How to aim 2013 headlights?

fenderpicks · Jul 11, 2013

Hey guys, i been searching around on how to aim 2013 headlights....

I took my lights off to polish out some scratches, now im trying to figure out how do i aim these lights.

I found a few threads about aiming, but most of them have the same link to the instruction page that shows up invalid / error / does not exist....

So can anyone tell me how do i aim them?

TailDrag · Jul 11, 2013

From TN..

Here is what I did at night:

1) Open hood and locate vertical headlight adjustment screws on the lower portion of the headlight housing. They are the galvanized 8mm hex heads with the weird notched washer. Don't touch the upper adjustment screws that are for horizontal adjustment - they have a protective black plastic cap on them.

2) I used an 8mm socket for the adjustment heads. It is a tight fit. I happened to have a set of socket drive "wheels" from Harbor Freight (cheap). They are like a socket wrench without the handle. On the driver's side, I was able to hold the "wheel" with the 8 mm socket with my left hand and carefully fit it on the adjustment head. If you drop this, it looks like you will have a lot of work trying to retrieve it.

3) For the passenger side, the reservoir for the windshield washer fluid is in the way, but it quickly comes off by loosening 2 bolts with a 10mm wrench or socket. Don't be a weenie and try to make the adjustment without moving the reservoir - it will take much longer (unless you have the perfect wrench).

4) Clockwise (when looking at the back of the headlight housing) will lower the beam. Before I moved them, I marked the top of each bolt with a blue sharpie so I could easily keep track of how much adjustment was being made.

5) I had the rear spring tsb done and have 5100's front and rear. The fronts are set to 1.75". I turned both headlight adjustment screws clockwise for 1 full turn and then test drove the truck. It was a big improvement, but it seemed like when I was going down hill, the headlights did not shine far enough down the road. I repeated the proceedure and turned them counter-clockwise 1/8th of a turn and test drove it again. With just me in the truck and a full tank of gas, the beams seemed to be right where I wanted them.

6) Even after dialing in the headlights for typical level roads, when heading down a hill with the brakes on or in a lower gear, the headlights seem to dip a bit and not project as far down the road as I would like. But when going up a hill with my foot on the accelerator, the headlights are definitely shining into the eyes of oncoming drivers. I think that even with some of the common suspension mods, our tacomas are still a little bit like rocking horses in regards to headlight aiming.
Click to expand...

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/61-2nd-generation-2005/242491-how-adjust-headlight-aim.html

TailDrag · Jul 11, 2013

Also rumor has it that the dealership will do them for free, on same thread.

fenderpicks · Jul 11, 2013

Hmm dealership might be a good choice then....

But, how is the beam suppose to look like?
Like how high or low is it suppose to be at?

TailDrag · Jul 11, 2013

It's measured at a distance of X and the height of the beams should be at the height of X at that distance to be correctly aimed. If you want it to be exact I'd see if the dealer will do it for you, otherwise I guess just adjust it and go for a drive and see?

I'd just tell the dealership you keep getting flashed by other drivers at night and see if they can check your headlight adjustment.

You might be able to find that info online somewhere, but I would imagine it's 10x easier just to have it done at the dealer if you want it perfect. Or maybe one of our resident Toyota techs can tell you what they are, then it's just a matter of making a few measurements and taping on a wall of a building somewhere, and adjust until it's right.

Justus · Jul 12, 2013

A Lil late......but next time try using plast x polish with a powerball mini on a cordless drill...... Without removing the lights

Potato Chips · Nov 21, 2013

Just adjusted mine. From the quote above, he refers to an 8mm nut with the weird notched washer. Those notches are so you can stick a Phillips head screw driver in the hole on top. Much easier than trying to turn the nut. Also, if using a Phillips, you turn it counterclockwise to actually get the nut to turn clockwise like quoted above, this will lower the beam.

I know this is an old thread I bumped, just posting this for others that search this for reference.

Edit: Hell yeah, first post and I'm bumping an old thread.

skiomax · Jan 15, 2014

will it adjust the hight beam also... my issue is with the hight beams they are pointing to hight

Justus · Jan 15, 2014

skiomax said: ↑

will it adjust the hight beam also... my issue is with the hight beams they are pointing to hight
Click to expand...

The adjusters move the entire reflector bowl.

Actually since ur under warranty, u can give this headache to the dealership.,. I have done that right after lifting the truck. Its a free service...... At least it was for me

AzRiCk9 · Jan 15, 2014

I just adjusted with a philips screwdriver. Stuck some tape above the brightest points on my garage cabinets ( approximately 5 feet away from the cabinet doors ) , marked the adjustment wheel with a sharpie and counted the rotations. We'll see if I blind anyone in the morning

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How to aim 2013 headlights?

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How to aim 2013 headlights?

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