1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Retrofit headlights help

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Alpal25, Mar 22, 2020.

  1. Mar 22, 2020 at 11:14 AM
    #1
    Alpal25

    Alpal25 [OP] Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2019
    Member:
    #309459
    Messages:
    36
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Alan
    Vehicle:
    1998 gold Tacoma Prerunner 3.4
    Looking to do some retrofits myself in the coming weeks but i'm lost as to what i actually need to buy, anyone have a list or a link to a thread where supplies are listed? thanks in advanced here's a pic of my 98 that just rolled over 307k and just got new 2020 rims.
    [​IMG]

    IMG_20200317_154204141.jpg
     
    cruiserguy likes this.
  2. Mar 22, 2020 at 11:23 AM
    #2
    kumaWRX

    kumaWRX Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2009
    Member:
    #26798
    Messages:
    363
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jase
    Oahu, Hawaii
    Vehicle:
    2004 TRD Offroad PreRunner 3.4L V6
    SAW 2.0 Coilovers, Wheeler's 3-leaf AAL, Toytec 1" lift shackles, Bilstein 5100 rear shocks, aFE Stg. 2 intake, Doug Thorley headers, Magnaflow muffler, 16x8 ProComp 7089 wheels, Toyo Open Country A/T tires, Pamalu bedliner, Bakflip G2 bedcover
    cruiserguy, 1997tacomav6 and beez like this.
  3. Mar 22, 2020 at 11:28 AM
    #3
    Alpal25

    Alpal25 [OP] Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2019
    Member:
    #309459
    Messages:
    36
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Alan
    Vehicle:
    1998 gold Tacoma Prerunner 3.4
  4. Mar 22, 2020 at 11:31 AM
    #4
    kumaWRX

    kumaWRX Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2009
    Member:
    #26798
    Messages:
    363
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jase
    Oahu, Hawaii
    Vehicle:
    2004 TRD Offroad PreRunner 3.4L V6
    SAW 2.0 Coilovers, Wheeler's 3-leaf AAL, Toytec 1" lift shackles, Bilstein 5100 rear shocks, aFE Stg. 2 intake, Doug Thorley headers, Magnaflow muffler, 16x8 ProComp 7089 wheels, Toyo Open Country A/T tires, Pamalu bedliner, Bakflip G2 bedcover
    You'd need LED halos for the glow. Mine is just the gatling gun shrouds with no glow.
     
  5. Mar 22, 2020 at 11:38 AM
    #5
    JTFisherman

    JTFisherman Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2019
    Member:
    #283636
    Messages:
    1,346
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jake
    Texas / Missouri
    Vehicle:
    4Runner
  6. Mar 22, 2020 at 11:50 AM
    #6
    tacoma_ca

    tacoma_ca Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2019
    Member:
    #310111
    Messages:
    783
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    '04 Taco Xcab SR5 2.7 4WD MT 265k mi; '23 DCLB OR
    I see those Nilight 2.5” mini projectors linked as often as TRS, so it seems like people must be happy with them. Has anybody tried to determine if there are any substantial difference between them and the TRS projectors which are more expensive? For instance I wonder if the lenses are of similar quality etc.

    Last November I tried to get some questions answered by TRS about diff bulb sizes by phone (on hold for hours, gave up) and by email (they didn’t read my question carefully enough to catch what I was asking and took around 10 days to reply) so I was thinking to try these Nilight projectors next, just to compare.
     
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2020
    cruiserguy likes this.
  7. Mar 23, 2020 at 5:21 PM
    #7
    jdmstuff

    jdmstuff Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2018
    Member:
    #254364
    Messages:
    512
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Derrick
    Torrance, CA and Las Vegas, NV
    Vehicle:
    '18 TRD OR DCSB AT, '08 TRD Sport DCSB AT, '03 TRD 3.4l 4x4 MT Supercharged
    Any pics of it at night?
     
  8. Mar 23, 2020 at 5:26 PM
    #8
    JTFisherman

    JTFisherman Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2019
    Member:
    #283636
    Messages:
    1,346
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jake
    Texas / Missouri
    Vehicle:
    4Runner
    No but I can get some. What do you want pics of? The beat pattern, Front of the truck with headlights on, or just halos?
     
  9. Mar 23, 2020 at 6:05 PM
    #9
    wourkrsd

    wourkrsd Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2016
    Member:
    #187143
    Messages:
    56
    Komifornia
    Vehicle:
    2000 SR5/TRD 3.4 4x4 5 Spd. Ext Cab
    If you want a simple plug-n-play solution I used these led "bulbs"....1) install was as simple as OEM headlight bulb replacement...2) It was like $40....3) its easily 2x's brighter than my OEM setup.

