Headlamp replacement options

[smokey7722]

I know theres a ton of threads on this and I have read as many as I could find. I need to replace both of my headlamps due to oxidation as one is about 13 years old and the other is about 11. I was looking at possibly going with an LED conversion and figured that this would be the time to do it. I don't mind spending money if its a quality product and honestly would just pickup an OEM set of headlamps and be done with it if I were considering going LED.

So far from any thread I have read it seems the bottom line is that the third party housings honestly are just crap. The seals fail, they don't fit right, etc. I don't mind the small gap at the grill if I were to go with OEM 2006 headlamps w/projectors though.

My question is to confirm that there are no high quality third party options and if not, what my options are? Do I go with a 2006 headlamp and then find an LED? I don't mind some minor modification work but I don't want to sit here ripping the front end to bits to put some new headlamps and bulbs in.

Thanks!

 

[Trumpet]

Just had my headlamps reconditioned professionally, at my mechanics garage. Oxidation is gone, they are bright and clear.

Look and perform as new. Saved a lot of money going this way.

After pic:

 

[smokey7722]

Just had my headlamps reconditioned professionally, at my mechanics garage. Oxidation is gone, they are bright and clear.

Look and perform as new. Saved a lot of money going this way.

After pic:

How much did it run you? My '05 doesn't have projectors though so if I did go the reconditioning route, I still would be effectively limited to conventional bulbs and no LED's due to the headlamp style.

 

[Rodtheviking]

I bought these, no leaks and look really nice. not as dark as the picture shows though.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OJEYZM2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Trumpet]

How much did it run you? My '05 doesn't have projectors though so if I did go the reconditioning route, I still would be effectively limited to conventional bulbs and no LED's due to the headlamp style.

Ran $125 for both. I firmly believe there is no savings to be had buying anything other than original Toyota headlight assemblies.

Every time I have tried a "oem" or an aftermarket assembly in any vehicle it has been sub standard, both in construction and in beam pattern.

If you are not going to upgrade to 2006 up headlights, try better bulbs, I really like the Osram Nightbeakers

If you go to LEDs the reflectors have to be designed for them, otherwise you will dazzle oncoming traffic, same with HID.

 

[blackoutt]

Eagle Eyes 06+ headlights have very crappy projectors compared to OEM, I just upfitted with G5-R projectors on bolt in brackets with HID. SOOOOO nice now!

So I got "sport smoked" style, and nicer projectors than stock, in new housings, for about the same price as OEM housings.

 

[smokey7722]

I'm not too interested in the smoked look honestly so something OEM looking would be fine. The '06+ headlamps weren't designed for HID or LED though right? They were designed for conventional bulbs? I have a pile of silverstars (got for like $5 for a pair) that I haven't gone through yet but when/if I do, I would love to not have to care anymore and just do LED. From my understanding the '06 would go in an '05 with no problems (just has a small gap at the grill) as well right?

 

[emonell2]

Replaced One

When I bought my 2007 one already seemed to be replaced but the other was fogged up. Bought one from RockAuto for $70 and can't tell the difference.

Installation was a pain though. Don't know why they designed it where one bolt makes you become a contortionist .

 

[Flash Runner]

The best option is really gonna be determined on two things: your budget, and how much time you want to spend on them....Personally if I were you I'd upgrade to the projector style regardless of the route you go....

Eagle Eyes 06+ headlights have very crappy projectors compared to OEM, I just upfitted with G5-R projectors on bolt in brackets with HID. SOOOOO nice now!

If you're willing to put in the time to retrofit the product, this will be your best recommendation and it'll work out fine even though they weren't true OEM housings you'd use... this is the route I'd go if I were in your position.

he '06+ headlamps weren't designed for HID or LED though right? They were designed for conventional bulbs?.....I have a pile of silverstars (got for like $5 for a pair)......From my understanding the '06 would go in an '05 with no problems (just has a small gap at the grill) as well right?

Plenty of people put LED/HID bulbs in the stock 06'+ headlights, its worked fine from what I've read. A lot of people just like going a step beyond and upgrade the projectors too.... I'd get a restoration kit (I just used this one: Meguiar's: heavy duty headlight restoration kit, it worked pretty well), and use that while you use up all the bulbs you already have until you upgrade your lights.... lastly I believe its a fairly simply swap, but I haven't read up on it, so it might be more than a drop in "with a gap"

Installation was a pain though. Don't know why they designed it where one bolt makes you become a contortionist .

Man, that bottom bolt is a PITA!! Took me forever to fix my headlight bc I didn't want to have to deal with getting that one out!!

 

[Sommerc09]

The best option is really gonna be determined on two things: your budget, and how much time you want to spend on them....Personally if I were you I'd upgrade to the projector style regardless of the route you go....



If you're willing to put in the time to retrofit the product, this will be your best recommendation and it'll work out fine even though they weren't true OEM housings you'd use... this is the route I'd go if I were in your position.



Plenty of people put LED/HID bulbs in the stock 06'+ headlights, its worked fine from what I've read. A lot of people just like going a step beyond and upgrade the projectors too.... I'd get a restoration kit (I just used this one: Meguiar's: heavy duty headlight restoration kit, it worked pretty well), and use that while you use up all the bulbs you already have until you upgrade your lights.... lastly I believe its a fairly simply swap, but I haven't read up on it, so it might be more than a drop in "with a gap"



Man, that bottom bolt is a PITA!! Took me forever to fix my headlight bc I didn't want to have to deal with getting that one out!!

this ^^^

 

[Rodtheviking]

The TYC's from Rock Auto

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=1390155&cc=1430997&jsn=448

 

[smokey7722]

The best option is really gonna be determined on two things: your budget, and how much time you want to spend on them....Personally if I were you I'd upgrade to the projector style regardless of the route you go....

