Let's talk more about retrofitting headlights.

Now that I finally know what a retrofit is and somewhat understand the procedure. I am left to wonder if it is a thing to salvage OEM projectors out of compatible car or truck headlight housings from the salvage yard etc.

If so has anyone ever compiled a list of Year make & models that have desirable housings to rob from for a retrofit? Being new to the whole process, I know very little about their actual construction and even if this is a viable consideration.

Is this a thing or am I barking up the wrong tree?

 

I, too, am interested in this.

 

Yes buying headlights with quality oem projectors to take the projectors out is a thing. Using those projectors won’t be as easy as throwing in a set that’s designed for retrofitting though. Your not going to find a threaded shaft projector in an oem application.

 

Good info, now if we could just narrow down the target housings. Prefably rated something like; "this one is acceptable, this is why". "This one is Better """", "Best"""", "Gold standard holy grail etc" etc....!!! And I can see your point about ease of build using parts made to be retrofitted. The OEM is something to consider.

 

If your on Facebook look for the Headlight Junkies group. Lots of retrofitters in there that could tell you housings to look for.

 

I think so.

But do yourself the favor of reading this thread before you decide your path.

Because I assume it's important to you to actually have usable light.

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

 

Thank you CWB, I actually just got in from feeding the critters and was looking for something to read since Bible Study is a little later.

Good advice CWB, I actually have been in a few conversations with C&B and have read and considered his advice. It was actually him that got me interested in retrofitting. Although as I am sure you know, he is a modified for improvement OEM believer. And I must say rightfully so given the way he goes about it. I like that guy, he always seems to make time for the flock, even as busy as he is. Seems to be good people.

 

Thanks, I peeked in on them, and they are huge. Doesn't look to encourage social interaction through, but more of a down-to-biz information source.

This in place of a hang-out type venue that would encourage an exchange with people of common interest like TW. I would say it is quite a resource with the number of members/followers etc. I will be spending some time there for sure.
Thanks for the tip.

 

Headlight retrofits are quite popular actually, and if you are interested you are in luck.

The halogen projector the Tacoma uses just so happens to use the exact same mounting that the RX350 projector uses (non-afs only though). This means you can open up your headlights, unbolt the halogen projectors and bolt in “real” HID projectors. These projectors are available from a bunch of different providers.

A few things to be aware of
1) the RX350 projector is a bi-xenon so it does both low beam and high beam. A little flap pops down to make it high beam and pops back up to block some light and make it low beam. Just needs a touch of wiring
2) because it has the actuator for the high beam the projector doesn’t just fit inside the surrounding plastic. From what I have seen however it is just a tiny bit of trimming that nobody will notice anyways.

Once you get into the retrofit then you start looking at tuning the projector. The lens in the projector can be perfectly smooth, or it can be textured. Folks switch to perfectly smooth to get a more crisp cutoff. You can also tweak the spacing of some components to tune the cutoff. It can have a razor sharp cutoff, or you can tune it for a lot of color at the cutoff line.
there are also various bulbs and overwatt kits too

Ultimately a HID projector swap is super easy on these and since you are (or can) use all the important bits from OEM components you have high quality lighting. Although due to the popularity of the rx350 projector I think there are knockoffs, you would need to dive deeper into that to be sure

 

How the heck did I end up in the second gen forum…

The above may apply, but it’s for the third gen. Sorry about that, took a wrong turn somewhere.

 

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWA!!!!!!!

DUDE THAT WAS CRUEL! I was already reaching out to a bud at the salvage yard that owes me a solid.

You really are talented with your ability to inspire though. I was "Hell Yeahing" through your whole description of the procedure. LOL

And I have to ask, do you 3rd genner's consider being in the 2nd gen section slumming?

 

Haha!

no comment

 

Could be buyers remorse. Maybe envy?