1st gen headlight bulbs

Does anyone no if you can put aftermarket bulbs in the square glass headlight assembly

 

Yes, you don't have to go to the dealer for replacements.

 

I always thought those older style glass headlights were a sealed unit that you replaced the whole thing...ive never owned the first gen first gen though.

 

They are sealed beam lamps, but can be upgraded to more modern halogen/hid/led setups if you want.

 

Cam,
To answer your question. No. To replace, say a burned out bulb, you have to replace the sealed beam. But, as the others have said there are kits to replace and convert the sealed beam assembly to one with a bulb.

 

Look at the Hella H4 E-code housing conversion. Best one out there to convert your headlights to have changeable bulbs and E-codes put more light on the road than the DOT pattern.

 

Or Autopal if your looking to save some $$$, then use a H4 harness and some Nightbreakers or XT bulbs.

 

Second this!

The amount of usable light and pattern is so much better for a plug and play mod.

Side by side: Sylvania sealed beams vs Autopal e-code H4 with autopal bulbs.


I have since added a relay harness for more power and upgraded to Hella 100w bulbs. The light output is great and I have never been flashed or pulled over for the headlights!

 

I really like the cutoff on the autopals, this was how they looked when I installed with the autopal bulbs and no upgraded harness.
Worth the $40 something I spent.

 

OK, I want to change this a little.

My 2003 has some yellowed out headlamps.
I think someone said RockAuto was a good source for replacements.
http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/toyota,2003,tacoma,2.7l+l4,1418442,body,headlamp+assembly,10762
I see headlamp assemblies from Dorman, TYC and "various".
Are these equivalent?


Lets say I also want a brightness upgrade.
If I dont want to go the LED route (while ordering an LED interior I looked at links to LED kit, ballast, everything, huh),
then there appear to be some bulb options...
http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...,electrical-bulb+&+socket,headlamp+bulb,11701

And this Autopal stuff?
Doing a search comes up with a link to an EBay store...

 

RIMIUSA is the web store for Autopal. They also sell on eBay.

 

I would stick to CAPA certified headlights or OEM for replacement, since you have composite headlights in your 03. Cheap aftermarket can have terrible beam pattern and build quality, resulting in actually downgrading your headlights.

Do this for a brightness upgrade. I did it in my 03 as well. Massively improved light output without blinding other drivers.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-ultimate-headlight-upgrade-not-led-or-hid.398066/

 

OK, so new OEM headlights (no pimpin' TRD lamps for me), then the rest of the parts list ....