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Found project headlight for 2013-15, what do yall think?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Mex713, Mar 1, 2016.

  1. Mar 1, 2016 at 5:32 AM
    #1
    Mex713

    Mex713 [OP] Member

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  2. Mar 1, 2016 at 5:35 AM
    #2
    127.0.0.1

    127.0.0.1 AKA ::1

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    unsafe and illegal

    this is not an opinion it is a fact.

    before coming down on me, you asked.
    -------------------------------------------------------
    this
    Each headlight is made by OEM approved and ISO certified manufactures to ensure you are receiving a high quality headlight.

    doesn't mean jack shit
    -------------------------------------------------------
     
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  3. Mar 1, 2016 at 5:49 AM
    #3
    PVT Pablo

    PVT Pablo

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    There are better options if you are looking for improved lighting. You could do your own projector retrofit, have someone do it for you, or (and this is the option I went with) upgrade your factory bulbs and wiring. Check out this link.

    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-ultimate-headlight-upgrade-not-led-or-hid.398066/

    You'll be amazed on how much more light (and focused) you'll get out of the bulbs and harness mentioned in that thread. No its not as flashy as the headlights you posted, but you will get better optics with the link above.
     
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  4. Mar 1, 2016 at 5:57 AM
    #4
    ChadsPride

    ChadsPride Tacoma Owner & Enthusiast

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    Im just curious why it would be against the law to run these.

    Not interested in purchasing them, just curious
     
  5. Mar 1, 2016 at 6:03 AM
    #5
    jtweezy

    jtweezy Well-Known Member

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    I think, at the very least, they're not DOT approved. With that said, neither are retros, but I've made and run my own retros before without legal issues (inspection or insurance).
     
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  6. Mar 1, 2016 at 6:08 AM
    #6
    127.0.0.1

    127.0.0.1 AKA ::1

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    DOT approval doesn't mean anything either. that is just a series of meaningless letters

    legal headlamp assemblies need to pass certification and photometric standards, and also
    must be photometrically tested on the vehicle for which they are intended

    no one does this and passes FMVSS standards except vehicle manufacturers.

    therefore all aftermarket non-OEM assemblies are inherently illegal as they do not pass FMVSS standards.

    you may get lucky and find one that would pass photometrics, but you have better luck winning powerball

    they simply do not exist.

    it's crap plain and simple.
     
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  7. Mar 1, 2016 at 6:10 AM
    #7
    127.0.0.1

    127.0.0.1 AKA ::1

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    there are legal issues

    but there really is no 'headlight police' anywhere. all they care is obvious blinding
    or blue to front, but hundreds of technically illegal assemblies are not going to raise a red flag in any
    jurisdiction. the government does go after companies that sell these assemblies on occasion.
     
  8. Mar 1, 2016 at 6:12 AM
    #8
    127.0.0.1

    127.0.0.1 AKA ::1

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    spend some reading time on candlepowerforums automotive lighting section and read up, they have moderators
    on that forum who work in the lighting industry and know everything about it, and they have argued
    this extensively as to why this stuff is BS and unsafe.
     
  9. Mar 1, 2016 at 6:15 AM
    #9
    moe2o4

    moe2o4 Well-Known Member

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  10. Mar 1, 2016 at 7:03 AM
    #10
    jtweezy

    jtweezy Well-Known Member

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    I should have said "legal ramifications" instead of "issues". Agreed, the point is...OP can run the headlights he wants to and probably won't ever get ticketed for them not being "approved" or "legal". He's more likely to get a ticket for not having headlights that are visibly bright enough or ones that blind oncoming traffic, if noticed by LE.

    If the "DOT" stamp is meaningless, why do OEM manufacturers bother to stamp their headlights with it? See https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/rsd/vi/lighting.htm under the "Bulbs" section, just as an example. If you're saying it's meaningless because nobody checks and/or anyone can stamp a car part with "DOT", then I agree. BUT, in theory, someone at the inspection place should care that it's there.

    Then you move on to accountability. Even if the inspection guy checks/cares, it doesn't mean anything unless the integrity of the stamp is there. Meaning, DOT actually tested the part and approved it. Judging by your SN, I think I can say it's analogous to SSL certs. Self signed vs CA issued.

    All that being said, I haven't met anyone who checks/cares.
     
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  11. Mar 1, 2016 at 7:11 AM
    #11
    jtweezy

    jtweezy Well-Known Member

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    There's this issue, too. Which should be a legal one.
     
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  12. Mar 1, 2016 at 7:19 AM
    #12
    moe2o4

    moe2o4 Well-Known Member

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    :bananadance::rofl:
     
  13. Mar 1, 2016 at 7:47 AM
    #13
    127.0.0.1

    127.0.0.1 AKA ::1

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    DOT doesn't mean shit.

