And the face lift begins...

[run4estrunner]

So here is my '05 sport. Its truly starting to turn into an '06. First the engine from an '06 tacoma, now the face lift. Got the headlights in with the bumper fillers and its lookin good. Now i am just waiting on my '06+ grill so i can start chopping and doing some fiberglass fabrication. Going to be a satoshi similar to Gaterose's runner. Can't wait because those triangular gaps are killing me! I haven't moved my blinkers up to the new assemblies yet because i didnt realize they use an 1156 bulb instead. Anyone know of some cheaper aftermarket sockets that will fit the assemblies? As for the quality of the assemblies i got, i am pretty happy. I worked at an auto parts store during and just after high school so i was familiar with the aftermarket assemblies like Depo and TYC. They both make good stuff, a little cheaper plastic for the mounting tabs, but they shouldn't have any problems. I went with the TYC just because i found them on amazon and they qualified for amazon prime which meant free 2 day shipping. As for prices i got the assemblies for $120 each, the bumper fillers from toyota for $35 each (ordered them through my roommates shop so i got a discount), and the H11 plugs from autozone (i was desperate) for $8 each.

The assemblies fit amazing by the way, there is one slight difference in the location of the lower bolt on the grill side of the assemblies but all i had to do was drill a hole behind the original hole. They will fit in the original hole, but when you close the hood the lights stick out a little too far to the point that the seal around the edge of the headlight sticks out a little. I can take a picture if anyone wants to see that.

I call this the invisible headlight mod...
<a href="http://s1067.photobucket.com/albums/u427/tjvandenhoek/?action=view&current=car001-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u427/tjvandenhoek/car001-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

and heres the new lights...
<a href="http://s1067.photobucket.com/albums/u427/tjvandenhoek/?action=view&current=car008-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u427/tjvandenhoek/car008-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s1067.photobucket.com/albums/u427/tjvandenhoek/?action=view&current=car006.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u427/tjvandenhoek/car006.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[4D7]

Nice work!

I'm going to be doing this soon to my 03 SR5, I have galactic grey mica though so the gaps won't be as noticeable for the time being (grill mod in the future). I was speaking with Gaterose about his methods of the headlamp conversion and he had some good insight, but sadly hadn't made a thread showing the process.

Keep it up! great pics!

 

[SUP3RJEFF]

Nicely done!

 

[run4estrunner]

Nice work!

I'm going to be doing this soon to my 03 SR5, I have galactic grey mica though so the gaps won't be as noticeable for the time being (grill mod in the future). I was speaking with Gaterose about his methods of the headlamp conversion and he had some good insight, but sadly hadn't made a thread showing the process.

Keep it up! great pics!

ya, so pretty much three things need to be done to get these assemblies in.

1. Switch the low beam plug (red/brown plug) to an h11 plug. Really simple, just two wires.

2. Figure out what you are going to do with the blinkers. The new assemblies have the blinker in them as opposed to next to the fog light in the bumper. They also use a different bulb. So far I have left mine in the bumper because i haven't gotten the sockets and pigtails that fit yet. Eventually i will move them to the headlights because i will be making a bumper in the future and dont want to have to put blinkers in it. Once i find the sockets i will have to change the plug on the harness side as well as lengthen the wire to get it up to the headlight.

3. (this may have just been a fit issue with the aftermarket assemblies i got, but i have a feeling it is just a difference in the 03-05 and the 06-09 models) As i talked about earlier, the lower inner bolt hole was a little off. SO i drilled my own holes in the assemblies.
<a href="http://s1067.photobucket.com/albums/u427/tjvandenhoek/?action=view&current=001-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u427/tjvandenhoek/001-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[gaterose]

3. (this may have just been a fit issue with the aftermarket assemblies i got, but i have a feeling it is just a difference in the 03-05 and the 06-09 models) As i talked about earlier, the lower inner bolt hole was a little off. SO i drilled my own holes in the assemblies.

