Aftermarket black headlights - review and lots of pics

[SteveAndStaci]

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

I paid $165, free shipping. Be aware of previous comments though. Some have reported alignment issues, but seems that everyone was able to adjust them or have them replaced as a return. More importantly, a few have reported that the inside housing has started melting or the outside lens has cracked. Then again, others have been using them with no issues. I recommend using DT MOTO's recommended bulbs rather than just plugging in the bulbs from your OEMs.

 

[Ocean Racer]

I also get moisture into the housing somehow now especially at a car wash! Complete pain to dry them out.

So that was less than $200 for a pair? Toyota I believe wants $400+ each!

I also have replaced the bulbs with the ultra bright Sylvania's. Improved vision, but I lost some when I tinted the lenses.

 

[Sporin]

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'm glad you had good luck. I did mine this spring with the 3M kit and 4 months later they are more yellow than before I touched them.

I'd love to do a drop in replacement but the OEM is pricey and the aftermarket seems rife with quality issues. Decisions decisions.

 

[paraordnance]

I'm glad you had good luck. I did mine this spring with the 3M kit and 4 months later they are more yellow than before I touched them.

I'd love to do a drop in replacement but the OEM is pricey and the aftermarket seems rife with quality issues. Decisions decisions.

I assume you didn't apply UV protection. That would be the reason why they turn yellow so fast

 

[fullboogie]

There must have been a bad run of these lights, because most people have been happy with them. I'm glad the Ebay seller has been good about doing swaps/refunds. My truck sits in the Texas sun 24/7 and has been through more rain that I can remember, and the lights are perfect so far. Best visual mod I've done after the lift and tires.

 

[SteveAndStaci]

All I can say is a big F YOU to the guy who thought the bolt on the side of the housing was a good idea, and that it being 8mm rather than 10mm (like the other three) was an even better idea.

Installed these tonight. My PITA bolt was actually 10mm like the others. After reading this post before the install, I thought I found a golden nugget to save me some time... Instead I spent an hour feeling around with an 8mm socket!

I went through the wheel well. I found it WAY easier to reach than from on top of the bumper or from underneath like some have done. It only takes 4 screws on each side to loosen the wheel well guard... Save yourself your knuckles and do it right.

Also, I saw a post on here that as you are feeling around for the bolt (you won't see it), you'll feel two... One on top of the other. A previous post said the top-most bolt is the right one to remove. False. You need to remove the bottom bolt. The top bolt secures the front part of the fender. You can see the back of the fender bolt from the engine bay if you look closely.

Headlights look nice, but don't seem as bright... Even with the same bulbs. We'll see how it looks as I start driving.

 

[SteveAndStaci]

Installed these tonight. My PITA bolt was actually 10mm like the others. After reading this post before the install, I thought I found a golden nugget to save me some time... Instead I spent an hour feeling around with an 8mm socket!

I went through the wheel well. I found it WAY easier to reach than from on top of the bumper or from underneath like some have done. It only takes 4 screws on each side to loosen the wheel well guard... Save yourself your knuckles and do it right.

Also, I saw a post on here that as you are feeling around for the bolt (you won't see it), you'll feel two... One on top of the other. A previous post said the top-most bolt is the right one to remove. False. You need to remove the bottom bolt. The top bolt secures the front part of the fender. You can see the back of the fender bolt from the engine bay if you look closely.

Headlights look nice, but don't seem as bright... Even with the same bulbs. We'll see how it looks as I start driving.

Update - took the vehicle for a drive and I think the headlights are plenty bright. Mine needed no adjusting like others reported (light profile measured 25ft from a vertical surface was fully aligned with the cutoff and side-to-side alignment as the factory lights). We'll see how they hold up.

I'm just happy the two headlights now match! I have convinced myself that my passenger side headlight (original) had a smoked bezel for the sport model, while the drivers side (replaced after a fender bender) had a standard bright chrome bezel from a non-sport model. Of course, it's too late to go back to the body shop now since it was 2 years ago. I always just thought they didn't match because one was aged/yellowed.

Old headlights:


New headlights:

 

[norwal42]

In case it's helpful for anyone, here's the light aiming section from an 06 repair manual - see attached

Hayden, if you're still watching and still looking for a driver side OEM headlight enclosure, I've got 2 - not sure yet if I'm going to keep the original one or the new one I've got in a box. The original one had a bit of moisture inside the day it got delivered to me (guessing the driver had just taken it through a carwash), so the dealer sent me a new OEM replacement. Haven't seen any moisture since then, even through carwash, heavy rain, etc, so I never switched it out.

