1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Trouble installing Spyder headlights

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by Bigjohn, Sep 17, 2017.

  1. Sep 17, 2017 at 6:49 PM
    #1
    Bigjohn

    Bigjohn [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2017
    Member:
    #9040
    Messages:
    82
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tundra Crewcab SR5
    Not yet but soon
    I was pretty excited to receive my Spyder headlights for my 2017 tundra. Didn't realize that this project was a lot more difficult than I thought. After a couple hours, I finally put one headlight on but there is a huge gap. I can close the gap if I push the headlight in really hard manually but there is nothing that will hold it in place. Any suggestions on how to fix it?
     
  2. Sep 17, 2017 at 6:49 PM
    #2
    Bigjohn

    Bigjohn [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2017
    Member:
    #9040
    Messages:
    82
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tundra Crewcab SR5
    Not yet but soon
    Here is a pic

    IMG_8194.jpg
     
  3. Sep 17, 2017 at 7:09 PM
    #3
    1UPPER

    1UPPER Not A New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2016
    Member:
    #4937
    Messages:
    4,898
    Gender:
    Male
    TEXAS
    Flux capacitor!
    Pop your hood and make sure both headlight tabs are properly fastened. Also when your installing the headlights you need to make sure the outside edge of the headlights is in the proper place before you install the two headlight tabs.
     
    Bob likes this.
  4. Sep 17, 2017 at 7:34 PM
    #4
    Bigjohn

    Bigjohn [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2017
    Member:
    #9040
    Messages:
    82
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tundra Crewcab SR5
    Not yet but soon
    My other problem, on the other headlight, I can't seem to remove the long screw that hold the adjuster in. It's a little plastic screw that simply doesn't turn. I've been at it for 30 minutes, stripped it, broke two tabs, and it still won't give. What the heck am I doing wrong?
     
  5. Sep 17, 2017 at 7:34 PM
    #5
    Bigjohn

    Bigjohn [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2017
    Member:
    #9040
    Messages:
    82
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tundra Crewcab SR5
    Not yet but soon
    This one

    IMG_8195.jpg
     
  6. Sep 17, 2017 at 7:39 PM
    #6
    Beaverscott1

    Beaverscott1 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2017
    Member:
    #8388
    Messages:
    54
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Scott
    Renton Highlands
    Vehicle:
    2017 tundra trd pro
    Not 100% sure with those headlights, but instead of trying to turn the plastic piece with a screwdriver, put a phillips head screwdriver in from above into the metal teeth that are attached at the base of the plastic screw and adjust it that way. The phillips screw driver will turn the adjusting gear. I have also found that if you screw the adjustment nut too far in either direction it could break from the housing on the inside and you'll have to take the whole assembly apart to try a fix.
     
  7. Sep 17, 2017 at 7:45 PM
    #7
    War Machine

    War Machine SSEM # 5 3MW

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2017
    Member:
    #8939
    Messages:
    16,909
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jason
    Texas
    Are you trying to remove the leveler? You're going to turn it for a while, then turn the entire motor body. Then you can back the screw the rest of the way out.
     
    T-Rex266 likes this.
  8. Sep 17, 2017 at 7:47 PM
    #8
    War Machine

    War Machine SSEM # 5 3MW

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2017
    Member:
    #8939
    Messages:
    16,909
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jason
    Texas
    Can you post a pic of the headlight from the top? Maybe we can see where it's missing the mounting.
     
  9. Sep 17, 2017 at 9:22 PM
    #9
    Bigjohn

    Bigjohn [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2017
    Member:
    #9040
    Messages:
    82
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tundra Crewcab SR5
    Not yet but soon
    This worked. It was a bit of a pain because the bolt is like a mile long and the plastic head is pretty ineffective. I think the threads misaligned and the bolt got stuck. It took me a good hour to get it out but this method worked. Maybe I was doing something wrong, the bolt was in really deep, it took forever to get it out.
     
    Beaverscott1[QUOTED] likes this.
  10. Sep 17, 2017 at 9:48 PM
    #10
    Backslider

    Backslider Thirsty...

