2004 4Runner Headlight Lens Replacement

R

rsimpson

New member
Hi All,

Can anyone recommend a good set of replacement headlight lens for my 2004 4Runner? Mine have since clouded over and lens cleaners have not provided me the results I want. I found a pair at HeadlightsDepot.com for only $80 (4 RUNNER 03-05 HEADLIGHT SET at HeadlightsDepot.com | Top Quality Headlights at Affordable Prices), but I've heard some stories about uneven beam patterns and "you get what you pay for" so I'm wondering if this particular one is too good to be true. Has anyone purchased these? Can you lead me to others out there?

Thanks!
Ryan
 
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headlamp cleaners do not work, the problem is the UV coating has gone bad. the headlamps can be sanded down with 1500-2000 grit wet or dry sandpaper. you will need to reapply the UV coating to protect what you just did. any body shop supply house will stock the coating. the one near me charges 11.95 can. it will do 2-4 headlights. it comes in a spray bomb. shops arounf me will do this for 75-80.00 a pair. to me it is more worth it this way than an A/M set of lamps that will probably go bad faster than the OEM ones did.
 
I would stay away from any off brands for the headlights. Before you give up on your headlights i would recommend trying the 3M restoration kit. That would clear them up and be much cheaper.

3M
 
Look for a quality headlight restoration kit. The high quality ones will not only include the sanding pads, but a sealant to restore the UV protection and stave off the clouding.

As for the headlamps, I wouldn't touch those unless I could see them in person to be honest. $80 for one is suspicious, for a set of 2 I smell cheap and or broken lights.
 
BlackWorksInc said:
Look for a quality headlight restoration kit. The high quality ones will not only include the sanding pads, but a sealant to restore the UV protection and stave off the clouding.

As for the headlamps, I wouldn't touch those unless I could see them in person to be honest. $80 for one is suspicious, for a set of 2 I smell cheap and or broken lights.
Click to expand...

This is the one I used, from RainX:
Amazon.com: Rain-X Headlight Restoration Kit: Automotive

It got rid of the yellow, but didn't bring back much of the transparency.

And regarding headlightsdepot.com, this may answer my question:
HeadlightsDepot.com Business Review in Pompano Beach, FL - South East Florida BBB
 
I used the 3M kit on mine. my neighbor just used the Meguires kit on his 370z with good results. I think the 3m kit was more aggressive, but the Meguires kit was more user friendly.
 
And I should mention that I think the sandpaper from that kit just scratched my lens and the polish couldn't get the scratches out.
 
I used a kit myself and although it made it look better, it left some scratches and still looked a little foggy. I then went to a shop and they did a headlight restoration and wow what a difference. I was going to get new headlights, but now they look brand new!
 
If the lens are dark yellow, do 1000 to 800 fisrt, must be wet, sprayed down the lens with some car soap, make it soapy, then in another bucket have the sand paper soaking, soaked some 3000 too at the same time, so u take the 800 or 1000 and go left and right, and use a spray bottle to lube the surface up, remember to dip the sand paper too to rinse off the dirt. So it for like 4 mins or so, ull see the dirt layer come off, then wipe with a cloth and feel for smoothness, if its not smooth keep sanding. After wipe off, spray some more soapy water and get the 3000 grit, go up and down till u see some clear. About 4 mins or so, the spray and wipe off, it should look clearer. Now get some plastic polish, and use a buffer to polish it out, should take less than 3 mins, do it twice and remmber to wipe off when finish. U should see a clear lens now. Then apply some protectant, i just use the meguiars, its lasting for 4 months now. Eventually its going to come back. Some detail forum is using minwax hellsman mix with mineral spirit. I think its called spar mix, it looks like it held up for a year, or you can try opticoat, its about 50 bucks and it do the same. Search on autogeek forums. They have pics of headlight restoration. If u are on the cheap side, glass cleaner and toothpaste works, not as good as wet sand.
 
I just did mine with the CV kit that I got at Advanced Auto Parts. They now look new. Made a huge difference.
 
I just bought a 2008 and it has super yellow and hazy headlights. Had the detailer work on them, but they are still yellow. they said it was on the inside. Anyway to fix that?
 
Hobie18 said:
I just bought a 2008 and it has super yellow and hazy headlights. Had the detailer work on them, but they are still yellow. they said it was on the inside. Anyway to fix that?
Click to expand...

I seriously doubt it is on the inside. It is the UV coating that has broken down on the outside of the lens. I just wet sanded mine, polished and sprayed mine with a UV clear coat.
 
momo.75 said:
I seriously doubt it is on the inside. It is the UV coating that has broken down on the outside of the lens. I just wet sanded mine, polished and sprayed mine with a UV clear coat.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. I will take them off this weekend and look for myself before buying a new set. Its a white truck and the yellow headlights are very off putting :puke:
 
I have used the minwax sealer on two sets and it looks great for about 12-18months before you need to reapply :cheers:
riceandpho said:
If the lens are dark yellow, do 1000 to 800 fisrt, must be wet, sprayed down the lens with some car soap, make it soapy, then in another bucket have the sand paper soaking, soaked some 3000 too at the same time, so u take the 800 or 1000 and go left and right, and use a spray bottle to lube the surface up, remember to dip the sand paper too to rinse off the dirt. So it for like 4 mins or so, ull see the dirt layer come off, then wipe with a cloth and feel for smoothness, if its not smooth keep sanding. After wipe off, spray some more soapy water and get the 3000 grit, go up and down till u see some clear. About 4 mins or so, the spray and wipe off, it should look clearer. Now get some plastic polish, and use a buffer to polish it out, should take less than 3 mins, do it twice and remmber to wipe off when finish. U should see a clear lens now. Then apply some protectant, i just use the meguiars, its lasting for 4 months now. Eventually its going to come back. Some detail forum is using minwax hellsman mix with mineral spirit. I think its called spar mix, it looks like it held up for a year, or you can try opticoat, its about 50 bucks and it do the same. Search on autogeek forums. They have pics of headlight restoration. If u are on the cheap side, glass cleaner and toothpaste works, not as good as wet sand.
Click to expand...
 
This is what I did on mine. Wet sand with 600 then 1000 grit I think. After all of the old coating was completely gone they will look clear when wet, but completely foggy when dry. Then my son shot automotive clear coat on them to protect them from UV. They look as good now as they did two years ago when I did them. You can get the sandpaper at places like Sherwyn Williams auto paint store. You may be able to get a body shop to spray them when they are working on a car. You might have to ask quite a few before you find one willing. The worst part is taking them out and putting them back in, by far.
 
Headlamps

I got mine from rock auto, really happy with them. Here is a link.

2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 4.7L V8 Headlamp Assembly | RockAuto

Also, there is a previous thread with a good step by step for installation and there are a couple good youtube videos out there.

Lastly, here is a link for the radiator shroud clips that you break when you remove them. Mine were very brittle and were beyond saving. Part number 90467-08217.

https://www.amazon.com/TOYOTA-90467...TF8&qid=1489335122&sr=8-2&keywords=9046708217
 
If you can find a brand called TYC, they make excellent OEM style replacements...

I just changed all my front end lighting on my Silverado using TYC and you cant tell the difference from stock. Looks like a brand new truck again.

TYC also makes them for the 4Runner, and they sell on Rock Auto.

Everything is DOT approved, comes with NSF sticker/cert and everything.

I am planning on doing it for the 4Runner too... for the price, its not worth buying a restoration kit for me because its just going to fade again. Been there done that already.
 
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