Toyota 4Runner Full Bulb-Size Guide For Every Generation
Last Updated on 2025-11-30
If you’ve been around Toyota 4Runners long enough, you know the lighting story isn’t always glamorous. Toyota builds a durable truck, but the factory bulbs sometimes behave like they’re trapped in another decade. Dim output, weak fogs, narrow beam spread – I’ve watched owners upgrade everything else on their rigs yet forget the one thing that affects every night drive. Light.
Bulb accuracy matters because the wrong size wastes money, delays installs, and introduces drama you never asked for. A mix-up between 9005 and 9006, or buying a turn signal bulb that doesn’t lock into the socket – that kind of annoyance grates on your belief system. Getting sizes right up front gives you value later. Every drive becomes clearer, calmer, better. And the 4Runner deserves that.
This truck spans decades, each generation carrying its own lighting ecosystem. Some trims feel straightforward. Others play games with fog light housings, turn signal variations, or projector vs reflector differences. Let’s walk through it like someone who’s actually handled these trucks, not like a commoditized template scraping data off a parts website.
A quick lighting overview before diving deep
Think of the 4Runner lighting story as three eras. The 3rd gen lived in halogen-land. The 4th gen played with better housings. The 5th gen leaned hard into projector-style low beams that respond beautifully to LED upgrades. You see patterns everywhere: 9005 highs, H11 lows, 7440/7443 signals, 921 reverse, and fogs that usually echo the low-beam size.
If you already know you want LEDs, most owners start with H11 LED bulbs for the lows or fogs because the improvement feels disproportionate to the effort.
With that in mind, let’s open the generations.
3rd generation (1996–2002)
The 3rd-gen 4Runner has a certain charm – old-school lines, rugged feel, and lighting that’s fine until you compare it to modern traffic. These trucks love fresh bulbs. Reflector housings can produce a decent beam, but not with old halogens that have been cooking for 20+ years.
3rd-gen bulb table
| Position | Bulb Type |
|---|---|
| Low Beam | 9006 |
| High Beam | 9005 |
| Front Turn Signal | 7440 |
| Rear Turn Signal | 7440 |
| Brake Light | 7443 |
| Tail Light | 7443 |
| Reverse Light | 7440 |
| Fog Light | 9006 |
A lot of people treat these trucks like blank canvases for lighting mods. But reflector housings need discipline — the beam pattern must stay controlled or you get scatter everywhere. When upgrading, sticking to a reputable LED brand helps. The AUXITO LED store is a safe bet when you want consistent quality instead of hype-driven claims of “Mega Ultra Bright 1,000,000 Lumens.”
4th generation (2003–2009)
This generation sits in a sweet spot. More modern housings, still easy to service, and a lot of room for lighting improvement. Fog lights changed shape. Some trims got projector low beams. The wiring remained cooperative.
4th-gen bulb table
| Position | Bulb Type |
|---|---|
| Low Beam | H11 |
| High Beam | 9005 |
| Front Turn Signal | 7440 |
| Rear Turn Signal | 7440 |
| Brake Light | 7443 |
| Tail Light | 7443 |
| Reverse Light | 921 |
| Fog Light | H11 |
If you never want to deal with weak high beams again, searching for 9005 bulbs brings you into a universe where halogen, LED, and HID options exist. The 4th gen reacts especially well to LED fog light upgrades because of how the housings sit low and wide – you get this neat bonus in rain and snow.
5th generation (2010–present)
Now we’re in the modern era. Toyota held onto halogens longer than expected. A lot of owners buy their 4Runner and immediately swap low beams, sometimes before the first fuel fill. The projector housings create a crisp cutoff line, perfect territory for LEDs.
5th-gen bulb table
| Position | Bulb Type |
|---|---|
| Low Beam (projector) | H11 |
| High Beam | 9005 |
| Front Turn Signal | 7444NA |
| Rear Turn Signal | 7440 |
| Brake Light | 7443 |
| Tail Light | 7443 |
| Reverse Light | 921 |
| Fog Light | H11 |
Some people flirt with HID retrofits, especially in projectors. If you fall into that camp, you’ll usually start with researching D2S HID bulbs to understand what quality looks like. Though honestly, modern LEDs hit that sweet spot between performance and convenience.
