Headlight Removal

[68ChargerJMP]

I am about to do the 99-02 headlight swap on my 97. I was able to score some complete OEM headlights for $50/pair. I had to remove them myself and just thought I would give a little tip for people doing this upgrade or just removing a headlight for whatever reason. Every thread I searched involved removing the black bracket piece with the four bolts after removing the grille, parking light and the filler piece under the headlight. You don't have to do all of that. Although, you still may need to remove the grille. If you grab, for example, the passenger headlight, it would be top left and bottom right positions that you need to give a firm snatch and it will release from the adjusters...driver side would be top right and bottom left positions. Then, remove the spring and its out. Hook the spring back up, line the adjusters back into the adjuster sockets on the headlight, give it a good push, and its back in. Just throwing this out there for an alternate method.

 

[Jason B]

I am about to do the 99-02 headlight swap on my 97. I was able to score some complete OEM headlights for $50/pair. I had to remove them myself and just thought I would give a little tip for people doing this upgrade or just removing a headlight for whatever reason. Every thread I searched involved removing the black bracket piece with the four bolts after removing the grille, parking light and the filler piece under the headlight. You don't have to do all of that. Although, you still may need to remove the grille. If you grab, for example, the passenger headlight, it would be top left and bottom right positions that you need to give a firm snatch and it will release from the adjusters...driver side would be top right and bottom left positions. Then, remove the spring and its out. Hook the spring back up, line the adjusters back into the adjuster sockets on the headlight, give it a good push, and its back in. Just throwing this out there for an alternate method.

Cool, take any pics?

 

[Algiers]

I am about to do the 99-02 headlight swap on my 97. I was able to score some complete OEM headlights for $50/pair. I had to remove them myself and just thought I would give a little tip for people doing this upgrade or just removing a headlight for whatever reason. Every thread I searched involved removing the black bracket piece with the four bolts after removing the grille, parking light and the filler piece under the headlight. You don't have to do all of that. Although, you still may need to remove the grille. If you grab, for example, the passenger headlight, it would be top left and bottom right positions that you need to give a firm snatch and it will release from the adjusters...driver side would be top right and bottom left positions. Then, remove the spring and its out. Hook the spring back up, line the adjusters back into the adjuster sockets on the headlight, give it a good push, and its back in. Just throwing this out there for an alternate method.

Thanks for the tip and good find for $50. I'd jump on those sure as I plan to do that swap on my 97 too.

 

[68ChargerJMP]

I'll post some pics later tonight when I'm done.

 

[TheDurk]

Thanks for the tip and good find for $50. I'd jump on those sure as I plan to do that swap on my 97 too.

Me, too, as I plan to do projectors. Every time I see a junkyard pair I look at the glass and at least one of them is aftermarket (usually driver's side as they break more often.)

 

[68ChargerJMP]

PLEASE DISREGARD my "tip"....this was the worst advice ever.....no wonder all threads mention removing the bracket with the headlights.... Omg....what a fiasco....I apologize.

 

[pluton]

Did you experience the Toyota's brain-fart involving fine threaded metal screws threaded directly into brittle plastic?
The bracket/adjustment design of the headlights on my '97 is the worst I've seen in any car I've owned.

 

[chumaniel]

I'll post some pics later tonight when I'm done.

 

[Jason B]

I assume this is the part you are referring to:

Usually you want that piece attached to the new light to make things easier. IF it doesn't work out, I can get you a full set of lights with everything attached (how they should come), just take a look at the site in my signature below.

 

[68ChargerJMP]

Yes, brittle plastic, broken clips...etc...PITA. Not to mention one of the mounting studs was broken on one of the 02 headlights I bought, so I had to Gorilla glue one off my old headlight on to that one...did I say PITA. Waiting for that one to dry and cure good but I managed to get the driver side in last night and I'm not really convinced that it is any brighter than the old ones, maybe a little dimmer. Cosmetically it looks better, buy functionally, I am not sold yet. Maybe I can adjust the little standoff thing inside the headlight to focus the beam a little lower, it looks to be focused a little top heavy. Any tyricks on how to fine tune these things? Thanks.

 

[68ChargerJMP]

Let me clarify on the fine tune thing....I am not talking about using the adjuster. I didn't move them, so they should still be good, but I will have them checked anyway. The beam itself inside the headlight looks bright on top, but a little dim on the bottom. I have the PIAA Intense White bulbs too, but I could tell the beam is not as strong right in front of the vehicle as it was with the old housings. Thanks.

 

[68ChargerJMP]

This is the last post I make using my phone. That last post was all jacked up...Sorry.

 

[68ChargerJMP]

Pics

 

[Jason B]

Nice, much better! Sent you a PM.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Bummed to hear they weren't as bright as the old kind. I was hoping the opposite was true as well, my passenger side glass is cracked and was looking to do the same thing.

 

[68ChargerJMP]

Yeah, I'm bummed too. I'm gonna take it to a friends body shop and aim them with his machine. Hopefully, that will make a difference. If not, I'll just change them back. I would hate to because these look so much better but I would rather see at night than look good....

 

[Jason B]

Yea that's odd to me. But I might now why. You said they were used. There's a good chance the inner shiny reflector has a film of grime on it from over the years. That will do it.

 

[D Farms]

the reality is that the stock style headlights suck in comparison to an hid projector, there really is no contest.