Need to replace my headlights, options?

[orangeblast22]

I've got to replace my headlights. They are yellow, cracked, scratched....it's time.

What are my options these days? I really like the smoke headlights of my Sports Edition. Am I able to buy the OEM parts still?

I'm not really interested in the halo effect lights. Something OEM is nice...smoke...maybe even black. Not sure how much I'd like black headlights on my Titanium Silver.

 

[Terminator03]

I've got to replace my headlights. They are yellow, cracked, scratched....it's time.

What are my options these days? I really like the smoke headlights of my Sports Edition. Am I able to buy the OEM parts still?

I'm not really interested in the halo effect lights. Something OEM is nice...smoke...maybe even black. Not sure how much I'd like black headlights on my Titanium Silver.

I have the black reflector version which looks awesome on my black truck, but I’ve been chasing moisture issues in the driver’s side one since they were only a couple of months old.:redbrick: I’ve tried EVERYTHING short of disassembling them and resealing, but I’m not convinced it’s actually a sealing problem anyway. I think it’s a defective vent based on the fact that I’ve heavily sealed EVERYTHING else at this point. Unfortunately, it’s usually luck of the draw with aftermarket ones, and I drew the short straw. I’m going to be ordering another pair of a different brand, but I suspect they are probably all made at the same plant in China anyway, kind of like most aftermarket wheels. My best advice is to buy OEM replacements. I like the Sport smoked ones, but not as much as the completely black ones, so I will probably just try another aftermarket brand in hopes of getting lucky this time. I’ll probably save this set for a possible HID retro, or maybe sell them to someone looking to do that since there is a chance they’d be ok once fully resealed with the Morimoto sealer.

 

[riceandpho]

i buy oem, and ship it out for a true hid retrofit.

expect to pay 400-450 for new headlight housings.
and another 600 for parts and labor of custom light. itll start at 600 and go from there.

 

[JazzleSAURUS]

I picked up a set of Eagle Eyes off amazon and the quality is quite decent. I immediately tore them apart, painted the chrome shrouds with a gray metalcast, deleted the squirrel finder, filed the cutoff a bit, added Morimoto optically clear lenses and a 35w Morimoto HID kit. I'm happy with it.

 

[thirdelement]

I picked up a set of Eagle Eyes off amazon and the quality is quite decent. I immediately tore them apart, painted the chrome shrouds with a gray metalcast, deleted the squirrel finder, filed the cutoff a bit, added Morimoto optically clear lenses and a 35w Morimoto HID kit. I'm happy with it.

i see the threads mentioning the squirrel finder, but cant seem to grasp the concept of what it is or where is is located. can you enlighten me?

 

[earthrealm]

I picked up a set of Eagle Eyes off amazon and the quality is quite decent. I immediately tore them apart, painted the chrome shrouds with a gray metalcast, deleted the squirrel finder, filed the cutoff a bit, added Morimoto optically clear lenses and a 35w Morimoto HID kit. I'm happy with it.

picture of the headlights plese, a picture says a 1000 words:dancin:

 

[JazzleSAURUS]

picture of the headlights plese, a picture says a 1000 words:dancin:

Very minimal aesthetic changes, very simple. The shrouds come chrome, but these headlights had the best reviews and I knew I was tearing them apart anyway, so I wasn't worried about the chrome. I have to paint the chrome grill to match as well.

 

[JazzleSAURUS]

i see the threads mentioning the squirrel finder, but cant seem to grasp the concept of what it is or where is is located. can you enlighten me?

Sure. The squirrel finder is an opening in the cutoff plate. That's a part of the projector assembly between the projector lens and holder, and the bowl where the light sits. This plate usually has two functions:
1) to set the cutoff, (you know that nice step projectors have?)
2) offer a squirrel finder. This is basically just a little slot that lets a bit of light through above the cutoff. It's mostly useful for casting just a bit of extra light down the road on weak halogens, but it looks sloppy with HID's.

If you add me on Instagram (@jake_steve) and shoot me a DM, I'll forward you the story I took of the build process of a basic upgrade like this. It's more manually intensive than a simple pre-tuned projector swap, but the dollar/performance ratio is absolutely faaaantastic. (Again, HID kit, fresh aftermarket headlights - my factory bowls were super burnt up, and lenses were getting crunchy, optically clear lenses, and dress up.

Hope that's helpful!

 

[IK13]

i buy oem, and ship it out for a true hid retrofit.

expect to pay 400-450 for new headlight housings.
and another 600 for parts and labor of custom light. itll start at 600 and go from there.

Where did you send for retrofit?

 

[riceandpho]

Where did you send for retrofit?

lightwerkz.net

the only one i would trust honestly, there is other companies out there, but you do get what you pay for.

contact them first about the price and what you need done, remember every little customization will add more to the price.

 

[Cloud9]

I'm need to do the same and soon. Gotta keep this rig looking new!

 

[Gen4SR5]

I'd stick with OEM.

When I did my 06+ conversion I was on Ebay everyday checking to see if there were OEM Sport ones for sale that were in good condition. Spent $130 for the pair.

 

[_chassis_]

I went with OEM clear headlamp assemblies from Toyota. They look great.

 

[bjax4x4]

I replaced my old headlights with the smoke. It made my 2008 sport edition look 5 years newer.

 

[Ventil8]

Morimoto Mini D2S 5.0

I just finished my retrofit project. It took me a while and I messed up on the 1st housings so I bought a 2nd set and this one turned out better. The Morimoto projectors I bought on sale for $300 from the retrofit source. TYC headlight sets were $100 and I have an extra set of lenses now and can replace the lenses when the lenses get frosted to the point where headlight restoration doesn't work.