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Halogen headlight housings

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by otterbait, Feb 18, 2024.

  1. Feb 18, 2024 at 1:09 PM
    #1
    otterbait

    otterbait [OP] New Member

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    Anyone out there have any advice on where to source some aftermarket halogen headlights for a 1997 Tacoma SR5 v6 4x4?

    I'm embarking on a retrofit project using a custom kit from The Retrofit Source and my OEM headlight housings have seen better days (plastic lenses are cracked and the reflective coat on the inside of the housings are blackened and peeling). Needless to say, I'd like to start with fresh housings and lenses to compliment this these high quality projectors and bulbs.

    So far, I'll I can find are sealed-beam aftermarket headlights from places like Rockauto. I can't seem to find anything that was meant for a removable halogen bulb like the OEM ones.

    Thanks, guys.
     
  2. Feb 18, 2024 at 1:30 PM
    #2
    4xdog

    4xdog Well-Known Member

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  3. Feb 18, 2024 at 1:48 PM
    #3
    Bob Haole

    Bob Haole Active Member

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    This site contains affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
    #3
  4. Feb 19, 2024 at 10:12 AM
    #4
    otterbait

    otterbait [OP] New Member

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    4xdog- The Koito's from Daniel Stern's website still look sealed beam to me, but I'll email him to know for sure. Thanks for the suggestion.

    Bob - Nice work. Those look great. Appreciate the recommendation. These are really the only aftermarket option I've seen that aren't sealed beam. Big plus that they're glass too.
     
  5. Feb 19, 2024 at 11:40 AM
    #5
    Bob Haole

    Bob Haole Active Member

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    I used a cheap retrofit projector kit from Amazon, Nilight brand I believe, that let you plug and play into H4 housings but they were too long. I ended up using a dremel to trim the housing down to fit it then plastic welded them together
    IMG_2395.jpg
     
  6. Feb 19, 2024 at 2:22 PM
    #6
    otterbait

    otterbait [OP] New Member

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    How close did the back of the projector end up coming to the battery on the driver’s side headlight? Also, did you do anything to weatherproof it?
     
  7. Feb 19, 2024 at 3:50 PM
    #7
    Bob Haole

    Bob Haole Active Member

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    Pretty close but just as far as the coolant reservoir tank is as well. Airbox side is pretty similar

    IMG_1535.jpg IMG_1536.jpg
     
  8. Feb 19, 2024 at 7:50 PM
    #8
    ControlCar

    ControlCar My Moto: Help & Learn…period.

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    I used some cheapo eBay ones with H4 bulbs
    I ditched the LED bulbs that came with the HL’s
    Just have conventional H4 bulbs

    IMG_3922.png
     
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    #8
  9. Feb 19, 2024 at 8:18 PM
    #9
    Bob Haole

    Bob Haole Active Member

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    Forget to mention that the projector doesn’t actually get that close but my LEDs have a fan behind them which get close
     

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