1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site
    Quick Links: Intermittent wiper discontiuned? Spark plugs 2008 Taco 4.0L Can I use a larger oil filter? Windshield fogging Decisions... Grille Gurad? Bull Bar? Light Bar? Help! Upper control arm

Headlights

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Sidane20, Apr 12, 2020.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Apr 12, 2020 at 8:57 AM
    #1
    Sidane20

    #1
    Sidane20 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    Member:
    #320424
    Messages:
    11
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steven
    Vehicle:
    2008 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
    I'm thinking if changing my headlight on my 2nd generation tacoma was wondering if you guys could recommend one for me..... I'm looking the halo looking type something that can fit the Pic below nicely

    20200407_170113.jpg
     
    Sidane20, Apr 12, 2020
    #1
  2. Apr 12, 2020 at 10:36 AM
    #2
    Sidane20

    #2
    Sidane20 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    Member:
    #320424
    Messages:
    11
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steven
    Vehicle:
    2008 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
    Was thinking about this one...but torn between the black or the crystal

    Screenshot_20200412-123450_eBay.jpg
     
    Sidane20, Apr 12, 2020
    #2
  3. Apr 12, 2020 at 10:43 AM
    #3
    Too Stroked

    #3
    Too Stroked Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2017
    Member:
    #208501
    Messages:
    3,893
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tom
    South shore of Lake Ontario
    Vehicle:
    2021 4Runner SR5 Premium
    The first question you need to ask yourself is if you want new headlights for better looks or better performance. If you want them simply for looks, I can't help you - although I could warn you about aftermarket headlights in general. If you want them for performance, I can help.

    BTW, there is a Lighting sub-forum here with lots of information.
     
    Too Stroked, Apr 12, 2020
    #3
    whatstcp likes this.
  4. Apr 12, 2020 at 10:45 AM
    #4
    Sidane20

    #4
    Sidane20 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    Member:
    #320424
    Messages:
    11
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steven
    Vehicle:
    2008 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
    I'm looking for both looks n performance
     
    Sidane20, Apr 12, 2020
    #4
  5. Apr 12, 2020 at 10:48 AM
    #5
    757yotas

    #5
    757yotas Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2015
    Member:
    #147976
    Messages:
    2,109
    Gender:
    Male
    Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2007 TRD Sport
    ICI Magnum front bumer Rigid LED lighting OME lift 285/70 Nitto Exos 17" Fuel Hostage TRD Exhaust TonnauPro Cover Oil Catch Can Tint Pioneer Nav system Sound System LED lighting Euro headlights Paint
    Look at tacoma beast
     
    757yotas, Apr 12, 2020
    #5
  6. Apr 12, 2020 at 10:53 AM
    #6
    Too Stroked

    #6
    Too Stroked Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2017
    Member:
    #208501
    Messages:
    3,893
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tom
    South shore of Lake Ontario
    Vehicle:
    2021 4Runner SR5 Premium
    If that's the case, it doesn't get any better than this:

    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-ultimate-headlight-upgrade-h4-not-led-or-hid.398066/

    Admittedly, the Ultimate Headlight Upgrade uses OEM housings, but that also gives you OEM optics - which are far better than aftermarket. And yes, projectors do give you great lighting, but not the cheap projectors found in most aftermarket housings - including the ones you shared.

    Just out of curiosity, one of your headlights looks "yellower" than the other. Was one replaced at one time or is it just the angle the picture was taken on? If it was replaced, was it with OEM or aftermarket - which can look the same, but perform significantly worse.
     
    Too Stroked, Apr 12, 2020
    #6
  7. Apr 12, 2020 at 11:00 AM
    #7
    Sidane20

    #7
    Sidane20 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    Member:
    #320424
    Messages:
    11
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steven
    Vehicle:
    2008 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
    I bought the truck recently so I'm not sure if one was changed
     
    Sidane20, Apr 12, 2020
    #7
  8. Apr 12, 2020 at 11:02 AM
    #8
    El Duderino

    #8
    El Duderino Obviously, you're not a golfer.

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2015
    Member:
    #173469
    Messages:
    12,928
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jeremy
    HI->PNW
    Vehicle:
    19 nautical blue SR5 premium 4x4
    Stuff, things, this, an ADS
    El Duderino, Apr 12, 2020
    #8
  9. Apr 12, 2020 at 12:00 PM
    #9
    crashnburn80

    #9
    crashnburn80 Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,751
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Aftermarket are all performance downgrades from OEM, and among the worst performers are Spyder and TacomaBeast, which are also known to leak and fog.

    Everything you need for headlights is in this thread below. If you need/want to replace your assemblies look at the OEM smoked chrome TRD units referenced in the thread.

    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-ultimate-headlight-upgrade-h4-not-led-or-hid.398066/
     
    Last edited: Apr 12, 2020
    crashnburn80, Apr 12, 2020
    #9
    Chris(NJ) likes this.
  10. Apr 12, 2020 at 12:32 PM
    #10
    Skyway

    #10
    Skyway Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2016
    Member:
    #190731
    Messages:
    2,947
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ande'
    St.Pete
    Vehicle:
    White 2009 regular cab
    I like the lights you currently have.
     
