Headlight install

Looking to replace my factory headlights with blacked out ones. Any tips on install ??

 

Do you already have blacked out headlights that your planning on installing? Or are you planning on blacking out the entire headlights or doing the BHLM?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/headlight-removal-pics.128360/

Be sure to tape off your horizon and alignment lines before removing your lights. I parked 20ft away from a wall and used painters tape to mark the horizon and center points of the OEM beam pattern for each light. After swapping the headlight assemblies I put the truck back in the same spot and adjusted the alignment to match the tape marks. I also did one headlight at a time to use the horizon line from the untouched light to double validate the replaced light.

As mentioned above, hopefully you mean BHLM, and not blacked out headlights which will have very little light output.

 

What does BHLM stand for?

 

BHLM stands for black head light mod. Those headlights that you posted are prone to fogging up, make sure you either reseal them with butyl or run some silicone around the edge!

 

As mentioned above. You can pull apart your OEM headlights and paint the chrome housing (not the reflector or lens) to achieve the same look. This is known as the BHLM.

 

Silicone around the edge of the lense?

 

Cheap headlights like that are known to have their seals fail very early and get moisture inside the light causing them to fog up. Putting silicone around the edge of the lens inbetween the plastic body is a band aid solution to try and buy time before they fail.

If you want decent headlights at least look for CAPA certified, but they will not come in black.

 

Any thoughts on these ANZO's? What else can I do to keep moister out and keep a clean lens

 

Judging by OPs responses, my advice would be don't touch them.

 

No experience with that brand. But if it is not CAPA certified, it is most likely sub-par to OEM in materials, construction and light output. Doesn't mean it won't work though, it just won't be the same quality.

Here is a similar CAPA light. It does cost more.

$107 HEADLIGHTSDEPOT Headlight Compatible With 2005-2011 Toyota Tacoma 4.0L Base w/Sport Package/Pre-Runner/X-Runner Driver Side CAPA

http://www.amazon.com/Toyota-Tacoma-Headlight-Replacement-Headlamp/dp/compatibility-chart/B008UW8TC6

 

I was thinking about replacing the headlights but all the brands I see seem like a downgrade. By that I mean I'm paying less for the new ones than my current ones are worth. If I do ever decide to do this, I think I'll get the TRD Pro OEM headlights. They're blacked out and still factory.

 

You could just bake your headlights and paint them yourself if all you're doing is the BHLM

 

I'm scared of breaking that nice factory seal or using the wrong paint and having it chip off from heat in a year or two. I don't trust this whole BHLM mod thing. Something bad will happen, just like Jurassic Park.

 

As long as you use butyl and prep for the paint job you'll be fine

 

TRD Pros are the way to go IMO. That is what I did, you can see the pics here, including the best price I was able to find with links.

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

 

I think it might have been your post that sold me on the Pro headlights. Just nice to keep it stock.