03 Headlights -

Looking for any experiences / Pictures of trucks with after market headlight turn signal upgrades that worked well and look good.
I had replaced mine once with some cheapies. look better than the fogged old ones but don't fit as they should and wobble in the adjusters. Surprise surprise the cheap ones aren't that good.. Hah
Need some recommendations on lights from actual experience. Went to one web site and lights looked great, reviews though ? Obviously all bogus.
Thanks for chiming in with your thoughts ! They don't have to be stock, something custom would be ok.

 

Look here

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/proper-headlight-upgrade.407879/

Basically, there aren't a lot of headlights out there for our trucks that aren't form over function. They look cool, but end up leaking or don't fit very well. Your best bet is some CAPA certified housings ($40ish a piece) and, if you want to go for something really bright, some Osram 80w bulbs and an upgraded wiring harness (described above). All in you're looking around $250.

I've so far gone with the CAPA housings (from rockauto.com) and the harness, but haven't done the super bright bulbs yet.

DON'T get LED's or HID's that fit into your stock housings, they will scatter the light, and basically suck.

 

This sums it up pretty well.

 

As far as custom turn signals go, I Love my headlight filler panel signals.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...als-misc-led-dtrls-bolt-leds-write-up.349058/
Not very good quality leds that I used. But I was starting to work on a fix for that. Need to try and coat them with something uv protective. The bolt housings tend to discolor and the lenses fall off over time. So hopefully coating/dipping them in a clear coat will help seal and protect them. There are better quality leds, but are expensive for something like this. Maybe the ozniums would be better. Or at least give you an idea for something else maybe.

 

OK so I think Im in. Ill keep the headlight assemblies I have - Toyota will have to adjust them for me after the frame replace and suspension lift. Ill see how they go and maybe apply some silicone caulk to adjustments that allow them to wobble ever so slightly. When I get it home I'll apply to corporate for funding for this light project. She's a great wife I don't see a problem and Ill touch base with you guys with an update as soon as my new lights go online Thank you for this awesome upgrade idea !
The only question I have is concerning which harness I would need with no driving lights on an 03.

 

You are likely ground switched with an 03, but I laid out the test procedure in the ultimate headlight upgrade thread.

 

Thanks again - I may PM you when Im ready with any other questions. I appreciate your help.

 

Retrofits!

 

Happy to help! PM me when you are ready.

 

Oh I thought you were talking about the turn signal housings being loose.. So is it the corner/marker lenses that are loose?

 

According to FSM the non-DRL are power switched and DRL are ground switched. As crazy as that sounds.

 

Interesting. I can only say from experience my non-DRL 03 was ground switched. Hence recommending the test procedure.

 

Correction I have that backwards non-DRL are ground switched DRL is power switched. But at the actual switch on the column they are both ground switched.
Yes do the test.

 

One is loose coincidentally. But the actual headlight housings have a slight wobble if you touch them. That's what Inwas talking about. I can see it's the adjusters where the little bit of play is.

 

Ok yeah I guess I just got a lil confused when you said turn signals. Ha. Yeah the capa ones seem to be the better choice. I've heard of depo being good too. Idk if those are capa. Kinda surprised though that the actual headlight housings are wobbly as you say. First I've heard of that with any of the 2 piece units.

 

I looked around last night and couldn't find CAPA housings for the 03? Found Toyota OEM at $185 EACH. UGH

 

Idk mang. Not too experienced with the two piece units myself. I have the crappy 1 piece spyder junk housings(with retros). Probably gonna be changing back so I'll be looking into This myself at some point in the future. I'm sure others will chime in.

 

There are a bunch out there. I bet you put 2003 in your search? A tip for using good search key words, specify the first or last year of the model compatibility, as that what will likely be listed for the part. You have a 03, a part is unlikely to list all the years of compatibility as: 2001, 2002, 2003 2004 so that you get a hit on the 03 designation. Instead it will more likely be listed as 01-04 or 2001-2004.

Some CAPA certified headlights for 01-04 on Amazon:

$90 Evan Fischer Headlight Set of 2 Compatible With 2001-2004 Toyota Tacoma With bulb(s), Composite Driver and Passenger Side CAPA

here.
CAPA certified corner lights for 01-04 on Amazon, left

$27 TYC Left Parking Light Assembly Compatible with 2001-2004 Toyota Tacoma

here and right

$21 TYC Right Parking Light Assembly Compatible with 2001-2004 Toyota Tacoma

here.

 

THANKS ! They are all in the cart at Amazon as well as turn signal lenses. Toyota is putting on a new bumper when they do the frame replace and Im going now to get on the list for a grille from HomerTaco. Ill paint the valance and be sporting a "new" front end with super powered headlights.. THANKS again !