1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    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 Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site
    Quick Links: Need Tow Hitch for 1st Gen (1997) Tacoma Tacoma 2003 Fueling Problem New Tacoma Owner {2004-1st Gen} Rear E-locker Help Stripped Thermostat Housing Nut Trailer Light Problem

Anyone running retrofit projector headlights?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Cutter_, Oct 27, 2020.

Page 1 of 7
  1. Oct 27, 2020 at 8:18 AM
    #1
    Cutter_

    #1
    Cutter_ [OP] I probably could have googled this

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2017
    Member:
    #213600
    Messages:
    979
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2002 Super Air Nautique Build
    Old Man Emu lift, 2 10" JL subs
    I’d like to upgrade the headlights as best I can, no HID crap. Where’s the best source to get projector headlights?

    Trying to replicate this kit

    81defbdd279b915f9a1898a30f99a597.jpg
     
    Last edited: Oct 27, 2020
    Cutter_, Oct 27, 2020
    #1
  2. Oct 27, 2020 at 8:23 AM
    #2
    tony2018

    #2
    tony2018 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2014
    Member:
    #123866
    Messages:
    5,288
    Gender:
    Male
    theretrofitsource, wait for black friday and use their coupon codes. sign up for email alerts of deals.
     
    tony2018, Oct 27, 2020
    #2
    El Taco Diablo, mattvivsound and Cutter_[OP] like this.
  3. Oct 27, 2020 at 8:26 AM
    #3
    Cutter_

    #3
    Cutter_ [OP] I probably could have googled this

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2017
    Member:
    #213600
    Messages:
    979
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2002 Super Air Nautique Build
    Old Man Emu lift, 2 10" JL subs
    Sweet. I'm also waiting for a TOYTEC coupon so I can get an OME suspension kit. Is there anywhere I should be watching for codes on FN FX pro 17" rims and Cooper tires?
     
    Cutter_, Oct 27, 2020
    #3
  4. Oct 27, 2020 at 8:26 AM
    #4
    tony2018

    #4
    tony2018 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2014
    Member:
    #123866
    Messages:
    5,288
    Gender:
    Male
    Sorry, different topic.
     
    tony2018, Oct 27, 2020
    #4
  5. Oct 27, 2020 at 8:31 AM
    #5
    Cutter_

    #5
    Cutter_ [OP] I probably could have googled this

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2017
    Member:
    #213600
    Messages:
    979
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2002 Super Air Nautique Build
    Old Man Emu lift, 2 10" JL subs
    Not actually seeing any projector kits for a 1st gen on theretrofitsource, just LED headlight bulbs and HID bulbs
     
    Cutter_, Oct 27, 2020
    #5
  6. Oct 27, 2020 at 8:33 AM
    #6
    tony2018

    #6
    tony2018 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2014
    Member:
    #123866
    Messages:
    5,288
    Gender:
    Male
    They have em, you're not looking at all of what they have to offer.
     
    tony2018, Oct 27, 2020
    #6
    Cutter_[OP] likes this.
  7. Oct 27, 2020 at 8:38 AM
    #7
    BeLance89

    #7
    BeLance89 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2017
    Member:
    #225436
    Messages:
    1,241
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brandon
    Huntsville, AL
    Vehicle:
    2002 White TRD double cab
    They don’t have a kit for “1st gen Tacoma’s” but they do have kits for the right bulb type. H4 bulb I believe.


    https://www.theretrofitsource.com/9003-h4-morimoto-elite-HS-H4?quantity=1


    This would actually be the way to go the. Just select the options you want. Be sure to select the H4 harness

    https://www.theretrofitsource.com/bixenon-morimoto-mini-d2s-stage-3-CRK-D2S?quantity=1
     
    Last edited: Oct 27, 2020
    BeLance89, Oct 27, 2020
    #7
    Akpete likes this.
  8. Oct 27, 2020 at 8:41 AM
    #8
    Dr3w

    #8
    Dr3w Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2014
    Member:
    #142205
    Messages:
    914
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Drew
    805
    Vehicle:
    2007 White DCSB Sport
    Go to the the universal kits. Choose either the Mini H1 or Mini D2S and then just make sure you select the correct adapter for your bulb type
     
    Dr3w, Oct 27, 2020
    #8
    1997tacomav6 and El Taco Diablo like this.
  9. Oct 27, 2020 at 8:53 AM
    #9
    BeLance89

    #9
    BeLance89 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2017
    Member:
    #225436
    Messages:
    1,241
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brandon
    Huntsville, AL
    Vehicle:
    2002 White TRD double cab
    for the record, I have the D2S (not the mini) and it fits just fine.
     
