Lights for my 1st gen

I posted this thread in the lighting section, but thought I'd drop it here also, as I am looking for input from 1st Gen owners.

I've noticed that the headlights on my "new" 2001 seem kinda dim. Hard to see under normal conditions and forget it when it rains. The headlight lenses are fogged a little and I bought a Turtle Wax lens cleaner kit to try 1st (I really bought it for my kids cars, but thought I'd try it also). I would expect that would help some, but I'm guessing not enough. I don't know whether I can just get better "bulbs" or need to try something else.

Also, I'd like to install some fog lights and like the "built in" look. What are my options? I've got a 2001 SR5 4X4 Ext cab. If I can't get a built in set, Whats my next best option?

Thanks!!

 

yeah you could try the turtle wax stuff, but if they are just fogged a little bit then it sounds like you just need new bulbs. i got ones from napa that are the wagner ultra whites, and wow what a world of difference.

 

Hi,

I have an old 1st gen like you. noticed my headlamps where dim. I went to wal-mart and got the the sylvania super replacement. it says it's 15% better than the old light. Just buying new lamps will make your lights brighter. The old headlamps are dim. lost thier brightness. it's a cheap upgrade. 10 bucks a piece!
OH wait, you have a 96 ? they might be different. my bulbs come within the headlamp housing.

Not sure about fogs yet. still studying up on that one.

 

I hid a set each of Hella driving and fog lights under my bumper. Helps out alot.

 

well....there are different kinds of bulbs that you can use......some are brighter/appear to be brighter....like the sylvania silverstar, but i havent used them on my tacoma yet. some like them...some say they burn out too quickly. they did fine on a ford ranger that i had long ago.

as for the built in look for fog lights...there is a mod where you can turn the corner lights into the blinker lights, and you can add some hellas(i'll try to find exactly which ones) in place of the bumper lights and use them as fogs.

 

isn't it the hella 550's?

 

JDMCQ - That's a good look, do you have a thread on the install?

tacomaman06 - That would work also. Is there athread for that?

 

No, I did that a long time ago. It was pretty easy though. The bumper cover has to come off and then the actual bumper crossmember. The light brackets bolt to the crossmember using nutserts. The wiring is real simple, just follow the instructions. I will try to find the model numbers of the lights.

 

I used Hella FF75 for the driving and Micro DE for the fog lamps. They fit perfectly.

 

dammit....i cant find the thread im looking for...but here is a write up for moving the blinkers to the parking lights....

http://bajabumpers.com/2008/12/29/turn-signal-conversion/

 

if you got $150 layin around, upgrade your stock headlight bulbs to HID...

 

I can tell you how to do that easy... Just go to Uhaul and get a trailer wiring plug installed. Drive around for a few months and boom, your corner lamps will come on whenever you hit a turn signal AND as an added bonus they come on whenever you hit the brakes!

 

You can get headlight restoration kits and replace your bulbs with some ultras from sylvania, or get the hellas high performance or nokya artic whites. I have used all of them the work great, PepBoys carriers them.

 

Sylvania Silverstars always do me right

 

i really wanted to do that too but ended up getting a bull bar for $50 bucks then throwing some PIAA lights on it...

 

Anyone ever try these?

http://www.powerbulbs.com/product_detail.asp?prod=111

jdmcq- I like that look I may have to do that as well, crap the mod list just keeps GROWING!

 

you can get the fog remover by a pro or get some new light housing from ebay. Also, check into aHID kit. I have them on my truck and there reallllllllly bright! i love them.

 

I went to the local auto part store and found some really bright, blue light bulbs, becuase mine two were faded. These new bulbs are 10 times better than my old ones...definatly get new bulbs

 

If your lenses are fogged and you can polish them off to make them nice and shiny again the plastic is probably oxidizing. It's probably just going to happen again in a couple months unless you keep a nice coat of wax on there. I know there's a place here that will polish/buff out old headlight housings and re-clear them so they last another several years or so without regular maintenance to keep them clear. I need to do something about mine, they're pretty bad.

Also found a company making an oem replacement for the headlight housing online for 30 bucks a pop on amazon (link). Not sure if I want to try cleaning up mine or just getting a new set for a price like that yet. I've had good results with sylvania's silverstars in several other cars though and will be getting a set of those for whichever solution I try.