    Amazon Link
     
  10. Mar 23, 2020 at 7:47 PM
    #10
    JTFisherman

    JTFisherman Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2019
    Member:
    #283636
    Messages:
    1,346
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jake
    Texas / Missouri
    Vehicle:
    4Runner
    @jdmstuff maybe one of these pics is what you are looking for. If you have any other question I’m more than happy to help all I can. Mine are wired so the halo is on at all times when the truck is on except when the parking lights or headlights are on. Bulbs are 35w 5000k.

    full front day:
    8F69D066-A50D-4734-8E1A-F9805B7E741E.jpg
    night beam shot on hwy:
    688C80A1-A083-4DDB-B08F-7E3DCCBE972C.jpg
    on a backroad:
    D0BC5C96-5DA6-4383-B342-F07F4D1A60A0.jpg
    projector on at night close:
    E42D3CEE-D71D-48E0-820D-6BBB201DCCE7.jpg
    10 yards away:
    37309151-9592-409C-98D1-9DF128D190E7.jpg
    Night halo close:
    ED23F469-DDD7-49A8-9473-A57215FDF8DC.jpg
     
  11. Mar 23, 2020 at 8:27 PM
    #11
    SkunkMan17

    SkunkMan17 Jerry-rigging everything

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2018
    Member:
    #257917
    Messages:
    1,054
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Owen
    Montana
    Vehicle:
    1997 Tacoma RC 4x4
    Tasteful modifications :)
    does the niilight mini projector lens allow for you to do the halo? Also are you able to run just normal halogen bulbs with the halo as well?
     
  12. Mar 23, 2020 at 8:43 PM
    #12
    beez

    beez Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2017
    Member:
    #206391
    Messages:
    223
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nate
    Vehicle:
    04 single cab PreRunner
    If the mini projector uses an H1 or H3 style bulb, then you should be able to run halogen bulbs, but then you lose out on some of the benefits of running projectors.

    I recently completed my retrofits, I used the D2S projectors from TRS, and Diode Dynamics halos. I also installed some new corner lights with a dual filament bulb to get the blinker up there, as well as have the halos blink with the corners, and act like DRLs as well.

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Halo-Light...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

    https://photos.app.goo.gl/F3mXvGi6qpxxyCue7

    https://photos.app.goo.gl/SrncQaGGe2121bg3A
     
    This site contains affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
    #12
  13. Mar 23, 2020 at 9:19 PM
    #13
    jdmstuff

    jdmstuff Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2018
    Member:
    #254364
    Messages:
    512
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Derrick
    Torrance, CA and Las Vegas, NV
    Vehicle:
    '18 TRD OR DCSB AT, '08 TRD Sport DCSB AT, '03 TRD 3.4l 4x4 MT Supercharged
    Thanks for the pics! Do you still aim them with the stock adjusters, or do you have to aim them before you seal up the lenses?
     
  14. Mar 23, 2020 at 9:54 PM
    #14
    beez

    beez Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2017
    Member:
    #206391
    Messages:
    223
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nate
    Vehicle:
    04 single cab PreRunner
    They pretty much line up in the housings by themselves, and you use the stock adjusters to get them aimed after install.

    I do need to fine tune them now that I have them installed by loosening the nuts and rotating them slightly. In hindsight I should have set them in place and lit them up before sealing the lenses back on.
     
  15. Mar 24, 2020 at 6:59 AM
    #15
    1997tacomav6

    1997tacomav6 V6 5sp,RegCab,TRD Supercharger,Haltech,meth, 750k

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2013
    Member:
    #113940
    Messages:
    10,236
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Denver
    Vehicle:
    97 reg cab, v6 5sp 300hp supercharged, Methonal Injection, 750,001 plus miles, Original Owner
    V6 5sp,RegCab,TRD Supercharger, 1.9” pulley, methanol injected Haltech ECU, AC TRD supercharger,(MUST DO) TRD supercharger ported, every 125,000- 150,000 needs rebuild Projector headlights HID 5 speed manual Amsoil for all drive train Smaller 2” pulley, (MUST DO) 2004 DESNO fuel injectors, zero ping ping, 2004 side door mirrors Dick Cepek Rims, Michelin tires LTX, ( that last 100,000 miles) Now running Dynopro ATM mud and snow tires KN cold air intake Cat back exhaust with ss exhaust tip, Raised exhaust tail pipe to 2" below body line Optima*dry cell battery,red top Alpine sirius radio, 200 watt amp, focal is165 split door pod speakers Focal door speakers Subwoffer behind seat Viper alarm, Electric Locks Dark tinted windows, bucket seats corbeau lg1 Tacoma Rubber floor mats TRD fender extenders, Bilstien shocks, King shocks nerf bars, add a leaf for rear springs trailer iv hitch, electric brake control, Drilled slotted brakes, High carbon steel (MUST DO) EBS green stuff 7000 series pads(MUST DO) TRD engine oil cap TRD stick shift, Marlin crawl shift kit. Rear sliding window 2002 4Runner functional hood scoop cut into Tacoma hood, 4Runner dual overhead map light Gentex Auto dim + Compass + Temp, garage,rearview mirror Snow Methonal kit stage 2 Custom 3 core aluminum radiator Linex bed liner Haltech stand alone ECU, Intake supercharger gauge. Stainless steel brake lines, Custom leather wrapped steering wheel,
    The mini H1 7.0 are a great option from the retro fit company.
    This is the kit I bought.