    BeLance89, Oct 27, 2020
    #9
    1997tacomav6 likes this.
  10. Oct 27, 2020 at 9:05 AM
    #10
    Cutter_

    #10
    Cutter_ [OP] I probably could have googled this

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2017
    Member:
    #213600
    Messages:
    979
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2002 Super Air Nautique Build
    Old Man Emu lift, 2 10" JL subs
    Would this would consist of drilling into the existing housing?
     
    Cutter_, Oct 27, 2020
    #10
  11. Oct 27, 2020 at 9:31 AM
    #11
    BeLance89

    #11
    BeLance89 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2017
    Member:
    #225436
    Messages:
    1,241
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brandon
    Huntsville, AL
    Vehicle:
    2002 White TRD double cab
    you have to do some clearancing (for the D2S) but the projector is threaded and you use a washer and nut to secure it.
     
    BeLance89, Oct 27, 2020
    #11
    Cutter_[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  12. Oct 27, 2020 at 9:32 AM
    #12
    Cutter_

    #12
    Cutter_ [OP] I probably could have googled this

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2017
    Member:
    #213600
    Messages:
    979
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2002 Super Air Nautique Build
    Old Man Emu lift, 2 10" JL subs
    Awesome, sounds like this project will be easier (and cheaper) than I expected
     
    Cutter_, Oct 27, 2020
    #12
  13. Oct 27, 2020 at 9:39 AM
    #13
    Dr3w

    #13
    Dr3w Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2014
    Member:
    #142205
    Messages:
    914
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Drew
    805
    Vehicle:
    2007 White DCSB Sport
    Ya shouldn't be too difficult. Most annoying part will be baking the headlights to get the lens off. But the Mini D2S is a pretty straightforward install
     
    Dr3w, Oct 27, 2020
    #13
  14. Oct 27, 2020 at 9:43 AM
    #14
    BeLance89

    #14
    BeLance89 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2017
    Member:
    #225436
    Messages:
    1,241
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brandon
    Huntsville, AL
    Vehicle:
    2002 White TRD double cab
    Definitely much easier than what it seems like. Most annoying part for me was aligning the projectors to get them level.
     
    BeLance89, Oct 27, 2020
    #14
    Taco-Obsessed likes this.
  15. Oct 27, 2020 at 9:49 AM
    #15
    Cutter_

    #15
    Cutter_ [OP] I probably could have googled this

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2017
    Member:
    #213600
    Messages:
    979
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2002 Super Air Nautique Build
    Old Man Emu lift, 2 10" JL subs
    I'm leaning towards white light over blue. What do you guys like and why?
     
    Cutter_, Oct 27, 2020
    #15
  16. Oct 27, 2020 at 12:20 PM
    #16
    Dr3w

    #16
    Dr3w Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2014
    Member:
    #142205
    Messages:
    914
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Drew
    805
    Vehicle:
    2007 White DCSB Sport
    Do you mean what color bulbs? I wouldn't go any higher than 5500K, blue light is next to useless for actually seeing anything at night. Anything between 4000K-5000K is good. CBI bulbs are what I use and are actually closer to 5000K. 4000K is usually easier on your eyes and won't wash out any of the color or depth of objects
     
    Dr3w, Oct 27, 2020
    #16
    Cutter_[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  17. Oct 27, 2020 at 12:25 PM
    #17
    Cutter_

    #17
    Cutter_ [OP] I probably could have googled this

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2017
    Member:
    #213600
    Messages:
    979
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2002 Super Air Nautique Build
    Old Man Emu lift, 2 10" JL subs
    Cool I will check that out. I do not like blue colored headlights, not just from a drivers standpoint but from the way they look when viewing the truck.

