Replacing Headlight Bulbs

This is a bit of a rant.... I had a main bulb go out on my 16 Tundra double cab for the first time. No big deal right??? Went to Walmart, bought a pair of bulbs, and raised the hood in the parking lot.......... ??????? .... Couldn't figure out how to get at them. Jumped on Youtube, wow I have never wanted to find a Toyota engineer and beat them more in my life. Did anyone ever think hey at some point this part is going to need to be replaced.

 

Yeah, not the greatest but not the worst. Many manufactures, make and model designs require the headlights to be removed.

 

It isn't too bad of a job. Could definitely be a lot easier.

 

I am pretty tight with my money. For that reason I have hesitated purchasing a full blown LED conversion set of OEM or aftermarket housings with LEDs. I have been experimenting with various LED and “whiter” halogen bulbs for a month now before settling on the Auxito H4 LED bulbs. Love them btw. I have done this bulb swap 4 times and it takes a little time but is really not that difficult. The last 2 times I think I disassembled, installed both bulbs and reassembled in less than 20 minutes….and I am 71 years old. Poor design, yes, but amazingly simple to work around.

 

@BulldogDan Could you provide a link for those Auxito bulbs? Thanks!

 

THESE WERE ONLY $59 on Amazon after the coupon. I have Sealight brand LED bulbs in the fogs and all the interior have been converted to Sylvania LEDs. So far, nor weird anomalies with the truck’s electrical system. Everything works perfect. The low beam pattern on these Auxito bulbs is perfect, the highs have a couple minor shadows. You will love them.

 

@BulldogDan Thanks for the info!

 

My 2003 mustang spoiled me.. you just open the hood and everything was right there… easier than changing a lamp bulb in the house.

 

the 2007 Toyota Solara was a tough headlight bulb change as well, happy I only had to do them once.

 

Changed my wife’s 2020 Tahoe incandescents to LED… I could’ve kicked a puppy by the end.

 

My drivers side low beam just went out. I have the replacements but not looking forward to doing this.
Wouldn't it be easier to remove the battery and the washer fluid bottle?

 

Imo, no. This truly isn’t that hard. I think 6-8 10mm screws and 6 retaining clips and the courage to yank on the grill and the 2 panels under the headlights (it feels like they are going to break). After 4 times doing this trying different bulbs it took me about 15-20 minutes start to finish. I watched a few YouTube videos which helped a lot.

 

I spent about 30 minutes over the weekend trying to find those clips on the grill to push down on, no luck.

 

This is a good instructional video. I did not push down on the long tabs on the bottom of the grill as other videos guys were just yanking with both hands on either side of the bottom of the grill and it popped right off. I have done it 4 different times and no problem. If you have the Toyota safety sense (‘18 and newer) thru the emblem in the middle of the grill then you need to unplug it. There is an access door on the top panel. Also you don’t need to remove the fender liner screws. They don’t hold that small corner panel. They just hold the liner to the inner fender. Where in Ohio are you located? If you are close I’d stop by and help you. ‍♂️
https://youtu.be/s1YH9gYPloo

 

I watched that video.

No safety sense but a front facing camera.