Projector Lighting Guidance Needed 2010

Hi all, I’m looking at putting a set of projector headlights on my ’10. I’ve read the FAQ and I’m still somewhat confused, and have a few questions. Is there any way to get some more detail on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generations. From the descriptions in the FAQ, it sounds as if the 2nd generations are the “best”. (I know “best” is subjective, so give some more input as to what and why you like one over the other)
How do you tell if a projector headlight is which generation? What about cost differences? Any one particular brand over the other? I found a few after a brief search and listed are the relative prices. (I’m sure I can find better prices but for comparison, the prices are all from the same site)
$288 http://www.octanemotorsports.com/Toyota-Trucks-&-SUV-Tacoma-Pickup-Truck-Lighting-Head-/-Tail-Lights/c9_436_1487_2014/p100019/05-08-Toyota-Tacoma-Black-Projector-Headlights-w/-Halo-CCFL-LED/product_info.html?osCsid=9742a9f4f22d77c4f3e57602a5445ca6
$334 http://www.octanemotorsports.com/Toyota-Trucks-&-SUV-Tacoma-Pickup-Truck-Lighting-Head-/-Tail-Lights/c9_436_1487_2014/p9786/05-07-06-Toyota-Tacoma-Projector-Dual-Halo-Headlights-Black-CCFL/product_info.html
$270 http://www.octanemotorsports.com/Toyota-Trucks-&-SUV-Tacoma-Pickup-Truck-Lighting-Head-/-Tail-Lights/c9_436_1487_2014/p9738/05-07-Toyota-Tacoma-Projector-Dual-Halo-LED-Headlights-Black/product_info.html
$175 http://www.octanemotorsports.com/Toyota-Trucks-&-SUV-Tacoma-Pickup-Truck-Lighting-Head-/-Tail-Lights/c9_436_1487_2014/p73083/05-07-Toyota-Tacoma-Black-Projector-Headlights-w/-Dual-Halo-LED/product_info.html
So as you can see, wildly different prices, for what appear to be similar products. I’m usually a firm believer in you get what you pay for and don’t mind paying for quality, but I also know sometimes you pay a lot extra for not much payback. Any guidance or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/lighting/84308-lighting-faq-please-read-before-posting.html

Check this out. I believe the difference between the lights is the cold cathode diode vs LED accents. I'm not an expert on the pros and cons of the two but that appears to be the difference in price since it doesn't look like the kits come with HIDs.

 

Thanks for the response. I've read that FAQ 3 times and I'm still unsure on the difference between the generations. (espcially 1 and 3, 2 seems to use the CCFL stuff)

None of the ones I list have HID, although you can add them. (I might down the road after I see how they look with regular bulbs)

 

I don't understand the difference between them either, that was just what I picked up as a difference. Someone like Viet would know, or search CCFL, there was a pretty in-depth discussion on a thread fairly recently but I don't remember what started it so I couldn't tell you what to search for.

 

Okay, found some great threads with great info and think I know what I want. (Gen 3) HOWEVER, in searching the interwebs for deals and such, I see what looks to be the exact same headlight (the one with the LEDs curving around the outside and bottom of the lights) made by many different manufacturers. ANZO, JDM, SPYDER, Eagle Eye, etc... are these really different lights? Any word on quality from one to the other? Or made by the same company in the far east and rebranded?

Best deal i've found today is $230 shipped....

 

Probably all the same manufacturer as tooling can be expensive. There could be different quality specs that each reseller uses to try to differentiate their product. One clue is sometimes you will see the various resellers use the same picture.

 

suggestion...dont get any of those...retrofit your current headlights with anything from theretrofitsource.com. they have FX-R projectors where you cut, all the way to morimoto minis where its a simple screw in retro.

you stated you dont mind paying for quality...well, do the retrofit w/ the OEM ballasts and HIDs. all those "projector" headlights will NOT give a good output at all...many times worse than stock.

if your serious about getting projectors, do the retro. see my sig for an example of an FX-R retro. there are also a few threads about the screw in morimoto's if you cannot spend that kind of money or have the skill...

