HID Retrofit 2009 Tacoma Extended Cab

Hey great write up

 

TY

This was a fun project. I am still lovin the way the front end of the Tacoma looks with the headlight changes.

 

Hey, i didn't seem too get any mounting hardware (4 screws + nuts) to mount my projector. you know the size of hardware you used?

 

I picked up 8 stainless steel 8/32 2in bolts, nuts and washers. Once I had everything mounted in the reflector bowl, test aimed and sealed up I cut off the excess bolt down to the nut.

I picked these up at Lowes. I believe Home Depot would have them as well.

 

Looking good Tom!

 

One of these days you will bite the bullet Keith and do a retrofit.

 

Ha, maybe when I don't have two mortgages

 

thanks!

 

I was curious about that.

So it's just a matter of installing the screws and locking them down to the projectors, then spinning a couple of nuts and lockwashers on the back and adjusting those to get the aim right and then locking everything down plus sealant?

I'd be inclined to use red Loctite, but I have a feeling the projectors might get hot enough to soften it. More likely the high-temp silicone is a better way to "foul" the threads.

 

^^^^

or its a matter of installing the projectors and locking them down with the screws...

but basically, you got the idea.... i use JB weld to lock everything down. I'm sure the black hi-temp sealant works too!

 

So what do you think about the E46R-Extended shrouds?
Do they fit the Taco housings nicely and provide better coverage if the projector is not recessed more deeply than the OP?

Like I said... I'd be blacking out the reflector bowl (and possibly even the shrouds), so I'm not concerned about reflections from behind the shroud... I just don't want the projector housing to be visible directly when viewed from an angle.

 

from HID planet:

 

That'll work.

Still debating on whether I want to spend the $600 or so on the mod, but I like it!

 

its worth it, in my opinion. but if you are satisfied with your light output and what not then you can probably spend your money on something else.... I, on the other hand, love lights....

 

Ya, I can see that my stock lights are staring to haze a bit.
SWMBO has an '04 Rav4 and they are terrible. I've polished them a few times, but the cleaning doesn't last more than a few months.

I'll likely wait until I decide that I really NEED replacement housings, then sneak the mod in then.

 

you clean/wax your lights periodically?

 

What do you use to polish the headlights?

I normally toss 4 to 5 coats of Zaino on the headlight after polishing. I never have had a problem with the lights fogging back up.

I usually put Zaino on the headlights of all my vehicles when new and I have yet to even need to polish them.

I do polish the headlights of friends neighbors and such. All are amazed at the difference.

On the subject of securing the projector in the reflector bowl. Use the markings in the reflector bowl, the indentation lines, to make the projector as horizontal as possible in the reflector bowl. Here is where measuring 3 times and drilling once is the best policy. Take your time and do not rush this process.

 

Not as often as I should.

The Taco, I just bought last December and it's an '08, so it's already got a couple of years and 52k on it before I got it.

 

what is an easy way too test the lights such as the bulb and angel eyes?

 

just plug it all in as you normally would...

for the angel eyes just run the positive to the positive on the battery and negative to the negative...