Best replacement headlight assembly 1st gen

I'm ready to upgrade to complete LED front lamp assemblies and would like to know what your experiences are, brand, pros and cons, any problems, and what you recommend, or not.

My original lights still work, and remarkably, not a single bulb on my '03 has ever needed replacement. But I want all new plastics and reflectors designed for LEDs. I recently talked with another 1st gen owner who had new headlamp and turn signal assemblies he bought from AutoZone. They looked great and he's had no problems. I'm interested in quality and reliability over low price, although there doesn't seem to be a huge difference in cost from low end to higher. I note the TYC brand and others are cheaper via eBay, and that there are many more brands via Amazon.

Over the past couple years I've done a lot of reading about lights on this forum but the search function is of little value as it throws me into the weeds of different gens and lamps vs. assemblies. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Search is not that hard, but here's a fish. There are about 120 posts in this one thread alone COlight mini-projector lifespan | Toyota Tundra Forum (tundras.com)

And this info from shifty's mega thread
Lighting info ...

• If replacing your housings, be sure whatever you buy is "CAPA Certified", it's at least baseline not-garbage product. For brands that are higher-quality and will last longer, most offering CAPA certified options, go with Depo, or alternately EagleEyes, TYC, and some say Akkon make good product.
• If swapping to LED headlights or fog lights, the overwhelming majority of people have problems with high beams and fog lights working unless they purchase and add a resistor on at least one headlight so enough load is on the circuit - this may not be necessary if your headlight housings have the extra "teardrop light" in the corner of the housing. Problems have been reported with LED tail lights also, it's not just headlights. Some circuits require resistance that an LED won't deliver.
• Hyperflash problems are common after swapping LEDs into the turn signals. This can be solved installing a Diode Dynamics flashers (avoid the scAmazon knock-offs, buy direct).
• There are H4 mini-projectors available for our trucks, but you'll need to permanently modify the light housing, no oven-baking required, just remove the hat-shaped chrome shroud inside and install the light (detailed instructions). Likewise there are bake-in options for projectors. Check THIS REPLY for common headlight upgrage options, with links.
• For interior LEDs... There's a breakdown of interior light sizes over here. For climate control lighting updates, see here. Dash gauges for earlier 2000-2004 models with replaceable bulbs, check this. The later year model's dash gauges had on-board LEDs and are not replaceable without soldering, color not changeable without sanding the rear of the guage face. REMEMBER: LED lights are polarized. If you install them backwards, they won't light up! If you have one or more not lighting up, try popping out, rotating 180º, and reinstalling.

 

For the vast majority of posts, we've tried to make the megathread a go-to source where everything is compartmentalized by upgrade/info type.

If you don't want to take 60 seconds to learn the Search function (it's not as bad as people claim it to be if you actually use the checkboxes provided to optimize your searches), then go to the megathread and peel through it. It's in the sticky thread section, so you never need to use Search to find it. Once inside the megathread, search for the term you're hunting for info on. Things like "Squeak", "Coolant", "Lighting", it's all there.

 

Thanks, guys! Still reading but one comment mentioned going with the Hella 65W halogen bulb rather than LED because it helps with the ice buildup. We live in the land of ice and snow, and it's an issue on my wife's '17 Highlander. So, I wonder about finding new housings for the halogen and if there are brighter halogen bulbs than original?

Mostly, I'm looking for a much brighter light that projects a natural, not too blue, light. Maybe my original bulbs are part of the problem....

 

These are the bulbs I run
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/.../v/a/8199/automotive-truck-2000-toyota-tundra

 

https://adobe.ly/3wDua5f

Thanks, looks good! Have these ever needed replacement? Is the light different from other halogen bulbs you have tried?

I'm looking at complete headlight assemblies that include the bulb, but the bulb used isn't specified:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=1377159&cc=1418475&pt=10762

Also, the turn signal assemblies:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=12221041&cc=1418475&pt=11719&jsn=993

Comments?

https://adobe.ly/3wDua5f

 

These are the halogen bulbs you'll want to use but you will need to upgrade the wiring harness to accommodate the added current they pull.

