Because We're Not North Enough To Be NOVA, We're Just Stuck Between the North and the True South

Cool deal! So the deal on JWRose’s bumper is going through? Good for you that’s a really nice bumper. You should be really happy with the sliders and front bumper also. Good to see somebody gets to work on their truck I’ve been concentrating my time on another project but now I won’t have to dd my truck anymore so maybe I can get back to doing some stuff. I’m thinking rear suspension is first big thing when money allows it.

 

Looks like some good tread...you running E rated chief?

 

No jwroses's bumper went to darkgoatracer else, but i may be getting his bumper, i wasn't really ready to cut for a HC anyway.

 

Yeah, I switched in march to the st/maxx and found a couple spares recently so now i have spares in my size.

 

Sounds good man, E rated is rougher...but better piece of mind on trail when it counts!

 

These are actually pretty smooth handling, great all around traction. Really happy with them. The Goodyear wrangler MTR were a much harsher ride and loud at all speeds.

 

I feel like we might need to meet up soon with all these additions happening to our rides since we had them both in the shop.

 

Definitely

 

Just run a little less air, it'll smooth out.....

 

If I was to get a set of headlights like these, would I have any problem passing a Virginia state inspection? And would I get pulled over if I was running them?

 

I don't believe you would get pulled...but for inspections I have been seeing guys in the tidewater thread having issues passing inspections recently in the VA beach area. I don't know if that is a regional issue, but if you do I would def keep your stock pair in the event you have to swap once a year. The word from the inspector was that the OEM headlight was modified and compromised the "official" certification of the lights. Considering these lights were made by a retro pro that does this as a profession to a degree...Im not sure if the craftsmanship of these headlights are what lead to them getting failed as the inspector seemed a little sketchy on it.

I wish I could give a better definitive answer on the matter. For me, I have retro lights on my truck, but you wouldn't really know it as they are an aftermarket spyder type headlight where they came stock with projectors. I did swap out the projectors for nice quality ones, but unless you crack open the bezel itself you would never know that I played with them.

 

What is the source for your lights?

 

These are the exact ones that I have...easy to modify. I got mine set up like stock where the high and low beam function from one area so the second dedicated halogen high beam light is non functional for me. At this point though, its rare to find someone with what I have which I guess is cool.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-12-15-Tacoma-Black-Housing-Fiber-Optic-Light-Tube-Projector-Headlights/232316813075?fits=Year:2012|Model:Tacoma&hash=item3617293f13:ghoAAOSwI8laAhoz&_sop=16&_pgn=2&_sacat=0&_nkw=2012+tacoma+projector+lights&_from=R40&rt=nc

If these were out when I was getting lights, I would have gotten these in a heart beat over what I have as I like the look and will retain the high/low beam function instead of two separate like mine. Swapping out the projectors in these lights would have the same function.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-2012-2013-2014-2015-Toyota-Tacoma-LED-DRL-Light-Tube-Projector-BK-Headlights/132128686865?fits=Year:2012|Model:Tacoma&hash=item1ec37bc311:g:IAEAAOSwE-laAlvk&_sop=16&_pgn=2&_sacat=0&_nkw=2012+tacoma+projector+lights&_from=R40&rt=nc

 

I've had my eye on the second ones for a while. But I also do the truck show circuit so something like halos would be cool to. I'm not sure I have the skills to disassemble (i. e., unglue) the headlight housing. I'd rather have someone who knows what the hell they're doing build them.

There's a TW'er here that could do it but I'm looking at over $800.

 

Yea that's the price for most guys who do it. Honestly its not hard at all if just baking them is your main worry. I have baked about 3 sets now to get open and tinker with, you would be surprised how quick these come apart...10 min at 260 degrees works pretty well. I know there are write ups about installing halos as I believe its all about what you want to splice it into for power. I think many will splice them into the power for the DTRL so that they come in when those do.

Normally when you bake stock headlights the glue gets really malleable and nasty to clean up, with my lights it was a clean separation and the rubber was easy to work with. I would imagine it would be pretty easy to work on these lights as well.

 

I should try to find a set of junkyard headlights to practice on. And wait until my wife is out of town visiting her mother. ("You mean you baked headlights in MY oven??????")

 

Yea that's probably the biggest challenge is trying to explain this random "plastic smell" that would resonate from the process.

Im sure you could buy some old beat up 2005-2011 lights for cheap if its just for practice.

 

But the more I look at them, I think I like the style of the upper (dual) lights better. Decision, decisions.

 

Well if you like the euro style...then yea man its a pretty clean cut decision. I do have a full out tutorial on modding my lights if you are interested. It was actually an easy process to convert.

 

Is it a link or a PDF file or what?