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Buy New or Refurbish Existing Headlights

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by Peterv, Feb 28, 2019.

  1. Feb 28, 2019 at 2:41 PM
    #1
    Peterv

    Peterv [OP] New Member

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    Does anyone have experience with aftermarket headlights? Seems they can be bought much much cheaper than from the dealer. Are they worth it, or are they going to last six months and be junk?

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MLDM76M/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A1AVDY35AICNP6&psc=1

    Also, what are the best bulbs to replace the stock ones? There are a lot of options out there. These seem to be "middle of the road" priced.

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079GVWBBX/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=APRIX5L4606K8&psc=1

    Or, should I just refinish the stock ones and leave it at that.
     
    Notachickmagnet likes this.
  2. Feb 28, 2019 at 3:10 PM
    #2
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Normally, I am all about OEM. In this case, the $400 cost for OEM is not justified.

    About 4 years ago, I scored two Chinese headlamps with bulbs for $50 new online. Worked fine, except the lamps cut off wasn’t great but hey $50! They put out ok light and passed inspection.

    Recently, my side markers started fogging so I started looking and this company Akkon (Tiawan) that had the side markers/headlamp combo for $115. Purchased them and they work great so far, but one side marker leaked and they sent an entire new complete set again. So far so good. The Akkon reflectors seem better quality than the China ones and mimic the OEM.

    I put some new Sylvania (9003) Ultra bulbs in them and they pair up nicely. The fogs lens are original OEM and have SuperNova 9006 LED bulbs (recent and highly recommend as they are much brighter than halogens). They really fill the gap forward, and side to side nicely, that the headlamps aren’t designed to do.

    upload_2019-2-28_18-8-4.jpg
     
    Outbound and Notachickmagnet like this.
  3. Feb 28, 2019 at 4:23 PM
    #3
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    White 2015 Tundra DC SR5 TRD 4x4 5.7L, White 2003 Sequoia 2WD
    TRD Pro suspension, +2 Coachbuilder shackles, 2015 TRD Pro headlights, 20% ceramic tinted windows, clear ceramic tinted front windshield, aFe drop in pro s dry air filter, TRD airflow accelerator, TRD oil fill cap, TRD 18 psi radiator cap, BDX Bullydog tuner, Weathertech floor mats front and rear, rear seat fold down mod, DNA hard trifold tonneau cover, Linex with uv protection, TRD rear swaybar, TRD center caps, TRD Pro grille insert with color matching surround and bulge, TRD PRO headlights, aluminum oil filter canister, Real truck tailgate seal, Pop-n-lock tailgate lock actuator, rear diff breather relocate, RCI front skid plate. 275/70 R18 BFG KO2s
    I say give a go at restoring them before you go new. I’ve had success polishing the headlights. Haven’t met one that I couldn’t make look almost new.
     
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2019
  4. Feb 28, 2019 at 4:27 PM
    #4
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    I’ve seen some good jobs done this way. Even did a polish job myself that lasted a year. Tried it again and looked like butt. Thats when I bought new.
     
    15whtrd[QUOTED] likes this.
  5. Feb 28, 2019 at 4:42 PM
    #5
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    TRD Pro suspension, +2 Coachbuilder shackles, 2015 TRD Pro headlights, 20% ceramic tinted windows, clear ceramic tinted front windshield, aFe drop in pro s dry air filter, TRD airflow accelerator, TRD oil fill cap, TRD 18 psi radiator cap, BDX Bullydog tuner, Weathertech floor mats front and rear, rear seat fold down mod, DNA hard trifold tonneau cover, Linex with uv protection, TRD rear swaybar, TRD center caps, TRD Pro grille insert with color matching surround and bulge, TRD PRO headlights, aluminum oil filter canister, Real truck tailgate seal, Pop-n-lock tailgate lock actuator, rear diff breather relocate, RCI front skid plate. 275/70 R18 BFG KO2s
    It does take some elbow grease. Especially if you don’t have a buffer or rotary.
    And a bunch of different grits of wet dry sandpaper. 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500 and 2000. I also have various cut of polishes from Maguires. From medium cut to fine cut. Typically I will try polish first. If I have to wet sand, I start by cleaning the headlight really well. It actually helps to just take the headlight off the truck.

    Sanding. I usually will start with 2000 to see if it is taking out the deeper scratches. If not I will gradually get heavier and heavier with the sanding grit until I see that it is taking out the scratches. Then reverse steps of sandpaper all the way back to 2000. I go up in finer grit sandpaper. I go the opposite direction while sanding so that you can tell when you’ve got the previous sanding marks out. One step at side to side the next step up and down. You want to see that you got your previous sanding marks are disappearing and only the new ones you’re making. I hope that makes sense. Then I hit it with my polishes. Final step I will use my Powerball on the end of my drill. Then coat them with your favorite wax or sealant.

    I recently did this on a new/used set of Pro headlights. They are almost perfect. I can still see some light scratches in the right light but they are crystal clear. I could’ve gotten more anal with it but they will just get bad again. But if you stay on top of them 2000 grit is all you need.
     
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2019
    Darkness likes this.
  6. Feb 28, 2019 at 6:27 PM
    #6
    Darkness

    Darkness Allergic to white

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    What @15whtrd said sounds reasonable.

    OP I'm curious, do you live around Los angeles?
     
    15whtrd likes this.
  7. Mar 1, 2019 at 8:23 AM
    #7
    Peterv

    Peterv [OP] New Member

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    Yes, I do, in Irvine.
     
  8. Mar 1, 2019 at 8:26 AM
    #8
    smslavin

    smslavin Behind a lens...