OSRAM 62204SBP (super bright premium H4)

I used this relay harness and it worked great: True Mods H6054 H4 LED Headlight Wiring Harness [Negative Switched Conversion] [Fused] Universal H4 Head Light Relay Harness Kit for 9003 H5054 H6054LL 6014 H6024 6052 6053 Subaru Toyota Jeep Headlamp

$22 True Mods H6054 H4 LED Headlight Wiring Harness [Negative Switched Conversion] [Fused] Universal H4 Head Light Relay Harness Kit for 9003 H5054 H6054LL 6014 H6024 6052 6053 Subaru Toyota Jeep Headlamp

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M6W1PMK

 

Sorry.

Can't help myself. Respect where due.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRjH_gJbUqQ​

 

Here's the thread I used as a guide when upgrading my headlights and reverse lights to high power halogen bulbs.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/the...not-led-or-hid-1st-gen-tundra-addition.80653/

 

Yes

Good luck getting what you want in one exact package

 

The headlight bulb is a standard 9003/H4.

 

I’ve tried all the combos except the terrible LED bulb in a regular housing. The harness upgrade with the 85-100w Hellas was great with amazing high beams (100w!!) . The Colight mini led projectors is a brighter, whiter light for the low beams, with a sharper patterns and cutoff but less impressive high beam. Prefer the mini-projectors personally.

 

I just this morning installed my new headlight assemblies after making the mini projector modification and adjusting the beam. Entire process, including modification, took me less than two hours.

This set of headlights for $34 was everywhere. I looked a few weeks ago. I had no problem adjusting the headlamp down to a good height. I'll have to double check it tonight and get a better idea of the brightness

I ended up just removing this little adjustment. Screw that is circled in one of the images below. It appears to be just to help adjust the beam. However, it goes on the top not the bottom as I first thought. Anyway, didn't need since I had no problem adjusting the lights

I also bought the plug-in resistor someone recommended in another thread. It worked without a hitch. Now my fog lights and high beam indicator work again.

 

Also just checked and with the resistor my blue high beam indicator on my dash is working again.

i'll take some better pictures tonight

Low beam:



High beam:


I never had replaced that little corner light, so I temporarily put in green LEDs, that I have in hand to replace my climate control back lights

my headlight and fog light assemblies are smoked

in the daytime I could not tell the fog lights put out enough light. I believe I read where somebody said they have mini projectors for them as well. I may give them a shot, or at least LEDs

 

This is something important to note. The low beams on the mini projectors are really really good, with even and bright light. The high beams however aren’t the best. I would still consider them an upgrade over stock, but they aren't the best in terms of beam pattern.

Just thought I should note considering you mentioned you live in the land of ice and snow, and I figured you’re probably using your high beams more often that I am in suburbia.

 

You've got plenty of room for a single row light bar in your bumper triggered by your hi beams.
LINK

 

There are mini projectors in 9006 bulb format that will fit into the fogs but due to the way a stock 9006 bulb fits into the bucket, you will need to rotate the mini projector quite a bit.

 

I did the 9012 (I think) mod. Same basic mount that you trim one of the ears so it fits. Double the output bulb for the fogs.

edit: found it. Trim the 9012 top ear to match the 9006 top ear and it fits in the fog light housing (for early steel bumper models). Much better light output.

 

Yep. Familiar with 9006 to 9012 mod as well as 9005 to 9011 and h11 to h9. All 3 give you more light for little more wattage. My issue with the fog lights is that the way the bulb mounts the connector is pointed off to like 30-40 degrees. This is not an issue with halogen bulbs as they emit light all around. When you mount a 9006 led in those fogs, you have to use an adjustable collar bulb that will allow you to rotate the elements to face the proper 3 and 9 o'clock positions to properly line to the reflector surfaces. Again, not an issue with halogen bulbs. I also used one of the 9006 mini projectors in a stock fog and the issue is worse due to the sharp cutoff of the projector shield. You have to keep taking the bulb out to rotate it properly because the mount is off to one side like this.



