Headlight Removal, pics

10mm socket or wrench will fit almost every bolt used to assemble a Tacoma. It's like the engineers agreed that when they weren't sure what size bolt to use, they used a 10mm. When ever I am working on my truck, I always grab a 10mm first.

 

I'm talking about one of those combo wrenches where the box end is like a ratchet where you don't have to take it off the nut to keep loosening or tightening and it is flat and is easier to blindly get it on the nut by feel and loosen while sitting in the half sit up position. Some of us aren't as young as we used to be and holding that position can be trying if fumbling around too long to get that nut off, lol.

 

ugh, I know man! Believe me, I've been driving around lately and really regretting not having done it while they were apart. What setup did you wind up going w/?

 

I get it, and I'm right there with you. I'm not exactly a spring chicken myself.

Not sure if you caught my post on this earlier, but getting to the forth bolt is actually very easy.

All you have to do is take out the first 3 fasteners along the fender where the inner fender liner is attached to the fender. The liner is made of a very flexible plastic (at least mine are) and once the fasteners are out, you should be able to bend the fender liner out of the way and have clear and easy access to the forth bolt. No "blind" work required.

 

hear ya on that. I just try to minimize disassembly unless totally necessary.

 

I just wanted to thank the OP, as I used his thread as a guideline and found it very useful.

Something I also encountered was the 4th screw which was definitely a pain in the ass...I used a wrench and it worked fine. Undid the 2 bottom fender screws and that gave me wiggle room. I could also unscrew 80 percent of it with my bare hand, and then when replacing it using both hands to thread it was the best way for me.

Thanks again OP

 

Thank you for the writeup, I have been wondering how to remove my headlights. I am considering an HID upgrade with projection headlights and it's necessary to modify the original headlights.

Eric

 

DO IT, I just got my kit from theretrofitsource.com (5000 w/ projectors) and it has been popular on here. That's how I found out about it, I called and spoke to Nate who was very helpful. I just got my headlights disassembled last night and will be painting them this weekend. I will post pictures. I want that Krylon Orange stained spray that is impossible to find, like what Nightstr did to his lights that look great!

Thanks Twony

 

Looks nice!



I've been very happy with mine since I did it a few months back. I noticed you blacked out your parabolic reflectors for your turn signal/parking lights... are they still bright enough?

 

nice right up and pictures.. I was going to do the same thing.. since my taco is a 06 my running lights are always on.... my lens for my running lights were getting burned ... so, after checking prices for one lens and then have to heat them up... take them apart.... paints... etc..... I decided to change the whole look..... I should have taken pictures but, it was only about 20 min. to do both lights.... btw...you can see my 2 stage 4 liter each HHO

 

sorry, forgot to say this in my last post... the 4th bolt... damn... really its a piece of cake... if you don't have a lift... lay on your back with a 10mm wrench... reach up and fill .. there will be 1 - 10mm nut and 1 - 10mm bolt... the nut is on a stud.. which is below the bolt that you need to take out ... tip.. once lights are back in.... install the 2 top screws... but, leave loose.... install the 4th bolt . then adjust the light by tighten the 2 top screws.... then tighten all others.... hope this helps...

 

I wish I would've looked at this post before I attempted my headlight swap. That fourth bolt drove me crazy for much longer than it should have. I read my Haynes manual and it suggested I should remove the front bumper cover before I remove the headlights. But with my Bull bar installed, that would've made this install even worse. Needless to say I finally used the 10mm wrench and half situp method and got the job done. I love the new look

 

Exactly what I did! Just feel and do it blind it was quite easy!

 

Out of all the headlights ive done, and all the peeps i know who done the mod i cant remember any of them putting back in the 4th bolt. its such a bitch to get out and even harder to put back in, atleast on an x-runner they are

To the OP... Nice job looks great..

 

That fourth bolt was easy when besides the two screws the clip on the plastic fender cover was removed and the wheel was turned all the way to the inside. Piece of cake then to loosen and tighten back up

 

yeah it easy to do the hard part was twisting it out from the front bumper and not scratching shit.

 

Big thanks to the OP and forum! Piece of cake, even with the "let's see pop this up, uh - pull this out.....", OEM's out Revtek's in - 1 hour 45 min. - done. 4th bolt is not a job for my ne'er do well left hand though , my right "see's" sooo much better .

 

x2, just swapped out my lights in just over an hour
thanks for the 4th bolt tip. Alot easier to have the knowledge of what's going on prior to messing w/ it.
Didnt really have any problems removing lights, jiggle a bit & rotate center-side of light upward 90 degrees.

 

Good pic Anthony!!