Amazing 1st Gen Headlamp Upgrade

Well that's tricky...

 

Deciding if I wanna get entire new headlamp bucket assemblies from Rock Auto.
Even though mine are in 'good' condition . . . I know new ones will be that much nicer.

 

I say do the current ones. If you hate it, get new ones. Who knows, you may not love it. If not, no major loss.

 

My '05 double cab does. I just didn't put a bulb in when I replaced the headlights, as I didn't want the DRL function. No error codes on my dash.

 

I'm running Hella halogen bulbs in my factory housing. I tried LED's and the light scatters. Didn't have the time or budget to throw in projectors in my factory housing. I have an LED light bar that seems to do the job for my needs. I use LED yellow bulbs in the fog light housing. Seems to work for me.

 

So swapped 180k mile factory fogged housings for some Eagle Eyes in a 1st gen Taco recently, and just picked up some for the 250k mile Bestgen Tundra. Have been holding the factory originals kinda for this reason. Also can't tell if there's any value in restoring the factory lenses? The factory housings do seem to diffuse light a little more evenly than aftermarket but I'm over repeated buffing and fogging cycles, and for the price of aftermarket swaps even if the Eagle Eyes fade over time, seems like the factory ones pulled don't have any value any more to hang onto unless there is a reliable way to clearcoat em so they don't go back through the fog cycle?

 

Not sure. On my 98 Tacoma, I first used the 3M restore kit at around 20 years old and 250,000 miles. Seems like once you do that, it takes off the hard exterior coating, maybe? Because after that, it seemed like I needed to repeat the process every year. I did that maybe three years in a row, then replaced the entire unit with something cheap I found on theAmazon, and it worked just fine.

I think it depends, and I'm not sure there's a wrong answer. Once the original housings are to the point of needing a restore, I don't think replacing them is the wrong answer. I've chosen to go the 3M restore route, just to save a little money. But in the long run it's probably more expensive. Easier for me to spare ~$17 for the restore kit once a year than $100 all at once for new housings.

 

2k clear is best way to have the plastic stay clear long term. Each can is about $25 so you probably want to have a number items lined up to spray such as your fog lamps

 

If you don't know this already, search youtube and look for '2K Clear headlight restoration'.
It's real automotive clear in a rattle can ABOUT $25/ can. . . has an activator/ catalyst in the bottom of the can that you puncture to release before shaking/ spraying. Shelf life is only a few days after using, so if you've got other things to clear maybe do it at the same time.
I did this to mine with wet sanding prior with 400 up to 1200 grits.
It's held up remarkably well and came out as good if not better than new . . . over 2 years so far of being parked outside.
Be warned though . . . the stuff is NASTY and I mean NASTY to breath . . . I've done work with lots of different chemicals . . . but that stuff is 'Put You in the Grave Early' type nasty.
I did it in an open garage with 2 large floor fans 'pulling' air away and I still got a hit of that stuff and it hit HARD.

(Edit). . . I was typing at the same time G_Unit 3000 posted . . . sorry.

 

I wish my '05 DC had DRL but it does not. If anyone has the DRL module (or sees one in a boneyard) I'll buy one.

 

But full disclaimer for other people's safety, since a lot of people don't understand how bad Isocyanates are for your lungs, they can legitimately fuck you up for life.

If you intend to use 2K paints, invest in a proper respirator that's intended for that type of paint (info).

 

Today's mail.

 

Going on 3 years with the 2K Clear . . .

 

Perfect. Thanks. Sounds like a can of 2k or some authentic automotive clearcoat through the HVLP gun will last, as that pic @ 3 years seems like the proof. Thanks for the photo and great looking truck. Just the info I was looking for. The Eagle Eyes were like $68 for the pair and a quick fix for increasing light output over the fogged ones for likely many years. I'll probably keep and spray the OE and can then use them for LED upgrades while running the replacements in the meantime.

 

So the China Bulbs showed up a few days early.
What's the deal on the 'Can-Bus' resistor I'm supposed install?
Anyone got a link for this contraption?
Do I need just 1 for the passenger side ? . . . or do I need 2 of these things?
Gracias in advance.

