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Best "One piece" headlight/corner light in one combo?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by indetrucks, Sep 25, 2017.

  1. Sep 25, 2017 at 8:17 AM
    #1
    indetrucks

    indetrucks [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Christian
    Southern CA
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    Supercharged 03 TRD Tacoma 4x4 Xtra Cab 5spd
    I really like the look of the one piece head/corner light combo but don't want to get stuck with crap eBay ones.

    I have a black grill, so ideally would favor a black setup as opposed to chrome.

    Which vendor has the best fit, form and function in the one-piece head/corner light world for our first gens?
     
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    #1
  2. Sep 25, 2017 at 9:09 AM
    #2
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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    Justin
    El Dorado, CA (NOT El Dorado Hills)
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    Kings, J59's Total Chaos UCAs Custom skids Sticker mod
    From what I've heard/read, the single units are a pain in the ass to install, and none of the brands of those "cool looking" lights out there are very good, at least as far as the quality of the light beam they produce. They are more of a form over function item.

    For the "best" light, you really just need to stick with OEM, or CAPA certified aftermarkets, which are nearly just as good, at a fraction of the cost of genuine factory OEM.

    I've been pretty happy with the CAPA certified housings I got from Rockauto (for the main housings). The side marker lights I got from Rockauto as well. I was hoping they'd be a tighter fit than the original OEM ones I had, but they fit just as tight (i.e. just as loose as the ones I replaced). I wish the side markers had a different mounting system that was more secure, but alas, they basically just just pop in place.
     
  3. Sep 25, 2017 at 9:42 AM
    #3
    indetrucks

    indetrucks [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Christian
    Southern CA
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    Supercharged 03 TRD Tacoma 4x4 Xtra Cab 5spd
    Thank you for the response. What a bummer about the one piece designs not being of quality. I read that some people re-seal them prior to installing due to them taking on water (which I am ok with), but I need them to fit better. The headlight/cornerlight system on these gen trucks are less than desirable IMO. The side marker lights seem to be loose no matter what I do :(
     
  4. Sep 25, 2017 at 9:48 AM
    #4
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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    Justin
    El Dorado, CA (NOT El Dorado Hills)
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    '04 TRD Tacoma 4x4 DC
    Kings, J59's Total Chaos UCAs Custom skids Sticker mod
    Yeah, I was certainly disappointed when my new marker lights fit just as loose as my oem ones.

    You can re-seal the headlight housings, but that still doesn't fix what is likely a poor/lazy design of the reflectors which is what controls the quality of light you throw. These manufacturers know that what MOST people want is that "bro look" with the sweet HID looking purple light so they really don't focus on a good design, but just something that looks cool and moves off the shelves.

    Just get yourself a big 'ol ARB bumper with hoops, and one one will ever notice the lights... lol...
     
  5. Sep 25, 2017 at 10:05 AM
    #5
    UssMoGn

    UssMoGn That Vegas dude

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    Las Vegas NV
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    Home Built Front Bumper HID Headlights LED Cab lights 2013 Radio swap MOLLE DC Insert Traffic Cam F&R 6'' Procomp lift Custom Grillie
    Ive got a set on mine I bought of EBAY, They look cool, but they are a pain in the ass to install. I had to make a custom mounting bracket to get them to not wiggle so much. I had to cut the grille ends to make them fit. Honesty hoping they fail one day so i can go back to 2 piece. But they work for now.
     
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