Projector retrofit: Best 99-02 non OEM headlights?

Dezert4Runner

Dezert4Runner

Senior Member
I'm eventually going to do a FX-R bixenon retrofit with parts from TRS, and I'm going to start gathering parts starting with a set of headlights. I'm not paying $100 or more for used OEM 99+ headlights with chips and scratches on the lenses, and sure as hell am not going through a dealer for new ones.

I was thinking Certifit or something off of eBay. They pretty much all seem to come with glass lenses, but hearing horror stories about the adjusters being junk and loosening up is no bueno. That's my main concern regarding aftermarket headlights. The reflector bowl doesn't matter obviously because they are basically for looks with projectors.

Possible options:

Certifit
Depo
Eagle Eyes
TYC
Used OEM (if I can verify condition)


Anyone have positive reviews about any brand they bought?
 
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Dezert4Runner said:
I'm eventually going to do a FX-R bixenon retrofit with parts from TRS, and I'm going to start gathering parts starting with a set of headlights. I'm not paying $100 or more for used OEM 99+ headlights with chips and scratches on the lenses, and sure as hell am not going through a dealer for new ones.

I was thinking Certifit or something off of eBay. They pretty much all seem to come with glass lenses, but hearing horror stories about the adjusters being junk and loosening up is no bueno. That's my main concern regarding aftermarket headlights. The reflector bowl doesn't matter obviously because they are basically for looks with projectors.

Possible options:

Certifit
Depo


Eagle Eyes
TYC
Used OEM (if I can verify condition)


Anyone have positive reviews about any brand they bought?
Click to expand...



Becareful with the ones on ebay, I bought some cheap ones to do a retrofit and after baking for 7 minutes at 270..it fell apart(sigh)
 
I can only recommend AGAINST the Eagle Eyes for actual use. Fit and construction is fine, but the light pattern is simply whacko. You can't even aim them.

But they probably work for you.
 
that$pit said:
My thoughts were by a cheap set to use as your doing the retro on the stock ones .02
Click to expand...

If I had 99+ headlights in my '96, I wouldn't have even created this thread. My frosted headlight light output pattern sucks, they aren't ideal for a retrofit because of the lens, and the driver's side falls out of adjustment after a few months!

redrunner02 said:
Becareful with the ones on ebay, I bought some cheap ones to do a retrofit and after baking for 7 minutes at 270..it fell apart(sigh)
Click to expand...

I intend on using a heat gun (I've read this is an easier alternative), so that shouldn't be an issue. The eBay ones you're talking about aren't the ones you were selling in the classifieds a few weeks ago, is it?

TheDurk said:
I can only recommend AGAINST the Eagle Eyes for actual use. Fit and construction is fine, but the light pattern is simply whacko. You can't even aim them.

But they probably work for you.
Click to expand...

So construction was good and you had no issue with the adjusters not working well?
 
Dezert4Runner said:
If I had 99+ headlights in my '96, I wouldn't have even created this thread. My frosted headlight light output pattern sucks, they aren't ideal for a retrofit because of the lens, and the driver's side falls out of adjustment after a few months!



I intend on using a heat gun (I've read this is an easier alternative), so that shouldn't be an issue. The eBay ones you're talking about aren't the ones you were selling in the classifieds a few weeks ago, is it?



So construction was good and you had no issue with the adjusters not working well?
Click to expand...

No I still have the ones I was selling on my car until i get another pair
 
Old thread but ill dig it up anyway.

I ordered a cheap set of temp headlights (eagle eyes: 80 for a pair) to use while i work on my retrofit for the OEM set. I'm thinking ill dissassemble both and use the new glass with the old reflector to hold the projector.

I'm still deciding if i should use the new black part of the housing or the OEM one.

The adjustment knobs seem pretty much the same, and most complaints of the Eagle Eyes headlights are the crappy reflector light scattering: but im retrofitting so that doesnt really matter anyway.
 
SIKHILUXSURF said:
tyc's are not plastic lenses, no manufacture of aftermarket 99-02 headlights make them with plastic lenses. please do not post false misleading info if you are not sure. i know since i have purchased the tyc's for retrofiting for another person before.
Click to expand...

^This is 100% true.

I would recommend ONLY using the TYC lights and OEM units. I know from experience and a lot of the eBay lights use an epoxy type resin to seal the lenses to the headlight assembly. In short, you will not be able to bake these lights open in the oven and it's pretty much impossible to remove the lenses.

TYC housings from Rock Auto. Done deal.
 
, I bought some cheap ones to do a retrofit and after baking for 7 minutes at 270..it fell apart(sigh)
Click to expand...