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2016
    Member:
    #3553
    Messages:
    3,138
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Tooele, UT
    Vehicle:
    2022 GMC Sierra AT4 L5P - 2017 4runner SR5P - 2023 Tesla Model 3 LR
    Is the top of the headlight assembly rubbing against the hood framing at the top of the headlight? I had this issue with mine. Removed a tiny bit of material on the headlight housing to remedy.
     
  11. Sep 17, 2017 at 10:57 PM
    #11
    Bigjohn

    Bigjohn [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2017
    Member:
    #9040
    Messages:
    82
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tundra Crewcab SR5
    Not yet but soon
    Thank you everyone! It's great to be a part of a forum with so many friends willing to help. After the passenger side fit like a glove, I ended up taking the driver side off to mess with it some more.................another 20 minutes or so of rough love, it fit quite a bit better. This was a much longer project than I pictured it but I am happy with the end result.

    IMG_8197.jpg
     
  12. Sep 18, 2017 at 4:40 AM
    #12
    War Machine

    War Machine SSEM # 5 3MW

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2017
    Member:
    #8939
    Messages:
    16,909
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jason
    Texas
    I put the same ones in last week. They are sharp as hell, and I've gotten several compliments already.
     
    Eclipsed & Floating likes this.
  13. Sep 18, 2017 at 9:23 AM
    #13
    Bigjohn

    Bigjohn [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2017
    Member:
    #9040
    Messages:
    82
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tundra Crewcab SR5
    Not yet but soon
    Sooooo after much reading various threads on here, I am so confused. Splicing, resistors, switchbacks, numerous kits and fixes for various issues................... I just swapped OEM for Spyders without doing anything else. Did I screw up! Will my bulbs start burning out or will I end up with some odd electrical issues? Just want to get potential issues fixed before taking the truck on a trip
     
  14. Sep 18, 2017 at 10:29 AM
    #14
    War Machine

    War Machine SSEM # 5 3MW

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2017
    Member:
    #8939
    Messages:
    16,909
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jason
    Texas
    No. The ones you have are plug and play. The threads you're looking at are talking about modifying the stock lights. You're good to go.
     
    Bigjohn[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  15. Nov 12, 2017 at 6:15 AM
    #15
    Berdine

    Berdine Voodoo Sport

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2017
    Member:
    #8877
    Messages:
    1,901
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Frank
    Binghamton, NY
    Vehicle:
    2020 VooDoo Blue Trd Sport
    How are you still liking these compared to stock ones?
     
  16. Nov 12, 2017 at 9:48 AM
    #16
    Bigjohn

    Bigjohn [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2017
    Member:
    #9040
    Messages:
    82
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tundra Crewcab SR5
    Not yet but soon
    Like the look but wishe they were brighter, they are definitely not brighter that stock which is a bit of a disappointment.
     
    Berdine[QUOTED] likes this.
  17. Nov 12, 2017 at 10:01 AM
    #17
    Backslider

    Backslider Thirsty...

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2016
    Member:
    #3553
    Messages:
    3,138
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Tooele, UT
    Vehicle:
    2022 GMC Sierra AT4 L5P - 2017 4runner SR5P - 2023 Tesla Model 3 LR
    Change the bulbs out for LEDs or HIDs.
     
    Berdine likes this.
  18. Nov 12, 2017 at 10:05 AM
    #18
    BHarry

    BHarry New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2017
    Member:
    #10243
    Messages:
    251
    Gender:
    Male
    Northern Nevada
    Vehicle:
    2014 BRM CM TRD
    You are correct, these are not brighter than OEM when stock. The projector headlights are easily upgraded to a HID or LED and then they are definitely brighter than OEM. I have 35w HIDs in mine and they sure light up the night (and the occasional unfortunate lowrider...:sorry:)!

    4B17ED69-141A-4650-A58C-59F86C89EC7D.jpg
     
    Krezz, 4x4_Angel and Berdine like this.
  19. Nov 12, 2017 at 1:30 PM
    #19
    Berdine

    Berdine Voodoo Sport

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2017
    Member:
    #8877
    Messages:
    1,901
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Frank
    Binghamton, NY
    Vehicle:
    2020 VooDoo Blue Trd Sport
    So, definitely upgrade the bulbs then?
     
  20. Nov 12, 2017 at 1:31 PM
    #20
    Backslider

    Backslider Thirsty...

