question about DRL

Hey all. Im new here. I've had my 2010 trd OR access cab for just over a month. It's my first Tacoma. My question is this. I do not have DRL on my truck, but I do want them. I know there has been issues with peoples drl melting lenses etc. I actually have a coworker who has a 2009 trd OR and I looked at her lights and sure enough her left side is bubbling up a little. My father had the idea of drilling one or two small holes on the back side of the light fixture to help vent the heat. Do you think I should do this? Or just leave it stock and hope the tsb warranty will cover it if I have an issue? I will be using OEM parts and just switching the relay out so I have factory drl. Thank you!

 

Another option is to remove the plastic that sits right in front of the drl bulbs. Thats the plastic that melts. I dont think holes would help because its the intense heat in front of the bulb thats the problem. The bulbs are amber anyway, so there's no need to have it there. It looks cleaner without the orange plastic too, in my opinion.

Another thing, drilling holes in the housing will eventually lead to fogging or moisture on the lense.

On the 2012+ they didn't bother with any orange plastic over the bulb.

 

thanks for the response. So this is what you have done? If so, do you have a pic with your drl on? How difficult is it to access/rip out this plastic?

 

I havent done it, as I have a 13. I saw somewhere on this site someone removing them. I can't find it at the moment. It involves heating the headlight in an oven and pulling the lens off the housing. Then removing the inner plastic. Same method that people use when they do the black headlight mod.

2 other options. Just run the drls, and if they start to burn the lense take care of it then, or just use led bulbs and you'll never have an overheating problem. Probably the best option.

 

From a phone it does not work to search and copy paste a thread, so im forced to say that just search for day time running lights issues, there are multiple threads. Think it is labled DTR issues.
Also i have an 2011 and are getting mine replaced today for the meltting lens. Im still under warranty though.

 

also a even better option is to use LED bulbs lot less heat output

 

I read that they use glass instead of plastic to prevent the melting with the replacements.

 

I don't think ill be putting my headlights in an oven, haha. I do like the LED idea, but I think i read that they cause hyperflashing of the blinkers. Is this true? I may just run the darn things stock and see what happens. I know I am under warranty for 3 years/ 36,000 miles.

 

Yeah, cooking your lights can come out bad. With the leds, it would probably need a resistor.

 

Read the thread below on Melting DRL's - see the PDF on what vin#'s - replacement headlights for free if your vin is on the list.

 

Depends on what you feel is a greater risk, drilling holes will cause condensation to build inside there but not drilling will (most likely) cause bubbling.

 

does anybody have a link to the list where i can type my vin # in to see if im on the list? thanks

 

You have to create an account, but then you can check all your records.

http://www.toyota.com/owners/web/pages/home

 

Repeat - Read the thread on Melting DRL's - there's a PDF in one of the posts listing the VIN's by year that qualify. You probably do NOT since you stated you do not have DRL's.

 

Mine where replaced and it looks glass, also they are closer to the lens. The headlight on the backside is a lot smaller too.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/lighting/336016-drls-melting-need-new-cover-4.html#post9201127

See my post here (#80) about LED bulbs and DRLs... I have had no trouble since installing the load resistors and switchback LED bulbs.

Yes, the bulbs will hyperflash if you don't put load resistors on, but it's better than having burned up headlight fixtures in a few years. From what I am learning here on TW, Toyota sure doesn't step up very consistently when there are design flaws. (then again what mfg does?!?)

 

A bit pricy Op, but here are a set of the updated OEM headlights, these are also the Sport style with the smoked housings.

Look closely and you will see, these are the ones where there is no amber reflector in front of the bulb, just the bulb.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-Taco...Parts_Accessories&hash=item46258147f5&vxp=mtr

Since your old healights are not melted, seeing your truck doesn't have DRL's, you could probably re-coup 1/2 the cost of these OE lights by selling yours.

 

Not doubting you, but IIRC, glass has been banned for use in headlights for at least two decades now on road going automobiles.

 

Then it pry isnt. Looks that way. The bulbs are closer the lens too.

 

Where did you hear that?