What brand and what broke?

I bought cheap TYC off of eBay. It clearly states in the description what brand.

TYC has glass not plastic. I just bought 4 lights trust me on this.
 
I'm still deciding if i should use the new black part of the housing or the OEM one
Click to expand...

You should swap the OEM black plastic housing (the adjustable part) onto the TYC light.

The TYC adjustable plastic is crap and breaks easily when adjusted. I know, I've used both.
 
rickashay said:
^This is 100% true.

I would recommend ONLY using the TYC lights and OEM units. I know from experience and a lot of the eBay lights use an epoxy type resin to seal the lenses to the headlight assembly. In short, you will not be able to bake these lights open in the oven and it's pretty much impossible to remove the lenses.

TYC housings from Rock Auto. Done deal.
Click to expand...

Thank you for this! I will be starting my parts gathering next month.
 
***Update on headlight purchase***

I bought some headlights off of eBay shortly after creating this thread in October. The listing said TYC headlights and I had them shipped to me the following week. Turns out they supply alternative brand headlights when out of stock on the TYC (apparently I didn't read the fine print on the listing). They were Vision brand headlights and had a glass lens, so I shrugged and said F it, these will do.

Well, fast forward to a couple nights ago. I attempted to bake them for 7 mins at 265*F (per TRS's FX-R "how to" guide). The first headlight separated in under 2 mins. The second one I ended up baking a few times and extended the time a bit and temp a bit and after the 4th attempt I chipped the headlight lens. The butyl/ glue did not budge on this one. Extremely frustrating. I wish I had a bit more info before starting the process so I could have saved myself time, money, and sanity! Probably going to reassemble these and try to sell them on Craigslist to recoup some money.

Moral of the story: stick to TYC or OEM if retrofitting! Rickashay chimed in a bit too late for my headlight purchase. eBay buyers beware!
 
SIKHILUXSURF said:
tyc's are not plastic lenses, no manufacture of aftermarket 99-02 headlights make them with plastic lenses. please do not post false misleading info if you are not sure. i know since i have purchased the tyc's for retrofiting for another person before.
Click to expand...

I apologize, I was misinformed. I swear I had read somewhere that they were plastic lenses. Looks like I may pick up a set then to replace the peeling tape on my left headlight.
 
I plan on doing my own retrofit soon. I've ordered the kit from TRS.

Based on Rickashay's info, I'm buying 99-02 TYC assemblies from Rock Auto. Is it best to switch the TYC glass onto the OEM backing? Or is it ok to just use the TYC?

Thanks for all the help. I plan on documenting my effort and plan on using all the write ups that are already completed.
 
Based on Rickashay's info, I'm buying 99-02 TYC assemblies from Rock Auto. Is it best to switch the TYC glass onto the OEM backing? Or is it ok to just use the TYC?

Thanks for all the help. I plan on documenting my effort and plan on using all the write ups that are already completed
Click to expand...


I suggest you read my thread. I detailed the answer but in short, use the OEM housing with the clear TYC glass. Unless you have clear OEM glass already (99-01).


SCRunner12 said:
EDIT You responded when I was writing my post, but the info below should help regardless. That looks like a great set up to me.

Here's a retro with FX-R's. These require quite a bit of modifications to get them right. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...it-97-4runner-project-toyota-4runner-org.html

Also check out Rickashay's page. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/102734-rickashays-projector-retrofit-thread.html

Retro headlight aiming. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/130317-how-properly-aim-projector-headlights.html

The4kBeast's. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...nner-sr5-highlander-edition-4x4-build-16.html

Bandit Runner's retro http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/101725-bandit-runners-projector-headlights.html

I have some info in my build as well. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/98528-scrunners-build-thread-12.html

There are more, but these pretty much cover it all.
Click to expand...
 
I see the TYC brand is recommended. Are the certi-fit ones glass as well? I ask because there is one near Atlanta on my way to the inlaws house and I wouldn't have to wait on shipping.
 
Brian or Rickashay, what is the approximate time for doing a retrofit? Is it feasible in one day? Reason I ask is I'm wondering if I should buy a 99+ OEM housing to use so I can have headlights while working on the retrofit or just use my OEM housings from my 98 and finish in a day? Do you know if the 98 housing would even match with the 99+ glass?
 
It took me two weeks to do mine but I work full time and only wanted to mess with this project on the weekends.

I suggest you buy the TYC lights, swap the clear glass over to the stock housings and the old glass onto the TYC housings.

Install the TYC with old glass back onto you car and use those for driving around.

Now take your time and properly retrofit the OEM housings with clear TYC glass.
 
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