Need Help. Headlight Is Fogged

Hey everyone.

I hope I've posted this in the correct forum section. If not, please forgive me. I couldn't find the troubleshooting/problems section.

Anyways, I own a 01 Toyota Tacoma, of which the headlight (passenger side) has gotten foggy. It's certainly not as transparent as the passenger side light. At first I wasn't sure why one was foggy and the other wasn't, but then I took a closer look at the foggy light and noticed a small crack on the outside casing. I believe this crack has allowed moisture to enter the light. I've heard of people restoring their headlights with special DIY kits, but I've decided to take the route of simply replacing the light with an aftermarket light from an online store. I found two sites that I particularly liked, but I'm unsure of whether or not they are legitimate businesses. Furthermore, I don't want to fall prey to a scam. Has anyone purchased from either of these sites and can verify that they are a legitimate business? The following parts match the OEM number of the one I need. Thanks in advance.


http://www.autolightcenter.com/toyota/tacoma/headlights.html#MTQ1MDY
or
http://www.collisionpartsexpert.com/product/23480

 

Welcome to Tacoma World.

 

I agree with replacing it. My 02's are a little hazy and I will replace them eventually. I used an aftermarket set on my 02 Camry and they did not fit the car as well. I had to use a dremel tool to remove a small piece to get them to fit. Just make sure they are from a reputable vendor and you should be fine.

 

Ebay lights are pretty good, the crystal ones give better output and there actually fairly good quality.

You can get a set of Crystals for like $100 shipped on Ebay if you look around.

There actually cheaper for your 01 I believe..then my 99.

You can always bake the light at 300 degrees for 8-9 mins, then take it out..pull it apart from the sealant, clean moisture out, repair crack with epoxy or plastic resin...then put them back in oven and heat em up..then re-seal them.

It's sort of a hassle, but a fun project if you got time and patience..

 

Use rockauto.com and automotix.com rockauto.com is better in my opinion.

 

Don't forget about the TW discount at rockauto!

 

Did not know there was one! SWEET. thanks! haha how do i get it??

 

Wet sand with 500 then 800 then 1200 then 3000 allllll wet sanding make sure it stays wet.. Then dry it off and buff it.. Come out brand new.. Seems like a long process but takes me maybe 45 min. to do 2 of them.. Lay a coat of wax over top of them and u good to go.

 

he has a crack in it though, otherwise i would just get the maguires headlight restoration kit. works like a charm and takes like 3 minutes. you attach it to a drill.

 

rockauto.com, replaced both of mine for like $70 shipped and had them for a year now. crystal clear still, no fogging or hazing. plus rockauto has awesome customer service

 

wicked awesome. I ordered a crucial part that was the deal breaker for me using them and like an hour after i ordered called me to apologize that they didnt have it and couldnt find it, which i was pissed about but appreciated so i could look elsewhere.

 

iv never used it before.. i had a VW Jetta and started messin round just to see wat would happen and started sanding on the headlights then laid a nice thick layer of clear coat on em and they were brand new headlights and after bout 2 years or so they never changed.. but thats a little bit of work.. i do use maguires wax tho to do my truck and LOVE it..

 

Without wet sanding, the first heat wave you get..it will fog/dull up and cloudy the outside.


It only takes 20 mins to wet sand them..super easy..then I hit it with plastic polish, then normal wax after.


Look brand new..but 98-00 headlights already have that weird privacy glass effect type thing inside..so it's impossible to get them "crystal clear"
on OEM lights..

 

3M makes a kit that attaches to a drill for like 25 $ you can get the kit pretty much anywhere. I bought some 1500 grit sand paper because it only has 500, 800 and 3000 grit sandpaper. Took me about 10-15 minutes per light. They were some seriously sad looking lights when i started. But once now they are good as new.


http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/...2K94_nid=3C1T602R4ZgsHMZK2FD45JglVT6TW45KZBbl

 

Anything Maguires i love haha, I have a 2003 and i used the drill headlight restoration kit thing and with like 1 minute on each it made em crsytal clear and has been for about 6 months or so now, and its gotten up to 110 degrees here in Boston, believe it or not. Last week it was 100-110 all week. Then back down to like 60. thank you new england.

 

This will not help him if it is a moisture issue.