Best aftermarket headlight replacements?

Hello all. I recently traded in my car today and picked up a 2009 Tacoma. Inside is immaculate and outside looks pretty good as well but I'd really like to replace the factory headlights as they're pretty badly fogged.

I was looking to get something black as well as I really like the look of it. I have gone through the forum here a bit as well as watching some YouTube videos and checking out a couple of other sites, but from what I've seen it's hit and miss with aftermarket stuff (faulty assemblies, leaky seals, etc.).

Does anyone here have any suggestions or experience with any aftermarket headlights and if so, what would you recommend?

 

Welcome to the site. Most go with either Depo or TYC brand replacements as they are the better ones out there. Finding them with the blacked out bezel shouldn't be an issue. Replacing them is not that hard as well. The hardest part would be the bottom bolt which can be accessed through the bottom behind the fender liner so bumper removal is not required.

 

Thanks! I will have to look at those. I watched a few videos earlier of the replacement process and it looks pretty straight forward as well.

 

I'd highly recommend OEM. They'll outlast aftermarket any day of the week plus have better optics. You can usually find very reasonably priced used ones here in the classifieds where somebody takes them out to replace them with something that "looks cooler." Just my 2 cents based on waaay too many years of experience.

 

Agree with the above.

I have Spyder Automotive units in my 15........low beams really suck, highs are like two surefire tac lights pointing into the night...

Like the look, but optics suck. Running a cost evaluation on replacing the poor optics with better ones vs returning to OEM and installing the ultimate headlight upgrades.

Toyota had and may still have lamp units with the chrome bezel done in black...

Stay OEM and stay away from the LED/HID garbage....bad optics again..

 

Okay, I'll see what I can find for OEM lights. Thanks for the help!

 

Id go w used set off craigslist list

 

I went with a set of black housing Depo lights, was happy with the look but output was the same as factory so no gain there. But I recently picked up a set of retrofit projector lights from @hyper15125 and has been the best money I have spend, aesthetically.. Light output is just unreal, better than my wife’s Audi. Sometimes it’s better to spend a little bit and get a lot.. Wish I did this before I spent the money on the depos.

 

Since you are going to be digging into the system, you might consider this route while you are working...........

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-ultimate-headlight-upgrade-h4-not-led-or-hid.398066/

 

When you say retrofit, what does he do to them exactly?

 

He replaces the “beam” emitters with a projector unit that also encompasses some of the stock reflector.

Just FYI, they are not “street legal” same with LED/HID. If you are in a city or state that does vehicle safety/equipment checks.... there is a good possibility that it won’t pass.

Did a lot of research before I did the Spyder units...they were the only ones that were certified by the company to be DOT legal.

 

I see. Do you like the Spyder units? Which ones did you get, and have you had any issues?

I found a set of OEM ones for sale on Craigslist for $40. They're not black/smoked like I wanted but they look a lot better than the ones currently on my truck.

 

After reading the article about "the ultimate headlight upgrade" I went ahead and purchased the TRD smoked headlights from the part #s provided. They look great and the optics are right on.

 

Look for 05-11 Tacoma TRD Sport headlights on Ebay. They come with the gunmetal/black chrome bezels instead of the chrome bezels. I picked up a mint set off ebay for $150 a year ago and proceeded to retrofit them. It's too bad im getting rid of them real soon.

 

Nice! What condition are they in, and would you be willing to sell them? If so, would I need to modify the setup on my truck any to use them?

 

Yes, i will be selling them. The lens are about 8 out of 10. Just not sure when exactly(within the next month or two) or if I'm giving locals dibs first due to not wanting to ship. The only modification needed to run my retros is to add a harness which I'll provide when I'm ready to sell. 100% Plug and play. No halos or color changing modules to fuss with it.

If you're really interested in retros, off the top of my head is @LSC15
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/retrofitting-services-for-all-tacomas.342693/

 

I have these, no issues other than a reduction in light output. They look good and I get compliments on em, which is why I am looking into refitting the projector units and maybe the high beam reflectors. From what others have said, most people with these use HID lights to try and overcome the poor quality internals on the projector side.
If I do refit I will have a “how to” on here.

 

FYI, HIDplanet is a forum that talks about retrofitting projectors into housings, lighting upgrades, etc.

Audi is a pretty broad term.
On one side, you can have a person with an old B6 using 3" bi-xenons with worn blue/purple stock bulbs, reflecting from the same burnt projector bowl that comes in Cayenne's and Touareg's. Today, probably one of the worst lights to ever exist.

On the other side, a newer B8 chassis Audi can come with a Bosch/AL Gen2 "E46" bi-xenon light that if paired with a strong aftermarket bulb such as an Osram CBI, is pretty good. Good enough for it to come stock in the Audi R8, Lamborghini Aventador, and more.

This sounds like a good idea. They're cheap and probably work well, even if only temporary.

I'm not sure what the best headlight restoration kit is, what drill is needed to use it, and if they come with UV protectant coating.
Another UV coating available separately is Opti-Lens, but it's expensive ($50).

On certain old Mercedes, people have been known to slightly upgrade the wattage of their bulbs for more lumens light output. I don't know if the same is popular with Tacoma's.

 

It’s a 2018 Q5.

Their pretty bright, alls I was saying is a nice set of retrofit projectors would be a huge upgrade and he would benefit greatly from.

 

Not sure I would spend upwards of 300$ on headlights that have a worse than factory output.. I would spend a little more and do retrofits that increase the light output 10fold.. Just my 2cents..