TYC Headlights

[willie655]

I installed TYC headlights in my 1998 Limited, and I have a question about the reflector cones. The cone in the right assembly (left in picture) appears to point straight out; however the cone in the left assembly (right in picture) points downward at an odd angle. (Hope the picture shows what I'm saying. It is very noticable.) Is this normal??? My theory is that it's engineered this way to point away from oncoming traffic. I just installed today, so I haven't checked the pattern or lined them up. Will do that later tonight. Did a search, but I couldn't find an answer to this question. I like these lights. They seem to be sturdy and well made. Thank you in advance for the assistance.

PS - I ordered the 1999 4Runner headlights, because I thought they looked better. Got from Rockauto.

 

[DeathCougar]

No, they are not supposed to point at odd angles. They are supposed to point the same way.

You got some cheap Taiwan aftermarket headlights, quality control isn't really part of their 'Standard Operating Procedures'

 

[BrianSD_42]

No, they are not supposed to point at odd angles. They are supposed to point the same way.

You got some cheap Taiwan aftermarket headlights,

Unfortunately TYC is the primary aftermarket headlight supplier for the United States. I haven't seen any other options besides OEM.
Good news though: you can just swap the glass


Fact: TYC headlights always point at crappy angles because they are an infereior design.
TYC headlight $50. OEM Healight $250.

* What you should do IS bake the OEM 98 headlights in the oven at 275 F for 7 mins, one at a time.
* Use a cookie sheet and a dishrag. It will not catch on fire at 275 F.
* After 7 mins set on a countertop or table and remove the glass using two flat-head screwdrivers.
* Set aside somewhere they wont get scratched.
* Repeat for the TYC headlights; set the clear glass aside.
* Re-heat the housings and glass in the oven; 1 light at a time. This time with the clear glass + OEMs.
* Repeat for all 4 lights
* Make sure its sealed correctly. Install back on your truck.

Then sell the TYC headlights on EBAY as replacement TYC headlight with 98 glass. Success.

Seriously, you will regret it if you toss the OEM headlights. Not only do they reflect accurately but the plastic is superior and will last under normal use. The TYC plastic, the adjustable part breaks fairly easily.

:flame:

 

[BlackCat914]

 

[ellner357]

Unfortunately TYC is the primary aftermarket headlight supplier for the United States. I haven't seen any other options besides OEM.
Good news though: you can just swap the glass


Fact: TYC headlights always point at crappy angles because they are an infereior design.
TYC headlight $50. OEM Healight $250.

* What you should do IS bake the OEM 98 headlights in the oven at 275 F for 7 mins, one at a time.
* Use a cookie sheet and a dishrag. It will not catch on fire at 275 F.
* After 7 mins set on a countertop or table and remove the glass using two flat-head screwdrivers.
* Set aside somewhere they wont get scratched.
* Repeat for the TYC headlights; set the clear glass aside.
* Re-heat the housings and glass in the oven; 1 light at a time. This time with the clear glass + OEMs.
* Repeat for all 4 lights
* Make sure its sealed correctly. Install back on your truck.

Then sell the TYC headlights on EBAY as replacement TYC headlight with 98 glass. Success.

Seriously, you will regret it if you toss the OEM headlights. Not only do they reflect accurately but the plastic is superior and will last under normal use. The TYC plastic, the adjustable part breaks fairly easily.

:flame:

I put in an aftermarket set. Tossed my old ones in the dumpster cause they were chiped and fogged. After one night drive I went dumpster diving and thankfully they were still there! My stock water taking on are brighter, better and all around superior. Baking the glass sounds like your best bet!

 

[SuperGrover]

I have the same issue with the set I bought from Low Range Offroad. The one cone is pointing at some weird angle. You can reach inside from the back and try to bend it into position, but it's not easy.
The light pattern is certainly not as good as oem, however the stock lights on my 97 were so foggy and the reflective surface inside has turned more dull grey than reflective. The cheap replacement lights are still a good alternative to oem lights that are dangerously dim.

 

[SantaCruzRunner]

I guess i got lucky with mine haha

 

[RussToy]

Unfortunately TYC is the primary aftermarket headlight supplier for the United States. I haven't seen any other options besides OEM.
Good news though: you can just swap the glass


Fact: TYC headlights always point at crappy angles because they are an infereior design.
TYC headlight $50. OEM Healight $250.

* What you should do IS bake the OEM 98 headlights in the oven at 275 F for 7 mins, one at a time.
* Use a cookie sheet and a dishrag. It will not catch on fire at 275 F.
* After 7 mins set on a countertop or table and remove the glass using two flat-head screwdrivers.
* Set aside somewhere they wont get scratched.
* Repeat for the TYC headlights; set the clear glass aside.
* Re-heat the housings and glass in the oven; 1 light at a time. This time with the clear glass + OEMs.
* Repeat for all 4 lights
* Make sure its sealed correctly. Install back on your truck.

Then sell the TYC headlights on EBAY as replacement TYC headlight with 98 glass. Success.

Seriously, you will regret it if you toss the OEM headlights. Not only do they reflect accurately but the plastic is superior and will last under normal use. The TYC plastic, the adjustable part breaks fairly easily.

