Upgrading to the 06+ headlights

[gaterose]

I think you'll be ok as long as no more than 1 tab (any tab) is broken. As for the bottom tab, I never reconnected that one again after I removed mine because it was such a pain to get to. So it won't rattle with that one broken for sure.

I have those bottom tabs broken on both of mine, and the tab that chaz illustrated is broken on one of mine, but I plan to fix it like he did. The light doesn't rattle now, with only 2 bolts, but I still want to fix it.

 

[mysticz]

So still trying to find some lights at a good price.

If the bottom tab is broken, it seems to mount OK without it? Doesn't move or rattle?

I guess if a tab was to be broken, which one is acceptable?


Thanks
Chris

Is this the tab your talking about? If so, yes you need that is one of the main mounting points for the light.

 

[eliask08]

Beware of other cracks

CDOYLE,
I picked up both 07 headlamps off separate auctions for $25 and $20 (but $65 and $70 shipped), and they both had broken upper tabs. I picked up the tab replacement kit for the ones that can take it (the inner upper tab), but used contact cement (JB's) to mend the upper outer tabs as there is no kit for that. Avoid broken bottom tabs! Especially avoid the lamps with broken lower outer mounts (the one that mounts on the inner fender). Other than that, you will need the correct wiring harness. Do not shove the old harness from the earlier lights, as the tabs differ and will get jammed (I just blew a turn signal, and spent hours pulling off the bumper and lamps in a sub zero garage, just to replace the turn signal). You will need to splice wires, so be sure to have a solder iron and shrink wrap around.

Now, everything looks beautiful, but I have been getting condensation on the passenger lamp after every carwash. Before installing, I inspected it thoroughly fro cracks, so I am thinking there is a worn spot on the butyl seal. Again, something that you cannot tell from an auction. I will pick up some MONO butyl sealant and add it all over, rather than cook the lamp.

I also picked up an 07 grille from jlab here on t4r.org, and will replace the middle with an insert similar to what this guy had done:

Toyota Tacoma Satoshi Grill Mod - DIY: '05+ Toyota Tacoma Satoshi Grill Mod writeup


All in all, I believe I spent somewhere around $500, including the grille, wiring harnesses, replacement turn signal bulb clip that I broke, inserts, and lamps. I ordered 3000k HID's for the fogs (still projectors!), and if I am happy with them, I will order 4300k for the lows.

Good Luck!

 

[gaterose]

Why do you say no to the broken lower outer tab? I never put the bolt back in mine after I took my headlights out the first time and have never had any trouble, shaking, or vibration from it.

I have basically all the stuff you said (broken tabs and all) and am in the middle of the satoshi right now, good luck with it. It is a PITA if you wanna keep the secondary release the same like I'm trying to do.

Btw I have philips 6000K HIDs in the lows and they're amazing compared to halogen, I think you'll enjoy the switch to HID. I'm waiting on my 3000Ks for the fogs to come in this week.

 

[mysticz]

Why do you say no to the broken lower outer tab? I never put the bolt back in mine after I took my headlights out the first time and have never had any trouble, shaking, or vibration from it.

I have basically all the stuff you said (broken tabs and all) and am in the middle of the satoshi right now, good luck with it. It is a PITA if you wanna keep the secondary release the same like I'm trying to do.

Btw I have philips 6000K HIDs in the lows and they're amazing compared to halogen, I think you'll enjoy the switch to HID. I'm waiting on my 3000Ks for the fogs to come in this week.

The bottom one is the main one that bolts in and the top tab above that just uses a plastic type plug, so any high vibration you have not solid support holding the light on the sides.

Also depends on what kind of driving you do off road.

 

[gaterose]

Are you guys saying this from experience or assuming?

I'm only asking because I haven't had that bolt installed for almost a year now and have never had any vibration problems, on dirt roads, the interstate, off-road, or anywhere else.

 

[mysticz]

I have not run without the bottom so not personal experience but I have run high speed runs on the dunes and the vibrations is so intense I had some one my HID ballast vibrate lose from it's mounts.

 

[gaterose]

Makes sense. Don't think I'll be encountering an dunes anytime soon so I'll stick with the lamps I have (with broken lower outer tabs) until I have some extra cash to buy nice ones.

 

[cdoyle]

darn it, I didn't realize anyone had replied since my last post.
Sorry I hadn't responded!

Yes, I know I'll need the other harness.

So it looks like gaterose has ran his without the lower mount. I'm still trying to find some and hopefully I can find some with no broken mounts. But good to know that he has had his installed with no lower for a year. I also won't be riding in any dunes

The search continues!

Chris

 

[Eastcoastrunner]

Can someone enlighten me as to what the big diff is between 03 and 06 headlights? is it worth this high cost? newb question i know

 

[gaterose]

'06 lights have H11 projector low beams (better than reflectors with HID conversions) and the turn signals built in. They also look a bit different

03

06

 

[Eastcoastrunner]

is there a walk through anywhere?

 

[gaterose]

is there a walk through anywhere?

Walk through?

How to remove Lights

How it looks with an '03 grille

you need the '06 housings, the small filler panel underneath (P/N 52512-35090 & 52513-35090 for left & right), the turn signal/parking light harness (P/N 81125-35440), and either
a: a connector for an H11 bulb and H11 bulb
or
b: an H11 HID conversion kit (most I've seen have 9006 plugs on the ballast).

 

[Eastcoastrunner]

thanks, i just wanted to see someone else's pics and build thread.
I think I might just retro some tsx projectors/ballasts, etc I have if I chose to do this!
thanks