Clean, Simple, BLACK 2017 Toyota Tacoma SR5 Headlight Build

New to the forum but wanted to share a recent Tacoma related headlight project.

I am a function>form type of guy which is reflected in various automotive projects whether it is modding my personal vehicle or doing various headlight projects. I like clean, simple>busy, and performance>aesthetics.

High beam bow was deleted for the sake of aesthetics since it would have been a serious eyesore since everything else was black. The Lexus projector is bi-xenon and offers an adequate high beam. Turn signal bulbs were upgrade to brighter LED units to compensate for the blacked reflector bowl.

Feel free to ask questions,
Evan

Specs
Black Everything
RX350 Bi-X + STI-R + Tuning + Shield Trimming + Black Demon Eye
Morimoto 5,500k D2H Bulbs
Hella Gen 3 35w Ballasts (AMP) <--Best HID Ballasts, see video below
H11 HD Harness
H11-9006 High Beam Adapters
Acme switchback LED Turn Signal Bulbs







Tight fit against the back of the housings, I needed to find a solution.


Wrapped it up and busted out the Dremel


Projector trimmed on top and sides, bulb retainers were also cut and rebent


Swapped from D2S to D2H, original bulbs were Mori so no downgrade in performance just easier igniter routing and sealing options.


Original plan was to use an housing cap



I would have needed to add small screws to lock the housing cap in place, wasn't thrilled about that and there also wasn't tension between the housing and cap so no tension means opening for moisture and dirt. I created a3 in 1 cap using the oem gasket (extended), and D2S cap, and then the AMP cap, they all stay together and in place on the housing with tension.




Excess butyl razored off for a clean edge


Gen 3 Hellas were converted to AMP


Some glamour shots





Output pics of the actual projector



Here is a video showing how the Hella Gen 3 ballasts perform against a modern Morimoto xb ballast, no contest. The Hella is at 50%-75% intensity ~1 second after ignition and reaches full power in about 3-4 seconds. The Morimoto take about 20 seconds to reach full power.

 

You and @mesojdm should do a 3rd Gen kit together. Thank you for the write up and welcome to TW!

 

As someone who prefers simplicity and simpleness over busy and flashy I can really appreciate this build. great job.

 

+1 for Tuned/STi 350's! Running same setup..LOVE them. Nice build just a little too black for me.
High beam is worthless, But the Bi-xenon makes up though.
What are you doing for turn signal? Without a reflector bucket it's gonna be like a birthday candle.
By the looks of it..you seem to do retro's for a living??
Again, Props for craftsmanship!

 

RACIST...... nothing is ever "too black"..

 

Thanks, this write up was short and sweet compared to the photo documented novels I normally post in forums.

Less is more!

Thanks for the kind words.
Ideally a smoked reflector would have been in there along with the oem LED DRL, I think those 2 elements would have added some nice contrast.
Turn signal is an Acme switchback, Triton V3 would have been ideal for the raw power it provides but is also has a powerful price as it's x5 more expensive than the Acme.
I am an "automotive lighting enthusiast"

Evan

 

Yup, V3's FTW. Running switch back ambers in mine. Until a cheaper solution drops (diode dynamics, or TRS' VFR).
aftermarket smoke reflectors are available, but I just tinted the stock ones.
I think I've seen you on hidplanet

 

Yup, "ucsbwsr" on HIDP

I bought some small drivers which I am going to use to power the individual V3 bulbs (non switchback), if it all goes as planned I will be able to run V3s for about $50 less than the normal kit with their excessively expensive fancy-pants drivers.

It looks like you do some cool tail light work, respect. BTW do you plastic weld or use another method for resealing the tails?

Evan

 

I have seen those inexpensive drivers running the plain V3 bulbs..just haven't ventured that far.
Thanks,, I am a tail light whore..always trying to improve performance while enhancing the look.
And yes, they are plastic welded back together for structural integrity then sealed with RTV for added moisture protection. Tails are a whole other ball game from headlights!

 

Are there any aftermarket housings on the market? I've done retrofits before, but none that were permasealed so I'm hesitant to do my OEM ones without having spares

 

TYC and Depo are available on ebay and CARiD

 

Word. Half price of OEM too. Also, they are likely to be sealed with butyl which will be MUCH easier than permacrap. I have been tossing the idea of buying a set to mess around with..

 

@Twinturbowagon was was the cost (generally speaking) for this upgrade?

 

excellent work!

 

I will let you know how it goes, cheap V3s might be great for high performance tail light builds.

I have only done a handful of tail lights, definitely a different beast! Thankfully I practiced on my personal wagon and girlfriends Prius! I have a lot of respect for the intricate building of LED boards and that side of it, I play around modifying some HID ballasts but don't think I would have the patience for building the elaborate VIP-style tails.

Thank you

Evan

 

Any pics of these installed!?
Ill be doing this in a couple weeks.
I want the chrome ring around the projector painted black, and I'm gonna lightly smoke the reflective housings in both the high beams and signal.
I have a black truck and don't want to lose the headlights in all black but I hate all the chrome.
I think cause I have the LED strip that will break up the black.

These are SICK!! though, so much black.

 

Glad you like them.

Unfortunately I don't have any pics of them installed, I asked my buddy who installed them (on his brother in law's taco) for some pics but haven't received any yet. If some surface I will post them in this thread.

Evan

 

OH!

K, thanks.
All that black looks crazy good.
Just afraid they will get lost if i go too hard.
Really taking my time to do this right the 1st time.
Kinda worried about smoking the reflective housings.
What color is his truck?

 

It was the dark magnetic grey, forget the actual paint name.

If your truck is black, fully blacked headlights like I did above will look real slick but I would recommend deleting all other chrome/amber/etc from the truck. Going full murder would look wicked.

 

Pretty sure its magnetic gun metal

All chrome is officially gone but the headlights.
I wanna keep the "reflective" integrity of those housings and I figured instead of fully painting them like you did, a light spray of smoke will work.....

Thanks!