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Looking for some good aftermarket LED or HID headlight replacements

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by flyfshrmn, Aug 12, 2015.

  1. Aug 12, 2015 at 6:26 AM
    #1
    flyfshrmn

    flyfshrmn [OP] Active Member

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    I've been searching and reading some threads about aftermarket headlights on this forum. My OEM's are cracked and full of moisture. I've gone through 2 bulbs in the last 3 months and would like to find a good pair of aftermarket headlight assemblies. What's the best bang for the buck (budget of $500 for the pair) between HID's or LED's? I like the look of the halo headlights but have read that they aren't as bright as the diamond-backed ones. Here's what both my lenses look like.
    IMAG0070_zps0a799c1d_e09a2ad26d34143a07d4cb728fa9bf049ea39217.jpg

    What do you guys recommend and why? What are some major pro's or con's for each? Thanks in advance for your input.
    This is what I was looking at:
    http://www.protuninglab.com/05totad...googlepepla&utm_medium=adwords&id=59473762217

    http://www.protuninglab.com/20totaa...googlepepla&utm_medium=adwords&id=59473762217

    http://www.headlightsdepot.com/prod...XS3Ow25tznnxxdVazRJYIaAni68P8HAQ#.VbjKv5rD_oo
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VNBEJ1G?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
     
  2. Aug 12, 2015 at 8:00 AM
    #2
    bacollier90

    bacollier90 Well-Known Member

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    Curious to hear if anyone has reviews on the Spyder ones (2nd link)

    Have you researched any rear lights to match?
     
  3. Aug 12, 2015 at 8:11 AM
    #3
    Kotayota

    Kotayota Well-Known Member

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    If you get a new set of housings from the dealer for free why not retrofit them
     
  4. Aug 12, 2015 at 8:16 AM
    #4
    Red Demon

    Red Demon Well-Known Member

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    What year are they replacing them on?
     
  5. Aug 12, 2015 at 8:20 AM
    #5
    BuzzardsGottaEat

    BuzzardsGottaEat Well-Known Member

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    Look for someone who builds headlights for/through the retrofit source. TRS guys are the best and the retros will give you better quality, looks and output in a safer way than any crap "spyder" doucheness.


    Theretrofitsource.com
     
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  6. Aug 12, 2015 at 10:12 AM
    #6
    Capt. Obvious

    Capt. Obvious Fearless Keyboard Warrior

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    No, no, a thousand times no to all four of those you posted. They are cheap Chinese crap and look like something you'd get at WalMart.

    For not much more money, you can get something like these:

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/2005-2011-Toyota-Tacoma-FACTORY-STYLE-Crystal-Chrome-Headlights-Left-Right-/171553152027?fits=Make:Toyota|Model:Tacoma&hash=item27f15d5c1b&vxp=mtr
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/05-11-Toyota-Tacoma-JDM-Black-Crystal-Amber-Headlights-LH-RH-/281269812026?fits=Make:Toyota|Model:Tacoma&hash=item417cfcbb3a&vxp=mtr
    (Or spend a little more money and get some new OEM housings)

    And then get a proper HID projector retrofit kit, like this one:
    http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/Pack-H1-V3-PR

    Do it right, or don't bother doing it.
     
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  7. Aug 12, 2015 at 11:27 AM
    #7
    LastMohican

    LastMohican Well-Known Member

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    I've got a 2010 and I'm sorely disappointed in the quality of the OEMs. Not sure why I'd pay a premium for a set of lenses that look just like yours after 5 years. @Capt. Obvious, what makes the ones you linked better? Just curious. I definitely need to address my headlights.
     
  8. Aug 12, 2015 at 12:29 PM
    #8
    BuzzardsGottaEat

    BuzzardsGottaEat Well-Known Member

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    It's not what makes them better. It's that anything is better than those stupid, cheap, garbage chinese plastic Spyder headlights haha ANYTHING. Duct tape some flashlights to your truck.

    TRS sells real projectors that actually have a cut off line and actually out perform stock lights by a long shot. Most other HID or even halogen bulbs that you just plug into your normal housings (or hopefully not those cheap, crap aftermarket housings) have worse output, hot spots, or just seem brighter to the untrained eye ( as well as strain your eyes ha).
     
  9. Aug 12, 2015 at 5:02 PM
    #9
    LastMohican

    LastMohican Well-Known Member

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    Buzzards- thx for the reply. I don't think I did a good job expressing my question. I'm not interested in the China stuff. I'm curious what makes these housings better than the China stuff housings. I'd either keep my internals or upgrade with TRS or similar internals. Is the difference that if you are upgrading these they can be sealed up appropriately when being put back together?

