Replacement headlamp casing (passenger side)

[Lewis&Clark]

The passenger side headlamp casing is badly worn out, the plastic lens just too calcified or whatever it is in there from years of use. It's a noticeable decline in light quality when I drive at night, so I'd like to replace it. I've had it professionally restored once by a Toyota dealer, and it wasn't worth the price and definitely not worth doing again. It's time to replace it.

My local pillaging Toyota parts shop wanted an astonishing $320+tax for the OEM headlamp assembly (P/N #81130-35441). No bloody way, but I don't necessarily want a non-OEM aftermarket part either--even if they can be had for $80-100 or so.

That got me thinking though. I've been wanting to swap out for LED (preferred) or HID headlamps, but haven't really researched how to do that yet. For starters, I need to see what's legal here in California because, well, it's California and few things are legal here anymore. <G>

Can anyone tell me, if I do an LED or HID replacement, will I be able to continue using the same OEM headlamp casing, or will I be replacing the entire thing? That'll give me an idea of at least whether I want to bother replacing it now or waiting until I figure out what to do with the headlamps.

Thanks!

 

[riceandpho]

start fresh and replace the whole housing if its really sun damaged.

 

[Lewis&Clark]

start fresh and replace the whole housing if its really sun damaged.

Sorry, maybe my question wasn't clear since I'm running on a few hours sleep and rushed between work.

I agree about replacing it, but am wondering if -- were I to convert to HID -- I would be able to use an OEM housing or if HID will necessitate a different/custom housing instead.

 

[riceandpho]

you can put hids, i used to do that, its alright, for the best i started to retrofit true hid projectors, it was a big improvement and the performance is better than other cars on the road with hids from factory. i do compare my retrofit to oem rx330s on the road, its brighter since i have clear lens.