So far I like the Rav4 & enjoy the ride height. Although I do feel the engine is a bit underpowered at times and the suspension could be smoother (points that I have read on another thread on this forum), overall I am a happy Rav4 owner.
But there are some upgrades I intend on making to my vehicle to give it that extra bit of refinement.
Nice looking Rav. Since you have the XLE with the sun roof, all the wires you need for your Homelink mirror are right there in the sun roof controls. I installed the auto dimming, compass, homelink mirror in my 15 XLE and it was a quick install. The only other thing that I have really done is OEM mud guards.
I read about the sunroof wire tap on another thread and intend to do that. Do you happen to remember the model no. of your mirror & how much you payed? I would like the compass but the prices jump because of it on eBay.
Yea, it was a rental vehicle so I wasn't surprised. Funny enough, I had to drive quite a distance to get it because my local dealers had cars w/ twice the milage wanted over $4K more than ended up paying.
How are you HIDs so far? I installed my HIDs in the second week I got my rav, and Toyota told me that it was because of the HIDs that caused all the problems that I have now. (refer to my HIDs thread for more details) Where did you get your HIDs from?
How are you HIDs so far? I installed my HIDs in the second week I got my rav, and Toyota told me that it was because of the HIDs that caused all the problems that I have now. (refer to my HIDs thread for more details) Where did you get your HIDs from?
I haven't installed the HIDs yet -- hence why I put it under "Future Mods to Come" -- but I ordered them and they come in this weekend. After having bad experiences w/ cheaper HIDs kits, I ordered a set from a Canadian based company called XenonDepot.
I got their 5K Xtreme HID kit for my previous Camry and they were top quality. I no longer had the issue of my ballast refusing to start in cold weather and I didn't need relays because their ballast require very little amps at start-up. Ordered the same kit for my Rav4.
Got the OEM all weather mats installed today. Fit very nicely. Although they don't cover as much as Husky or WeatherTech, they were half the price and fit like a glove. Ordered them from Toyota of Cool Springs.
Installed my 5000K Xtreme HID kit from XenonDepot last night as well as some Phillips LEDs I got from them. I got introduced to their products after this review on ToyotaNation & have not looked backed. I had the same kit on my previous 2015 Camry for over a year & a half with zero issues. Can't say the same for cheaper HID kits I used in the past.
Although the kit comes with a pair of relays, because their Xtreme ballast require little amperage at startup -- less than 4.5amps -- you can wire them directly to the factory harness.
I also have had flickering issues with the cheap 194 LED sets on eBay and Amazon. Hence, I spend the extra $$ on the Phillips and have never had them flicker a single day.
I got the Phillips 194 LED from XenonDepot as well --> Click HERE
They are pricey but I went through so many led sets off Amazon & eBay within a few months due to flickering that I had to step up. I also like that they dim/fade out EXACTLY like OEM.
In regards to the HID install, here is a video on YouTube by Xenon Supply...
Thanks for the reply, OmoPastor. How big is diameter you drilled on your cap cover? Do you just connect the xtreme ballast to the Rav4 headlight harness without using the included wire harness fro xenondepot kit. I'll try to install mine this weekend if weather permits. Thanks in advance.
As I said in my earlier post w/ the pics, the XenonDepot ballasts use little amperage at startup so I connected them directly without a relay. Had no issues in my previous vehicle.
Installed a remote start. Although the LE & XLE don't come with a factory alarm, I was able to integrate one using the factory horn (aftermarket sirens sound cheap to me).
Two questions regarding the HID install - did you convert your Hi-Beams as well? Do you use your DRL's - because in the video the installer said not to use the DRL setting as it would kill the HID bulbs over time and I thought the DRL's were the Hi-Beam bulbs operated in a dimmed capacity?
- You never install HIDs in your high-beam (unless it's a low & high-beam --> e.g H13 bulbs) because the ballasts will easily get damaged when you try to flash ppl or turn on your high-beams ON for short intervals.
- The installer in the video made an error. In the 2013+ Rav4, the DRL is in the high-beam housing & not the low-beam like he incorrectly stated. So I am able to use my DRL lights.
I went with H11 bulbs (although our owner's manual call for H16 type), based off this thread. Other Rav4 owners found that H16 type bulbs don't fit in our fog light sockets and they really are H11.
Ain't fog lights suppose to be yellow instead of white led, because of the yellow light wavelength, they cut the fog better and others can see you better.
Been wanting to upgrade my DRL/High-beam lights to LED but wanted a fan less kit (most of the cheaper ones have fans) as they have a high rate of failure based of Amazon reviews. So I went with the Xtreme LED headlight kit from @XenonDepot and the results turned out great...
One thing I liked about the kit is that the headlight beam is adjustable (though I left it in the default position as it protected a similar beam to the factory lights).
The output is about twice that of the OEM halogen and is pure white. Compliments my 5K Xtreme HID much better.
With the DRL ON, the light output is cut in half; thus, during the day I don't blind on coming traffic. It does flicker slightly but it isn't noticeable unless you are staring at it directly a few inches away.
Overall I am very satisfied with the kit and knowing just how long LED last on average, I won't have to worry about changing theses for a looooong time
I looked at your link to the floor mats and they only show the front mats. Do you get front, rear and the cargo mat all for $69? What you get isn't really clear based on what you show in your pics.
Mine is a 2014, but I like the actual LED running lights on the 2016. For all of the work and cost of what you did, would it be better or more cost effective to buy 2016 headlight assemblies? I ask sheepishly because I have no idea how much they are.
I looked at your link to the floor mats and they only show the front mats. Do you get front, rear and the cargo mat all for $69? What you get isn't really clear based on what you show in your pics.
Mine is a 2014, but I like the actual LED running lights on the 2016. For all of the work and cost of what you did, would it be better or more cost effective to buy 2016 headlight assemblies? I ask sheepishly because I have no idea how much they are.
Hey guys, sorry to hijack your thread but seems you would know my question. What's the deal with the LEDs right above the blinker lights that don't seem to ever come on? Couldn't find anything detached in the wiring harnesses.
Sorry, when you go to the site, it isn't clear if the cargo mat was part of the package and it doesn't show the cargo mat as a separate item. Thanks for the new links.
So far I like the Rav4 & enjoy the ride height. Although I do feel the engine is a bit underpowered at times and the suspension could be smoother (points that I have read on another thread on this forum), overall I am a happy Rav4 owner.
But there are some upgrades I intend on making to my vehicle to give it that extra bit of refinement.
I really like the mods you've done to your Rav4.
I've been thinking to get HIDs for mine in the near future. I'm new to Rav4s and Toyota in general, so I'm glad I joined these forums.
Thanks for the tips.