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Headlights

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by Otakutoaster, Dec 12, 2024.

  1. Dec 15, 2024 at 11:11 AM
    #31
    Desert Dog

    Desert Dog Nobody rides for free

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    Bilstein 5100's, SPC UCA's, ATS HD leaves
    I'm going to break with trend here and say OEM or forget it, simply for the fact that I value quality and fitment. When I replace mine, I'm going to follow the same process as I did with my Jeeps, which were notorious for weak output. Once the battery cables and grounds and slight tweak were done on the headlight harness, the output increased significantly and were/are acceptable to me. We'll see.
     
  2. Dec 15, 2024 at 11:25 AM
    #32
    Desert Dog

    Desert Dog Nobody rides for free

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    Bilstein 5100's, SPC UCA's, ATS HD leaves
    Here's the idea I'm referring to. Just a hunch, but I believe the Tundra suffers from the same weak links and can rectified satisfactorily. For my wants and needs, anyway.

    https://www.ksuspensionfab.com/store/p6/H4_Upgraded_Headlight_Harness.html#/

    This particular harness doesn't apply to a 1st gen Tundra, obviously. The point is to take the load off the switch (a weak link in the system) and place it on the battery.

    And, I get why most opt for "higher-output" lights; it's cheaper and easier than dealing with the root problem. The problem with this line of thinking is that the real problem still exists (i.e. the wiring and circuit). But, if one is happy, one is happy.
     
    Last edited: Dec 15, 2024
    G_unit3000 likes this.
  3. Dec 15, 2024 at 3:53 PM
    #33
    w666

    w666 D. None of the above

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    None yet
    I'm running the $35 TYCs (actually, they were $22 when I bought them). I think they're great! Perfect fit, and they look fantastic!

    clear.jpg
     
    Last edited: Dec 15, 2024
    bing5, G_unit3000, shifty` and 4 others like this.
  4. Dec 16, 2024 at 10:09 AM
    #34
    Desert Dog

    Desert Dog Nobody rides for free

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    Bilstein 5100's, SPC UCA's, ATS HD leaves
    Not trying to be antagonistic here; sincere question. How long do you believe the coating and materials will hold up at that price-point?

    Other than recoating them annually the last 2 yrs and some very fine spidering-effect, the OEM ones have held up incredibly well here in the desert for 23 yrs. Not an environment that's kind to rubber or plastic. When I break down the cost of OEM, that's a pretty good value, really.

    Yours do look good, though.
     
  5. Dec 16, 2024 at 11:18 AM
    #35
    w666

    w666 D. None of the above

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    Well, I'll tell you...I don't know. But they sure as shit look a lot better than the ones I took off, even after polishing and coating them. But I have a secret...I have another brand new set of of TYCs in the garage (remember...~$22 ea), so even if they only last a few years I'm way ahead of the game.
     
  6. Dec 16, 2024 at 12:30 PM
    #36
    shifty`

    shifty` We skipped the light fandango

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
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    (see signature for truck info)
    This is why I currently have a small stockpile at the moment. If I see a killer deal on something I know is eventually going to fail on me, I buy it. It's lame I'm eating up space, but I'd rather have it on-hand the day something fails than to hafta order and wait for it, assuming isn't not discontinued.

    Actually, on that point. I need to offer up my yellow fog light housings. I have those and my OEM fog housings (which are hazed). I could probably get rid of the OEM fogs also.
     
    Weagle and Otakutoaster[OP] like this.
  7. Dec 17, 2024 at 9:30 AM
    #37
    Kimosabe

    Kimosabe Slacker

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    W.I.P - FOX 2.5 with DSC, SCS F5 wheels with MT Baja ATZ 285s
    There is someone that makes a good headlight harness for our trucks. I had it on my 03 AC and it allowed me to run brighter bulbs which made a big difference. I think part of the problem is the headlight design itself is not the best. Just depends on which problem you want to address first.
     
    Desert Dog[QUOTED] likes this.
  8. Dec 17, 2024 at 9:41 AM
    #38
    BroHon

    BroHon Everything's clock is ticking

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    Weight reduction, mostly rust.
    In the past I would have called that alcohol abuse :rofl:
     
  9. Dec 17, 2024 at 9:56 AM
    #39
    purplenova

    purplenova Not a new member

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    Ohio
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    Pillar Tape, Bullet Liner, 20% Tint, Tyger Star Armor Kenwood Amp Tech12volts JL Tweeters Dasaita G13 Head Unit Fumoto Oil Valve Driver Side Grab Handle
    Worth a try and if all else fails, have a little sip on the DL......
     
