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Retro Headlights.....Any recommendations ?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by MY1STGENTACO, Sep 18, 2018.

  1. Sep 18, 2018 at 7:18 PM
    #1
    MY1STGENTACO

    MY1STGENTACO [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hello fellow Taco's,

    I've been looking into replacing my current stock 2001 Tacoma headlights. I seen some retro all-in-one design headlights for 1st gen tacoma's but not sure what you guys recommend? I have one in mind. If you have other suggestions please let me know since I want to make sure I make the right choice. I just forked out on a full OME suspension kit from Wheeler's so pretty excited to get this build started.

    well heres the link to the ones I found:

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fits-01-04...641969&hash=item25c13ec1c9:g:LOYAAOSwLwBaYPBS
     
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  2. Sep 19, 2018 at 8:32 AM
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    Silver04

    Silver04 Well-Known Member

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    Look up “ Thatredyota” on YouTube he has a good video about his
     
  3. Sep 19, 2018 at 8:33 AM
    #3
    MY1STGENTACO

    MY1STGENTACO [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Sure will. Thanks
     
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  4. Sep 19, 2018 at 8:34 AM
    #4
    ThunderOne

    ThunderOne Well-Known Member

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    are you trying to retro your headlights? Or do you want "retro-looking" headlights? Just be aware that those headlights you linked will require cutting up your grille.

    I think you should retro your headlights. Or maybe get new ones and retro those. TYC and DEPO are good brands to go with.

    [​IMG]
     
  5. Sep 19, 2018 at 8:39 AM
    #5
    MY1STGENTACO

    MY1STGENTACO [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thank you sir!

    By any chance you have a link to their website(s)?
     
  6. Sep 19, 2018 at 8:54 AM
    #6
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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    Generally speaking, out 1st gens don't have a lot of options for aftermarket headlights. At least ones that don't suck or leak. Those one piece lights aren't that great, are hard to install, and they pretty much have a form over function manufacturing/design mentality.

    Not really sure what you mean by "retro your headlights" because the ones you posted are more of a modern look.

    IMO, your best best is either original OEM headlights (expensive) or CAPA certified aftermarket ones. I got my CAPA certified TYC housings from Rockauto for about $40 a piece.

    https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/toyota,2001,tacoma,3.4l+v6,1375343,body,headlamp+assembly,10762

    And for gods sake don't put LEDs in them.
     
  7. Sep 19, 2018 at 8:58 AM
    #7
    MY1STGENTACO

    MY1STGENTACO [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Gotcha! Yea, my bad didn't know what I was talking when I said "retro look". I will check those out. Mine headlights are just ready for an upgrade. Do you guys have problems with the "corner lights" that keep falling off or they brake off ?
     
  8. Sep 19, 2018 at 9:07 AM
    #8
    ThunderOne

    ThunderOne Well-Known Member

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    you may need to check the condition of the tabs, either where they mount to the body or on the corner lights themselves. Either way, you can pick up corner lights on ebay for cheap. Same with DEPO/TYC brand. Just check the description and make sure it says those brands. Or you could look on RockAuto as well.

    If you want to "retro" your headlights (aka put projectors in them), I would recommend the mini D2S projector. You can get kits on www.theretrofitsource.com

    Not sure if there are discounts for TW members.. @TRSAndrew ?
     
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  9. Sep 19, 2018 at 9:14 AM
    #9
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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

    My corners are loose, too. I got TYC ones, but CAPA certified ones were not available from rockauto. I was hoping that getting new ones, when I got those TYC ones above, would fix it, but it didn't. I'm sure it's just that the tabs are loose, but I've frankly just been too lazy to really look into it. It's not my daily driver any more.

    As Thunder said, if you meant "retro" as in HID retrofits, then I'd go with his link. Personally, however, I think they are over rated and expensive, and if you want *real* light output for offroading, then get yourself some lightbars and mount them on the roof. The TYC housings work perfectly fine for road use, IMO.
     
  10. Sep 19, 2018 at 9:37 AM
    #10
    ThunderOne

    ThunderOne Well-Known Member

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    Have you ever ridden in a retro'd Taco on a 6 lane highway at night? You might change your mind :D I can spot deer from 500 feet away!