I don't really have the time to futz around with rebuilding something myself unfortunately or building something from scratch. Basically I want to buy a GOOD product, install it and be done with it. I'm all for spending the money for a GOOD and CORRECT product for the job and being done with it. Whether that means OEM or Third Party, whatever.

If you're willing to put in the time to retrofit the product, this will be your best recommendation and it'll work out fine even though they weren't true OEM housings you'd use... this is the route I'd go if I were in your position.

So going with a third party housing or retro'ing an OEM?

Plenty of people put LED/HID bulbs in the stock 06'+ headlights, its worked fine from what I've read. A lot of people just like going a step beyond and upgrade the projectors too.... I'd get a restoration kit (I just used this one: Meguiar's: heavy duty headlight restoration kit, it worked pretty well), and use that while you use up all the bulbs you already have until you upgrade your lights.... lastly I believe its a fairly simply swap, but I haven't read up on it, so it might be more than a drop in "with a gap"

I've tried a restoration kit on these already. The outside smooths out fine and the yellow generally goes away (for a few months) but due to the heat here in Vegas, the housings have small cracks all over the lense on the inside so theres really nothing more I can do short of cracking them open and doing the inside too, which I don't have the time for.

The stock of bulbs I have is a moot point as they didn't cost much and I am sure my friends would be happy to inherit free bulbs

Man, that bottom bolt is a PITA!! Took me forever to fix my headlight bc I didn't want to have to deal with getting that one out!!

Yea I have read the horror stories on that. But if I get the right housing, hopefully I won't have to do this for another 13 years!

 

[ray k]

There is also a little body colored trim piece below the headlight assembly that will have to be changed for the 2006 retrofit.

I'm not too interested in the smoked look honestly so something OEM looking would be fine. The '06+ headlamps weren't designed for HID or LED though right? They were designed for conventional bulbs? I have a pile of silverstars (got for like $5 for a pair) that I haven't gone through yet but when/if I do, I would love to not have to care anymore and just do LED. From my understanding the '06 would go in an '05 with no problems (just has a small gap at the grill) as well right?

 

[smokey7722]

There is also a little body colored trim piece below the headlight assembly that will have to be changed for the 2006 retrofit.

Yup which results in a slight triangle gap to the grill. Assuming the color matches the blue of my runner, I wouldn't mind the gap. If those work fine with LED though then I have no problem spending ~$200 each (partznet after 10% discount) plus the cost of the led and possibly harness change. Otherwise I'm thinking I may just pickup the 2005 headlamps and use the pile of existing silverstars I have I guess.

 

[neilz4]

There is also a little body colored trim piece below the headlight assembly that will have to be changed for the 2006 retrofit.

Does it need to be removed/trimmed? I got my 05 with a CBI bumper and that little piece is the bottom most part of the body under the headlight. Could I just take it out? EDIT: if I wanted to go with a 06-09 Toyota housing?

 

[riceandpho]

honestly, if you buy new oem housing, which should only cost about 450 to 500 shipped to your door from vendors here.

i would consider shipping to lightwerkz and get it retrofitted.
led is still not going to give the intensity like hid do.

hid projector retrofit is the way to go, if you keep the 03-05 style lights, you have alot of options in the low beam part of the housing.
oem rx350 projectors are good. fxr and md2s is still a good projector, mh1 is good and easy.

 

[smokey7722]

honestly, if you buy new oem housing, which should only cost about 450 to 500 shipped to your door from vendors here.

i would consider shipping to lightwerkz and get it retrofitted.
led is still not going to give the intensity like hid do.

hid projector retrofit is the way to go, if you keep the 03-05 style lights, you have alot of options in the low beam part of the housing.
oem rx350 projectors are good. fxr and md2s is still a good projector, mh1 is good and easy.

Partznet ends up at $430 for a set of OEM '05 housings. So your recommendation in that case is go OEM '05 and send to lightwerks for LED retro? Or go '06 with projectors and get HID? Or go HID either way? Just want to clarify?

 

[riceandpho]

Partznet ends up at $430 for a set of OEM '05 housings. So your recommendation in that case is go OEM '05 and send to lightwerks for LED retro? Or go '06 with projectors and get HID? Or go HID either way? Just want to clarify?

keep the 03-05 headlight, sent it to lightwerkz, get them to retrofit a good hid projector and be done for. if you do the 06-09 mod, youll need to buy extra parts to make the front look right.
expect to pay about 1200 in total parts and labor, so take the 1200 and take 430 out and its about the average cost they charge, maybe a little less since your lights are easier. i paid more since i use s2k projectors. which require lots more labor to fit.

https://www.instagram.com/lightwerkz/
he had done some 4runner.
but i recommend going oem housings, they can do aftermarket, but the aftermarket lens tend to fail later on.

i sold my old retrofit i did to a forum user here, he got a steal of a life time.

 

[smokey7722]

So you are saying it'd end up at $1600 or so total? Or $1200 or so total? That's a lot of money for some lights, lol. I may just pickup '05 OEM's and keep using the bulbs I got for that. I don't mind spending for quality but I don't know if I can justify that much at the moment (working on some house stuff thats taking most of my cash). I could always pickup new OEM's, install them and then at some point send them off if I go this direction (reinstalling the old ones temporarily).

 

[riceandpho]

So you are saying it'd end up at $1600 or so total? Or $1200 or so total? That's a lot of money for some lights, lol. I may just pickup '05 OEM's and keep using the bulbs I got for that. I don't mind spending for quality but I don't know if I can justify that much at the moment (working on some house stuff thats taking most of my cash). I could always pickup new OEM's, install them and then at some point send them off if I go this direction (reinstalling the old ones temporarily).

i still think its close to 900 or so at the end, new housings, parts and labor and also hid kit.