Getting to upgrade headlights for the 4Runner wound up being a bittersweet experience.
Despite the hype over HKP Customs we can’t say our overall experience with them can be summed up as spectacular as others would otherwise suggest. We had them diagnose a failed left side HID bulb in the 4Runner, which they determined to be “old” and just needed replacement. (Purchased from them in ‘17.) Ok, we will accept that they are at their “final operating range” even though the HID kit installed in our CC back in ‘10 are still working but sure, we will accept the diagnosis and buy a new set of HIDs. They install them.
Within days of that install we find moisture in the right headlight after giving the 4Runner a much needed (pressure) wash. There was some back-and-forth over a phone call and oddly, no acceptance that their install could be the issue. Nevertheless we asked them to have a look and they invite us in, despite a full schedule. Two days later a conversation was had in the parking lot with the owner who demonstrated how dry the back of the dust cap was, which to his own surprise had to be forced off and forced back on again. “No way water could have gone through there,” referring to the opening the wiring harness the HID kit passes through. As far as we were concerned there was also no chance their suggestion the right headlight housing’s seal was damaged but for the sake of argument and trusting their expertise we bought a new headlight housing. The problem would have to be resolved then, no doubt.
The new housing was installed by a friend’s body shop due to HKP’s full schedule and our need to resolve the issue quickly. Later that night we notice the right HID bulb was not fully illuminating. We assumed the body tech touched the bulb during the headlight swap, a big no-no. We decide to shelf that problem. Two days later after it rains, we find moisture inside the brand new headlight housing.
Frustrated but acknowledging this latest issue with the bulb could be our own responsibility, we decide we are giving up altogether on HIDs as we’ve been eyeing new Morimoto Evo 2 LED housings recently released for the 4Runner. Setting aside the current issue we ask if HKP had them in stock and they say they do. Payment for the headlights was made over the phone and the install was scheduled weeks out because they were still booked solid. We also wanted them to remove their previous HID install with hopes they might uncover something that might validate our concern this was not all coincidental. So we decide for now we will roll around with a half illuminated right headlight, not at all ideal but livable.
We get a call a couple of days later and the Morimoto’s are now not in stock, and back ordered through mid-January. HKP has our money and they won’t refund us because they consider the part a “special order”. Understood. We also find out that because the part is “special order”, no (local member) discount qualifies towards the purchase. (The advertised to members discount on parts and labor was our only motivation to return and continue to give them our business but we failed to remember to ask about the parts discount when ordering, our own fault.) We reluctantly wait for the back order as we at least have 1.5 headlights and 2 fogs operational.
A few more nights later, on a dark and foggy commute home, we lose the left HID bulb completely. We complete the commute with a half illuminated right headlight and two fogs. Thinking we can throw stock bulbs into both headlights temporarily when we get home we are stopped in our tracks as we realize the seized dust cap is still seized from the last visit to HKP! A call was made to HKP the following morning and we tell them we now have a leaking lamp, two non-operational low beams, and a seized dust cap preventing us from remedying the situation temporarily on our own. We need help stat! We are grateful they squeeze us in. We ask them to determine why the dust cap is seized and why we lost both low beams. The plan is to leave the 4Runner with them to throw in some stock bulbs while we wait for those Morimotos.
We later get a call stating the dust cap was twisted past its stopping point. We asked if that might have let water in. They say it’s possible, acknowledging that could be what is happening here. They ask who installed the new housing and we admit the body shop did but remind them it was after their HID install that we had to come back to have them diagnose a leak, and that dust cap was seized for the owner in the parking lot. “But it was dry”, the owner maintained. When we picked up later that evening we also found they did not diagnose the HID failure to the extent of checking their wiring harness or the ballasts. They “just made sure all the connections were good and everything was plugged in.” “It’s possible water dripped down the harness and corroded a ballast”, but a full bumper off diagnosis was needed to make that determination and they had no time in their schedule. “We should get that opportunity when those Morimoto’s come in and we pull the bumper for that. And depending on how long that harness has been in there, it could just be old and corroded.” We have to remind them they installed the HID kit and harness just two months prior. Frustrated, we grabbed our keys and walked out. We were bitterly grateful for their help getting us back on the road but very skeptical the water leak “had nothing to do with their install.”
When it was finally time to pick up the 4Runner after having the Morimoto XB Evo 2’s installed there was no mention or acknowledgement of the prior conversation or what was found when they finally had the bumper off. We had no energy left to fight this battle so the matter was left alone. This would just be the last we would be working with them. To add insult to injury they forgot to load up the original lights so an extra trip was needed to return to pick them up the next day.
… But hey, the new amber lamps look good. 🙃
