Recommendations for headlight assembly?

Yes, clear reduces output. Any layer you add must be passed through by the light and is not 100% efficient, thus causing output loss. Also the additional layers diffuse focus, which causes output intensity loss. Removing in a timely manor certainly makes things likely to go more smoothly. OEM headlights should last 10+ years, even longer with an additional UV coating polish. So you need to evaluate if using an adhesive laminating coating is worth the risk and reduced performance. Personally I’m not a fan, but that is just my 2c.

 

No, I got the clear and someone before me bought the smoked.

Smoked:
81150-04173
81110-04173

Clear
81110-04163
81150-04163

 

Did the install today. Not too bad at all. The YT videos made a big thing about the lower/hidden bolt, but I was able to reach up from underneath without much trouble. I've dealt with much more challenging to reach things.

Before:


After:


Make sure not to forget to salvage the little clips from the previous headlights:


I also needed a bunch of plastic body rivets since my old ones were shot.

Anyway, I'm not too stressed about cosmetic stuff generally, but this makes a huge difference. Probably brighter light too.

 

If anyone is tempted to go with those cheap aftermarket headlights make sure to buy some fish to put in them. Most of them leak so bad that you can have a nice aquarium. And if they don't leak at first, they will eventually. Buy OEMs and buy once.

 

Especially when you can get the OEM headlights for around $207 a piece with free shipping and not have to replace them again in a year or two or even less.

 

Just an updated note for anyone reading this in the future...
I just found out that Toyota put out a Technical Service Bulletin in 2011 to address the concern of the turn signal bulb overheating the headlight lens and discoloring/burning the housing. They did come out with a newer light to address this issue with updated part numbers. If you order the new headlights from a Toyota dealer be sure and use the newer part numbers if you want to get the updated headlights. I wish I would have known this 2 weeks ago when I ordered mine. Apparently, I was sold the older part number lights and not the updated ones.
TSB with the info is available here. Also, you find the replacement part numbers in the document.
Here is that info:

Old part #: 81110-04163 Replacement part #: 81110-04200 Headlamp Assy, RH
Old part #: 81150-04163 Replacement part #: 81150-04200 Headlamp Assy, LH

Smoked/tinted Headlights:
Old part #: 81110-04173 Replacement part #: 81110-04210 Smoked Headlamp Assy, RH (Sport/OffRoad/X Runner) *Headlamp trim is "smoked" color.
Old part #: 81150-04173 Replacement: 81150-04210 Smoked Headlamp Assy, LH (Sport/OffRoad/X Runner) *Headlamp trim is "smoked" color. .

It appears at this time like several of the toyota dealers online are selling the older units due to a shortage of the replacement models and stating that the newer part numbers were replaced with the older part numbers. However if you read the TSB you will find the opposite is true.

 

Hmm. So your saying there's a reason I got a good deal on my lights.

 

Looking at a couple different websites, I think your replacement parts have actually been replaced with what you have as the "Old part".


Here is one example, with 81110-04173 replacing 81110-04210




On this one 8115004200 has been replaced by 8115004163

 

So what I read on another thread was these sites were replacing the new part numbers with the old ones because the newer ones were not available/sold out. If you read the TSB I referenced it clearly tells us the old part numbers that were replaced with the new part numbers. What they are saying are the replacement numbers are actually the old numbers because that is all they have in stock to sell.

 

The TSB is dated September 7, 2011, so it's 12 years old. That said, the information contained within it is no longer all correct. The "new" housings are no longer available. All you can get are the "old" ones.

 

All I know is my original 2011s didn't melt/burn, so hopefully these don't either!

 

I am looking for replacement assemblies now as well. I bought some better used OEM ones from this site to refinish and has marginal success, but they are starting to yellow and have cracks in them now as well. Ready to move on to a new set...

Is there a better looking, OEM version that isn't all-chrome? I see the smoked OEM options linked above. How would those look with a Silver Metallic Tacoma?

 

That headlight looks as though it has black overspray on it.

 

These are an exact clone of early 2nd gen headlights.

I am extremely boggled at how little they cost.

They are sealed too. I've had them on for a few months. No problems

DEPO NSF 2005-2011 Tacoma Headlight Driver & Passenger Side Left/Right Hand RH LH - 8111004163 TO2503157

$179 DEPO NSF 2005-2011 Tacoma Headlight Driver & Passenger Side Left/Right Hand RH LH - 8111004163 TO2503157

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087441CW3

 

it’s not like the OEM lights are spectacular.

I bought a made in taiwan set off Amazon. They are working great (I sealed them with silicone) several years later. Still look new.

the reality is that if you keep your vehicle for a while you’ll end up replacing lights. No way around it.

 

That was a lifesaver... didnt know about the screw... And mistook the nut on a separate threaded shaft just below it first time

 

FYI for anyone reading this thread most of the OEM-Like headlight assemblies are risky. They all have complaints of defective adjusters and/or moisture build-up. Like these that I purchased and am now returning due to defective adjusters that won't move the beam.

$100 ACANII - For 2005-2011 Toyota Tacoma Pickup Truck Headlights Headlamps 05-11 Driver + Passenger Side Lights Lamps

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FNXK3R3?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

I'm having a hard time spending $500+ for a truck that I may not keep much longer so I'm going to try the TYC ones from Rock Auto and see if they perform better. They don't cost much more than the risky Amazon ones.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...,body+&+lamp+assembly,headlamp+assembly,10762

 

not hard to change except the 0ne bottom bolt.

 

The TYC ones mentioned above were a little more expensive (maybe $20) than the crap ones I got off of Amazon but they came with ALL the bulbs, new connector, and new rubber hood for the main lights so I think that makes them a better deal. And... They were correctly aimed for my truck which had about 39" from ground to bulb so I didn't have to make any adjustments. They are also made of the same gray plastic unlike the cheaper looking black plastic used by the Amazon lenses. They were also packed much better. Individual well supported boxes inside a larger box marked fragile. The irony is I'm using the packaging from the new lenses to return the Amazon lenses.

If you don't like the price of the OEM lenses give these a try and DEFINITELY avoid any from Amazon or eBay that are not genuine Toyota.

 

Some time ago I read in another thread on headlight replacement that that PITA bottom bolt really didn't need to be replaced when installing a new housing. Not sure if true, but a few people stated they left it off with no issues.