This is a better mount that would installing the mini projectors pretty much as easy as mounting a regular bulb as the mount is facing the right way and the horizontal cutoff would be pretty much on point from the get go.



See how on the first pic the bulb is rotated sideways?

 

These are those fogs btw. They even have the internal bulb shields removed just asking for throwing mini projectors in them. Hmmmmmm.

WEZEMLIGHT Fog Lights Assembly Replacement For 2000-2006 Toyota Tundra 2001-2007 Toyota Sequoia With 9006 12V 35W Halogen Bulbs Included Switch And Wiring Kit(Clear Lens)

$40 WEZEMLIGHT Fog Lights Assembly Replacement For 2000-2006 Toyota Tundra 2001-2007 Toyota Sequoia With 9006 12V 35W Halogen Bulbs Included Switch And Wiring Kit(Clear Lens)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7Q9LVNC

 

I've been enjoying this thread as I'm deep down the rabbit hold of upgrading my headlights.

I purchased these from ProTuningLab.com - I don't recommend purchasing from this website or their product. Low end and bad customer service. Their warranty is just 30 days, they require you to send back the lights first for inspection to learn if warrantable.

The headlight assemblies that I purchased from ProTuningLab look great BUT started having interior condensation and fogging after two weeks of being installed professionally by a mechanic. There is no adjustability for the LED bulb. The beam points wide and up blinding oncoming traffic. Bad product.

Currently I am considering purchasing from TEQ Customs (awesome crew) their retrofit projector lights are high quality ensuring good seals and adjustability BUT I am getting conflicting/negative feedback on projectors being more of a tunnel hardline beam versus wide output.

I'm completely lost of what to do now. 1. Go back to the original OEM halogens? OR, 2. Compromise beam output for high quality built TEQ Customs lights with a great look? or these. Anyone have experience with these XTUNE Spyders?. From reading the threads, some recommend TYC, DEPO, or Eagle Eye but options for finding the black housing look is next to none. This may be the compromise for best quality. I'm looking forward to your feedback and insight to help my search.

 

Those ProTuning headlights are just another cheap copy of the rest of the Chinesium copies all over scAmazon and flEbay. LOL.

The condensation issue is a loose or not properly installed rubber dust boot. There is adjustment screw in the bottom outside corner of the back of the light visible in the pictures from the ProTuning website. There is what appears to be another in the upper inside corner covered by a plastic cover. Mine are also Chinesium clones. I damaged my OEM lights and discarded them long ago while messing with retrofits.

I would recommend removing the halogen bulbs, performing the surgery of removing the bulb shield inside the headlight and installing H4 mini projectors. Search the rest of the best gens forums for details. This will get you great light output on the cheap. Adjustment can be made once installed using a long Phillips screwdriver to engage the adjuster gear or by removing the corner light and using a small wrench, its faster that way. Just make sure they are well bolted down in place on the chassis.

The retrofits that you mention are like 500 bones before doing any mods or additions they offer. Sheesh.

 

Thanks everybody's comments. Hopefully, others will benefit. Some of the older threads are outdated given what members have learned from using products that didn't meet expectations, and I expect lighting options for the gen 1's will continue to evolve.

To update, because I live in the high mountains of CO where melting ice from the headlamp housing is an issue, I decided to try the Sylvania 9003 SilverStar ZXE Gold Halogen that The Black Mamba suggested. It made a huge difference with much whiter, brighter light that projected dramatically better to the sides of the road. This is important here where black moose will step right our from trees lining the side of the road. So far, I'm really happy with them, and if they were to burn out once a year I could handle that for the increased safety. I paid $78 via Amazon.

Here's an image from my cell phone cam on the evening I installed the lights, Feb 15.

https://lightroom.adobe.com/shares/0192b52d995142fab716af29ebef397a/albums/69da29b476a4368acaf6923193b31d9/assets/ea97c77d1bac46aa8af23aab7f85b571/slideshow

This summer, I'd like to replace the old housings that are pitted and cracked. Someone mentioned they like the OEM Toyota housings because of better side projection. It's a big $bite. Probably better that leaking china made housings with condensation. Any other good ones out there?