    Skyway, Apr 12, 2020
    #10
  11. Apr 12, 2020 at 12:34 PM
    #11
    Sidane20

    #11
    Sidane20 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    Member:
    #320424
    Messages:
    11
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steven
    Vehicle:
    2008 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
    They are nice but getting yellow on me....
     
    Sidane20, Apr 12, 2020
    #11
  12. Apr 12, 2020 at 12:42 PM
    #12
    Skyway

    #12
    Skyway Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2016
    Member:
    #190731
    Messages:
    2,947
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ande'
    St.Pete
    Vehicle:
    White 2009 regular cab
    clean with Rubbing Alcohol and spray a little 303 on 'em?

    Windex will yellow plastics
     
    Skyway, Apr 12, 2020
    #12
  13. Apr 12, 2020 at 12:44 PM
    #13
    Sidane20

    #13
    Sidane20 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    Member:
    #320424
    Messages:
    11
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steven
    Vehicle:
    2008 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
    Rubbing alcohol??? This cleans them good ?
     
    Sidane20, Apr 12, 2020
    #13
  14. Apr 12, 2020 at 4:40 PM
    #14
    Skyway

    #14
    Skyway Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2016
    Member:
    #190731
    Messages:
    2,947
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ande'
    St.Pete
    Vehicle:
    White 2009 regular cab
    It won't yellow them like windex… Look for you tube video.
    Restoring headlights with Deep Woods Off!
     
    Skyway, Apr 12, 2020
    #14
  15. Apr 12, 2020 at 4:48 PM
    #15
    MrFixit420

    #15
    MrFixit420 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2019
    Member:
    #309337
    Messages:
    424
    Gender:
    Male
    Portland Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2014 TRD Off Road DCSB
    Eibach Pro Stage 1 on 2nd clip, 3 leaf Icon AAL's in back.
    1000% AGREE.
    Just finished this up last week on our rig and what a difference. The light upgrade is fantastic and the replacement lamps are inexpensive.The entire setup including wiring harness was less than one cheap aftermarket headlight.
    Using the factory optics with the upgraded lamps gives you great control over your light pattern and WAY MORE LIGHT.
    @crashnburn80 is the man.
     
    MrFixit420, Apr 12, 2020
    #15
    crashnburn80 likes this.
  16. Apr 12, 2020 at 4:56 PM
    #16
    Too Stroked

    #16
    Too Stroked Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2017
    Member:
    #208501
    Messages:
    3,893
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tom
    South shore of Lake Ontario
    Vehicle:
    2021 4Runner SR5 Premium
    Rubbing alcohol, Deep Woods Off and 303 Aerospace Protectant do nothing for oxidized headlight lenses. You need to remove the oxidation to have any appreciable effect. Despite videos that seem to prove otherwise, the first two products just temporarily mask the oxidation. To remove the oxidation, you need to polish and / or wet sand the surface, then re-coat it with a permanent protective layer. 303 just washes off in the first wash or rain storm.
     
    Too Stroked, Apr 12, 2020
    #16
  17. Apr 12, 2020 at 6:36 PM
    #17
    Realoldfatguy

    #17
    Realoldfatguy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2016
    Member:
    #192421
    Messages:
    364
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bob
    Iowa
    Vehicle:
    2017 DCSB TRD OR MT QUICKSAND
    RokBlokz Rally Flaps Toyota running boards
    Realoldfatguy, Apr 12, 2020
    #17
    Skyway, Crosis and MrFixit420 like this.
  18. Apr 12, 2020 at 6:39 PM
    #18
    roadking1

    #18
    roadking1 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2010
    Member:
    #43941
    Messages:
    910
    Gender:
    Male
    n.j.
    Vehicle:
    2023 Solar Octane TrdPro 6-speed manual
    I just used Cerakote Headlight Resoration Kit......they look better than new and only cost $25.00. it is a one time process.
     
    roadking1, Apr 12, 2020
    #18
    MrFixit420 likes this.
  19. Apr 12, 2020 at 9:07 PM
    #19
    NYR90

    #19
    NYR90 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2016
    Member:
    #174315
    Messages:
    3
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2011 SR5 4x4 Dbl Cab.
    Any one have suggestions for replacement lenses for a 2011 Magnetic Gray SR5? Im content with the OEM light output, however mine are faded and cracked. I'm assuming since I drive with my low beams on all the time. I am looking for plug and play for a reasonable price (less that $300) since I have almost no free time. On a side note also looking for a 1" lift block for the rear if you guys can point me in the right direction.
     
    NYR90, Apr 12, 2020
    #19
  20. Apr 13, 2020 at 3:36 AM
    #20
    Too Stroked

    #20
    Too Stroked Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2017
    Member:
    #208501
    Messages:
    3,893
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tom
    South shore of Lake Ontario
    Vehicle:
    2021 4Runner SR5 Premium
    You'll find that it's practically impossible to buy just the lenses, so you need to replace the entire housing. The best bang for the buck is to replace with OEM.
     
    Too Stroked, Apr 13, 2020
    #20
    El Duderino and Crosis like this.
Page 1 of 2

Products Discussed in

Meguiar's Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit, Car Headlight Cleaner and Restorer
$68.33
To Top