Capa vs nsf certified - headlights?

Yeah, and the NSF ones are even cheaper. I don't know if there is an actual difference in construction between the NSF and CAPA ones. Obviously the certification process is different, but should the two theoretically be the same?

 

I got a cheap pair off of Amazon for around $50. They probably are junk, but they are working for now. I also had to do the corner lights because they broke when doing the headlights, and they were full of water. I kept the OEMs with the thought of trying to do a restore on them. I may still do that as an experiment.

Those foggy lights make the truck look old too, in addiction to providing reduced lighting. I may still go back to OEMs. It really depends on my "long-term" plans for the truck. (It may be contradictory to think "long-term" with a 14 year old Tacoma here in the rust belt)

 

From what I've read, the CAPA is the same certification that the OEM manufacturing goes through. I *think* the NSF is some other industry (lighting industry) standard, but I'm not sure.

For the extra few buck, just get the CAPA ones...

 

OEM. They are NOT the same as Aftermarket. I dont go for the the gay Justin Bieber LED fruitcake mods either.

 

LOL, You sheeple crack me up. When are you going to do the "Unicorn mod" on your truck? All the boys in High School think its neato!

 

So, Mr. Safety 3rd, what WOULD you put on? (I ask for a 2nd time)

The CAPA cert is the same certification process that OEM goes through (according to my research), so they are of the same quality as OEM, even if they are from a different manufacturer.

Besides, OEM does NOT mean they are of the highest quality anyway. Or else we'd all have ICON coilovers on our trucks from the factory.

So, do you have any actual advice besides shitting on other people's advice?

 

Wait wat

 

For the 10th time OEM. CAPA certifiction is a BULLSHIT sticker that most aftermarket part suppliers have "in their desk" to slap on the box. Then, voila, the part now has a CAPA sticker and the the supplier charges you more. Read my my posts, Mr I use Shitty Parts....IN THE AUTO BODY INDUSTRY OVER 40 YEARS, I HAVE USED THEM BOTH> THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN QUALITY BETWEEN OEM AND TYC CAPA, NSF, or ANY A/M BRAND . Last time ill comment on this subject. And, these will probably be not the last pair of healights youll have to buy. Check my gallery photos of my Body Shop work. End of story.
BTW, I hear Tire Stickers make your truck fast too.

 

BTW, WTF is a "STICKER MOD"?

 

That the mod where I put fake certification sticker on all my shitty parts.



I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. I really don't give a shit if your claim of being in the industry for 40 years is true. Not that that makes you good at your job anyway, but my personal experience says that the lights I bought are just as good as OEM, and so far I'm happy with spending $10 more on lights than regular aftermarket.

If they start leaking in a few years I'll be sure to come back and eat my words, but for now, I'm happy with my purchase, as are others on this and many other threads. You seem to be the only one loosing their mind over capa parts.

 

I'm not the one who is "loosing mind" but I went to CAPA site to see what the "certification" means: fits like OEM and, if applicable, performs according to legal requirements. It does not mean it is the same quality of materials or craftsmanship, it does not mean it last as long as OEM nor performs like OEM. It has to look OK, fits OK and work so they are legal to use.

Now the DOT has very shitty requirements for headlights, hence the shitty H6054 sealed lamps are DOT legal, so pretty much any China-crap product can pass DOT, therefore can pass CAPA if it fits. CAPA does not do durability test, UV resistance, rock or scratch resistance or prolonged weather exposure. Also keep in mid, that CAPA does not check random product manufactured, only the product submitted by manufacturer (or distributor). It is still marketing BS game - I pay for the sticker and bump the price. So I'm sure you just paid for "stock" (not certified) TYC lamps and 10 bucks for CAPA sticker (It must be nice sticker to cost that much).

Somehow people don't understand that fancy certification sticker or lifetime warranty is just a marketing BS and means nothing for quality of the product.

Regarding TYC lamps the reality can be seen on the wall test. Pictures "before and after" show at the most marginal or kinda-OK pattern. Ghosts above the cut off, and dark spots straight below the cut off.

 

I bought TYC, too. New TYC are far superior to fogged OEM. And for the price, I can afford to replace them every few years for a long time and still end up ahead.

 

Not gonna lie, I ordered a pair yesterday. After cleaning my oem headlights numerous times, I decided to bite the bullet and purchase a pair. I'll be satisfied if they last a few years. Maybe I'll attempt to remove & clean my lenses in my factory lights....who knows. Good bulbs, anyone? Without replacing that harness for now. I'll set up some LEDs for offroad use later.

 

I get it. capa and other industry certs people feel are fancy stickers that do absolutely nothing. I happen to disagree. There is an obvious quality distinction between my headlights, and those without the fancy sticker. Are they the exact same as genuine OEM? As far as I can tell from my own personal experience, they are as close as you can get (without being able to compare the light beams from my factory lights from 13+ years ago). Are they as good as a modern headlight? Obviously not.

But let's do a little math:

Non OEM, non capa lights cost about $28 each, CAPA cost $44 each (all from rockauto). Now, genuine OEM cost $170+ each.

I've seen the non capa lights, and my capa lights, I personally feel that there is easily $16 worth of increased quality. People have had to force their cheap-o lamp assemblies (I know, my capa lamps are "cheap-o", too) in place and make modifications to make them fit - mine went in perfectly. Even comparing the build quality to my factory lights, they are indistinguishable (aside from not being fogged, lol).

Now let's switch to the genuine oem lights at a cost of $170, each. Do you get $126 worth of increased quality? I contend no. The idea that "geniune OEM supplied parts" are unilaterally better than any aftermarket part and thereby warrant the extremely high price (whatever that increased price is, like a 425% increase in cost) is just as laughable as the blanket statement that CAPA is crap.

I don't disagree that genuine OEM is "better", but I disagree that the 425% increase in cost also equates to a 425% increase in quality, that is just absurd. Better spend that money on some LED light pods or a light bar, or an HID retrofit...

If someone wants to send me some genuine OEM assemblies, I'll be glad to put them in and compare the light beams and post the results. I have no doubt the cutoff would be somewhat better. I guess it's up to you to decide if the minor increases in cutoff were worth the extra $250 you just spent.

 

I have some Sylvanias, which work fine, had them for years, I can't remember the exact ones... Just don't get the ones that are colored blue. All that does is simulate the "bro look" from HIDs.

 

yes, yes and they dont aim as well as OEM

 

I am happy with my junk for now

 

That didn't work on mine

I have used that trick on other headlights with great results

 

I guess I got lucky. Not a single leak yet, no fading, and they toss out a better beam than my faded OEM lamps.

Maybe during your 40 years you dealt with inferior product but the lamps available now seem pretty good quality

 

I checked the boxes my lights came in, and found they are not CAPA certified. They are junk. So I guess I saved that $10 per. I actually used the OEM mounts when I put them in. But they don't leak, provide decent light, and look pretty good (nice and clear). They've been on for 6 months.