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LED headlight housings

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by 12TRDTacoma, Oct 20, 2019.

  1. Dec 14, 2019 at 8:30 AM
    #21
    sblspawn

    sblspawn Well-Known Member

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    Nice truck! How much lift do you have?
     
  2. Dec 14, 2019 at 10:46 AM
    #22
    12TRDTacoma

    12TRDTacoma [OP] Powered by Ford, GM, VW, and Mercedes

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    Screw it. I make my own luck.

    20191213_034608.jpg

    20191213_140047.jpg

    20191213_112906.jpg

    20191213_112636.jpg
     
    crashnburn80, grrck and Jacked Burton like this.
  3. Dec 15, 2019 at 4:38 PM
    #23
    Lefkos

    Lefkos Well-Known Member

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    Thanks!

    6 inches in the front 2 in the back
     
    sblspawn[QUOTED] likes this.
  4. Dec 15, 2019 at 5:28 PM
    #24
    sblspawn

    sblspawn Well-Known Member

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    Looks great! Maxtrac spindles and what else?
     
  5. Dec 15, 2019 at 5:44 PM
    #25
    Jacked Burton

    Jacked Burton Well-Known Member

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    35s 4.30s 6speed TruTrac Fx Pros Bilstiens Dakars
    Tires: 35/11.5/17 Toyo AT3s Wheels: FN FX Pro Gunmetal 17s with TRD center caps Zinc Metallic lettering. Yukon 4.30 gears with TruTrac Front Suspension: OME 887 w/5100s, Freedom Offroad UCAs n Superbumps Rear: Archive Hammer Hangers,Dakar Mediums, Bilstien 5125s Ubolt flip n Superbumps, Headlights: Selfmade Retrofits URD shortshift kit Airaid CAI No name throttle controller
    :spending:
     
  6. Dec 17, 2019 at 1:09 PM
    #26
    Lefkos

    Lefkos Well-Known Member

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    Maxtrac spindles with 2 inch coil from headstrong and billies set at 0 preload. Rides like a dream
     
  7. Dec 17, 2019 at 1:46 PM
    #27
    sblspawn

    sblspawn Well-Known Member

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    And looks awesome! What tires are those?
     
  8. Dec 17, 2019 at 2:13 PM
    #28
    Lefkos

    Lefkos Well-Known Member

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    285/75/16 ko2
     
  9. Dec 17, 2019 at 3:20 PM
    #29
    JeffBoyardee

    JeffBoyardee Well-Known Member

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    How hard would this be on an early second gen?
     
  10. Dec 17, 2019 at 3:28 PM
    #30
    12TRDTacoma

    12TRDTacoma [OP] Powered by Ford, GM, VW, and Mercedes

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    If it's your first retrofit it would be a little bit more on the difficult side because there is an inherent risk of screwing up. The problem is you are dealing with mostly aesthetics on these things and since you can see most of the innards from the outside, any goof up will be notable relatively quickly. Later second gens are more difficult to get a level beam because they require manual adjustments to get a perfectly horizontal beam which involves cutting and grinding if you want to get it right and function well. Earlier second gens do not have this issue, so it's a little easier, but if you take your time, I don't see why you couldn't do it on your own.

    Part of me is enjoying the retrofit portion so much I'd be willing to offer retrofits for folks on here, but the other part of me doesn't want to put people's money on the line. I've opened tons of headlights in the past, but I worry about melting or damaging aftermarkets because they are cheaper made than OE.
     
    Last edited: Dec 17, 2019
  11. Dec 17, 2019 at 4:09 PM
    #31
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 Vehicle Design Engineer

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    What are your driving impressions? Didn't spring for the laser high beam? :)
     
  12. Dec 17, 2019 at 4:12 PM
    #32
    12TRDTacoma

    12TRDTacoma [OP] Powered by Ford, GM, VW, and Mercedes

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    I was strongly considering it actually. No actual impressions yet, as I am still in the process of doing the drivers side, as it's been a really busy weekend for me so I haven't had the chance to do anything until yesterday night. After I complete the project I want to spray the lenses with a 2K UV resistant clear to avoid that crappy yellowing look that most headlights get with these guys. I may throw them both on just for aiming and initial impression purposes though. :D
     
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  13. Dec 17, 2019 at 10:02 PM
    #33
    12TRDTacoma

    12TRDTacoma [OP] Powered by Ford, GM, VW, and Mercedes

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    @crashnburn80

    Just completed tonight. Currently on the truck. Output is crisp, and highly welcomed over previous setups. I'm very happy and the truck looks renewed now!

    20191217_201010.jpg

    20191217_201528.jpg

    20191217_211214.jpg
     
    Last edited: Dec 17, 2019
    crashnburn80 likes this.
  14. Dec 17, 2019 at 10:05 PM
    #34
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 Vehicle Design Engineer

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    How is the high beam performance?
     
  15. Dec 17, 2019 at 10:13 PM
    #35
    12TRDTacoma

    12TRDTacoma [OP] Powered by Ford, GM, VW, and Mercedes

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    Boosted
    I personally don't think it's too bad. Take a look, of course all of these shots have been taken with a camera phone so exposure and quality of what it really looks like it's not going to be the best-looking, more of just an idea.

    20191217_200954.jpg

    Hang on, here's a better one that shows the high beams and how much more they illuminate over the lows. Between these and the Rigid D series fog cubes I have, I feel like it's pretty much day time as it is. I'd have to be crazy to use high beams for any other reason than just to see much more further ahead.

    Lows

    20191217_222959.jpg

    20191217_223009.jpg
     
    Last edited: Dec 17, 2019
  16. Dec 18, 2019 at 4:12 AM
    #36
    JeffBoyardee

    JeffBoyardee Well-Known Member

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    So, from what I understand, the TYC CAPA headlights are ok, but the optics aren't as great. Which means, they'd be a good candidate for this upgrade, right?
     
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  17. Dec 18, 2019 at 9:53 AM
    #37
    12TRDTacoma

    12TRDTacoma [OP] Powered by Ford, GM, VW, and Mercedes

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    Any headlight housing is a good candidate for the upgrade, as the reflector bowl is no longer relevant for use other than aesthetics when using projectors.

    I ran TYC headlights for a while. In my opinion, they suck. Lol.
     
  18. Dec 18, 2019 at 10:11 AM
    #38
    JeffBoyardee

    JeffBoyardee Well-Known Member

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    What sucked about them? Was it the actual plastic? Sucks that it seems like the only option for decent housings is the OEM
     
  19. Dec 18, 2019 at 10:25 AM
    #39
    12TRDTacoma

    12TRDTacoma [OP] Powered by Ford, GM, VW, and Mercedes

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    Yeah the rear plastic is really cheap

    Actually, the internal plastic is cheap too, but if you know how to work around that you can use aftermarkets and fit in retrofits no problem. I may end up getting some OE ones at some point and just doing it all over again but I won't cross the bridge until and unless I break the tabs on my current setup.

    I agree, OE is the only housings worth a damn, but they are still expensive unfortunately. I wish someone would make a version where they use some thick old plastic in there or even fill in the rear of the housing where it is basically full plastic back there.
     
  20. Dec 18, 2019 at 10:27 AM
    #40
    JeffBoyardee

    JeffBoyardee Well-Known Member

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    Which housings are you using now?
     

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