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Cant Find Projector Housing

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by tpham55, Aug 11, 2014.

  1. Aug 11, 2014 at 2:37 PM
    #1
    tpham55

    tpham55 [OP] Member

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    Tim
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    I was wondering if anyone had any luck on finding any projector headlights for 2012 and up tacomas? I want to replace my headlights with a set of 6000k HID bulbs, but I don't to be that GUY, that just plugs in a set of HID into the factory headlights. I have been reading up on retro-fitting but I am worried about messing up my factory headlights, plus I wouldn't even know what parts to order to do the retrofit. I'm also not a big fan of the halo, circle led lights, its just not my thing, i love the look of a single projector headlight look. Anyone know of any companies that has such a product or the retrofit my only option?
     
  2. Aug 11, 2014 at 2:47 PM
    #2
    SteveO86

    SteveO86 Well-Known Member

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    A retrofit would be your cheapest option to do HIDs right. It's really not that hard. But there are also some guys on here who will do the retrofit for you.

    If you want to try it yourself, I would recommend you check out www.theretrofitsource.com. They can answer any questions you have and have phenomenal customer service. I highly recommend them, and one of their main guys has a Tacoma and is on this site too. Look up user AndrewTRS.
     
  3. Aug 11, 2014 at 2:48 PM
    #3
    Capt. Obvious

    Capt. Obvious Fearless Keyboard Warrior

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    6" body lift, LEDs errwhere, Jesus mural on the hood
    THANK YOU.
     
  4. Aug 11, 2014 at 2:49 PM
    #4
    ambiguous

    ambiguous Master Retrofitter @RECHELON/AESTHETICS Vendor

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  5. Aug 11, 2014 at 2:50 PM
    #5
    TRSJimmy

    TRSJimmy All I Do Is Nguyen

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    Pretty much what Steve just said. If you want to do it right the first time, retrofit it. Andrew from TRS made it easier in this thread

    http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/group-buys/262802-retrofit-source-ongoing-gb-via-andrew-trs.html

    Everything you need/to order, is in that thread. Customer service is top notch!

    And Ambiguous is the guy to retrofit if you don't want to do it yourself.
     
  6. Aug 11, 2014 at 3:10 PM
    #6
    tpham55

    tpham55 [OP] Member

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    Thanks everyone for all the info!
     
  7. Aug 11, 2014 at 4:20 PM
    #7
    vssman

    vssman Rocket Engineer

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    It's easier to do retrofits into factory type housings than do the same retrofit into "projector style" housings. The bowls in those ebay projector type housings aren't that good and scatter a lot of light. Focal length and bowl shape are important to get the most light where you want it - on the road. Ebay housings are typically made of plastic which doesn't hold the required shape to the tolerances that are needed. If your concerned about ruining you factory housings, how about getting replacement housings for the retrofit?
     
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    #7
  8. Aug 12, 2014 at 2:13 PM
    #8
    tpham55

    tpham55 [OP] Member

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    Alright so I'm leaning towards doing the retrofit myself. After reading everything it seems like the best option for me and my wallet. Just wondering what was the average time to complete the retrofit. Which Shroud would be the easiest to install? Also should I look into retrofitting the fog lights also? Thanks again everyone. I will post up pics later of the final product!

    P.S.
    Any advice on painting the inside of the housing since I will be doing the retrofitting my self?
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2014
  9. Aug 12, 2014 at 2:46 PM
    #9
    vssman

    vssman Rocket Engineer

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    Contact Andrew @ theretrofitsource.com. He'll tell you what fits best. Hidplanet.com is a forum that yup may want to join and search for tips, etc... Understand that aftermarket projectors typically have a very sharp cut off. Above that it's pitch black, below - lots of light. I had them in a large 3/4 ton 4x4 and although the light output was great, it was a bit challenging on roads with lots of dips as the cut off would move very close to the front of the truck when going down into a dip. OEM lenses have less sharp cut off and allow for light bleed which I personally think would be best for daily driving. The cut off was so sharp in my last truck that stop signs would be pretty dark. Street signs? Forget about it...
     
  10. Aug 12, 2014 at 4:32 PM
    #10
    robotninjasrule

    robotninjasrule Well-Known Member

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    peter
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    I just did mine with this paint. Did like 4 coats. Honestly the longest part of the whole project
    a0fbac51a88591e7e5392b6efd28e683_d64ff6a60c36ff713b10364de26aa7b7392a39a2.jpg
    Before and after shots
    0f57c3ecfba8d70b9cafdb9e10a1fd5f_b126cd1ade5cf4ffd717a4e7a0d38d0620bd28f2.jpg
    cc1e91c66b64b351a9bb700da608664e_984fbee4a3ff72221efdbf9022f5560504af6288.jpg
     
  11. Aug 12, 2014 at 4:57 PM
    #11
    tpham55

    tpham55 [OP] Member

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    Damn that looks awesome man!
     
  12. Aug 12, 2014 at 4:59 PM
    #12
    robotninjasrule

    robotninjasrule Well-Known Member

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    Thanks! Its alot easier thrn it looks!
    O ya use steel wool to rub off the chrome. It comes off with little effort
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2014
  13. Aug 20, 2014 at 8:45 PM
    #13
    AFButters

    AFButters Rigger, Please!!

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    can anyone recommend a good set of projectors for a 08 double cab
     
  14. Aug 20, 2014 at 9:21 PM
    #14
    TheFang

    TheFang No Big Deal

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    I just finished putting a retro-fit kit from theretrofitsource in my 2014 taco. I am pretty handy with anything mechanical on my truck, but had never messed with headlights before other than to change a burnt bulb. It took a buddie and me 6hrs from start to finish to put them in. I then had to take them back out and grind down the tabbed washer and lock nut so that they would sit level in my stock headlight housing. photo1-3_zps6c591d69_f4e49eb5c0bf4cdc4706a9d34236caedaf4e46f7.jpg
    This is the lock nut before and after so that it would fit against my stock housing.
    I also had to drimmel out the stock holes in the back of the housing to fit the wire for the LED angel eyes through. When it says some cutting required, it means some cutting required. It ended up being a tedious task that took a long time, and required additional work afterwards to make it right. My opinion: It wasn't as easy as I thought it would be.
     
  15. Aug 20, 2014 at 9:32 PM
    #15
    sr5vic

    sr5vic Buy & Hodl

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    How did you tighten those!!!?? Don't they shake?
     
  16. Aug 23, 2014 at 12:39 PM
    #16
    TheFang

    TheFang No Big Deal

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    Small pair of needle nose vice grips. They opened wide enough to get a good grip without slipping. Then I double bubbled it in place once it was all level.
     
  17. Aug 27, 2014 at 4:37 PM
    #17
    tpham55

    tpham55 [OP] Member

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    mytaco_bc11f10451ba6e0656663b49f02c051481501eff.jpg

    Here is the final product...I went ahead and plastidip the front grill too.
     

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