Johnnytoofye's Build Thread

[johnnytoofye]

Blackout Headlight Mod

Next there were the 4 bolts that hold the headlight. The first 3 are the easiest because they are right under the hood. The 4th one however is the toughest one. You have to remove the bolt in the wheel well that holds the fender (going towards the car) then reach all the way forward where the bolt can be found. This was very difficult for me because I had the bolt, just not the socket wrench for it, but O'Riley's came in handy.

 

[johnnytoofye]

Blackout Headlight Mod

Once all 4 bolts are removed you end up with this.







I labeled all the parts that were taken off just to be safe. Here are the 2 headlights that are removed. I went and covered the removed headlights with Walmart bags and used masking tape. The only reason for doing this is because you never know when it comes to weather. Especially being in Alabama at that.

 

[johnnytoofye]

Blackout Headlight Mod

Once you remove the headlight there are 5 screws that are on the outside. You will need to remove those. Now you get to the fun part. Time to bake them. I used other threads for this process. One thread set the oven at 200 degrees for 8-10 minutes and the other thread set the oven at 250 degrees for 8-10 minutes. I went in the middle and set the oven at 225 degrees for 8 minutes. I had to put each headlight in the oven 3-4 times. Each time I took them out I slowly went back and forth with a Flathead screwdriver starting at the bottom of the headlight working my way up to the top. Once you star seeing the headlight start opening up, slowly pull the back and the cover of the headlight apart.





There are 2 screws that are connected to the case of the headlight. You will need to remove those. Once you do that, you finally have the housing. I also went ahead and removed the reflector & top piece (I don't know what it's technically called).



The next step is sanding. It's your choice if you want to do this or not. I only did this because I saw other people say it will stick and hold up longer. This is just what it looks like because I was in the process of sanding. Take your time sanding to remove as much of the chrome as you can (if you choose to do this).



Once you complete the sanding, go ahead and spray the housing. I did 4-5 coats and waited 6-10 minutes in between coats. Put the two pieces together and you get this.



Assemble the housing back together the same way you took it apart. Set the oven at 225 degrees. Place the headlight back in for 5 minutes. Once you take the headlight out the oven immediately press it together. I repeated this process 2-3 times just to be for sure. I waited 10 minutes and used DAP sealant around the glue for an extra seal.



Result



My headlights were completely dull so I went ahead and used the Turtle Wax headlight restorer.

 

[johnnytoofye]

Blackout Headlight Mod

Both headlights



Now here was my biggest problem. I didn't have to remove the bumper trim when I removed the headlights, but I had this in the way when I needed to put them back in. I read iForce's thread when he did this mod and I was able to remove the clamps that were in the middle. I was getting frustrated because I couldn't get this piece off. 30 minutes later I found that the clips in the back of the trim had to be pushed up. Using the Flathead this helped me a whole lot. I was close to giving up honestly. This is the piece that I absolutely hated, but became happy when I removed it.



With the bumper trim removed.



Finally got them installed.

 

[johnnytoofye]

Blackout Headlight Mod

After working all day on this mod, I went to the gas station that night and bought the biggest cup possible of Powerade. Here's some shots of it last night.







When it got to the morning, I went out to see how it hit the sunlight. I think I didn't do so bad for a mod I've been wanting to do for such a long time.



I hope this helps anyone that is wanting to do this mod. I've only been able to find threads for this mod for the 06+ models, so if anyone with the 03-05 models that want to do this, hopefully mine can help you.

 

[kevinpt]

After working all day on this mod, I went to the gas station that night and bought the biggest cup possible of Powerade. Here's some shots of it last night.

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When it got to the morning, I went out to see how it hit the sunlight. I think I didn't do so bad for a mod I've been wanting to do for such a long time.

