Aftermarket headlight Order of merit

[084runner480]

I'm looking for the best solution for a black head light assembly with possibly LED or halo rings built in, that would be a bonus.

I don't want to do this myself. (I know its easy, I don't have my tools or a place to do it).

Would someone please list the manufactures for aftermarket headlight assemblies based off of QUALITY in order please?

IE:
1. Spyder
2. whatever

I've read so much about quality issues, I cant keep up. Most seem good up until 6 months then the problems start.

 

[CookieRoe]

I don't want to piss on your parade, but most aftermarket headlight manufactures suck. They all leak, the LEDs prematurely die, bad beam pattern, blah blah blah. Your best bet is to have them retro'ed or contact a retrofitter just to have the LED 0rings installed and painted black, etc etc. Why a retrofitter? 1) they cost a lot b/c they properly do the job right and typically use quality materials. 2) Follow this adage (I'm 41 years old and have been modding since I was 16): You get what you pay for.

Unless of course if you don't mind with small problems, then go for it!

Good luck!

 

[Lolrax]

I don't want to piss on your parade, but most aftermarket headlight manufactures suck. They all leak, the LEDs prematurely die, bad beam pattern, blah blah blah. Your best bet is to have them retro'ed or contact a retrofitter just to have the LED 0rings installed and painted black, etc etc. Why a retrofitter? 1) they cost a lot b/c they properly do the job right and typically use quality materials. 2) Follow this adage (I'm 41 years old and have been modding since I was 16): You get what you pay for.

Unless of course if you don't mind with small problems, then go for it!

Good luck!

I sure wish there was a good quality aftermarket set out there, but everything I have seen on these forums over the years tells me they are trash. Every once in a while someone will get lucky and say their set has been great over the years, but its not worth the risk.

 

[CookieRoe]

I sure wish there was a good quality aftermarket set out there, but everything I have seen on these forums over the years tells me they are trash. Every once in a while someone will get lucky and say their set has been great over the years, but its not worth the risk.

Yep, I've even had aftermarket "OEM like" headlights and all of those were garbage. Unless they are temporary, they aren't worth the aggravation, especially if your are OCD like me.

I've had my retro's for about 4 years now and have YET to have a problem (craftsmanship) with them. For me, they are worth every penny.

 

[084runner480]

Sigh...

Yeah, that's what I was afraid of. Just posed the question in case there was a thread or info that I missed.

I HATE, having to go back and screw around with something I modded, for functionality of course. Whats the point of saving $100 for something that youll have to redo later costing you money, time, aggravation, and possibly safety.

Oh well, maybe I'll take a crack at blacking them out myself once I get settled.

Thanks though

 

[DMX512]

[MENTION=50507]CookieRoe[/MENTION]
Retrofitter? Do you have a link? Or is it the Retrofit Source?

 

[CookieRoe]

Sigh...

Yeah, that's what I was afraid of. Just posed the question in case there was a thread or info that I missed.

I HATE, having to go back and screw around with something I modded, for functionality of course. Whats the point of saving $100 for something that youll have to redo later costing you money, time, aggravation, and possibly safety.

Oh well, maybe I'll take a crack at blacking them out myself once I get settled.

Thanks though

Yep! That's why I prefer to do a mod the right way first and forget about it. But it is the nature of the beast when modding, so.....

[MENTION=50507]CookieRoe[/MENTION]
Retrofitter? Do you have a link? Or is it the Retrofit Source?

I use [MENTION=81410]LightWerkz[/MENTION] in New Jersey. They've done my retro's on my 4Runnner and Civic. They stand by their work. Retrofitsource? They more than likely get their stuff from them, but don't forget that TRS aren't retrofitters. I get my stuff from them as well. Customer service for both companies is through the roof!

Good luck gentlemen!

Link: OEM HID Projector Retrofit Product & Service Specialists

 

[Roark]

i have Spyder headlights. would say, yes, you get what you pay for. they're really cheap compared to OEM blackouts i have shelled out $$$ for in the past on my last cars, and the difference in quality is obvious. definitely i would have paid more for better quality lights for the 4runner if there were better options. with that being said, the problems that i ran into with the spyder lights really were pretty tolerable. there was a tab missing that i had to notch out with a pair of dikes, and had issues with condensation so i ran some marine caulking around the perimeter of both lights. havent had any issues since and visually from the exterior they look pretty nice. imo the price was worth the hassle and not having to mess around baking my oem lights. even if something funky happens with them some time down the road, by that time i will have likely gotten my moneys worth out of them

however im not sure that these come with halos. if you're looking to go that route, projector build is probably your best bet. would also likely give you a better cutoff line

 

[084runner480]

I sent lightwerkz an email, they look legit. I don't know if we can figure out a work around to my location, I'm in North Carolina. They have a section on they're website about DIY. Maybe they'll share their info on paints, sealers, and TTP.

 

[CookieRoe]

I sent lightwerkz an email, they look legit. I don't know if we can figure out a work around to my location, I'm in North Carolina. They have a section on they're website about DIY. Maybe they'll share their info on paints, sealers, and TTP.

If you want to do it yourself, that's one thing. No need to contact them, but I assume you had no intention of DIY.

What I did was (and I'm in Philly, so a 2 hour drive from them) send them my lights and I ordered fleabay headlights until my originals were done. After I would get them back, I would throw them back on fleabay.

Hope this helps!

 

[Three50Bowtie]

I'm in the market for a new set of headlight assemblies as well but everything I read about aftermarket scare me. Is the best option to have the current headlight lenses detailed?

 

[CookieRoe]

I'm in the market for a new set of headlight assemblies as well but everything I read about aftermarket scare me. Is the best option to have the current headlight lenses detailed?

By detail, do you mean modded? If they are OEM, sure. I would get them (or DIY), take them apart, do what you want (add projectors, LED O-rings, paint them black, etc), restore the clear plastic and COAT it with clear spray (or preferably with OptiLens) so they last (don't yellow). Get Butyl Glue (this seals the clear plastic with the assembly, you can get some at theretrofitsource) and seal everything up.

What I found over the years is that OEM parts are of superior material, fit and finish and won't kick you in the nuts.

 

[Three50Bowtie]

By detail, do you mean modded? If they are OEM, sure. I would get them (or DIY), take them apart, do what you want (add projectors, LED O-rings, paint them black, etc), restore the clear plastic and COAT it with clear spray (or preferably with OptiLens) so they last (don't yellow). Get Butyl Glue (this seals the clear plastic with the assembly, you can get some at theretrofitsource) and seal everything up.

What I found over the years is that OEM parts are of superior material, fit and finish and won't kick you in the nuts.

When I say detail, I mean restore the OEM headlights. Mine are really yellow. I wanted to just change them out for new ones and call it a day but it seems like the replacement (aftermarket) are not reliable.

I don't want to mod them....I just want fresh looking exterior.

 

[grave]

buy nice or buy twice!

 

[ZebRuaj]

When I say detail, I mean restore the OEM headlights. Mine are really yellow. I wanted to just change them out for new ones and call it a day but it seems like the replacement (aftermarket) are not reliable.

I don't want to mod them....I just want fresh looking exterior.

ChrisFix channel on Youtube has a really good and thorough video on polishing up headlights. You can use the store bought kits with wax/sealant, but it wears off. Or get a spray on UV clearcoat. It's all in that youtube video.