    The retro fit bulbs 5500k are rated around 700 lums.

    They are pretty good.

    They have a 15 percent sale going on now code wrench15.

    I’m going to try the xenondepot xtr philips xv2 bulbs and see how they perform.

    They are rated at 1050 lums.

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dRuaHQpbDW8

    416A8F4C-2D2A-485A-B59B-F39807728220.jpg
    49864753-3FD4-4E06-8679-7A44B9E7C2A8.jpg
    C86C9B9D-4827-44AA-87A0-C55EC586C2A1.jpg
    7F45C7F9-2EC6-4BB3-8E4D-72391911EE38.jpg
    56BEE5E8-961D-4E44-AA75-EE610871889D.jpg
    BFA538AA-BA9C-4CF0-8485-3E0879D5C13F.jpg
     
  16. Mar 24, 2020 at 7:18 AM
    #16
    tony2018

    tony2018 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2014
    Member:
    #123866
    Messages:
    5,288
    Gender:
    Male
    HID still outshines LED bulbs, no comparison. Just not enough spread. The hotspot means nothing to me if its only bright in a small area.
     
  17. Mar 24, 2020 at 7:36 AM
    #17
    1997tacomav6

    1997tacomav6 V6 5sp,RegCab,TRD Supercharger,Haltech,meth, 750k

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2013
    Member:
    #113940
    Messages:
    10,236
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Denver
    Vehicle:
    97 reg cab, v6 5sp 300hp supercharged, Methonal Injection, 750,001 plus miles, Original Owner
    V6 5sp,RegCab,TRD Supercharger, 1.9” pulley, methanol injected Haltech ECU, AC TRD supercharger,(MUST DO) TRD supercharger ported, every 125,000- 150,000 needs rebuild Projector headlights HID 5 speed manual Amsoil for all drive train Smaller 2” pulley, (MUST DO) 2004 DESNO fuel injectors, zero ping ping, 2004 side door mirrors Dick Cepek Rims, Michelin tires LTX, ( that last 100,000 miles) Now running Dynopro ATM mud and snow tires KN cold air intake Cat back exhaust with ss exhaust tip, Raised exhaust tail pipe to 2" below body line Optima*dry cell battery,red top Alpine sirius radio, 200 watt amp, focal is165 split door pod speakers Focal door speakers Subwoffer behind seat Viper alarm, Electric Locks Dark tinted windows, bucket seats corbeau lg1 Tacoma Rubber floor mats TRD fender extenders, Bilstien shocks, King shocks nerf bars, add a leaf for rear springs trailer iv hitch, electric brake control, Drilled slotted brakes, High carbon steel (MUST DO) EBS green stuff 7000 series pads(MUST DO) TRD engine oil cap TRD stick shift, Marlin crawl shift kit. Rear sliding window 2002 4Runner functional hood scoop cut into Tacoma hood, 4Runner dual overhead map light Gentex Auto dim + Compass + Temp, garage,rearview mirror Snow Methonal kit stage 2 Custom 3 core aluminum radiator Linex bed liner Haltech stand alone ECU, Intake supercharger gauge. Stainless steel brake lines, Custom leather wrapped steering wheel,
    The hot spot is designed for longer projection in the center of the road.

    If you want everything everywhere to be super bright then go with an off road light.

    You can buy LEDS cheap all day long and most have a scattered foot print
    into on coming drives eyes.
     
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2020
    JTFisherman likes this.
  18. Mar 24, 2020 at 7:41 AM
    #18
    JTFisherman

    JTFisherman Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2019
    Member:
    #283636
    Messages:
    1,346
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jake
    Texas / Missouri
    Vehicle:
    4Runner
    I bought a set of 110mm (i think?) halos and they are superglued onto the shrouds of the projectors and I did all the wiring myself. I would recommend looking at the dimensions of the shrouds and picking a halo size to fit where you want. I wanted mine to sit towards the back of the shroud but ordered the wrong size and was too lazy to get different ones so they sit kinda wonky but you can't tell if you don't look for it.
     
  19. Mar 24, 2020 at 7:41 AM
    #19
    cruiserguy

    cruiserguy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2016
    Member:
    #193416
    Messages:
    18,924
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Elijah
    SLC
    Vehicle:
    2000 ext cab, 2.7L, auto, 4x4
    Dude, believe it or not but that lame old man grandpa color of champagne is actually growing on me. Maybe I'm getting old.
    Nice Tacoma dude:cool:
    And retrofit projectors is the hands down best way to increase headlight output the most
     
  20. Mar 24, 2020 at 7:43 AM
    #20
    tony2018

    tony2018 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2014
    Member:
    #123866
    Messages:
    5,288
    Gender:
    Male
    HID projector does that already, the light is spread but still has a decent hotspot vs an LED where it has as bright hotspot but not enough light to the side.
     
To Top