    BroHon likes this.
  10. Dec 17, 2024 at 10:01 AM
    #40
    Desert Dog

    Desert Dog Nobody rides for free

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    Bilstein 5100's, SPC UCA's, ATS HD leaves

    Thx for the heads-up. I'll be focusing on lighting/electrical down the road. Do you happen to recall a name or company that makes it?
     
  11. Dec 17, 2024 at 10:10 AM
    #41
    Kimosabe

    Kimosabe Slacker

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    Sun Valley, Idaho
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    W.I.P - FOX 2.5 with DSC, SCS F5 wheels with MT Baja ATZ 285s
    Here's the site https://headlightservices.com/
    I would call the guy and make sure you get the right harness for your truck. I think it's the ground-switched one, but double-check to be sure.
     
  12. Dec 17, 2024 at 10:17 AM
    #42
    Desert Dog

    Desert Dog Nobody rides for free

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    Bilstein 5100's, SPC UCA's, ATS HD leaves

    Thx, man!

    @Kimosabe , you just made my day.
     
    Last edited: Dec 17, 2024
    Kimosabe[QUOTED] likes this.
  13. Dec 17, 2024 at 11:18 AM
    #43
    shifty`

    shifty` We skipped the light fandango

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    (see signature for truck info)
    My problem is, my sips are chugs, and if there's something in my glass, it magically disappears really quick.
     
    FishNinja likes this.
  14. Dec 17, 2024 at 11:31 AM
    #44
    FishNinja

    FishNinja HIDE YOUR DAUGHTERS

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    TEXAN....big surprise
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    dude, thank you....I don't feel alone now LOL this is one reason I don't drink very often. But regardless, my drinks go away very fast.
     
    shifty`[QUOTED] likes this.
  15. Dec 17, 2024 at 11:34 AM
    #45
    shifty`

    shifty` We skipped the light fandango

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    (see signature for truck info)
    Drink? What drink, I think you skipped me. Fill 'er up!

    Seriously. I've all but stopped recently. I wasn't always this way. I'd say it happened right around April/May 2020 and accelerated from there.
     
  16. Dec 17, 2024 at 11:37 AM
    #46
    FishNinja

    FishNinja HIDE YOUR DAUGHTERS

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    TEXAN....big surprise
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    32oz cups will go down in a mere hour if I'm not careful. Lol

    and to keep it slightly on topic. My headlights are trash.

    I did the 3M headlight restore kit. Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

    not worth the labor.IMG_5214.jpg
     
  17. Dec 17, 2024 at 12:10 PM
    #47
    shifty`

    shifty` We skipped the light fandango

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    (see signature for truck info)
    I really want to try the Cerakote kit but have nothing to use it on. Seeing what others have done and the claims they’ve made it’s interesting/tempting. But the kit costs as much as one TYC headlight housing. And time is money.
     
    Weagle likes this.
  18. Dec 17, 2024 at 12:23 PM
    #48
    Otakutoaster

    Otakutoaster [OP] New Member

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    2002 Tundra AC limited Black V8 4wd
    Radio, subwoofer & amplifier, Roll-N-Lock, Cabin air filter,
    I just used a cheap Amazon sanding drill kit. My headlights are clear now no yellow, but hazy most likely because they're dirty on the inside and because I kinda rushed the sanding with higher grit.
     
  19. Dec 17, 2024 at 12:30 PM
    #49
    Weagle

    Weagle I survived my timing belt change

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    Vehicle:
    2006 Tundra SR5 DC 4.7 2WD LSD towing pkg
    Bilstein 5100's with 2883's - close to 2" Replacing the 2883's and going back to the bottom perch ASAP -mobile/apple play stereo with sub and backup cam -Power stop HD front calipers and rotors for towing -20" wheels with 32" tires (305/50's) Toyo AT 3's with no rubbing -Westin nerf bars -Detroit axle new (not rebuilt) steering rack with poly bushings, inner and outer TRE's -Suspension Maxx extended front sway bar links -Overland tuning - medium level -Power front leather seats and steering wheel from 06 Sequoia -fully de-chromed/blacked out trim -all light housings incl 3rd brake light and tag lights replaced with smoked lenses, LED where appropriate -mini projector headlights -fully rebuilt trans and new torque converter -new complete drive shaft with spicer u-joints and carrier bearing -all LED interior lights including backlighting -new lower window seals for all 4 doors -all new hardware and clips for tailgate Next: Dirty Deeds racing exhaust with LT headers, yellow box, 12 hole DD fuel injectors, redo or replace door panels
    And everyone I've heard from that swears by it has only had it on for about a year. Get back to me in about 10 years or more, which is how long my factory ones stayed in good shape