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2016
    Member:
    #3553
    Messages:
    3,138
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Tooele, UT
    Vehicle:
    2022 GMC Sierra AT4 L5P - 2017 4runner SR5P - 2023 Tesla Model 3 LR
    Definitely.
     
    Krezz likes this.
  21. Nov 12, 2017 at 1:38 PM
    #21
    Berdine

    Berdine Voodoo Sport

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2017
    Member:
    #8877
    Messages:
    1,901
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Frank
    Binghamton, NY
    Vehicle:
    2020 VooDoo Blue Trd Sport
    I saw where some are using the hikari leds. They seem to say better than hids.
     
  22. Nov 12, 2017 at 1:47 PM
    #22
    Backslider

    Backslider Thirsty...

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2016
    Member:
    #3553
    Messages:
    3,138
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Tooele, UT
    Vehicle:
    2022 GMC Sierra AT4 L5P - 2017 4runner SR5P - 2023 Tesla Model 3 LR
    I use Hikari LEDs, I do feel they are pretty equal to 35w HIDs.
     
    BenAZ and Berdine[QUOTED] like this.
  23. Nov 12, 2017 at 9:12 PM
    #23
    Bigjohn

    Bigjohn [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2017
    Member:
    #9040
    Messages:
    82
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tundra Crewcab SR5
    Not yet but soon
    I read somewhere that many of the bulbs on the market today will ruin (melt?) the Spyders. Can you post a link to a product that’s brighter and would be safe for the lenses?
     
  24. Nov 13, 2017 at 6:53 AM
    #24
    Backslider

    Backslider Thirsty...

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2016
    Member:
    #3553
    Messages:
    3,138
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Tooele, UT
    Vehicle:
    2022 GMC Sierra AT4 L5P - 2017 4runner SR5P - 2023 Tesla Model 3 LR
    I use these exact bulbs and have run them for over a year. No melting at all.

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LCE19OI/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    I also tucked the ballast/controller inside the headlight housing and replaced the seal/boot. No problems at all. They don't generate enough heat to worry about. If I had some pictures with me of output I'd attach here, but I don't. I can say that it's a massive improvement over the stock lights or the stock lights that come with the Spyders.
     
    BenAZ likes this.
  25. Nov 13, 2017 at 9:41 AM
    #25
    Bigjohn

    Bigjohn [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2017
    Member:
    #9040
    Messages:
    82
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tundra Crewcab SR5
    Not yet but soon
    Great, thank you!
     
    Backslider[QUOTED] likes this.
  26. Nov 13, 2017 at 10:18 AM
    #26
    Backslider

    Backslider Thirsty...

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2016
    Member:
    #3553
    Messages:
    3,138
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Tooele, UT
    Vehicle:
    2022 GMC Sierra AT4 L5P - 2017 4runner SR5P - 2023 Tesla Model 3 LR
    De nada, post pics when you're done!
     
  27. Nov 20, 2017 at 8:20 PM
    #27
    Eclipsed & Floating

    Eclipsed & Floating Over it.........

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2017
    Member:
    #6454
    Messages:
    12,527
    Gender:
    Male
    I’m right where I need to be
    Vehicle:
    Voluptuous Whitey
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2017
    T-Rex266 likes this.
  28. Nov 20, 2017 at 9:18 PM
    #28
    Bigjohn

    Bigjohn [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2017
    Member:
    #9040
    Messages:
    82
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tundra Crewcab SR5
    Not yet but soon
  29. Nov 28, 2017 at 11:22 AM
    #29
    Bigjohn

    Bigjohn [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2017
    Member:
    #9040
    Messages:
    82
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tundra Crewcab SR5
    Not yet but soon
    Bump. Can anyone help me understand this? I’m waiting to pull the trigger on new bulbs until I understand what the best option might be
     
  30. Nov 28, 2017 at 11:31 AM
    #30
    Eclipsed & Floating

    Eclipsed & Floating Over it.........

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2017
    Member:
    #6454
    Messages:
    12,527
    Gender:
    Male
    I’m right where I need to be
    Vehicle:
    Voluptuous Whitey
    Some are LED bulbs and some are HIDs. Similar, but from my understanding the projection is a little different
     
    Tomcat likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top