 

[beliy25]

why is it that i made a thread 2 days ago about the headlights and only received 2 comments....and here are over 6 pages already.......

Pair Eagle Eyes Dual CCFL Halo Rims Headlights Black 2006 2009 Toyota 4Runner | eBay

i was asking if these were worth buying ?is it the same seller that sells them or different?

 

[DisguisedRope]

why is it that i made a thread 2 days ago about the headlights and only received 2 comments....and here are over 6 pages already.......

This thread has been going since March 14, 2015. The search function is your friend when looking for active threads to post relevant questions.

 

[fullboogie]

I hate to be the bearer of more bad news, but I'm having a problem with mine now. There appears to be some kind of protective coating on these lights, not exactly clear but a little tinted. At the very top of the light housing right near the leading edge of the hood, that coating is now peeling off in large chunks. I thought it was hard water spots at first, but no - it's the coating coming off. Not even sure how that could possibly be fixed.

Oh well, it was worth a shot to try out these cheapie lights. I love the way they look, but six months of use before they start falling apart isn't going to cut it. Apologies to all you guys who've been having problems. I guess we chalk it up to a gamble that didn't pay off.

BTW, I tried but can't capture the problem with a picture. The difference between the flaking coating and the underlying plastic is too subtle for my camera to pick up.

 

[LOSTR4]

That sucks, but could you remove the headlights, sand off the coating with some fine-girt paper and reapply a clear coating and than a wet-sand polish to restore them and make "better?"

 

[fullboogie]

It's certainly worth a try - better than tossing them in the garbage and reinstalling the old crappy headlights. Not going to worry about it right now until it gets unbearable. So disappointed these didn't work out...

 

[Velonici]

Man thats a bummer. Mine are starting to yellow, and peel. I think the previous owner painted them with clear and its peeling. I was thinking of getting these as I like the black look but I guess not.

 

[Ocean Racer]

5100's all around with a 1.5" Daystar on the rear, front at max lift. Tires are TA/KO's 265-70-17's. Oh yeah, Spidertrax all around too.

Have you noticed the Spidertrax tearing up the wheel bearings yet? They are about 700 each installed at Dealer. Ouch!!

 

[DisguisedRope]

Have you noticed the Spidertrax tearing up the wheel bearings yet? They are about 700 each installed at Dealer. Ouch!!

It's very debatable that the spidertrax cause wheel bearing issues. But regardless, if you need new ones check out this thread. Many on the forum have bought from him and they seem to be high quality products. Not a hard DIY job either to put the complete assemblies on.

 

[Ocean Racer]

Shopping

Been looking around as I am not happy with my painted lenses (OEM) and they keep getting moisture in them followed by 45 min of drying time with a hair dryer, its getting old.

Anyone tried the TYC or Spyder lenses? Both look good. I have purchased TYC lights before for a Honda and they were great! Never discolored or got moisture in them. Both are in the 15 to 230/pair range.

 

[Ocean Racer]

Been looking around as I am not happy with my painted lenses (OEM) and they keep getting moisture in them followed by 45 min of drying time with a hair dryer, its getting old.

Anyone tried the TYC or Spyder lenses? Both look good. I have purchased TYC lights before for a Honda and they were great! Never discolored or got moisture in them. Both are in the 15 to 230/pair range.

I am about to order these. Any comments?

Spyder® HD-JH-T4R06-AM-BK (9023378) - Toyota 4Runner 2007 Black Euro Headlights

 

[brianhuntRVA]

I hate to be the bearer of more bad news, but I'm having a problem with mine now. There appears to be some kind of protective coating on these lights, not exactly clear but a little tinted. At the very top of the light housing right near the leading edge of the hood, that coating is now peeling off in large chunks. I thought it was hard water spots at first, but no - it's the coating coming off. Not even sure how that could possibly be fixed.

Oh well, it was worth a shot to try out these cheapie lights. I love the way they look, but six months of use before they start falling apart isn't going to cut it. Apologies to all you guys who've been having problems. I guess we chalk it up to a gamble that didn't pay off.

BTW, I tried but can't capture the problem with a picture. The difference between the flaking coating and the underlying plastic is too subtle for my camera to pick up.

Mine are doing the same thing. Guess you get what you pay for on these. I plan on sanding them down and then polishing and applying a new coat of clear.

 

[Ocean Racer]

I am about to order these. Any comments?

Spyder® HD-JH-T4R06-AM-BK (9023378) - Toyota 4Runner 2007 Black Euro Headlights

Price was $263 Delivered. That's the price of 1 lens from Toyota!