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My lights are very dim. I am assuming I need new headlights?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by N81292, Sep 9, 2016.

  1. Sep 9, 2016 at 2:07 PM
    #1
    N81292

    N81292 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    in short:

    -2001 Tacoma Prerunner

    the front headlights are so dim that I am honestly afraid of driving on the highway at night...The lights themselves are very faded I guess due to the sun and dirt/etc that may have gotten inside. I've tried wiping them clean on the outside but not much resulted from that.

    Is it likely that I just need to replace the dirty lenses or could there maybe be another problem?
     
  2. Sep 9, 2016 at 2:09 PM
    #2
    snowboard704

    snowboard704 Well-Known Member

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    They sell headlight "repair" kits that let you polish the headlight its self to allow more light to flow through the lenses better.

    Or new headlights possibly but the first solution usually works if the lenses themselves look "murky" or "faded"

    Hope it helps
     
  3. Sep 9, 2016 at 2:11 PM
    #3
    N81292

    N81292 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    ^^ I am thinking about giving that a try. There are also some sketchy home remedies that involve toothpaste and windex which I'm not sure about lol..My headlights look horribly faded so I am confident that is the issue.


    http://imgur.com/a/hMf5q


    <blockquote class="imgur-embed-pub" lang="en" data-id="a/hMf5q"><a href="//imgur.com/hMf5q"></a></blockquote><script async src="//s.imgur.com/min/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2016
  4. Sep 9, 2016 at 2:17 PM
    #4
    snowboard704

    snowboard704 Well-Known Member

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    You could give the home remedies a shot, couldnt make them worse...

    Then try the kit you buy... Then last case scenario is new housings
     
  5. Sep 9, 2016 at 2:18 PM
    #5
    N81292

    N81292 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    posted a picture above for what its worth

    if it comes to replacing the lenses, how difficult of a job is this?
     
  6. Sep 9, 2016 at 2:19 PM
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    Aw9d

    Aw9d That one guy

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  7. Sep 9, 2016 at 2:20 PM
    #7
    snowboard704

    snowboard704 Well-Known Member

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    Kinda hard to tell from the pic (kinda far away) but if it really comes down to it there are many videos on YouTube etc.

    The job is very easy
     
  8. Sep 9, 2016 at 2:20 PM
    #8
    Northern Taco

    Northern Taco Well-Known Member

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    YouTube. Very easy
     
  9. Sep 9, 2016 at 2:31 PM
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    Indy

    Indy Master of all I survey.

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    You'll spend about 10 minutes per headlight. Most every kit you'll find consists of a drill attachment, some wet/dry fine grit sandpaper, polish (buffing compound) and a polishing pad. Sand the crap smooth, polish it to remove the sanding marks. Done, for about a year. Once the plastic is UV damaged it's a war of attrition. The end result is new headlights, but you can kick that can a long ways down the road with the kits.

    BTW if the lenses are plastic keep that sanding pad wet and moving or else you'll go from needing new headlights someday to shopping for new ones today.
     
    Aw9d likes this.
  10. Sep 9, 2016 at 2:33 PM
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    N81292

    N81292 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Do i need power tools or is it just intended to be a hand polish?
     
  11. Sep 9, 2016 at 2:34 PM
    #11
    snowboard704

    snowboard704 Well-Known Member

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    Usually a drill attachment of some sort
     
  12. Sep 9, 2016 at 2:35 PM
    #12
    Indy

    Indy Master of all I survey.

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    Cordless/corded drill. You can do it by hand with some wet/dry paper and a sanding block, then some compound. The drill is faster though.
     
    Aw9d likes this.
  13. Sep 9, 2016 at 2:37 PM
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    T4RFTMFW

    T4RFTMFW Well-Known Member

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    Doesn't look like his lenses are the cause of extreme output loss. They're fairly clear in that pic.

    Someone experiencing what he's describing, I'd think that you wouldn't be able to see the reflector, let alone the bulb so cover so clearly.
     
    PROseur likes this.
  14. Sep 9, 2016 at 2:41 PM
    #14
    EatSleepTacos

    EatSleepTacos Well-Known Member

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    You can get a new pair of headlights on Amazon for $50. I'd just get new ones if it were me.
     
  15. Sep 9, 2016 at 2:41 PM
    #15
    N81292

    N81292 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    maybe its just a bad picture. In person, you can very much tell they're oxidized. I hope this is my issue
     
  16. Sep 9, 2016 at 2:55 PM
    #16
    N81292

    N81292 [OP] Well-Known Member

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  17. Sep 9, 2016 at 2:56 PM
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    KdF

    KdF Old Rednek Type

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  18. Sep 9, 2016 at 2:57 PM
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    Aw9d

    Aw9d That one guy

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  19. Sep 9, 2016 at 3:06 PM
    #19
    T4RFTMFW

    T4RFTMFW Well-Known Member

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    You get out what you put in.

    But for $50 I'd just get a new set and save myself the time.
     
  20. Sep 9, 2016 at 3:10 PM
    #20
    N81292

    N81292 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Just ordered some. I'm excited lol.
     
    EatSleepTacos likes this.

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