I didn't have that problem with my lights, both were OEM used lamps. So I think it is an aftermarket issue as you said.

 

[4D7]

I didn't have that problem with my lights, both were OEM used lamps. So I think it is an aftermarket issue as you said.

Did your 06 OEM headlamps come smoked? I've read about there being a smoked/clear chrome on these OEM projectors - depending on your trim.. but I haven't found any online. I've been thinking about the halo projectors but they all have those 3 hideous leds along the top of the headlamp :ybrick:

 

[gaterose]

I honestly couldn't tell so that makes me think it must've been regular chrome. I painted them black so it didn't matter.

I agree, I couldn't get the halo projectors because of all the extra stuff going on.

 

[run4estrunner]

ya, the holes werent too far off as you can see, but it was enough to make me change it.

I got the sport headlights that are supposedly a darker/smoked chrome but i cant really tell because i dont have a pair of the sr5 or limited ones to compare with. I couldnt tell any difference from the pictures on amazon either.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

What is the purpose of changing the headlights? Seems like a lot of trouble to me for nothing gained.

 

[4D7]

What is the purpose of changing the headlights? Seems like a lot of trouble to me for nothing gained.

Why mod anything? because we can. Personally, I love the way 06-09 headlamps look with an 03-05 bumper. The projectors just look sexy if not anything else, so its a common desire for us 03-05 owners.

 

[run4estrunner]

What is the purpose of changing the headlights? Seems like a lot of trouble to me for nothing gained.

It started with wanting to make a satoshi grill. It would be pretty much like starting from scratch if you try to make one from an 03-05 grill. So the 06+ grill is the way to go, unless you want to buy that JAOS grill for $650. My stock headlights were fogged over pretty bad as well so i was going to replace them anyways. So i figured i would get the 06+ lights so i could fit the 06+ grill and make the satoshi. Also the projector low beam is favorable IMO. I also just like the newer shape even though it isn't really a big difference. Eventually when i do my bumper i will want the blinkers to be in the headlight assembly which is true for the 06+ lights as well. And working on cars and doing fabrication is no trouble at all for me, its a hobby.

 

[4D7]

Which bumper are you shooting for? Going for tube or something like a shrockworks? Planning on a shrockworks single centerloop myself.

 

[run4estrunner]

Which bumper are you shooting for? Going for tube or something like a shrockworks? Planning on a shrockworks single centerloop myself.

Ill probably go for the Demello bumper with no hoops. I like how it dips down on the top like the stock bumper. It makes it look less bulky than the shrockworks. Thats just my opinion.

 

[run4estrunner]

damn, so it looks like i will be waiting to do my grill until i get my bumper... and that will come after the lift since i dont want to be rolling around with a built bumper on a stock height/tire runner. I would be wasting the grill if i do it now since i would have to chop it, then when i get the demello bumper i will get the 06-09 and it will fit the grill before being chopped... so i would have a gap.
Looks like i will resume this thread mid september.

 

[run4estrunner]

oh and i may still be making a bumper based off the DO one. I will be really busy the next couple quarters at school so i dont know if i can fit in all the fab time since it is my daily driver as well... so letting demello do all the work may be the way to go.

 

[gaterose]

You can make the grille and it will fit if you get an 03-05 Demello bumper. He has two version for 03 & 06 I believe.

I would be much less work after just getting an 06 bumper though; I would've held off too if I knew for sure I would get a bumper anyone soon. But a bumper isn't in my plans for a while

 

[run4estrunner]

You can make the grille and it will fit if you get an 03-05 Demello bumper. He has two version for 03 & 06 I believe.

I would be much less work after just getting an 06 bumper though; I would've held off too if I knew for sure I would get a bumper anyone soon. But a bumper isn't in my plans for a while

Ya but I want to get the 06-09 Demello because I dot need the blinkers in the bumper. But ya I am definitely going to hold off for now.