Aftermarket black headlights - review and lots of pics

Anyone have a driver side OEM 06-09 headlight they'd be willing to let go of? Mine has all that yellow stuff on it but my passenger side is brand new so it's a bit ugly. I'd pay shipping
 
So, I've noticed a small discoloration/crack with a tiny (like pin head sized) glob of clear goo just under the projector like one or two posters mentioned. It's not bad and I think I will let it get a bit worse before I complain to the seller.

But I've spend some time pondering what could be causing the cracking/deformation on the bottom edge of the fairing, at first I thought it was related to running the lights as those suckers get hot. But the more I thought about it, the more it seemed less likely as it's localized only in that one small spot and if it was heat related you should see it more on the top edge as heat rises. Then today I was thinking about how awesome they looked in the sun and thought about light refraction...

I wonder if the sunlight refracting through the curved lens is basically focusing on that one small point and heating it up? It wouldn't be as prominent an issue on a chromed housing as it reflects the light and since we don't know what's inside of these (lets be honest, they're Chinese lights), it's possible the material is good enough to stand up to constant light emission, but not focused sunlight?

Just some late night rambling from the local lunatic. :)
 
So, I've noticed a small discoloration/crack with a tiny (like pin head sized) glob of clear goo just under the projector like one or two posters mentioned. It's not bad and I think I will let it get a bit worse before I complain to the seller.

But I've spend some time pondering what could be causing the cracking/deformation on the bottom edge of the fairing, at first I thought it was related to running the lights as those suckers get hot. But the more I thought about it, the more it seemed less likely as it's localized only in that one small spot and if it was heat related you should see it more on the top edge as heat rises. Then today I was thinking about how awesome they looked in the sun and thought about light refraction...

I wonder if the sunlight refracting through the curved lens is basically focusing on that one small point and heating it up? It wouldn't be as prominent an issue on a chromed housing as it reflects the light and since we don't know what's inside of these (lets be honest, they're Chinese lights), it's possible the material is good enough to stand up to constant light emission, but not focused sunlight?

Just some late night rambling from the local lunatic. :)
You bought yours from DTMOTO, right?

Looking at the same ones, but don't want to deal with the cracking/melting issues. I think you bought yours from there, but wanted to confirm. Thanks!
 
I'm wondering the same thing - there were at least two companies selling black headlights on Ebay, and several more throughout the web. You guys sure you bought the KHC lights from DT Moto? I've had mine longer than anyone, and my truck sits in the Texas sun 24/7 with no problems at all.
 
anyone know if you could bake the non toyota brand headlights and swap projectors of just swap over the lens and inner trim half onto a pair of toyota headlights so you have better quality projectors?
 
I really want these! My wife's 4Runner had a headlight replaced a couple years ago... So she has one that's pretty yellow, while the other is a little yellow. I hate yellow and mismatched headlights, but I'm not about to spend $500+ on new OEMs. I just have two big reservations:
1). Their website says "ATTENTION! NOT compatible with the sport package." I've read all over this forum that there is no difference between sport vs nonsport headlights except the smoked lenses. But it makes me wonder why so many aftermarket 4Runner headlight suppliers differentiate compatibility. I emailed them - we'll see what response I get.

2). The first several pages of this thread got me excited. Now I really want to know what's causing this melting and cracking issue. Is it dependent on the bulb used? Maybe the angle of the light after adjusting? Maybe outdoor climate?
 
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1). Their website says "ATTENTION! NOT compatible with the sport package." I've read all over this forum that there is no difference between sport vs nonsport headlights except the smoked lenses. But it makes me wonder why so many aftermarket 4Runner headlight suppliers differentiate compatibility. I emailed them - we'll see what response I get.

Well I got a response. Here you have it. So... are they right? Anyone aware of some sort of bracket difference between sport and non-sport?

dtmoto pic.jpg
 

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....Get some sandpaper and a little water

Sand

Buff

Then you have two new looking headlights ! Dont be scared, it is really easy
 
....Get some sandpaper and a little water

Sand

Buff

Then you have two new looking headlights ! Dont be scared, it is really easy

My passenger side is yellow on the outside AND on the inside. Bizarre, but I can't just sand it off. Even if I bake the lens off, I can't get to it from the inside... It's very yellow in the edge areas that you can't reach to sand.

I've also read that once you sand once, you have to do it again every couple months.
 
That is false statement. I used Maguires Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration kit (the one with 1000 and 3000 sanding pads) and it looks like new, still after almost a year.
I just did mine with the same kit last weekend. I swear they look like I just took them outta the box! I finished with the sealer/UV protection.

Do you frequently reapply yours? Or did it just last? I'm out in the Texas sun!
 
Baked and painted my complete stock frontend lights now to clean and polish all the yellowish lenses.....


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Looks awesome. I'm not that brave without having a backup set.

May be a mistake, but I just bought a set of the DT MOTO headlights with projectors. Looks like only a small percentage of people are having a problem with the lens cracking. Once I have them, I plan to at least sand and polish the lens to see how much better they look. That way, if the aftermarkets go bad, I can still slap on the originals.
 
I polished mine and tinted/cleared them. Also painted the Grill and badges.

I like those aftermarket ones more! What is the price range for them?
 

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