PIA 510's

They suck and I personally know many people locally that have had issues. IMO they are overpriced under engineered POS lights. They leak like crazy and if your driving with them on and happen to hit some water in a puddle the lenses crack!

Don't waste your hard earned money if you expect a light that can handle offroad conditions. Stock Toyota fogs are 100% better.

If you mall crawl and yours are A-OK that's great I don't want to hear it. My review is for offroad vehicle use only.

Here is what PIA's website says regarding "trouble shooting" and I wish I read it before buying (in red).

My lamps have water in them for the third time,
how can I stop this from happening?
Some moisture inside the lamp is normal. The lamp should dry out after a few minutes of operation. If it doesn't, check the following: 1) The lens may be upside down. The PIAA name must read right side up so the vent on the bottom can drain. 2) The lens/reflector unit may not be mounted tight against the lamp housing. Loosen, then re-tighten the screws. 3) The gasket may be twisted or pinched. Some gaskets have a vent gap.Make sure it's on the bottom. 4) Lamps with a "Snorkel" type wiring grommet in the back of the housing must have the opening facing down. 5) 9O Pro lamps have a vent on the back of the housing in the center. The opening must be facing down. Water leaks through an obvious gap in the sealant or from a loose lens are defects covered under warranty.
My reply rant to their trouble shooting bullcrap
1) My lights were installed correctly - not upside down.
2) My lights were put together by PIA. WTF should I need to check the housing? Oh and it was loose.
3) Mine have no vent but were installed by PIA incorrectly and don't sit flat.
4) Yes mine have the vent facing down
5) N/A


So here is my proof they blow...literally they blow bulbs

dry as can be


great seals


quality


engineered to perfection


great paint


clean as a whistle inside


and some new Narva Rangepower 50 bulbs because I refuse to buy anything from PIA ever again + they are a much better bulb at the same price


Hope this helps some people avoid wasting their money. IMO any light would be better. Ive had $10 Harbor Freight lights leak less - and they were turned backwards in my truck bed.

 

You mad

 

$180 on POS lights....yes I'm mad. I'm going to flood their fakebook page with happy thoughts next.

 

I guess the 540's are probably the same , no ?

 

I'm sure all their 5XX models suck. You will have plenty of time to seal yours up thought.

I recommend 100% silicone so you can get back into them for bulb replacement. Don't forget to fill in the breather tube with silicone as well.

 

Thanks B

 

PIAA's customer service is horrible. You didn't by any chance speak to some jackass named Alan who works for PIAA did you?
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/vendor-reviews/172551-piaa-customer-service.html

And OZ, the 540 fog lights aren't worth the money. The light output is pathetic, they don't even come close to the factory fogs. I'm happy with the 520 driving lights though. They're bright as hell!

 

oh yeah, i know Alan allright (i know we talked about this guy in another thread). i think he could single handedly put piaa out of business.

i had 525's on my jeep for 6 years, and when i finally did take them off, they were kinda caked with the same dirt and crud inside as the OP's (they still worked), but my jeep went places that no light would have probably survived. they were ultimately done in by my wife's parking job at the train station. cracked the lens. i tried buying a replacement lens but piaa changed the design. i wound up getting a no charge new set of 525's from them because of that recently (which i just sold here on tw) so i can't knock piaa TOO badly.

 

Well , I already bought them

 

I mean... they're great! Best lights I've ever had

Hopefully mine are just bummed, I bought them used and have not been impressed with them. Sorry to break it to you OZ...

 

It's OK

If they are too dim I can always get something else and use them as additional back up lights

 

Someone did manage to retrofit the PIAA's with HID's and I guess they were pretty bright. I think he used 510's though and it's tough to swallow cutting up $200 lights.

 

If you guys aren't happy with the output try throwing in a higher wattage bulb from another manufacturer.

I'm running Narva Rangepower 50's in my headlights and fogs and they blow away Sylvania silverstars at the same wattage and same price point.

One thing is that they are NOT DOT approved....they are European and meet their standards.

Here's my source http://candlepowerinc.com/

 

Jlink

He's one of the local guys I was talking about in the OP. His one has 1" of water in it currently

 

So for about $120 cheaper get these instead of POS PIA's http://www.ebay.com/itm/2005-2011-T...pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

If you have an aftermarket bumper you will need to fab up a bracket, but for $120 less and better housings I think it's one hell of a deal.

Oh and BTW - anyone wanna buy my PIA's? They are in great shape

 

I just bought the 520's should i take them back?

 

http://stores.advmonster.com/-strse-41/Model-60-LED-off/Detail.bok

/thread

 

That's totally up to you. I would advise against getting them wet though cause they leak and the lenses crack. Look on the good side though once the bulbs blow from getting wet they won't get hot enough to crack the lenses so that's good

Nice. Just sucks they are only 2-3/16" and everyone has 4" or larger holes.

 

Sounds like you should avoid deep water crossings but as far as light output goes, I love my 520s. I've got 4 520 driving lights on the front of mine.