New headlights, now what about the wiring?

[msahr]

Installed a set of the replacement headlights /H4 bulbs from Marlin Crawler last weekend in my 85 4Runner. They're awesome lights for the price, but now when I turn on the lights the engine speed noticeably decreases. The voltmeter on the dash, with the engine off, drops what looks to be about 2-3 volts (!) when I turn on the lights. I'm guessing it's a wiring issue the wires frankly look kinda small and one of the sockets looks a bit wonky.

I've seen a couple of references to upgrading the wiring/sockets but no definitive info. Has anyone done this upgrade? What sockets should I purchase and how far back did you upgrade the wiring? Did you add an additional relay? Thanks for any help.

 

[PhrogsPhorever]

Hella or IPF/ARB H4 harness will work wonders, draws the power directly from the battery, uses the factory plug only for switching.

Maybe think new alternator time

 

[msahr]

Hella or IPF/ARB H4 harness will work wonders, draws the power directly from the battery, uses the factory plug only for switching.

Maybe think new alternator time

Yeah but alternators aren't sexy. Ha. Thanks for the info on the harness and yes I'm going to check on the alternator too.

 

[PhrogsPhorever]

I may upgrade to a 90A alternator in the future, that's pretty sexy

 

[pappy]

Even with the wire harness my Hella e-codes drop the idle a little bit. But, so do my windshield wipers.

 

[msahr]

Even with the wire harness my Hella e-codes drop the idle a little bit. But, so do my windshield wipers.

 

[muddpigg]

Low Range Offroad had about the best price when I was searching for a harness, been a couple years though.