Сommon 4Runner lighting problems and why they happen
Every rig reaches a point where the headlights feel dull, the fogs look tired, and the turn signals flicker. Problems follow patterns:
Aging reflectors
The shiny coating oxidizes. Light output drops. The beam feels confused about its mission.
Oxidized connectors
Heat cycles and moisture reduce conductivity, which funnels into weaker beams even with fresh bulbs.
Moisture leaks
A single day of condensation can destroy an LED driver or fog a halogen.
LED chip misalignment
People shove LEDs in without checking orientation. The 4Runner projects light vertically instead of horizontally.
Ultra-cheap bulbs
They claim egregious brightness and deliver disappointment.
How to pick LEDs like someone who knows the pain of bad lighting
This is where people lose money fast. They see a lumen number and think bigger equals better. Lighting doesn’t work that way. Beam pattern, chip placement, thermal handling — these drive results.
- Beam alignment must match the halogen filament.
- Chip quality determines clarity, not lumen ratings.
- Thermal design affects lifespan in hot climates.
- Dust caps sometimes require modification depending on the LED size.
If you want peace of mind, go with stable brands. You avoid the “niche slap” of buying cheap LEDs that scatter light everywhere.
DIY bulb replacement – the real workflow
Popping the hood of a 4Runner feels comforting – everything sits where it should. But headlights sometimes force you into weird angles, especially on the passenger side.
The routine: twist off the dust cap, unplug the stubborn connector, release the bulb clip, slide the old bulb out, then insert the new bulb. LEDs require orienting chips horizontally to mimic a halogen filament.
Rear bulbs are easy: two screws hold the tail assembly. Fog lights usually require reaching through the wheel well.
When DIY doesn’t make sense
Some jobs go beyond simple tinkering. If you notice moisture inside the housing, burned connectors, damaged wiring, or previous-owner hacks, go to a shop. HID ballasts add risk. LEDs with resistors can melt wiring if installed poorly.
Fog, turn, and reverse upgrades that help instantly
Fog lights are underrated on the 4Runner. They sit low, they illuminate reflective surfaces better, and they pair beautifully with H11 LED bulbs.
Turn signals jump dramatically when upgraded to LEDs. The 4Runner uses the 7440/7443 family everywhere. If you hate hyperflash, get LEDs with built-in resistors.
Reverse lights are the sleeper upgrade. A 921 LED throws a ton of light behind you, helping when navigating dark areas.
FAQ – Toyota 4Runner lighting
1. Are LEDs safe in reflector housings?
Yes, as long as the beam pattern matches the halogen placement.
2. Do turn signal LEDs need resistors?
Some do, others have CANBUS modules built in.
3. Why does my headlight fog up inside?
The housing vent or seal was weakened. Fix this before upgrades.
4. Can I use HID bulbs in halogen housings?
Technically, yes, but the beam becomes unfocused.
5. What’s the best color temperature?
5500–6500K for crisp white output.
6. Why does one LED flicker?
Voltage inconsistency or a weak driver.
7. Are modern 4Runners underpowered in lighting?
Stock halogens feel weak, so many owners upgrade early.
8. Will LEDs void warranty?
No — bulb replacements do not affect warranty.
9. Should I upgrade fogs or lows first?
Lows give the biggest value boost.
10. Why do fan-cooled LEDs hum?
The built-in cooling fan spins.
11. Why do turn signals hyperflash?
LEDs draw low power, triggering the flasher.
Closing perspective
The Toyota 4Runner is built for adventure, but adventure feels better when you can actually see the road. Lighting upgrades might seem small, but the value they deliver is huge – clarity, confidence, and a real boost to nighttime driving.
Whether you're swapping old halogens, trying H11 LED bulbs in projectors, exploring 9005 bulbs for stronger highs, researching D2SS HID bulbs for retrofits, or sticking with a trusted brand like the AUXITO – pick intentionally, install cleanly, and enjoy the ride.