    I went from blinding people with HIDs in housings in 2009 and having to point them to the ground, back to halogen, to crappy G1 projectors which were actually not bad in comparison to halogen, to Mini H1s, to Mini D2S. I've been extremely happy with my D2S's. Whenever I drive my gfs 2016 Altima at night I want to retro it too. And that car has halogen projectors so it should be okay... but they just don't do it for me. The one thing halogen seems to lack most is width. And in the rain? Well don't get me started.
     
  11. Sep 19, 2018 at 9:47 AM
    #11
    MY1STGENTACO

    MY1STGENTACO [OP] Well-Known Member

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    ....I'm interested. Any link you can provide to purchase those D2S's ? Also, what else do I need to buy to get those specific headlights to work on my truck ?
     
  12. Sep 19, 2018 at 9:50 AM
    #12
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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    Like I said, my stock(ish) setup does plenty well for me at night. We don't have many 6 lane highways here where I'd need to see that far ahead, too many other cars, street lights, etc - you don't really even "need" your own headlights to see anyway, lol. The problem here is driving in the mountains; curvy roads, blind corners. Seeing 500 yards away doesn't help you very much.

    But if I'm somewhere on Hwy 50 in the middle of Nevada, I can still see objects in plenty of time to stop or avoid it. It's a 4x4 truck with no swaybar, I'm not doing 100mph, lol

    Given the cost of retros and the relatively small benefit, it didn't make sense for me.

    For off-roading, there's no substitute for a good lightbar on the roof. The light will project much farther and produce fewer shadows than any retro setup, especially on uneven terrain. Yes, you will end up looking like all the other "overlander" goobers with lightbars and never-used maxtracks, but that doesn't mean they aren't better, lol.
     
  13. Sep 19, 2018 at 9:50 AM
    #13
    ThunderOne

    ThunderOne Well-Known Member

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    You just need to have a heat gun to warm up and remove the lenses, then the projectors will bolt in.
    You don't have to get the full kit on this site, their ballasts and stuff are expensive. But I will say their support is great. I have not changed my bulbs or ballasts in 5 years. They last a very long time with little to no maintenance.

    https://www.theretrofitsource.com/projector-kits/retrofit-kits-universal.html

    Just put your truck info in and look for mini D2S kits.

    You will need the mini D2S projectors, 4300-5000k D2S bulbs, ballasts, and a H4/9003 hi/low harness.
     
  14. Sep 19, 2018 at 9:52 AM
    #14
    ThunderOne

    ThunderOne Well-Known Member

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    I got ya. I guess that makes sense, however for me it's nice for off roading as well. I can see great, and don't blind the guys in front of me.
     
  15. Sep 19, 2018 at 9:52 AM
    #15
    jbrandt

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    The retrofitsource he posted earlier.
     
  16. Sep 19, 2018 at 10:00 AM
    #16
    MY1STGENTACO

    MY1STGENTACO [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thank you gentleman
     
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  17. Sep 19, 2018 at 10:01 AM
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    jbrandt

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    Don't get me wrong, HIDs ARE better, and surely they'd be better for offroad, too, if it weren't for the physical limitation of where they are mounted. For off-road you want the light to be projected from as high as possible. Ever notice how if you approach even a slight hill (on, or off road) you can't see squat except the 10 feet in front of you? That's because our headlights project light more or less parallel to the ground, from bumper height. Even our high beams are designed not to completely blind other drivers. With a roof mounted bar, you get that much higher, and you're not restricted to the type of light beam that won't blind oncoming drivers on the highway - you light up the freakin sky (why they are illegal to use on the road!). And you can turn them off if you're blinding the guy in front.

    If I could have both, sure that'd be even better, but contrary to what my kids think, I ain't made of money, lol. If I'm going to spend $500+ on lights for offroad, it's going to be a bar on the roof.
     
  18. Sep 19, 2018 at 10:05 AM
    #18
    ThunderOne

    ThunderOne Well-Known Member

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  19. Sep 19, 2018 at 10:09 AM
    #19
    jbrandt

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    Yeah, I remember that site being a little weird to search around. When I was researching lights I was contemplating basically the setup you've described. Not to mention they didn't have 1st gen specific kits, or at least I couldn't find them... I searched around a while then just left.
     
  20. Sep 19, 2018 at 10:10 AM
    #20
    ThunderOne

    ThunderOne Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, holy crap. Their website is a complete nightmare now!
     
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