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    when did irvine become LA? :cool: :thumbsup:
     
    Darkness likes this.
  9. Mar 1, 2019 at 8:32 AM
    #9
    Peterv

    Peterv [OP] New Member

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    Well, he said "around" LA. I guess everyone has their own interpretation of that. Since I am in LA all the time, it feels like I live there sometimes!
     
  10. Mar 1, 2019 at 8:34 AM
    #10
    smslavin

    smslavin Behind a lens...

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    no worries. used to live in dana point. worked out at the top of bake parkway. with the traffic, it might as well be LA.
     
    Darkness likes this.
  11. Mar 1, 2019 at 12:32 PM
    #11
    Darkness

    Darkness Allergic to white

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    I have a set of aftermarket ones sitting in storage, brand new, never installed. If you can wait for a few weeks maybe I can meet you somewhere, I pass by Irvine all the time. Maybe $20?
     
  12. Mar 1, 2019 at 2:33 PM
    #12
    Peterv

    Peterv [OP] New Member

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    Yes, definitely interested. I understand that they are different for the extra cab vs. regular cab. Are yours for an extra cab?
     
  13. Mar 1, 2019 at 11:07 PM
    #13
    Darkness

    Darkness Allergic to white

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    Yeah extra cab, or access cab. I know the double cabs are different, not sure about single cab but they should be the same.
     
  14. Mar 3, 2019 at 8:28 AM
    #14
    bmf4069

    bmf4069 Yup, that's car parts in a dishwasher

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  15. Mar 3, 2019 at 10:44 AM
    #15
    FirstGenVol

    FirstGenVol Brake Czar

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    The 3M kit also worked really well on my lights. Far better than competing kits. I got it for $11 on eBay. I used it for both headlights and fogs.

    1230181620_HDR.jpg
     
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    #15
  16. Mar 3, 2019 at 11:40 AM
    #16
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    This is what I did to my fog assys. Shoulda made a vid and I’d be famous like ChrisFix. He has great hands by the way...
     
  17. Mar 4, 2019 at 4:39 AM
    #17
    bmf4069

    bmf4069 Yup, that's car parts in a dishwasher

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    :rofl:
     
  18. Mar 10, 2019 at 1:18 PM
    #18
    Somemedic

    Somemedic New Member

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    Advance auto.sells the headlight assembly at a reasonable price. Grab a 20percent coupon and order some up

    Then go to superbrightled.com and get some new bulbs. You will fall in love with your truck again
     
  19. Mar 10, 2019 at 1:22 PM
    #19
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    TRD Pro suspension, +2 Coachbuilder shackles, 2015 TRD Pro headlights, 20% ceramic tinted windows, clear ceramic tinted front windshield, aFe drop in pro s dry air filter, TRD airflow accelerator, TRD oil fill cap, TRD 18 psi radiator cap, BDX Bullydog tuner, Weathertech floor mats front and rear, rear seat fold down mod, DNA hard trifold tonneau cover, Linex with uv protection, TRD rear swaybar, TRD center caps, TRD Pro grille insert with color matching surround and bulge, TRD PRO headlights, aluminum oil filter canister, Real truck tailgate seal, Pop-n-lock tailgate lock actuator, rear diff breather relocate, RCI front skid plate. 275/70 R18 BFG KO2s
    Maybe you could get him a hand job
     
  20. Mar 10, 2019 at 4:29 PM
    #20
    bmf4069

    bmf4069 Yup, that's car parts in a dishwasher

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  21. Mar 11, 2019 at 8:33 AM
    #21
    Peterv

    Peterv [OP] New Member

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    Darkness, any chance you will be by OC this week?
     
  22. Mar 11, 2019 at 8:37 AM
    #22
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    TRD Pro suspension, +2 Coachbuilder shackles, 2015 TRD Pro headlights, 20% ceramic tinted windows, clear ceramic tinted front windshield, aFe drop in pro s dry air filter, TRD airflow accelerator, TRD oil fill cap, TRD 18 psi radiator cap, BDX Bullydog tuner, Weathertech floor mats front and rear, rear seat fold down mod, DNA hard trifold tonneau cover, Linex with uv protection, TRD rear swaybar, TRD center caps, TRD Pro grille insert with color matching surround and bulge, TRD PRO headlights, aluminum oil filter canister, Real truck tailgate seal, Pop-n-lock tailgate lock actuator, rear diff breather relocate, RCI front skid plate. 275/70 R18 BFG KO2s
    Darkness likes this.
  23. Mar 11, 2019 at 8:46 AM
    #23
    lc69hunter

    lc69hunter New Member

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  24. Mar 11, 2019 at 8:48 AM
    #24
    ninjajay

    ninjajay Posting from the toilet

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    Restorations tend to last about a year max. I'd just get new aftermarket units
     
  25. Mar 11, 2019 at 8:54 AM
    #25
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    TRD Pro suspension, +2 Coachbuilder shackles, 2015 TRD Pro headlights, 20% ceramic tinted windows, clear ceramic tinted front windshield, aFe drop in pro s dry air filter, TRD airflow accelerator, TRD oil fill cap, TRD 18 psi radiator cap, BDX Bullydog tuner, Weathertech floor mats front and rear, rear seat fold down mod, DNA hard trifold tonneau cover, Linex with uv protection, TRD rear swaybar, TRD center caps, TRD Pro grille insert with color matching surround and bulge, TRD PRO headlights, aluminum oil filter canister, Real truck tailgate seal, Pop-n-lock tailgate lock actuator, rear diff breather relocate, RCI front skid plate. 275/70 R18 BFG KO2s
    Those fade eventually too. You might get two years out of that. If you polish them and then just stay on top of its really not a big deal. But I am pretty proficient in plastic polishing LOL
     
  26. Mar 11, 2019 at 11:34 AM
    #26
    Darkness

    Darkness Allergic to white

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    Unfortunately no, I don't know if I will pass through for a few weeks.
     

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