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Headlight aiming near Tyler?

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    Headlight aiming near Tyler?

    I have some new headlights for the Tacoma. Old ones are oxidized bad.

    Problem is that the new ones need "aimed" to optimize them.

    I have the instructions to do it against a wall on flat ground but a machine is more precise

    Problem is, I don't know anywhere that has one (I have asked a few inspection stations and body shops)

    If anybody knows where they have a machine AND somebody that can efficiently operate it, let me know.
    Otherwise I will break out the tape measure, tape and tools and get it as close as possible

    #2
    u need a time machine go back 30 years

    Comment


      #3
      Originally posted by Bruiser View Post
      u need a time machine go back 30 years
      Apparently there are still a few places that do it but not very common

      I doubt I will find one but until you ask you can't be certain

      I am old enough to remember when you got your yearly vehicle inspection the machines they used

      Guess I could just crank them up until I can see good and then just adjust them down until I quit getting flashed

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        #4
        My first guess would be a body shop, but you have already tried that- they have to have the equipment, they replace hundreds of headlights. Maybe they just don't want to do the alignment without selling the headlight?

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          #5
          For my time and $, I'd just find a wall and a tape measure.

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            #6
            I did it on a wall, then drove it down a back road to see if it was what I thought it should be and adjusted a bit. Seems to have worked as I see much better and don't appear to upset other drivers.

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              #7
              If the old ones are still on the truck, use a wall and mark the beam location with painter's tape or something. Install the new ones and adjust to the tape on the wall.

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                #8
                Years ago, the state decided that headlight adjustment was not important, so it got dropped from the state inspections. When that happened, 98% of the shops out there got rid of their headlight machines. I have not seen one in probably 25 years.

                I have been adjusting headlights for years, by parking in front of a wall or garage door, on flat ground, then adjusting them. I will admit I had one car, I could not get adjusted very well with that method. Then one night on the way home, it was pretty foggy. Where we lived the driveway was about 1/2 mile long. I could see exactly where both headlights were pointing in the fog. So I just stopped in the driveway, got out and adjusted the headlights. I was finally able to get them adjusted properly. Most of the time, I can get them adjusted very well pointing them at a wall. That car I could not.

                Maybe park the car on a dark flat road, then go set a some grenade about 30 yards out in front of the truck. People will be wondering what in the hell is going on, but I bet it would work. Safer than parking on a public road, the next time it's foggy, then getting out and adjusting your headlights. Then you don't have to wait for a foggy night, just make your own fog, smoke, ECT.

                Yes, I have come up with crazy methods for diagnosing or finding problems on cars over the years. You should be around, when I am looking for boost leaks, that can get loud.

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                  #9
                  About to swap them out

                  Looks like the wall and tape measure method will most likely be used

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                    #10
                    Originally posted by Twist View Post
                    If the old ones are still on the truck, use a wall and mark the beam location with painter's tape or something. Install the new ones and adjust to the tape on the wall.
                    This is what I do. No tape measure needed.

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                      #11
                      Does Goggins not do that?
                      Right across from TSC.
                      If not I'll tell Jesse he needs to start adding some equipment lol.

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                        #12
                        Originally posted by MadHatter View Post
                        Does Goggins not do that?
                        Right across from TSC.
                        If not I'll tell Jesse he needs to start adding some equipment lol.
                        I did not call them
                        It is kind of an old school thing in the US, low demand I am sure.
                        There is no aiming requirement for new vehicles either as far as I can tell.
                        Probably why half of the new cars blind you whether oncoming or following

                        I got everything swapped out, just waitng on dark

                        For the ones saying mark a line and then swap, I am not so sure they are adjusted high enough now. And I want to get as much illumination as possible without blinding others

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                          #13
                          You live in East Texas, the right one needs to be aimed toward the ditch so you can avoid the **** hogs !

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                            #14


                            I use these guys for my DIY car repairs

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                              #15
                              Originally posted by drycreek3189 View Post
                              you live in east texas, the right one needs to be aimed toward the ditch so you can shoot deer at night !
                              fify

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