    Thx!
     
  10. Aug 12, 2015 at 5:09 PM
    #10
    BuzzardsGottaEat

    BuzzardsGottaEat Well-Known Member

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    Well, from what I do know, which isn't extensive, they're basically you're best bet. I wouldn't use lesser of two evils, but there aren't a lot of companies making housings that are way higher quality than OEM ones. TRS guys, for example, often build the internals in OEM housings simply because they're better than say some knock off or aftermarket brand in quality. This is a general blanket statement and has exceptions, but if you find a company that makes housings that are high quality materials and craftsmanship, better than OEM by a long shot, let me know! I haven't seen any.

    Like I said, not the lesser of two evils by any means, but comparing quality of OEM vs other options I'll go with OEM 9/10 times. Someone can correct me if there's better stuff out there for Tacomas.
     
  11. Aug 12, 2015 at 5:11 PM
    #11
    LastMohican

    LastMohican Well-Known Member

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    Thx Buzzards! I appreciate the input. I'm thinking the non OEM ones on eBay can't be any worse that the OEMs that didn't last 4 quality years! Especially if they are getting revealed.
     
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  12. Aug 12, 2015 at 5:14 PM
    #12
    ManBeast

    ManBeast Well Feared Member

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    I bought some dual halo projectors for my 98 s10 that were spyder and they were complete shit. Wouldnt waste your bucks on anything spyder..
    EDIT when i called customer service to return them from the website i bout from, i think carid.com, i asked about the rate ofbreturn on apyder products since i was eyeballing spyder racing seats, and the rep said about 50 percent of apyder purchases are returns
     
    Last edited: Aug 13, 2015
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  13. Aug 12, 2015 at 5:19 PM
    #13
    PVT Pablo

    PVT Pablo

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    My neighbor had the knock off projectors like the ones you posted OP. The output was not as good as OEM. Ask your dealer if you are eligable for the head light recall. I just had mine done at the dealer free of charge under the recall (05-11 vehicles). If you are not eligible for the recall, and want to stay under 500, go for a set of TYC lights. Most of the retrofitters use those housings with good results. If youre down to spend some extra money, do a search for one of the many retrofitters on this site.
     
  14. Aug 12, 2015 at 6:36 PM
    #14
    BuzzardsGottaEat

    BuzzardsGottaEat Well-Known Member

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    What was the recall for exactly? Lights going out, cracking, didn't say?

    I'm going to tell a friend with an 05 to go get new lights. Ha
     
  15. Aug 12, 2015 at 6:41 PM
    #15
    PVT Pablo

    PVT Pablo

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    The lense on the day running light (turn signal) would melt. Toyota saw it as a potential safety and fire risk.
     
  16. Aug 12, 2015 at 7:19 PM
    #16
    BuzzardsGottaEat

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  17. Aug 13, 2015 at 5:34 AM
    #17
    flyfshrmn

    flyfshrmn [OP] Active Member

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    I tried to get the dealer to replace them. They started out as a bunch of tiny little 1/8" lines at 25Kmi. by 40Kmi they were 1/4." By 45Kmi they were 1/2." I called and expressed my concern about the issue only to hear that my truck was out of warranty and there was nothing they could do. I brought my truck in to let them see first hand and they took pics, but ultimately because there was no melting they said "sorry about your luck." For ~$1100 they will replace my head lights though...
     
  18. Aug 13, 2015 at 5:38 AM
    #18
    flyfshrmn

    flyfshrmn [OP] Active Member

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    Funny how they will view a melting DTRL (that takes months or years to melt) as a safety/fire risk, but they don't view my melting AC blower motor connector as a fire hazard. I can no longer run my blower on Hi speed, otherwise the connector will begin to melt and smoke. All the insulation has melted off about 3" behind the connector too....

    IMAG0063_zpsd511d0c5_f4b99901551a37899032dc177c00c75b1f787927.jpg
     
    Last edited: Aug 13, 2015
  19. Aug 13, 2015 at 7:05 AM
    #19
    mach1man001

    mach1man001 eh whatever

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    That's fucked up
     
  20. Aug 14, 2015 at 6:06 AM
    #20
    flyfshrmn

    flyfshrmn [OP] Active Member

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    I'm looking around for some good DIY videos for replacement of the headlight assemblies. Can you guys recommend any good videos? Thanks.
     

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