    I like pure white, same color as from an LED bulb
     
    Cutter_, Oct 27, 2020
    #17
  18. Oct 27, 2020 at 2:22 PM
    #18
    mattvivsound

    #18
    mattvivsound Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2009
    Member:
    #26445
    Messages:
    447
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Southern MD
    Vehicle:
    '01 Tacoma TRD, 4x4, V6
    No one makes a direct replacement for the 1st Gens, it's a DIY project. Dropping in basic parts is about a day worth of work.

    I retrofitted my headlights using TYC headlights and Morimoto MLED 2.0's (with Apollo 3.0 (Black) shrouds). With the LED's you need to run an adapter box from LumaWerx H4/9003 Ground Switching Polarity Module (You don't need this for HIDs).

    IMG_5082.jpg
    IMG_5068.jpg
    IMG_5092.jpg
    IMG_5089.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 22, 2020
    mattvivsound, Oct 27, 2020
    #18
    01 First Gen Taco, suaveflooder, Rldanie and 3 others like this.
  19. Oct 31, 2020 at 5:46 AM
    #19
    1997tacomav6

    #19
    1997tacomav6 V6 5sp,RegCab,TVS1320 Supercharger,Haltech, 800k

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2013
    Member:
    #113940
    Messages:
    10,367
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Denver
    Vehicle:
    97 reg cab, v6 5sp 300hp supercharged, Methonal Injection, 800,001 plus miles, Original Owner
    V6 5sp,RegCab,TVS1320 Supercharger, 56mm pulley, methanol injected Haltech ECU, AC Tvs1320 supercharger,(MUST DO) every 125,000- 150,000 needs rebuild Projector headlights HID 5 speed manual Amsoil for all drive train Smaller 56mm custom pulley, (MUST DO) 2004 DESNO fuel injectors, zero ping ping, 2004 side door mirrors Dick Cepek Rims, Michelin tires LTX, ATM Pathfinders Dynopro ATM ( that last 100,000 miles) Now running Dynopro ATM mud and snow tires KN cold air intake Cat back dual exhaust with ss exhaust tip, Raised exhaust tail pipe to 2" below body line Optima*dry cell battery,red top Alpine sirius radio, 200 watt amp, focal is165 split door pod speakers Focal door speakers Subwoffer behind seat Viper alarm, Electric Locks Dark tinted windows, bucket seats corbeau lg1 Tacoma Rubber floor mats TRD fender extenders, Bilstien shocks, King shocks JBA UCA trailer iv hitch, electric brake control, Drilled slotted brakes, High carbon steel (MUST DO) EBS green stuff 7000 series pads(MUST DO) TRD engine oil cap TRD stick shift, Marlin crawl shift kit. Rear sliding window 2002 4Runner functional hood scoop cut into Tacoma hood, 4Runner dual overhead map light Gentex Auto dim + Compass + Temp, garage,rearview mirror Snow Methonal kit stage 2 Custom 3 core aluminum radiator Linex bed liner Haltech stand alone ECU, Intake supercharger gauge. Stainless steel brake lines, Custom leather wrapped steering wheel, Haltech stand-alone ECU,
    I have the mini 7.0 projectors and very happy with them.
    Getting the horizontal beam lined up was a pain but I have the 97 bucket that’s different.

    I did upgrade later for the Philips extreme bulbs that cost 170.00 a set from theretrofit.

    Incredible difference from a stock setup.

    2CC3E0E5-4C24-4542-8D22-5D09978206EA.jpg
    51622E33-3BF8-4674-9002-195FA391177F.jpg

    2A3C2377-61B7-4D0E-885F-D009D09A47B9.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jan 5, 2021
    1997tacomav6, Oct 31, 2020
    #19
  20. Nov 11, 2020 at 10:01 AM
    #20
    ffirg

    #20
    ffirg Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2011
    Member:
    #57975
    Messages:
    4,876
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    mike
    Anchorage, Alaska
    Vehicle:
    2002 Tacoma SR5 TRD 4X4
    $$$
    Which shrouds did you use for that setup? I'm about to replace my Mini H1 setup from 2012 and was just going to do another H1 setup but that MLED 2.0 caught my eye. How cutting did you have to do to get the projector to fit in the housing? I was planning on blacking out the reflector bowl but the look of the black shroud and chrome housing is changing my mind...
     
    ffirg, Nov 11, 2020
    #20
Page 1 of 7
To Top