    Correction: factory ones for me stayed good shape for about 7 years, but they were baked in the southern US heat and sun every day for work
     
    Last edited: Dec 17, 2024
  20. Dec 18, 2024 at 8:55 PM
    #50
    dirtnsmores

    dirtnsmores New Member

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    Bilstein 6112/5100s, JBA UCAs
    I cleared up my lenses a year ago with cerakote. a year later it started yellowing again, although slightly. $16 and I did it again last week. Looks amazing. Should be good for another year. original headlights. it takes 20 mins. worth it.
     
    Weagle[QUOTED] likes this.
  21. Dec 19, 2024 at 2:54 AM
    #51
    Elam.Pingleton

    Elam.Pingleton 1st Gen 04 V-8 DC

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    These went right in. Great fit. Pretty cheap replacement from Headlight Depot

    IMG_3522.jpg
     
    dirtnsmores likes this.
  22. Dec 21, 2024 at 11:55 AM
    #52
    ps8820

    ps8820 New Member

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    Hey, @Desert Dog thx for the post, let us know how 'Headlightservices' works for you and which harness you used.
    I've not heard any negative feedback about the biz here; looks a bit pricey, but when you factor in time to acquire quality parts and assemble, his assembly even LOOKS good...
    Im waiting to do this upgrade after my re-paint, so would like to hear end user verdict on quality [a few peeps here have used the harness but never heard back on happiness or not].
     
    Desert Dog[QUOTED] likes this.
  23. Dec 21, 2024 at 1:10 PM
    #53
    Desert Dog

    Desert Dog Nobody rides for free

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    I definitely will. I just heard back from them yesterday. It is a pricey setup, for sure, but this is one of those cases where ease takes priority over cash for me. Lol. Work is keeping me busy right now and I wasn't planning on any electrical work for a couple of months, but I'm going to pull the trigger on it and have them ready on the shelf. I like the product and know it's a step in the right direction for the issue on these old trucks.
     
  24. Jan 7, 2025 at 11:02 PM
    #54
    dirtnsmores

    dirtnsmores New Member

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    Bilstein 6112/5100s, JBA UCAs
    Curious to see how these hold up, long term!
     
  25. Jan 10, 2025 at 1:12 PM
    #55
    Kimosabe

    Kimosabe Slacker

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    Sun Valley, Idaho
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    W.I.P - FOX 2.5 with DSC, SCS F5 wheels with MT Baja ATZ 285s
    I used their harness on my 03 AC and was very happy with it. It was very clean and heavy duty. Came with easy instructions.

    My only recommendation would be to not get the bulbs he recommends. My experience with the bulbs was in the snow at night. Not actively snowing but both side of the road and covering the road and everything was white. I went with either osram or hella high watt bulbs that were more yellow than white and they were great.
     
    ps8820 and dirtnsmores like this.
  26. Jan 10, 2025 at 1:18 PM
    #56
    dirtnsmores

    dirtnsmores New Member

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    Bilstein 6112/5100s, JBA UCAs
    I got the OSRAMs in and they look great with the new wiring harness. super happy how they came out.
     
    ps8820, abcinv and Kimosabe[QUOTED] like this.
  27. Jan 18, 2025 at 2:26 PM
    #57
    bing5

    bing5 New Member

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    Just replaced both of mine with the TYCs from Rock Auto. $98 or so for both, including shipping. Look great and seem as well build as OEM. After trying 3M kit in the past for $15 or so, never again. Agree with FishNinja...not worth the labor. Side by side of (old) TYC and OEM below.Headlight.jpg

    DesertDog - I had a 7 year old TYC on my passenger side. Still looked pretty decent after years in New Mexico sun.tyc.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jan 18, 2025

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