really like the looks of the HH and do not want to detract from it, but if anyone has pictures, that would be great!
Thanks.
Along the lines of trailer hitches... Anyone know the difference between the 02 and the 06 hitches? There is apparantly some change in there, looks like I can't use my old 02 hitch on my new 06 HL
Has anyone routed the factory trailer wiring through the wall to the outside? I was hoping there was an existing grommet I could use. I won't hold my breath though :mad:
The the wires connect to an optional electrical convertor which goes between them and a plug that sticks out near the left turn signal(inside). You get to the wires by removing tray that holds the lug wrench. there are a couple of plugs that are easy to remove and re-install.
I didn't purchase the connector (yet), but searched this forum and found the instructions on how to remove parts and get to the wires/plugs. I took all apart and it isn't easy, but it's not that bad either.
FYI, to the bolt guy question, they are M10 x 1.5
Cheers,
Scott
If your knees are hitting the steering wheel try adjusting the tilt of the steering wheel.
thanks
I'd even consider a portable, plug-in unit.
Thanks.
SammyS
Check out the XM & Sirius Satellite Radio discussion while waiting for responses in here.