3rd Gen BHLM and light mods

Agree the bezels would look good black and with all that empty surround a backlit amber drl/turn signal you cant see unless it's on.

 

Yeah definitely. People think those jewel eyes are the greatest, but they actually kinda suck as far as output. I wish the morimoto projectors had the same dimensions as a RX projector. Those Mleds put out some really good light for LED once you do the "chip-flip" mod.

 

I have a '16 Lexus NX with the triple LED and while they do look good, performance is average.

 

Would this work?

 

That's pretty good stuff. Used it on mirror covers. Goes on like orange peel but dries smooth.

 

Thanks. Found it in my local Home Depot.

 

In the middle of this mod. Was able to split the lights open and will now cleaning the channels.

Some things to note. Not all ovens are made equal. My oven runs hot. 300 at 8 minutes started to melt plastic. I now have some repairs to make. Found the sweet spot for my oven to be 8min @ 250. Using the tool recommended by @mesojdm, I was able to get both lights apart very quickly. I will post more details when I am done. Just wanted to post the heat warning. Experiment with lower temps. I would suggest no more that 250 to start and check often.

 

Ok, everything is painted. RX350’s fitted. Arms baked from pulling out permaseal. Now to figure out all the wires and test. Fun project...

 

Almost to the finish line. Still debating on if I need to replace the housing I torched. I am OCD so it is driving me crazy.

Couple of questions for anyone with knowledge.

1. Is there any reason I could not take the backing off of a non-led version and just drill a hole for the DRL harness?
2. For anyone running PROFILE PIXEL DRL BOARDS, where did you mount the LED driver?
- It looks like there is a grommet that should fit somewhere, unfortunately, it doesn't. I was looking at mounting it inside the housing but not sure this is a sound idea in case it fails.

All that being said, I may look back on this as a good experience... lol, probably not. I wish there were more people available to do the work because I would have paid someone in a second.

 

Does anybody know of a different company besides dk moulds that makes the replacement side lenses instead of amber?

 

Klearz

 

@mesojdm does

https://mesocustoms.com/collections/toyota-tacoma-3rd-gen/products/led-sidemarkers

 

Thank you sir

Was looking for more of a direct replacement like above, but thank you

 

How many headlight housing tabs can be broken and still be usable?

 

All of them, just make sure the duct tape is Black so it still qualifies as a BHLM

I had a 1st gen Rav 4 with all tabs broken on one light, held in place with 2x4 scraps, epoxy and some duct tape.

Seriously though my lower outside mount on one side is broken and it seems just as sturdy as the other light with no broken tabs.

 

Thanks. lol

I wonder if 2 broke tabs would still be ok.

 

Another update and some info for anyone dealing with the same situation.

I determined the melted cover was to much for my brain to deal with so I purchased a non-led headlight as a donor light.
The backing is identical other than the cutouts for the LED connectors on the bottom and back are blanks. I just dremeled them out and we are all good.
The other difference is that the turn signal has a 3 prong socket. I dremeled out a new space for the tab on the 2 prong socket and it fits like original.

The other difference with the donor light is that it was a pain to get apart. Most of the sealant stayed stuck to the lens but it took an hour to separate from the housing unlike my stock lights.
When apart, cleaning the channel was a breeze and the sealant pulled right out. Taking the sealant off the lens is another story

Everything is now sorted. Next order of business is to get some distilled water and clean some stuff. Then back together.
I am taking my time and working a little every day because I do not need my truck at the moment.
This is by far the hardest mod I have done and this is with many years wrenching on cars professionally. Can't wait to be done.

 

Has anyone done the tail lights? Debating whether I should cook them and paint inside or just dip the outside. Pics would be awesome! Thanks!

 

Do not put tails in the oven. They are welded not glued together. They have to be cut open in the back of the light.

 

X2