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Opinion on these ebay headlights

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by JCH, Jul 19, 2013.

  1. Jul 19, 2013 at 10:43 PM
    #1
    JCH

    JCH [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hey guys so I know this topic has been covered a few times but I'm looking for some advice on these specific headlights. So my stock headlights are toast. I tired all sorts of different headlight restoration kits and they worked decent but now my passenger headlight has these weird cracks in the lens. Not completely sure what caused it. So cruising ebay I found this set. There some of the best looking ones I've seen and have a nice price. So does anybody have some info/ a review for this set? I know I'll probably need to seal them with some silicone. Here's the link. Thanks for the help. http://www.ebay.com/itm/01-04-TACOMA-BLK-CLEAR-AFTERMARKET-CRYSTAL-HEADLIGHTS-CORNER-BUMPER-LAMPS-/190861578591?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A2001%7CModel%3ATacoma&hash=item2c703c915f&vxp=mtr
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 19, 2013
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  2. Jul 19, 2013 at 10:50 PM
    #2
    JMaberry

    JMaberry Well-Known Member

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    Link wasn't working for me, but I actually came across those same ones on ebay a few days ago. Almost bought them, but talked myself out of it. Trying to save a little money haha.

    Without knowing about quality or fit, I agree that those are some of the best looking ebay headlights in that price range! Let me know if you end up getting them, I'd be very interested to see them installed.
     
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  3. Jul 19, 2013 at 10:53 PM
    #3
    JCH

    JCH [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Sorry about the link I think its fixed now. If I do get them I'll be sure to get some pictures for you!
     
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  4. Jul 20, 2013 at 4:28 AM
    #4
    arifleman

    arifleman Well-Known Member

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    I just went through this a while back with my son's truck - aged yellowed headlamps. I had communicated with Daniel Stern, an automotive lighting consultant on different options for upgrading lighting. I don't think he would mind me quoting him: "Don't get aftermarket headlamps; all of them -- whether original-type or restyled (projector, halo, LED, angel eye, etc.) are unsafe junk."

    Are exact OEM replacements the best option?

    "Definitely. Get new genuine Toyota lamps and nothing else."

    We bit the bullet and bought OEM full replacement headlamps (about $160 each) and can see again on the dark mountain highways. Money well spent.
     
  5. Jul 20, 2013 at 12:30 PM
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    JCH

    JCH [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the input. I really don't know if i can swallow $320 for headlights though. I can see like on a brand new Lexus no aftermarket headlights will be the same as the oem ones. But on a truck with a 12 year old headlight design it seems like aftermarket should be a lot closer if not the same light output but I've never personally had them. Has anybody had these and can comment on the light output?
     
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2013
  6. Jul 20, 2013 at 12:43 PM
    #6
    TIPICOTACO

    TIPICOTACO Well-Known Member

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    no personal experience here, but Daniel Stern's "unsafe junk" sounds like a salesman talking to me...

    from what I've read here on TW the only real issues encountered w/ the ebay lights are the waterproofing (ie fogging, moisture in lens) and the occasional mediocre fitment.. there are a few other threads concerning ebay lights, try the search function (top right) or the Similar Threads at the bottom of this one :)
     
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  7. Jul 20, 2013 at 2:12 PM
    #7
    Boerseun

    Boerseun Well-Known Member

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    I bought my lights on e-bay and I am happy with them. They are not OEM quality, but does the same job. As mentioned above, some people have experienced waterproofing issues, but it is easy to run a small bead of sealer around the joining edges.
    I am not sure if mine is the same brand name than what you are looking at, OP, but I think they are all pretty much the same quality.
    One thing to check is that some of them have the headlight and corner light as one piece - they look nice - more modern/"streamline" than 2 pieces, but you have to cut your grill to install them - something I was not willing to do. The one on your picture is shown together but seems to be separate based on the description.
    Also, mine came with bulbs, but they were junk. I replaced the bulbs (used my original OEM ones) and the light output was better.
     
  8. Jul 20, 2013 at 4:08 PM
    #8
    JCH

    JCH [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the info about the grill! I asked the ebay sellers of the ones i'm looking about if they are a 2 piece setup.
     
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  9. Jul 20, 2013 at 4:10 PM
    #9
    JCH

    JCH [OP] Well-Known Member

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  10. Jul 21, 2013 at 6:32 AM
    #10
    Yamaha Dave

    Yamaha Dave Well-Known Member

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    Personally I think the ones you posted are horrible and cheapen the look of the truck. I'm not against ebay headlights at all, just those blacked out ones. Why not just get some OE replacement clear ones that look similar to the ones that came stock from the factory?
     
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  11. Jul 21, 2013 at 7:46 AM
    #11
    biggie

    biggie Well-Known Member

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    I got some similar one piece headlighta off ebay and switched the leds to my turn signal. They looked pretty good but when i washed my truck i discovered a leak which filled my driver light with a bunch of water
     
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  12. Jul 21, 2013 at 8:08 AM
    #12
    sirsaechao

    sirsaechao Well-Known Member

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    OME is by far the best but I run Depo ones and they are just as good and for the price you won't be disappointed. As for those smoke ones. Pass. Especially the one piece ones with the corners and headlight together. How does the adjustment screw work for both the corner light and headlight if they are one piece?
     
  13. Jul 21, 2013 at 11:21 AM
    #13
    JCH

    JCH [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So depo headlights are the best aftermarket replacements? I still think the black ones are cool but if the depo ones are better quality I'm fine with the original look. And the depo's definitely still have a nice price
     
  14. Jul 21, 2013 at 12:02 PM
    #14
    Yamaha Dave

    Yamaha Dave Well-Known Member

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    Put it this way, Depo is the official company Toyota uses to make the Lexus tail lamps on the IS300. Pretty sure they are used in more Toyotas and Lexus as well.
     
  15. Jul 21, 2013 at 1:40 PM
    #15
    JCH

    JCH [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Sweet man good to know!
     
  16. Jul 21, 2013 at 1:41 PM
    #16
    JCH

    JCH [OP] Well-Known Member

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    How does the light from your Depo lights compare to the oem? That's mostly what I'm worried about.
     
  17. Jul 21, 2013 at 2:06 PM
    #17
    PcBuilder14

    PcBuilder14 Well-Known Member

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    Nothing wrong with most Ebay lights as long as you add more sealent to them. I haven't heard of any other problems with Ebay headlights.
     
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  18. Jul 21, 2013 at 2:14 PM
    #18
    sirsaechao

    sirsaechao Well-Known Member

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    I like my Depo lights. Burt only uses Depo for his retro fit. I bought mine on eBay and sealed it with the over the counter turtle wax sealer and had it for 2 years no scratches or fogging or leaks or moisture.
     
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  19. Jul 21, 2013 at 2:18 PM
    #19
    Mr. Biscuits

    Mr. Biscuits gentleman and a scholar

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    I bought eBay lights similar to those for my 00 and they're alright. better than the fogged up pieces of crap I had before but they throw light in weird directions. I'd only consider buying them again with the intention of doing a retrofit in the future
     
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  20. Jul 21, 2013 at 2:22 PM
    #20
    sirsaechao

    sirsaechao Well-Known Member

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    Depo from eBay for a couple years. Still new as it can be:
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1374441726.146747.jpg
     
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