Thoughts on best after market headlights

I have an 09 with the original headlights that have run their course. I'm a little overwhelmed with all the aftermarket options and am wondering what you all think is the better option(s).

 

From having tried a couple sets of aftermarket lights, I'd suggest going with OEM if possible. If you buy a pair of $100 eBay lights, that's just what you'll get. My 2¢.

 

I was leaning this way too. They're so pricey, but I suppose there's a reason for that.

 

Welcome! Nothing will compare to OEM. Most all aftermarket is a massive downgrade from stock. Check out the 2nd Gen headlight thread, great place to ask questions and get quick feedback:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-ultimate-headlight-upgrade-h4-not-led-or-hid.398066/

 

What is the reason you want to replace them? If they are sun faded and there is no spider web style cracking on the lens you can restore them for about $40 in supplies and a few hours of your time. Once the process (sanding and clear coat, very easy) is done they will be permanently fixed....or at least for another 10 years or so. I can explain the process if you want to go that route.

If it is just restoring the headlights, do you have any pictures?

 

My first question to anybody looking to replace their headlights is this: Which is more important to you, looks or performance?

If performance is your highest priority, OEM is the only way to fly. If you're just interested in looks, I'm out.

 

New here, but I'm in a similar boat looking for new headlights. I've read a bit through the other threads, but still a bit torn on how to proceed.

The previous owner of my 2011 sport missed the TSB warranty period and my lights look exactly like the melted ones in the TSB, and in addition to the melted running light covers, the main headlight area is starting to get cloudy and crack too. Is this restorable in less than five hours effort?

For me, I don't need high performance, but don't want dim lights, or blinding lights or some other terrible light pattern either. Mainly i just want to to fix the ugly melting and cloudiness at a reasonable cost. After reading through many reviews on Amazon and other places, it seems most complaints are about fogging or leaking water and you can get by with aftermarket ones if you do some caulking/sealing. From this forum and others it seems the performance also sucks, in particular the LED and HIDs seem to be poor for a number of reasons.

- Is there middle ground here to go with an aftermarket (non LED / HID) setup and replace bulbs with good ones to get a clean look without losing on performance, or will I still regret it after a year because of other quality issues? What are the other issues with aftermarket?

- I've seen in the forums and on amazon that there might be different lights for Sport vs non-sport. is this true?

thanks in advance!

 

Read the link in post 4

 

Let me see if I can address your questions.

First, if your lenses are starting to crack, although you can polish / restore them to get the oxidation out, the cracks are permanent. Using any of the commonly available restoration kits will net you significantly better looking lenses in an hour or two. If you want my opinion, lenses as bad as yours dictate new headlight housings.

Speaking of housings, as I've stated before, OEM is the only way to fly to avoid crap light patterns, leaking and early oxidation. The big question is whether you buy new or find a good set of used housings. I'd check the Classifieds here for possible used ones if you want to save some money.

If you really want good lighting without the risk of blinding oncoming drivers and / or not being able to see anything yourself, just go with new (or used) OEM housings and the Ultimate Headlight Upgrade. No LED or HID bulb slapped into an OEM housing will even come close to the performance. If you don't want to go through the trouble of adding the HD harness and higher wattage bulbs, look at the list of bulbs and use the ones that do not require a harness.

The ultimate headlight upgrade H4 (not LED or HID) | Tacoma World