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aftermarket headlights

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by zach141b, Aug 11, 2018.

  1. Aug 11, 2018 at 3:39 PM
    #1
    zach141b

    zach141b [OP] Well-Known Member

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    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0719RR76...&pd_rd_r=5ddaa8f0-9db6-11e8-b448-5568457e7575

    Hello TW.

    On a whim, having just viewed the yellowing headlight lenses on my '01 Tacoma, I just found the above linked product on Amazon. $87 and I get brand new headlights.

    Seems too good to be true to me. Thoughts or experiences? (I've done zero research.)
     
  2. Aug 11, 2018 at 7:57 PM
    #2
    TacoHank1998

    TacoHank1998 Well-Known Member

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    Look like cheap plastic knock offs to me.

    Seal probably fails after 6 months.

    When it comes to headlight assemblies I subscribe to OEM or gtfo. If you do go aftermarket look for reputable manufactures... that one seems to be a China special.

    My .02
     
    The Driver likes this.
  3. Aug 11, 2018 at 7:57 PM
    #3
    gumbo-taco

    gumbo-taco Well-Known Member

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    About to pull the trigger on this same set. Interested if anyone has any feedback on these as well
     
  4. Aug 11, 2018 at 8:03 PM
    #4
    ThunderOne

    ThunderOne Well-Known Member

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    I have aftermarket headlights. They work fine. I just go around the edges with silicone and I have had zero issues with it, no leaks, no cracks etc. TYC or DEPO are both reputable brands also.
     
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  5. Aug 11, 2018 at 8:05 PM
    #5
    TacoHank1998

    TacoHank1998 Well-Known Member

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    Or that... great idea I never considered.

    But still be weary of cheap plastic assemblies... I had more of my fair share of bad luck with this back in my "import tuning" heyday ( i.e. my riceboy era.)
     
  6. Aug 12, 2018 at 12:27 AM
    #6
    ThunderOne

    ThunderOne Well-Known Member

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    The headlights themselves as far as light pattern is horrible. I would suggest if you do buy the set that you put projectors in them. I think the only headlights with decent light pattern are TYC or DEPO, any of the other brands are a crapshoot
     
    Last edited: Dec 14, 2018
  7. Aug 12, 2018 at 4:12 AM
    #7
    zach141b

    zach141b [OP] Well-Known Member

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  8. Aug 12, 2018 at 6:23 AM
    #8
    zach141b

    zach141b [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'm showing the entire OEM assemblies for $178.73 apiece... Ouch.
     
  9. Aug 12, 2018 at 9:06 AM
    #9
    TacoHank1998

    TacoHank1998 Well-Known Member

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    One must pay for good quality.
     
  10. Aug 12, 2018 at 4:54 PM
    #10
    zach141b

    zach141b [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Well, I went with some Kit brand SCRATCH OUT on the lenses, and called it good. (I'd recommend the product, BTW, at least for this purpose.)
     
  11. Aug 12, 2018 at 5:40 PM
    #11
    AtlasV

    AtlasV Well-Known Member

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    Roof Rack Skid Plate OME 881/Nitrochargers Dakars/5125s FJ Grill
    I have these on mine. They've been decent to me. The blinkers tend to could over with water, but I've found that to actually be a result of the seal on the light assembly, not the blinker part if that makes some semblance of sense. I love the look, can't stand smoked headlights, but can't stand super flashy ones either, so these are my style on the money. Plus they're inexpensive.

    IMG_2169.jpg
    IMG_2168.jpg

    IMG_2169.jpg
     
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  12. Aug 13, 2018 at 7:19 AM
    #12
    zach141b

    zach141b [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Those look great, but water leakage (or condensation?) would concern me.

    I've decided my lenses just aren't "that bad" yet.
     
    AtlasV[QUOTED] likes this.
  13. Aug 13, 2018 at 11:28 AM
    #13
    AtlasV

    AtlasV Well-Known Member

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    I've had them in for 9+ months and nothing. Like I said the blinker has it in it, but that's because the plastic seal on the harness is cracked.
     
  14. Aug 13, 2018 at 12:08 PM
    #14
    zach141b

    zach141b [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hey, right on; at least I know there are workable options.
     
  15. Aug 13, 2018 at 12:44 PM
    #15
    taco21122

    taco21122 Taco2.7

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    5% tint 32” LED bar New DEPO headlights Pioneer radio Kicker speakers Bilstein 5100’s 20x10 fuel turbos 295/55/20 toyo rts
    I got DEPO headlights for around $80 if I remember, been a couple months and I still couldn’t be happier.

    B940F0D7-BEA6-4AFC-BD1C-BFE335F5286B.jpg
     
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  16. Aug 13, 2018 at 2:59 PM
    #16
    baachor

    baachor Member

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    I like look of these. Thanks for RockAuto link too :thumbsup:
     
  17. Dec 13, 2018 at 8:07 PM
    #17
    rogerman

    rogerman Well-Known Member

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    What the hell 01-04 headlights are so much cheaper than 98-00 headlights :/
     
  18. Dec 14, 2018 at 10:15 AM
    #18
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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    The one piece housings (as are most aftermarket headlights) are generally form over function, like the Spyder brand. They look cool, but don't perform well or last very long.

    I've found the best deal is a set of CAPA certified housings from Rockauto (linked above, too). ~$45 a piece and the are indistinguishable from OEM in fit and finish, and overall quality. You could go with OEM, but those are running at least $100 a piece for not that much better quality, if any.

    I've been running the TYC CAPA lights for 2+ years now, and they still look like now, don't leak and work great.

    For more light output, you can go with an upgraded wiring harness and super bright Osram bulbs as described in the "proper headlight upgrade":

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

    I've done the wire harness upgrade, but did not go for the bulbs. Brighter bulbs don't last as long, and at the time, my Taco was a daily driver and wanted my bulbs to last longer than ~6 months. Even still, I definitely noticed better performance from just the harness upgrade (the bulbs are powered direct from the battery so they actually get more voltage = brighter).

    From there, you'd need to step it up to HID retrofits, which can run you easily $500 or more. For me, the stock/halogen housings work plenty fine for street use, and if you need more for offroading, get some LED light pods or a light bar or something.
     
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  19. Dec 14, 2018 at 11:44 AM
    #19
    El Taco Diablo

    El Taco Diablo Professional Pinstriper

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    If you are trying to replace yellowing headlights, why would you spend 3x the price, to buy the OEM headlights... That are notorious for yellowing?
     
  20. Dec 14, 2018 at 12:19 PM
    #20
    xtremewlr

    xtremewlr Well-Known Member

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    Correct beam pattern would be one reason. And before reinstalling the new headlights, spray them with a clear coat specifically for preventing the yellowing.

    I used this stuff from Meguiar's after I used the 3M cleaning kit on my original headlights. Wanted to try that before buying replacements.
     
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