Moisture in both headlights - OEM Plus upgrade time??

[Endlessblockades]

I have a problem and the moisture is secondary. My problem is when anything on my rig has an issue, I start looking at 'better' options. Often OEM is the option I like but headlights aren't something I'm too picky about. It hasn't been raining and I haven't been in deep water since last winter, so I guess some sealing has eroded and I breached the headlights with a spay gun at the self-wash place. I have always liked my factory glass headlights, but the glass 'OEM Plus' units caught my eye. No spinning halos or demon eyes, just stock looking glass units with a basic LED lighting. Cheaper than replacing with factory. I know I could dry and reseal them but like I said, I have a problem. Also the reflective guts have been baked and are curling and flaking, too. Anyone have experience with the TEQ basic OEM + units? Others? With a discount I could get a pair for $500 shipped. I know, I know.....

Thanks

 

[Ben Dejo]

IMHO,not a big fan of the physical appearance of the projector upgrade. I have seen a few 3rd gens around town with projectors that are one eye. No clue if they are TRQ. However, I replaced my headlights with ones from headlight depot that were CAPA certified, assuming that actually would be an improvement in quality. Ya, not so much. The beam pattern between left and right is way off. The adjustment screws aren't great and one wasn't attached when I received them. The adhesive between the glass and the reflective border is visible. The bulb cover that reminds me of a disco ball at the center on both were in differet postioins that also affected the beam. I get the projector upgrade makes all that moot, but for $200 more I could have had Toyota factory headlight assemblies that are better build quality. Best of luck.

 

[ksgoh88]

I've had bxbuilt retrofits that weren't bad but also weren't that good. Mismatched lenses(one from a 96-98, the other from 99-02), glue seeping out around the entire housing but still wasn't sealed. The higher color temperature(6000k) meant they were worse than halogen/lower temperature lights(~4300k) in the rain/snow and I couldn't change/replace the bulb in them. The light itself was brighter, but it wasn't better objectively.

Before those tried TYC/Depos and had the same problem as everybody else with the beam pattern being wrong and the bulb shield not being in the right place. Aiming them was possible but a nightmare.

Ended up just buying OEM housings and having to piece the entire assembly together from individual parts as I couldn't get the full assembly from Toyota. Purchased last year from a local dealership but from the online parts website for about $400 shipped. I think still overall maybe a hair more than paying for aftermarket retrofits turn key. In the end I'd only go OEM if I had to do it all again.

 

[Endlessblockades]

Interesting - thanks for the intel. I heard bad things about BXBuilt before they went out of business , but I was under the impression that TEQ had solved the issues when they took over. I'll consider doing the hairdryer+reseal while I do some more digging. I don't really want to drop $$$ on new OEM. I see these glass units at wrecking yards from time to time, too. My aftermarket bulbs are doing great and I can swap them forward.