    Among the misinformation around headlights and tail lights is that the DOT or SAE "approves" anything.

    There is no such thing as a "DOT approved" or "SAE approved" headlamp.

    The letters "DOT" and/or "SAE" on a headlamp lens do not signify any kind of an approval.

    DOT TP108, 12.1.2.9 MARKINGS

    Each lamp may be marked with the symbol “DOT” which constitutes a certification that
    it conforms to the requirements of this standard.

    what is the standard then ? nothing to do with FMVSS

    S7.3.2Type A headlighting system. A Type A headlighting system consists of two Type 1A1 and two Type 2A1 headlamps and associated hardware, which are designed to conform to the following requirements:

    (d) The maximum wattage at 12.8 volts (design voltage): Single filament headlamp, 55 watts on the upper beam; dual filament headlamp, 43 watts on the upper beam and 65 watts on the lower beam
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    that's it. FMVSS covers everything else like glare and visibility from all tested angles

    DOT is self-certification. in other words, bullshit.

    In certification-based systems such as the ones we have in the United States and Canada, the manufacturer or importer of a regulated item self-certifies that the item meets the requirements. There is no legally mandatory test procedure, and there is no list of accredited test labs -- the manufacturer/importer has to satisfy themselves that the device meets the requirements, then certify to that effect -- in the case of headlamps, the "DOT" mark on the lens constitutes the maker's formal certification. A shady manufacturer could just skip all the engineering and testing and just put "DOT" on the lens, but since the manufacturer/importer is legally liable for that certification and all subsequent liability that may arise from a noncompliant item of regulated equipment, reputable manufacturers do it the right way.


    You would have to use complete lamp assemblies that were actually FMVSS 108 compliant-- if the website vendor said they were "DOT Approved" the almost certainly don't meet the requirements.


    now GFY

    there is no way in hell non-OEM assemblies will be FMVSS legal you simply cannot find any except JWspeaker assemblies for Jeeps.
     
  14. Mar 1, 2016 at 7:53 AM
    #14
    ThunderOne

    ThunderOne Well-Known Member

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    Lol.... maybe in 1995, when no cars had LED or HID headlights from the factory.
     
  15. Mar 1, 2016 at 8:01 AM
    #15
    moe2o4

    moe2o4 Well-Known Member

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    Uh oh, the headlight Nazi's are here again..........:duel:
     
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  16. Mar 1, 2016 at 8:02 AM
    #16
    jtweezy

    jtweezy Well-Known Member

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    "DOT Approved" is a figure of speech...and a common one when referring to things of this nature. Nowhere was I implying that AAA Lighting Systemz Yo LLC actually takes all their aftermarket lights to be federally inspected/tested/certified.

    The fact is, there are LEGAL statutes that require "DOT" to be stamped on parts. Things get fuzzy when you consider 1) the people checking don't really care, 2) the people stamping don't have the authority to, and 3) nobody checks on any of it.

    You're saying that these lights aren't legal. I'm saying that these lights aren't legal. Right?

    What if the state (or federal) government requires all parts to be FMVSS compliant? What does that mean? It's stamped with FMVSS 108 on the light? How is that different than a "DOT" stamp? I get what you're saying, and I agree. Maybe I should leave out all the comments about the practicality of it all to make that more clear.

    In theory it's illegal. In practice, nobody's gonna care to check or call the OP out on it.
     
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  17. Mar 1, 2016 at 8:52 AM
    #17
    buckmark32

    buckmark32 Well-Known Member

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    If you like them... get them! The only thing I am curious is to see what kind of beam pattern the "projector" puts out as I am running Bright Ass LEDs in my stock housings. The LED running lights on these look kinda GMC-ish
     
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  18. Mar 1, 2016 at 2:06 PM
    #18
    Mex713

    Mex713 [OP] Member

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    ... Well didn't know I'd stur up some debates. I'll probly just get them and see if I like them and post pics. Might end up retroing the hi beams if I don't like the look
     
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  19. Mar 1, 2016 at 2:47 PM
    #19
    unlewser

    unlewser Well-Known Member

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  20. Mar 1, 2016 at 4:13 PM
    #20
    Theloden

    Theloden Well-Known Member

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    In my experience aftermarket projector lights have terrible optics on the projector lens. When I had my Blazer I bought a set off eBay and ended taking the projectors out and swapping in some off of some Lexus or something I found at the junk yard. They worked great but they were a PITA to get lined up correctly. This was before HID's were really even a thing and even a cheap kit was a couple hundred bucks, so I had to work with what I had.
     
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