2006 Tacoma Headlight replacement

Can someone help with some headlight replacements.My headlights need replacing and I would like to get some cool looking aftermarket lights.Problem is everyone I have reviewed has moisture build up or they start looking bad within a year.Wondering if they even make good aftermarket! Thanks

 

I was wondering about this topic as well.... I searched the subject in the past and watched people put new sealant where it should properly be assembled and not have moisture problems or discoloration. Was the discoloration cause of non standard bulb modification or just poor quality housing/lenses or was the main culprit poor gasket sealing? What I noticed first, people weren't using 3m Super Weatherstrip and Gasket Adhesive..... not sure if that changed since it's been several years since I last looked into it. Either way, thanks for bringing this up and referencing that link.

 

I went through this research exercise a few months ago, and eventually decided against the aftermarket stuff. Unfortunately, all such options had moisture issues, light output issues, electrical issues, or fitment issues. Everything eventually pointed back to OEM, which is what I decided to do. I'm glad I did. The smoked version from the Sport models fit perfectly in my OR, and the lighting is spot on.

If aesthetics are your priority, there are some cool aftermarket options; some expensive, some cheap. Just be prepared to spend several hundred dollars and potentially deal with any/all of the issues described above. I don't have the luxury of wasting money like that, so I had to play it safe.

 

I used think oem was the only way to go until my replacement oem headlights started leaking also. Now, if I can find a decent priced set of oem take offs I’ll buy them or head over to Amazon and pick up whatever strikes my fancy. Either way I’ll still run a bead of silicon around them to help seal them. Are Amazon replacements as good as oem? Maybe, maybe not, but either way I’m not shelling out over $400 for a set of oem headlights again.

 

Where did you purchase your OEM ones that leak?

 

OEM smoked headlights... (came on the 09-2011 Sport but will fit the 2005-2011 Sport and Offroad. Got them online from Boch Toyota South... OEM part# 81150-04173 / 81110-14173.

 

I'm not saying that OEM headlights never leak, but it's extremely rare. I work at a dealership and the only OEM headlights we've seen leak have had cheap aftermarket LED or HID bulbs in them. And sealing around the joint between the housing and the lens won't fix that problem.

 

Wow, that was so long ago. I really don’t remember. They were for my first gen I sold a few years ago. Now in my second gen the same has happened, but with oem take offs that were removed from the vehicle soon after purchasing. Not sure how true that is, but they did look great. Couldn’t have been more than a couple of months and they leaked also. Should’ve ran a bead of silicone but didn’t. I have a set of Amazon replacements ready just in case.

 

DEPO housings are $60.

if moisture is a concern then seal the lens mating point and put silica gel.

 

Very interesting. I've had three sets of OEM, and none of them leaked. First set was the original from my 2008 that yellowed and cracked (didn't leak), so I replaced with a used OEM take-off set bought on the TW classified that also eventually yellowed and cracked, and also didn't leak.

I finally decided to purchase new OEM a few months ago directly from a Toyota dealership, and have been very happy with the results. They look great and don't leak.

With all the garbage floating around on Amazon and other online retailers, I'm curious if you've ever actually had real OEM housings or maybe you got some knock-offs without knowing it.

Don't get me wrong - I definitely don't agree that all maintenance and parts must come directly from a dealership, because they for sure will bend you over with prices. But for certain things....yeah......get OEM directly from dealership. There's too much junk out there to take the risk of getting a knock-off.

Cabin air filter? I'll get the cheapest thing I can find.
Headlight assembly or other critical part? Definitely going with OEM directly from a Toyota dealer.

 

OEM with standard halogen bulb. Please don't pop an Amazon LED in there and blind everyone on the road.

 

This is from a set I bought a while back for my second gen. OEM take offs. Condensation build up inside. These were pretty old, but looked great when I bought them from a friend. The old style yellowish lens. Maybe you’re right. Have no idea how much abuse they had before I bought them. I know they get abused once I get them! Haha!!

 

That's wild! And I have no basis to doubt your belief that they're OEM. Maybe you've just been really, really unlucky?

 

Yeah, you’re probably right. But other than the occasional leaky headlight I really haven’t had any problems with this truck so I guess I can live with it. Lol!

 

Amen! 2015 whiteOR! I hate the new super super led bulbs that literally blind someone while driving!
I get there bright and can see good on back roads and stuff but they blind oncoming traffic.

 

Will these part numbers fit my 07 “SR5”?

 

yes

 

Like a poster above I recommend Toyota OEM smoked headlights. They can be found online for as low as $200 per unit.

 

DEPO can have moisture. It is not garunteed.

you know what I did to prevent that?

place headlight on table. Run free or cheap sealant around the edge. Black can look better. Hid a silica gel pack in each one.

done.
You’d be doing this anyway with butyl if you were removing a lens.

it’s halogen plastic AL PVD coated bowl. Do you want to spend $100-150 on that set or $400. Your choice.

 

I decided to go with new OEM replacements too. Haven't decided on smoked vs clear yet. My current headlights are still the 15 year old originals. Definitely yellow and cracked but not leaking yet. Only way I'd go with non OEM is if I could get real glass lenses...