 

+1 ^ go with the quality projectors

 

Yosh, thanks so much for your info. Yes, that's what I want. I have a couple problems though. First, my truck is my only vehicle, it's my daily driver and can't really do without it for more than maybe a weekend if I'm home working on it. Secondly, I'm not that mechanically talented. (I'm an electrical engineer, but my mechanical skills are sketch at best)

The main reason i want to get new lights is to get the BHLM effect without doing the BHLM. My new truck is black sand pearl and I'm getting a color matched grill and a grill craft front and I though black headlights would complete the look.

I'd be more inclined to do the retrofit myself, or even just the BHLM if I had another set of lights I could put on the truck for driving in case it took a while or a screwed it up.

So any other suggestions or hints and tips are greatly appreciated!

Edit: I'm not really that into the halo effect or the extra LED"s on the projector headlights, would like more just plain black around the light and less extra stuff. Is there any full assembles of just the projector headlights available? I don't even know if I want HID's or not. My thoughts on the Gen 3 were that if it wasn't bright enough for me, I could put HID's in there.

 

its really not all that hard. sounds like the morimoto minis are more up your ally. if you can change a light bulb on your truck and can follow the simple instructions to open up your headlights, you can be done in a day! wiring is basic for anyone, and should be cake for you!

there are a few writeups of guys doing the minis in less than a day, search around and you'll see how easy it is. let me know if you have any other questions...

 

I spent two days doing the BHLM on my girlfriends tacoma. It was way easier than the lights on my dodge. Piece of cake. Just get the mini morimotos and you will be back up and running in a day or two.

Definitely don't go with those headlights you listed. Light output and beam pattern is usually worse than stock.

 

Aaarrggg... i knew this site was going to bankrupt me.

Thanks for the info... currently reading the tons of info from TRS, but leaning towards the morimoto minis.

Worst case if I screw up the BHLM, I can tape some flashlights in there while I order something.

Definately want more black and less shiny when done.

 

The morimoto minis are a great choice. Simple install with great results, can't get any better than that. I wish there was something like that for my dodge but I am going to have to do a full on retro

 

See this:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/li...ofit-apollo-shrouds-lots-really-big-pics.html

 

the hardest part about the morimoto is trying to get your lights off your truck. if you choose not to do any painting, even at a slow pace, you can be done in a few hours and ready for aiming. i do recommend at least 24 hours for you sealant to be completely dry, but it takes no time at all.

i had mine opened, cleaned out(dust cover fell off the back) and reinstalled in 2 hours or so

 

Okay Okay... sold. After digging and reading, the mini's seem like the right decision. I'll call TRS to get all the good info on what I need for wiring harnesses, etc...

One question though, I want to with the all-black look. Can I just ditch the factory reflector (shroud?) or can I paint it black? similar look to:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/63340/cat/500

I'm assuming it's okay to paint the Apollos as well? High temp spray paint sufficient?

 

do not ditch the reflector. thats what holds the projector in place. you can paint it all if you want. i scratched up the chrome, but certain paints will allow you to just spray and be done. good luck, post pics

 

Cool, thanks. I'm a big skier and will apply my theories here. You never know if you can or can't do something until you just man up and do it. I really like the look of blackhawke88's lights and am shooting for something like that. right now i'm thinking gloss black on the reflector and maybe the projector shroud (maybe the "hammered" look) and flat or satin on all the other trim.

 

I suggest you also see this:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/lighting/65226-how-black-head-light-mod.html

 

Arg, okay. Money spent. (Did I mention I knew this site would bankrupt me?) Ordered the morimoto mini's with gatling gun shroud. I just got my Black Sand Pearl color matched grill, and will install the black mesh grill craft when it comes in from the group buy.

I'm planning on doing the BHLM with a Satin finish on the bezel, then a high gloss black on the stock reflector (possibly some silver overspray for highlights) Thoughts on colors?