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Request: Picture inside the headlights??

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by MESO, Feb 13, 2016.

  1. Feb 13, 2016 at 10:50 PM
    #1
    MESO

    MESO [OP] Major Modder Vendor

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    Anyone doing a BHLM/Retro snapped a picture of inside the headlight housing?(Preferably of the projector behind the Bezel) Just wondering what kind of room/setup is in there. The newer headlights are a lot thinner than gen 2's. Thanks in advance!
     
  2. Feb 14, 2016 at 2:56 PM
    #2
    Tacoma2GR

    Tacoma2GR Well-Known Member

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    I have a spare scratched lens headlight if you want it for practice.
     
  3. Feb 14, 2016 at 3:24 PM
    #3
    Lochevan

    Lochevan Well-Known Member

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    Hey Teeko, if mesojdm doesn't claim your spare headlight, I'd love to tinker with it to document the 3rd gen black headlight mod for community. I'm particularly interested to see if a mini h1 projector will fit into the high beam bowl.
     
  4. Feb 14, 2016 at 3:29 PM
    #4
    Tacoma2GR

    Tacoma2GR Well-Known Member

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    Oh i forgot to mention, I'm in the high desert of socal.
    Not really looking to ship
     
  5. Feb 14, 2016 at 7:12 PM
    #5
    MESO

    MESO [OP] Major Modder Vendor

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    Darn, I'm up in NorCal(a desert as well). Would love to use it as a donor for testing. Throw it in the oven and post some pics Teeko!
     
  6. Feb 20, 2016 at 6:19 PM
    #6
    MESO

    MESO [OP] Major Modder Vendor

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    ANYONE done a retro in a 3rd gen yet???
     
  7. Mar 5, 2016 at 1:32 PM
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    Lochevan

    Lochevan Well-Known Member

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    Passenger projector in bezel.
     
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  8. Mar 5, 2016 at 1:55 PM
    #8
    TRSJimmy

    TRSJimmy All I Do Is Nguyen

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    Non AFS Lexus RX 350 bolt pattern. Direct drop in. Tune them and you'll be in heaven!
     
  9. Mar 5, 2016 at 2:27 PM
    #9
    MESO

    MESO [OP] Major Modder Vendor

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    THANK YOU!! That's exactly what I needed. Just had to make sure before I buy Rx350 projectors. Plug-n-play retro!!
     
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  10. Mar 5, 2016 at 2:31 PM
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    Gnarman

    Gnarman Well-Known Member

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    Hell yeah please keep updating w pics
     
  11. Mar 5, 2016 at 3:18 PM
    #11
    TRSJimmy

    TRSJimmy All I Do Is Nguyen

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    Make sure you buy non afs ones!
     
  12. Mar 5, 2016 at 4:04 PM
    #12
    Lochevan

    Lochevan Well-Known Member

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    This is an eBay light I'll be playing with over several days, so don't hold your breath for any big updates. My truck won't even arrive for several weeks. In the meantime, let me know if you have any other questions or pic/measurement requests.
     
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    #12
  13. Mar 5, 2016 at 5:59 PM
    #13
    Lochevan

    Lochevan Well-Known Member

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    Details on disassembly:
    Permaseal is a huge pain, as advertized.
    Process to open one light probably took 3 hours (you could probably do 2 lights more efficiently by working on one while the other is in the oven).
    Heat is necessary to weaken the permaseal, but you'll need much more elbow grease. I heated the oven to 240, turned it off, and put the light in for 12 minutes. I could work on it for about 3 minutes before it had to go back in for 8-10 minutes. It probably took half a dozen trips to the oven. If anything, leave it in the oven a couple minutes longer but don't use a higher temperature; the housing can't handle much more. You'll need gloves to handle the assembly and I advice you to protect the lens with painter's tape.

    The edge of the lens sits in a channel in the black housing filled with the permaseal, creating a bond on all three sides of the lens flange. For each section I worked on, I found it helpful to first break the bond between the permaseal and the outside half of the housing channel with a slotted screwdriver before attempting to pull the lens from the housing. I had the best luck getting initial separation in the upper/inside corner.

    FYI, your housing is going to take a severe beating. The entire edge was warped and cracked in half a dozen places and I ended up with a 3-4" crack at the base of the lower/inner bracket. Luckily I could fix all the warping and edge cracks with a mini heat gun. I also fixed the large crack 75% using heat and plan to finish/reinforce the job with plastic epoxy. I also broke a mounting tab that will get epoxied. Hopefully you'll have better luck, but not for the faint of heart.

    IMAG0635.jpg IMAG0639.jpg


    FWIW, my plans include:
    Blacking out all chrome
    Tinting the amber side reflector and possibly the DRLs
    Mini H1 retrofit in the high beam bowl
    Stock low beam projector modified for H9 highbeam
    High output LED turn signal if necessary to compensate for blacked out bowl
     
  14. Mar 5, 2016 at 11:38 PM
    #14
    xTacoma16x

    xTacoma16x Well-Known Member

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    Good jod on pulling them apart. I got rx350 projectors tuned and ready to go in, just need to men up and get it done.

    Do you think this tools would make jod easier?
    image.jpg
     
  15. Mar 6, 2016 at 9:14 AM
    #15
    Lochevan

    Lochevan Well-Known Member

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    Possibly, but getting one of those all the way in would be half the battle. It's up to you, but I would save the $60 for something else.
     

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