Time to replace my headlight housings

Yes. I have a 2007 Off Road with the factory headlight housings, still.

I followed the sticky thread, and found the 2009-2015 headlight housings available for sale still, but I have some questions.

I understand the bulb changes, and since the connectors are keyed to the bulb, which adapter harness do I need?

Do the new housings come loaded, or do I need to purchase bulbs, as well?

 

Keep in mind headlamps from a 2012-2015 won't directly fit your 2007.

 

I recently replaced mine, in a 2006. I ordered these from Amazon, which are only the housings, no bulbs or wiring. The fit was perfect and the quality seems good, although they've only been on for a couple months so time will tell. I applied silicone caulk to the joint between the clear lens and the black housing.

$107 DWVO Headlight Assembly Compatible with 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Tacoma Pickup Truck OE Style Replacement Chrome Housing with Amber Reflector

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DDFCP19?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

I also replaced the bulbs even though I think they were fine:

$22 Philips Automotive Lighting 9003 CrystalVision Platinum Upgrade Automotive Replacement Bright White Headlight Bulb with Up to 60% more Vision, Fits Select High Beam, Low Beam, Fog Positions (2 Pack)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B099GSB3ZC?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

I didn't replace any wiring. I'm quite happy with the result, much more light on the road. Whole thing cost about $150, although it looks like the price has come down since then.

 

If you buy the OEM headlamps from Toyota, yes, they come with new H4 bulbs.

But as @replica9000 noted, the headlamps from a later Gen 2½ truck will not fit an earlier Gen 2 without a number of not-insignificant mods.

 

I got that, thank you. I did find replacement headlight housings for the 2005-2011 trucks, I was hoping for an option that would eliminate the DRL. Is there an alternative that will fit, or should I just get the OE style housing and use an alternative method to disable the DRL?

 

you can get just the plastic w/o bulbs or boots https://parts.nucartoyotanorthattle...meT0yMDEwJnQ9cHJlLXJ1bm5lciZlPTQtMGwtdjYtZ2Fz

DRL is a function of the wiring and computer not the assembly

 

My 2008 didn't have DRLs, so I'm not sure what methods would disabled them. It could be as simple as pulling a fuse if you're lucky. Are your DRLs the amber turn signals or the highbeams (dimmed)? If you want to disable them because of the melting issue, Toyota fixed that issue. The part numbers below should be the updated assemblies.

OEM headlamps will be the best quality, but not the cheapest option. Some dealers offer good online discounts though.

Chrome R 81110-04163
Chrome L 81150-04163

Smoked R 81110-04173
Smoked L 81150-04173

 

I think I'm going to just get the stock all clear replacements.

I'm going to depin the DRL wire, since that's reversible and doesn't violate the wiring itself.

 

Are you replacing the housings because they are yellowed? Id suggest you try the Cerakote brand headlight restoration kit... I have had GREAT luck with that 17dollar kit to bring back to life yellowed headlights.

 

I tried several approaches to restore my headlights. Magic Eraser (worked well for a while) and paste wax, Mcguire's kit, finally sanding and painting with clearcoat. Nothing worked for over a year.

I finally broke down and bought new OEM headlights from Serra Toyota for ~$360 for the pair in May of 2023.

Since I installed the new headlights, I make every effort to park with the headlights in the shade.

 

My 07 does not have DRL. I polished my housings several times and it made a huge difference each time. But 3 years ago they were just too far gone. I looked at a lot of cheaper aftermarket options but finally decided to go with factory replacements. The local dealer wanted $750 for a set. Online directly from Toyota was $700.

On a hunch I asked my BIL, who owns a local body shop, what he could get them for through his commercial account. The local Toyota dealership delivered them to his shop for $500 and I paid him $500.

They came with new bulbs and were relatively easy to install.

 

@steveo27 will buy your oem housings

 

Okay, my bad for not being completely transparent on this.

I'm replacing the housings because they're literally fire risks. They are melted, bad, where the turn signal/DRL is. The turn signals light up when the parking brake is release, they ARE DRL's.

I know there WAS a recall for this, but the previous owner never did the recall, so now I have to purchase replacement housings.

I know how to polish housings, that's when I realized how absolutely terrible those housings have burned up. It actually appears as if there was a small fire in one of them, at least once, in the past.

 

No need to worry about the DRLs doing it again - the headlights have been updated to fix that problem. It was an issue with the lenses, not the electricals in the truck.

 

I bough some cheap Ebay ones for around $60, so far they've held up well. I sealed up the back of the housings with some black RTV and called it good. I've seen a little bit of moisture after washing my truck in a heated bay then parking it outside in the cold, but nothing during regular driving. We'll see how they do next summer but I could buy 10 pairs of the headlights for the cost of OEMs so its a no-brainer for me.

 

I've been here for a couple of years and read most of the headlight threads since I've had to polish mine a couple of times- my opinion, based on all of the posts I've seen, just bite the bullet and buy OEM lights. The factory headlights in good condition are very good (other than the fading issue) and mine have never leaked or gotten condensation in them. Good headlights really are an important piece of safety equipment and, at least in my opinion, both personal and professional, are worth the money.

If you don't need them immediately, watch for the online dealers to have sales and shop around and you can find them for much better prices. The folks here are really good about posting deals so I bought a pair of the smoked OEM lenses last time someone posted about SE Toyotas having, IIRC, 25% off. I still need to install them, I've got an ARB bumper so not sure how much of a PITA it's going to be, but it's on my short list. I picked up new clips as well since they're essentially single use, especially with the age of my truck. Double check your wiring and make sure the previous owner didn't change fuses to keep them working; it's amazing how often people will insert a higher amperage fuse instead of solving an electrical problem.

 

Go here, and supply your own bulbs. You can get both OEM Toyota Headlight Housings for <$350
https://autoparts.serratoyota.com/

These are the housings for 2005-2011 Tacomas

 

On my 2015 / Gen 2.5, it was a big PITA. On the late Gen 2s have a different ARB bullbar and that bar had to come off to change the headlamps.

 

I am not worried about them burning up on the new ones, I just don't want the DRL's. I've disabled them on every vehicle I own that had them, and will continue to do so.

My plan is to get new housings from Toyota, apply a UV protective film, then install them. I'd rather reapply a UV protective layer every other summer, than have to buff and buff and buff them.

I have a 2007. There's no bullbar. I'm not really worried about it.

 

Plus $100 shipping. At least when I priced them out.