:flame:

Talk about thinking "outside the box"!! Wow, Brian...I like the way you think.

 

[BeachWagon]

Unfortunately TYC is the primary aftermarket headlight supplier for the United States. I haven't seen any other options besides OEM.
Good news though: you can just swap the glass


Fact: TYC headlights always point at crappy angles because they are an infereior design.
TYC headlight $50. OEM Healight $250.

* What you should do IS bake the OEM 98 headlights in the oven at 275 F for 7 mins, one at a time.
* Use a cookie sheet and a dishrag. It will not catch on fire at 275 F.
* After 7 mins set on a countertop or table and remove the glass using two flat-head screwdrivers.
* Set aside somewhere they wont get scratched.
* Repeat for the TYC headlights; set the clear glass aside.
* Re-heat the housings and glass in the oven; 1 light at a time. This time with the clear glass + OEMs.
* Repeat for all 4 lights
* Make sure its sealed correctly. Install back on your truck.

Then sell the TYC headlights on EBAY as replacement TYC headlight with 98 glass. Success.

Seriously, you will regret it if you toss the OEM headlights. Not only do they reflect accurately but the plastic is superior and will last under normal use. The TYC plastic, the adjustable part breaks fairly easily.

:flame:

Hmmm.... Don't the pre-99 lights have smooth reflective area since the glass is what has the lines in it? Does it even matter? Would it make the light look even better? I may have to go digging in my storage unit for the originals and look into this, cause I have the same deal with my DEPO 99s with the wonky cones.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Hmmm.... Don't the pre-99 lights have smooth reflective area since the glass is what has the lines in it? Does it even matter? Would it make the light look even better? I may have to go digging in my storage unit for the originals and look into this, cause I have the same deal with my DEPO 99s

I don't know anything about depo lights but the TYC light pattern is terrible.

The 96-98 lights have non-clear aka cloudy glass and don't emit as much light.

Check out my retrofit thread but it will shine some light on the process.

 

[ibilintuc]

Still Not Right

Old thread …I know, but, still relevant. Thought I’d contribute 2-cents. I recently received a pair of the TYC headlights. Six years later and yes, they’re still sending them out with the bulb shield pointing down. The reason for that is that the driver’s side headlight is assembled using a passenger side shield. The shield does not fit properly and will not perform its intended purpose which is masking extraneous light from blinding oncoming traffic. It also interferes with the focus of the beam. I pointed this out to TYC and asked that they send one properly assembled … waiting.

 

[nissanh]

I avoid aftermarket headlights because those WON'T focus properly at the road. Making a multireflector headlight or any head light is not getting a reflector and a lens. It is engineering and for $50 a piece, you know you are getting a flash light, not a head light.

Why not secure a used OEM headlight? I have 2 sets as spare because where I live, it is nearly impossible to avid windshield/headlight cracks. The pickups and 18 wheels (transporting earth movers) are notorious at throwing rocks all over the road.

 

[OrRunner]

Getting a set of projector retrofits is one of the best upgrades I have made on my 2002. I recently made a trip over a mountain pass in heavy rain and snow that would have been downright treacherous with factory headlights that was more or less a breeze with the projectors. I did get the SRQ fabrications product that uses a TYC housing as I've never attempted a headlight related project of that nature, now that I've seen the set up and how it all goes together I may do a more extreme retrofit with halos etc using my factory housings at a later time.

 

[owyheerat]

Getting a set of projector retrofits is one of the best upgrades I have made on my 2002. I recently made a trip over a mountain pass in heavy rain and snow that would have been downright treacherous with factory headlights that was more or less a breeze with the projectors. I did get the SRQ fabrications product that uses a TYC housing as I've never attempted a headlight related project of that nature, now that I've seen the set up and how it all goes together I may do a more extreme retrofit with halos etc using my factory housings at a later time.

How long have you had your SRQ fab retro's? Are you happy with the build quality? I've tried to search for reviews and haven't found much...but I'm old, and I'm not

Sorry for thread derail.

Thanks

Durwin

 

[PRG3K]

Can confirm as well. The TYC's stiil come like this. I just swapped my cloudy 98's out for them. Its possible to adjust the beams via the long Phillips screwdriver method to make the pattern better. If you have foglights that helps too. Might try the oven method mentioned bc I still have the old lights.

 

[OrRunner]

How long have you had your SRQ fab retro's? Are you happy with the build quality? I've tried to search for reviews and haven't found much...but I'm old, and I'm not

Sorry for thread derail.

Thanks

Durwin

I’ve had them in a couple months, no issues so far. Build quality seems a bit mixed, Felt solid and worked as expected, but there was a heavy silicon seal all the way around which doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. That said, I’m in Oregon and they aren’t leaking after plenty of heavy rain so I guess they’re doing what they’re supposed to for now.

If I did it again I would get a 35w system instead of 50w. They’re amazing for me, but between the lift and the relatively short length of these trucks I’m definitely flashing people a fair bit. I have them aimed pretty low, but they’re like surface-of-the-sun bright so if I catch you at the wrong angle I’m sure it’s pretty blinding.