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Black headlight mod help

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Reklaw31, Sep 20, 2011.

  1. Sep 20, 2011 at 8:53 PM
    #1
    Reklaw31

    Reklaw31 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Ron
    Niceville FL
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    05 Tacoma
    Bilstein 5100's, 1" rear AAL, 17X8 Liquid metal Gatlins, Yokohama Geolander ATs, Blacked out headlights, undercover tanneau, got some stuff line-exed and my paint sucks!
    Ok, I'm on my second bhlm. The first one went horribly wrong, but now I'm fast at taking them apart. I have scoured the web and need some help with one crucial step. How the hell do I get the black surround pieces back in without chipping the paint? It has dried for 2+ days and I can't seem to get the "clips" in without messing up my paint. Do I put the sharp corner side in first it the side closest to the grill? I just got brand new 2010 lights and cant afford to screw up!
     
  2. Sep 20, 2011 at 9:12 PM
    #2
    sambojee

    sambojee Well-Known Member

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    Bilstein 5100 all around set at 2.5. 1.5 AAL in the rear. 265/75/16 Hancook Dynapro MTs on Black Moto Metal 951s. Black badges. Aftermarket grill. TRD seat covers.
    why dont u buy one that are already blacked out for u? they r only $100...
     
  3. Sep 20, 2011 at 9:13 PM
    #3
    08PRELB

    08PRELB Don't Tread On Me

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    Start with the side closest to the grill you should see two different places ware the bezel will rest against the clear outer lense. After that easily move the outer corner down into place. Take your time and stop and look at what parts are touching and getting cought on each other. You can push the clear lense a bit to get the bezel into place.

    If you have any problems with minor chips you can use the small touch up paint dispensers that are similar to finger nail paint with the little brush. Just take the bezel back out, touch up what you need to and try again. Just remember to be patient and take your time and every thing shod turn out fine.
     
  4. Sep 20, 2011 at 9:15 PM
    #4
    Reklaw31

    Reklaw31 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Ron
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    05 Tacoma
    Bilstein 5100's, 1" rear AAL, 17X8 Liquid metal Gatlins, Yokohama Geolander ATs, Blacked out headlights, undercover tanneau, got some stuff line-exed and my paint sucks!
    I thought about it, but i already had good painted surrounds from my first attempt, and picked up some 2010 lights in mint for $65. plus i heard the light output isn't as good, and i'm worried about longevity. If this one fails i'll cut my losses and fork over $100.
     
  5. Sep 20, 2011 at 9:17 PM
    #5
    Reklaw31

    Reklaw31 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Ron
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    Bilstein 5100's, 1" rear AAL, 17X8 Liquid metal Gatlins, Yokohama Geolander ATs, Blacked out headlights, undercover tanneau, got some stuff line-exed and my paint sucks!
    Nice truck man. do the tabs closest to the grill rest behind the ones on the lens or do they snap underneath? that is what I'm trying to figure out..
     
  6. Sep 20, 2011 at 9:21 PM
    #6
    memario1214

    memario1214 Hotshot Offroad Moderator Vendor

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    I actually put painters tape down for the lenses to slide across when I put them in... Worked out well
     
  7. Sep 20, 2011 at 9:26 PM
    #7
    Reklaw31

    Reklaw31 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Bilstein 5100's, 1" rear AAL, 17X8 Liquid metal Gatlins, Yokohama Geolander ATs, Blacked out headlights, undercover tanneau, got some stuff line-exed and my paint sucks!
    I don't understand, please elaborate
     
  8. Sep 20, 2011 at 9:28 PM
    #8
    memario1214

    memario1214 Hotshot Offroad Moderator Vendor

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    I used blue painter's tape and put it down on the painted part where the lens would be grinding and sliding across, therefore taking off paint. That way the lens wasn't digging into the black of the bezel. Once the lens was snapped in, I just peeled off the tape
     
  9. Sep 20, 2011 at 9:30 PM
    #9
    Reklaw31

    Reklaw31 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Bilstein 5100's, 1" rear AAL, 17X8 Liquid metal Gatlins, Yokohama Geolander ATs, Blacked out headlights, undercover tanneau, got some stuff line-exed and my paint sucks!
    Ok, so you put tape on the bezel surround piece, but once you snapped it into place how did you remove the tape? Wasn't it trapped between the bezel and the lens? Or did you put the tap on the edges of the lens cover?
     
