2.5 aftermarket headlight recommendations

After years of going back and forth, I'm actually doing the facelift to the 12-15 front end. I'm going with black headlights, but there are way too many brands out there. I don't need any projector style, just something that's decent quality. I've used depo in the past but it looks like they stopped making them for the 2.5. does anyone have good recommendations?

 

OEM.

 

I want them to be much darker black then the OEM smoked.

 

Still might be better to find some OEM lights and darkening them yourself if you're comfortable doing that sort of modification. OEM will have the best quality in both build and light output. Aftermarket lights, even if certified, will vary in quality for both points I mentioned.

 

Than*

 

Another vote for OEM. If the smoked pro headlights aren't dark enough then do a black headlight mod.

OEM pro


Hazy OEM

 

Could get some cheap OEM styled ones off ebay and retrofit them. Or if you like the Alpharex or Spyder projector style ones, get the Halogen option and retrofit a projector. They make brackets for HID or LED projectors to bolt right in. Then you can do any paint you want. Personally I think all the black everything is boring and way overdone, it's just not very creative.

 

Wetsand your headlights, apply 2K clear coat on it. Bake them, up them up and do the Black Headlight Mod. Save yourself a few bucks… well…quite a few and take that money get yourself the ultimate headlight upgrade.

 

Have you done the mod yourself? I might go this route but I'm afraid to bake them.

 

There's somebody on here that sells Blacked Out Head Lights Retrofitted Projectors. Just having trouble finding the link.

 

Just found it yesterday, thanks.

 

Would you mind posting the link?
Thank you in advance.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/retrofit-and-bhlm-headlights.565466/page-132#post-28306162

 

Baking is nerve racking but pretty easy. First time the sealant on factory takes some effort than deal with Butyl but over all not bad. If you’re going tk get new headlights try on the current ones. Worst case you have to get new headlights which you may do anyway. I would go with projector retrofit if you do. I haven’t done it but the black would diminish regular headlights if you di all of it. You can do stock and leave the main area singer and do the surrounding areas.

 

I'm most worried about sanding off all the chrome from the plastic, and re-sealing properly.

Like a dummy, I ended up buying a set from Amazon, and they are complete garbage so they are going back immediately.

I've had great luck with Depo brand lights, but it looks like they stopped making the black ones for the 12-15 model.

 

Makes sense. I only repaired the set I bought but resealing is the east part. With good prep removing the chrome won’t be too bad

 

You might be in luck…I’ve had my set of 2013 OEM blacked out headlights sitting in a box for over a year now. Just haven’t gotten around to posting them. Back when I had my 05 Tacoma, I had a BHLM side hustle going, so this is the 10th set I’ve made, so needless to say I’m pretty good at it and these are flawless. They’re set up with HID bulbs at the moment (with a set of matching fog HID bulbs). Lenses could use a light polish and/or wet sand along the top edge.
Live in Simi Valley, work in Encino with in-laws in Burbank. Looks like we’re local. PM me and I’ll send you pics tomorrow.

 

Thems are purdy lights

 

My vote is for retrofits in OEM housings as well. That's what I just did on my 2nd gen and I am extremely happy with the light output and final result.

 

Do you have a pn# for the smoked pro lights