Headlights Cracking and Clouding

glock56534

glock56534

New member
Both headlights on my 2005 V8 are starting to cloud up pretty bad. This does not worry me as much as the second part of my post (see below). I know this can be repaired with the rubbing compound.

The second thing is that both headlights are spider webbing throughout the entire light housing. It looks how a windshield looks when it is shattered, just cracks uniform throughout the entire piece of clear plastic.

I don't think this is able to be fixed and my dealer refuses to replace the headlights.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what to do? Anyone recommend any particular type of new headlight? Should I stay OEM? Should I get the newer 2006-2010 style headlights? Are there any particular aftermarket headlights that work best?

I do not want to spend a ton of money on these and my dealership quoted me $750 to replace both headlights (which I WILL NOT do or pay for). So, what are my options?

Thanks in advance.
 
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if u want the best , stay OEM but they cost more $ .or u can buy a cheap set off ebay or someplace Replacement Passenger Side Headlight Clear lens, Plastic lens, OE comparable, DOT, SAE approved, composite, OE replacement, with bulbs Discount Body Parts - 2005 toyota 4runner headlight - 2005 Toyota 4Runner Headlight & install urself. to sand & repair them is a lot of work & u remove the uv coating when its done so they will need repolishing every couple months. the kits advertised make it look easy. these are nice & price is good. Burtman Industries about going to 06 +, there will be 2 trim pieces u will need besides the headlights , u will also have a tiny gap showing at the bottom corners of the grille, http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8421&highlight=headlights&page=10 if it were me, id get the ones from burtman & use HIR bulbs, or do a HID retro.
 
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glock56534 said:
Both headlights on my 2005 V8 are starting to cloud up pretty bad. This does not worry me as much as the second part of my post (see below). I know this can be repaired with the rubbing compound.

The second thing is that both headlights are spider webbing throughout the entire light housing. It looks how a windshield looks when it is shattered, just cracks uniform throughout the entire piece of clear plastic.

I don't think this is able to be fixed and my dealer refuses to replace the headlights.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what to do? Anyone recommend any particular type of new headlight? Should I stay OEM? Should I get the newer 2006-2010 style headlights? Are there any particular aftermarket headlights that work best?

I do not want to spend a ton of money on these and my dealership quoted me $750 to replace both headlights (which I WILL NOT do or pay for). So, what are my options?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

You might want to buy some CV restore and try it. You start with sand paper to remove all the bad plastic and then finish up with a sealant that is supposed to restore the UV protection and keep them from clouding up again. I was using other stuff about once a month to keep mine clear and then found the CV restore by reading here. I haven't touched them since and they still look like new. Here's the thread in the detailing section. I put some pictures there of mine that appear on page three.
 
ive used that & its great stuff, maybe the best out there, but it wont get rid of deep scratches, not to mention they give only 4-6 small pieces of sand paper. if his is deeply scratched & not truly cracked, hes gonna need alot of different grit paper & hopefully use a drill with a sanding/polishing wheel, other wise its gonna take alot of elbow grease.
 
chaz said:
ive used that & its great stuff, maybe the best out there, but it wont get rid of deep scratches, not to mention they give only 4-6 small pieces of sand paper. if his is deeply scratched & not truly cracked, hes gonna need alot of different grit paper & hopefully use a drill with a sanding/polishing wheel, other wise its gonna take alot of elbow grease.
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They are actual cracks in the plastic, not scratches. They are almost invisible if you look at them head-on, but at an angle they are extremely apparent. It looks as if the plastic is degrading and is about to fall apart even.
 
heres 06 lights installed on 03 without using the 06 grille, http://www.toyota-4runner.org/accessories/18375-projector-headlight-installed-2003-a.html urs will look similar. about cost- 06 headlights- 120 a piece oe rplacements, oem 200 a piece, trim pieces- around 60-100? a piece. im not sure the 06 grille will work with ur 05 bumper, so that might need replacing also, & i dont think it will work with the 05 fenders. either way 06 grille 200+ , painted 06 bumper 150-200.
 
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so ur talking about 400 clams just to do an 06 headlight upgrade. just replacing with 05 will be much cheaper. forgot to mention u will also need to change the sockets from ur 05 bulbs (9006) to 06 type (H11)
 
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chaz said:
so ur talking about 400 clams just to do an 06 headlight upgrade. just replacing with 05 will be much cheaper.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that seems to be the case. When the time is right I'm leaning towards the Burtman Industries replacements, they look nice and, as you said, they are right on the money.
 
chaz said:
a set of HIR bulbs would make a good addition to those lights, HIR Headlights 9011 9012 bulbs the phillips are better, super upgrade from what ur using now. <font color="green">NEW Philips 3rd Generation 9012 (HIR2) - (12.8V 55W - PX22D)</font>
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Those Phillips HIR bulbs look pretty tits. I'm looking to do several maintenance items/upgrades over the next 6-8 months and those bulbs were just added to the list.

Thanks a ton for your help, chaz. Let me know if you have any other suggestions or find any other headlight assemblies that might be a good addition.
 
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