Oh yeah . . . 2006 DC

 

I used these canbus error cancelers . They come in a pair and I just installed both with my LEDs. My fogs started working again. No flickering. The high beam bulb on my dash now works too

Xprite LED Deco Canbus

$23 Xprite H4/9003 LED Canbus Decoder Anti Ficker Harness Error Free Resistor Capacitor for LED Headlight Bulbs, Pack of 2

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SGCHF5B

 

You may not need it on your '06 DC. I didn't need it on my '06 AC.

 

Didn't need it on my 02 either.

 

Didn’t need them on my ‘06 either

 

Well that blows . . . . went to take out the passenger side headlamp assembly and completely blew up both the headlight assembly and the side marker assembly at the same time ! Full on plastic captain crunch !!!
F-Me.
So now I guess I gotta order 2 new headlamp assemblies, and I may as well order 2 new side markers while i'm at it.
Anyone got the links for correct rock auto parts? LOL . . . what a donkey I am.

I guess on the plus side, I don't need to worry about destroying the remaining parts !

Update - Peeled off the scab quickly . . . $185.00 stupid attack and rock auto shipment coming thursday.

 

Oh wow. That does blow. Glad you got things in motion though.

I've been waiting to post my thoughts on all this until I finally get a chance to drive after dark. I went out in the driveway and turned them on one night just to see how they looked and make sure they worked, but haven't had reason yet to drive after dark. I wonder whether I'll need to adjust them.

 

Sorry and glad you got it on the mend. For others that have a similar problem IIRC got lights all the way around ...headlights...side markers ... and taillights for like $156 a few months ago shipped from carparts dot com with their 15% off and lifetime warranty. Don't know what the price is now. Headlights were Eagle Eyes.

 

Might've been a blessing in disguise.
That plastic was beyond crispy.
I was wondering where the condensation inside the drivers side turn lamp was coming from . . . turns out there was a decent size crack over the top of the lens.
I hadn't planned on replacing all 4 assemblies, but here we are. LOL.
So what's the deal with replacing those side lamp bulbs with LED equivalents ?
Will I start down the path of hyperflash issues & resistors???

 

Hyperflash yes. I just stuck with halogens in my corners. Even though I have the DD smartflasher unit installed to avoid it. I'll do it if/when the factory halogen burns out.

 

I remember on my Tacoma installing a new flasher relay when I switched to LED blinkers. Hasn't seemed necessary on my Tundra so I wonder if a PO already made the necessary modifications. But it worked great on the Tacoma. You just replace one large, fuse-looking thing and blinkers can be changed to LED without the fast flash. Gave the blinker a more pleasing "click" sound, too, which was unexpected.

 

How did you manage that? You know, so I don't make the same mistake!

I also got my CO Lights last week but haven't made any steps toward install yet, as I'm planning to at least attempt a quick polish on my current (8 years old) housings just to make sure I like the light output before hacking up a pair of brand new ones.

Corner lights are one thing, but also what's your plan for the little inset bulb in the '06 DC housings? I think it's a little 168 bulb. Honestly don't even know what its purpose is but it's there.

 

To be honest . . . I was just in a crappy state of mind to be tackling a little project.
I've been taking care of my Pops who's sick & thought I'd get a little 'work on the truck therapy time'.
I treated it like an oil change instead of a disassembly of an old light fixture.
I didn't remove enough bolts then started prying the side light when Cpt. Crunch arrived . . . total stupid-attack on my part.

I hadn't even considered that little bulb in the housing to be honest.
I don't even know how the DTRL's are supposed to work on my truck, let alone if they even 'do' work . . .LOL.
I remember one time at night trying to figure them out . . . after my 4th-5th trip from the cab to the hood I said 'F-it'. . . .LOL .

 

Gotcha, sucks but like you said they were old and crispy anyway.

I do not have DTRLs but still have that little inset bulb so no clue what its purpose is. I just assume as of now it'll look a little weird with the new bulbs in place but we shall see.

 

Glad I don't have that little extra annoyance on my '02.

Mine had DTRL when I bought it. Those and the door lock/unlock beeping were the very first things to go after I got it home. Couldn't tolerate them.

Not sure what this little bulb is on your later-model Tundras. Like I said mine had DTRLs but no extra bulb.

 

Rock Auto Dot Com delivery today.
Quality looks decent, no complaints.
Now I'm all nervous about screwing this up and breaking more 'S' . . . and it's just headlights.
LOL