another blacked out headlight thread...DIY lots of pics.
- Thread starter leftyguns21
- Start date
Silver_midlife_t4r
New member
I'm going to keep the stock bulbs.
JRapid
Junior Member
I did this mod today and wanted to share my results. Overall it was pretty straight forward following the OP instructions.
As stated that 4th screw to remove the housing is a b**** but take your time with this, if you rush you won't get the best results.
I made sure I took plenty of pictures. It took me about 4 hours to do everything. This mod was on the list for a while, love the new look!
I did 8 minutes on 250, pried a little, then did 5 more minutes to separate it completely.
When pulling them apart don’t go full-on hulk. If it isn't budging throw it back in the oven for a few more minutes. It should come apart pretty easy.
This is what you're painting.
This piece had a few people confused. You don't paint this. It's there to illuminate the blinker/DRL's, so leave it clear. You can remove the reflect though if you like.
After 3 coats of semi-gloss rustoleum.
Before putting it back together make sure you clean everything with a micro fiber to get rid of any fingerprints.
I put both halves in the oven together for 5 minutes, sealed it, and then put it back in for another 5 to seed it fully.
Final comparison
As stated that 4th screw to remove the housing is a b**** but take your time with this, if you rush you won't get the best results.
I made sure I took plenty of pictures. It took me about 4 hours to do everything. This mod was on the list for a while, love the new look!
I did 8 minutes on 250, pried a little, then did 5 more minutes to separate it completely.
When pulling them apart don’t go full-on hulk. If it isn't budging throw it back in the oven for a few more minutes. It should come apart pretty easy.
This is what you're painting.
This piece had a few people confused. You don't paint this. It's there to illuminate the blinker/DRL's, so leave it clear. You can remove the reflect though if you like.
After 3 coats of semi-gloss rustoleum.
Before putting it back together make sure you clean everything with a micro fiber to get rid of any fingerprints.
I put both halves in the oven together for 5 minutes, sealed it, and then put it back in for another 5 to seed it fully.
Final comparison
Last edited:
bucknasty07
New member
Awesome write up. Im gonna do mine soon and swap in some HIDs.
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4runnator
New member
Those look awesome! Might be rethinking my purchase of aftermarket ones on eBay... They're cheap and cool looking but have read some not so great reviews on them, and some good ones. They're sold by DT Motorsports. Anyone have some recent good or bad experience w/ these?
Black 2003-2005 Toyota 4Runner 4-Runner Replacement Headlights Headlamps 2004 | eBay
Black 2003-2005 Toyota 4Runner 4-Runner Replacement Headlights Headlamps 2004 | eBay
NorthShore4Runner
New member
How does this affect light output?
S p a r k y
New member
Doesn't at all, your not painting anything that deals with output.
NorthShore4Runner
New member
I can't. See any of the OP's pics but I figured you weren't painting the light emitting portion. I was just curious if blacking out the reflective surrounding portion would decrease the output at all.
I'll probably be tackling this this week
leftyguns21
New member
sorry, looks like my photobucket acct (which I never use) needs updated. if I get time ill try and remember my acct info
but as mentioned, you are not painting anything that affects light output. just the reflector part that goes around the lights.
OliviasDad
New member
Wow, these look great! Considering doing this to my 4R but wonder if a future inspection would be a problem. Anyone aware of which states these might be illegal in? Anyone ever been pulled over for blacked out lights? Thanks
NorthShore4Runner
New member
Thanks!
I've noticed that with a lot of older, popular threads. Photobucket seems to be getting greedy
Dads07sport4R
Member
You are not tinting them. Or covering the clear lenses in anyway. Your taking it apart and Stripping the chrome off then paint. I live in Cali and have never had a issue. They sell Corvettes with yellow and red colored head lights right. That's not illegal.
(Excuse the little glare)
Attachments
riceandpho
Elite Member
Nubiles 4th gen
New member
Blacked Out Headlights
I finally blacked out my headlights. I followed tips from all the different posts on this thread including using the easy off yellow can oven cleaner to remove the chrome before painting. I did three coats of satin black primer and paint and I added a high temp TRD decal on the inside of the headlight to give it a custom look. I smoothed out the old headlight sealant and used Morioto headlight sealant to re-seal the headlights that I got on line for about $17. It took about four hours total but it was well worth it!
2008 SR5 4WD, 3INCH ROUGH COUNTRY LIFT, 285/70/17 FALKEN WILDPEAK AT3’S, TRD PRO WHEELS, HID HEADLIGHT AND FOGLIGHT BULBS, ROOF BASKET
I finally blacked out my headlights. I followed tips from all the different posts on this thread including using the easy off yellow can oven cleaner to remove the chrome before painting. I did three coats of satin black primer and paint and I added a high temp TRD decal on the inside of the headlight to give it a custom look. I smoothed out the old headlight sealant and used Morioto headlight sealant to re-seal the headlights that I got on line for about $17. It took about four hours total but it was well worth it!
2008 SR5 4WD, 3INCH ROUGH COUNTRY LIFT, 285/70/17 FALKEN WILDPEAK AT3’S, TRD PRO WHEELS, HID HEADLIGHT AND FOGLIGHT BULBS, ROOF BASKET
Attachments
riceandpho
Elite Member
did you removed the reflector where the turn signal is?
montijo505
Senior Member
It’s just the paint matched grille with a black emblem. My grille is paint matched from the factory as well
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