  10. Sep 20, 2011 at 9:35 PM
    #10
    memario1214

    memario1214 Hotshot Offroad Moderator Vendor

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    I just taped on the bezel right to the edge of where the lenses would clip in. That way I could just peel off after they snapped in. It took me a while to tape it, and may not have been necessary, but I erred on the side of caution
     
  11. Sep 20, 2011 at 9:35 PM
    #11
    Reklaw31

    Reklaw31 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Ron
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    Bilstein 5100's, 1" rear AAL, 17X8 Liquid metal Gatlins, Yokohama Geolander ATs, Blacked out headlights, undercover tanneau, got some stuff line-exed and my paint sucks!
    I'm just irritated, everything is ready to go but I don't want to screw it up, so I am waiting for an answer. I guess I need to know iif the bezel, or surround piece that I painted, rests on the tabs of the lens, or snaps behind them (on the grill side). I have been trying to get them to snap underneath, maybe that is the problem.
     
  12. Sep 20, 2011 at 9:36 PM
    #12
    j1999t

    j1999t Well-Known Member

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    traded it in
    where do you get the already done BHLM's?
     
  13. Sep 20, 2011 at 9:37 PM
    #13
    Reklaw31

    Reklaw31 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Ron
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    Bilstein 5100's, 1" rear AAL, 17X8 Liquid metal Gatlins, Yokohama Geolander ATs, Blacked out headlights, undercover tanneau, got some stuff line-exed and my paint sucks!
    From revtec on eBay, or revotec. Not sure, they look good but I've heard the light output isn't as good, and I don't know how those lenses will hold up over time. I figured brand new stock for $65 was worth the risk, I've already put in the painting time.
     
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  14. Sep 20, 2011 at 9:40 PM
    #14
    memario1214

    memario1214 Hotshot Offroad Moderator Vendor

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    Okay Ron, which lens are you talking about? Are you talking about the main clear lens that covers the entire housing, or the little lens that covers your blinker?
     
  15. Sep 20, 2011 at 9:41 PM
    #15
    Reklaw31

    Reklaw31 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Ron
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    Bilstein 5100's, 1" rear AAL, 17X8 Liquid metal Gatlins, Yokohama Geolander ATs, Blacked out headlights, undercover tanneau, got some stuff line-exed and my paint sucks!
    The main lens
     
  16. Sep 20, 2011 at 9:42 PM
    #16
    Reklaw31

    Reklaw31 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Bilstein 5100's, 1" rear AAL, 17X8 Liquid metal Gatlins, Yokohama Geolander ATs, Blacked out headlights, undercover tanneau, got some stuff line-exed and my paint sucks!
    Blinker lenses are in, no issues.
     
  17. Sep 20, 2011 at 9:47 PM
    #17
    memario1214

    memario1214 Hotshot Offroad Moderator Vendor

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  18. Sep 20, 2011 at 9:55 PM
    #18
    08PRELB

    08PRELB Don't Tread On Me

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    Toy Tech Ultimate Lift kit,Buildt Right UCA's 285/70/17 BFG AT, Camburg Spindles, BHLM, K&N, Flow Master 50, Spider Trax, URD MAF CAL, Satoshi Grill, any time fog mod, 20% tint, Katzkins Leather Interior, FX-R Projector Retro
    Thanks man, there should be two tabs on the bezel that you painted black. Those tabs should have a little notch or groove in them that match up with the clear lense. The tabs that come off of the bezel should rest on top of the grooves on the clear lense.

    Once you have those two tabs lined up you can gently lean the out side corner down into place. That corner will have the same type of notch and groove tab. After that put the two screws back in and check to make sure there are no scratches.
     
  19. Sep 20, 2011 at 10:02 PM
    #19
    Reklaw31

    Reklaw31 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Ron
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    05 Tacoma
    Bilstein 5100's, 1" rear AAL, 17X8 Liquid metal Gatlins, Yokohama Geolander ATs, Blacked out headlights, undercover tanneau, got some stuff line-exed and my paint sucks!
    Thanks man, pretty sure I see what's goin on now. I was thinking all the tabs on the bezel had to be snapped under the ones on the main lens as apposed to just resting on top. I have one bezel in, no scratches, screws are in but there is a small gap at the top of the lense where it is clear, I'll post a pic. Your help is appreciated!
     
  20. Sep 20, 2011 at 10:10 PM
    #20
    Reklaw31

    Reklaw31 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Niceville FL
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    Bilstein 5100's, 1" rear AAL, 17X8 Liquid metal Gatlins, Yokohama Geolander ATs, Blacked out headlights, undercover tanneau, got some stuff line-exed and my paint sucks!
    small gap along top with a tab pictured. Normal?

    photo copy 4.jpg
    photo copy.jpg
     

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