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I hope this helps anyone that is wanting to do this mod. I've only been able to find threads for this mod for the 06+ models, so if anyone with the 03-05 models that want to do this, hopefully mine can help you.

looks good man. how about the fogs? any plan to black them out? i think it makes the 03-05 look even better. you could even amber tint them after

 

[johnnytoofye]

looks good man. how about the fogs? any plan to black them out? i think it makes the 03-05 look even better. you could even amber tint them after

Thank you. I plan on doing the fogs later on down the road at some point. Plus I was debating on making the amber part black or not, so I just decided to leave it the way it was. I kind of like it with the amber reflector like that.

 

[johnnytoofye]

Here's a picture I took earlier. Thought it was pretty cool.

 

[Token13]

How do you like the ebay lights? Are they the xenon brand? Any flickering?

 

[johnnytoofye]

How do you like the ebay lights? Are they the xenon brand? Any flickering?

Yeah the head lights are the Xenon brand. I like them, I always have this problem with my left headlight though whenever I drive. It'll come on then cut off for some reason. I usually have to turn my lights on, then crank my car in order for the light to come on. I know, sounds weird. I'm still trying to figure out that problem though.

 

[Minn3sota]

looking good

 

[johnnytoofye]

Haven't updated on here in a while. Haven't done any major mods. Last mod I've done was cut the front and rear mud flaps. Definitely looks a lot better. There's a lot of mods I want to do, but you know how it is when you're in college. Haha.
If anyone has any 03-05 OME headlights that are clear they want to give away or sell for a reasonable price please let me know. My current ones are okay, but not allowing the HID's to produce it's full potential.
Also, for those running HID's are y'all having a problem with the driver side headlight coming on then cutting off instantly? Mine do this all the time unless I turn on the lights before I start the car.
Thanks everyone.

 

[johnnytoofye]

So from my last post I was explaining how I had an lighting issue with my left HID headlight. I ordered 55W 6000K HID lights (whole new set for all 4) and looks like my problem was solved...almost solved. One of the bulbs blew so I had one 35W HID in the driver side headlight.





Got new replacements and we're all good. Problem completely solved

 

[johnnytoofye]

Any solutions for this situation?.....Lol.

 

[johnnytoofye]

Last week I went in and got the windows tinted. 5% all around with the strip. Very happy with the work that was done.



Inside panorama at night



Far shot after I went for a car wash today

 

[johnnytoofye]

Went and got new tires installed. Searched numerous places for a week and found what I wanted. Couldn't of been any happier. Toyo Open Country AT2, LT: 265/70/17

 

[johnnytoofye]

Last Saturday on the 1st at 3 AM I was a mile away from my house here in Alpharetta. I was fine my entire drive, but randomly out of nowhere I blacked out/fell asleep, ran up onto the median, took out a tree (which stopped from continuously rolling) and landed upside down. I flipped twice. Thankfully I had God watching over me. I was able to take off my seat belt, open the door, and managed to walk away with just a cut on my hand that's already healed. As I got out and looked at my car I knew it was done for. I've honestly never felt so mad, frustrated, depressed with myself building something from the ground up and still had more to do, but the most important thing is that Toyota made such a reliable vehicle that it saved my life.

The funny thing is I just finished retrofitting my headlights, wired them, and installed them hours before this happened.

 

[johnnytoofye]

Later that day on the 1st when I went to go get my stuff out this is how it looked when it was during the day.












Cut that's healed that I got from the accident.

 

[johnnytoofye]

I started my hunt for a new vehicle due to me going back to school. Another 4Runner was in definite consideration, but so was a truck. After coming to a conclusion I knew my heart was on another 4Runner just knowing how well and reliable the vehicle is structured. Took days to find the right one and I was fortunate enough to get a 2008 4Runner UrbanEdition yesterday (Aug. 5th).

Already have in mind what I'm going to do with the new one, but it's just going to take time to do it. Still attached to my old 4R and trying to get use to my new one, but I know it'll just take some time.



The day I got the new 4R






My old one beside my new one

 

[wadle5]

So sorry to see that happen to your rig, but glad you are at least here to post thats gotta say something about the rig. And Picassao was known to smash some of his artwork to start a new canvas. I think you got this :artist2: