First gen Tacoma headlight replacement - TexasBowhunter.com Community Discussion Forums

BTLowry · 01-21-2021, 08:07 AM

Got the usual oxidized lenses on the 99 and looking to replace so I can see better

Any recommendations on which to go with or stay away from?

Figure factory style with upgraded bulbs is easier and cheaper than HID upgrade or am I wrong?

Goal is to see better and not blind oncoming traffic

Johnny Dangerr · 01-21-2021, 08:23 AM

There are services that will come to the house and polish out your lights to clear for $70.00 per light. No installing and adjusting needed. About time to call them again. Lasts about 2 years.................

fish4food · 01-21-2021, 08:58 AM

Last time I went through this on my 2004 I just bought replacements on eBay. Came out to about $50 for a pair with side markers.

Now that you mention it, I need to do it again.

Nova · 01-21-2021, 10:48 AM

You can wet sand them out and then polish with one of those foam drill attachments and plastic polish. Worked well on my sequoia.

panhandlehunter · 01-21-2021, 10:50 AM

Meguiars makes a kit for like $30. I did mine on my Tundra and they still are clear about 4 years later.

Bullseye07 · 01-21-2021, 12:12 PM

I tried all kinds of stuff with my Tacoma headlights to get the haze gone. Finally ended up just replacing them. Once you replace, you can get an upgraded wiring harness(the wiring harnesses on tacos are way undersized and rob you of light), that and some good bulbs will make an incredible difference. There’s a guy on tacomaworld that makes the harnesses. I’ll see if I can find that info.

Edit- found the thread on tacomaworld. It’s a lot of information, but having done this upgrade myself, I can say it’s worth it.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/...or-hid.398066/

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

bear · 01-21-2021, 12:24 PM

got any pics of your truck? Love some old gen tacoma pics

BTLowry · 01-21-2021, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullseye07

I tried all kinds of stuff with my Tacoma headlights to get the haze gone. Finally ended up just replacing them. Once you replace, you can get an upgraded wiring harness(the wiring harnesses on tacos are way undersized and rob you of light), that and some good bulbs will make an incredible difference. There’s a guy on tacomaworld that makes the harnesses. I’ll see if I can find that info.

Edit- found the thread on tacomaworld. It’s a lot of information, but having done this upgrade myself, I can say it’s worth it.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/...or-hid.398066/

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I will check that out, thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by bear

got any pics of your truck? Love some old gen tacoma pics

Nothing special, just SR5 ext cab 4x4, plain ol white

White Falcon · 01-22-2021, 08:50 AM

Rub, "OFF" bug spray on it and rub it off. Will have to redue about every year. Works for me.

Turboe · 01-22-2021, 06:47 PM

There should be several ones to choose from on Rockauto.com I believe.
I found a set there for my 2007 when I had it and was very satisfied.
I just can't remember which one I went with...

3ChordTruth · 01-22-2021, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by White Falcon

Rub, "OFF" bug spray on it and rub it off. Will have to redue about every year. Works for me.

X2 on this, but …

Did a few times, then read somewhere about “whitening” toothpaste and a Scotch-Brite Dobie Cleaning Pad with some elbow grease. Now do this and it clears haze off just a good as the bug spray did.

Strummer · 01-22-2021, 08:30 PM

I got a co worker that re did his . They look great . Let me see if I can get ahold of him .

Strummer · 01-22-2021, 09:09 PM

My buddy went with Morimoto lights .

BTLowry · 01-22-2021, 09:15 PM

Thanks for the suggestions

May try some of the DIY tricks before replacing assemblies

Bullseye07 · 01-22-2021, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strummer

My buddy went with Morimoto lights .

Morimoto are super nice and not cheap

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Strummer · 01-23-2021, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullseye07

Morimoto are super nice and not cheap

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

He said he ordered all the parts and built them himself. Said it saved him a lot of money .

cva34 · 01-23-2021, 08:02 AM

Did this as directed on 05 silverado made look new and they still great a year later...

Mule Skinner · 01-23-2021, 10:14 AM

My teenage son went to Lowes and bought several grits of sandpaper and a few other supplies. He’s done all our vehicles’ headlights and a few for other family members.

In other words, if you have a kid, have them do it! LOL

BTLowry · 01-23-2021, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mule Skinner

My teenage son went to Lowes and bought several grits of sandpaper and a few other supplies. He’s done all our vehicles’ headlights and a few for other family members.

In other words, if you have a kid, have them do it! LOL

My "kids" are 24 and 21, don't think that is an option

New harness and bulbs is definitely on the list

Cleaning the current lenses is an option but new assemblies are ~$50/pr on rockauto if that goes south

The acetone trick looks the easiest but I am skeptical

01-21-2021, 08:07 AM	#1
BTLowry Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lindale Hunt In: Behind the house and public in Texas; Kansas Unit 5	First gen Tacoma headlight replacement Got the usual oxidized lenses on the 99 and looking to replace so I can see better Any recommendations on which to go with or stay away from? Figure factory style with upgraded bulbs is easier and cheaper than HID upgrade or am I wrong? Goal is to see better and not blind oncoming traffic

01-21-2021, 12:12 PM	#6
Bullseye07 Ten Point Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Celina Hunt In: Leon/Freestone Cos	First gen Tacoma headlight replacement I tried all kinds of stuff with my Tacoma headlights to get the haze gone. Finally ended up just replacing them. Once you replace, you can get an upgraded wiring harness(the wiring harnesses on tacos are way undersized and rob you of light), that and some good bulbs will make an incredible difference. There’s a guy on tacomaworld that makes the harnesses. I’ll see if I can find that info. Edit- found the thread on tacomaworld. It’s a lot of information, but having done this upgrade myself, I can say it’s worth it. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/...or-hid.398066/ Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Last edited by Bullseye07; 01-21-2021 at 12:16 PM.

01-23-2021, 08:02 AM	#17
cva34 Ten Point Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: van vleck Hunt In: LOOKING	Did this as directed on 05 silverado made look new and they still great a year later... 3 Minute Headlight Restoration - YouTube

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01-21-2021, 08:23 AM	#2
Johnny Dangerr Pope & Young Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Houston Hunt In: Killing Stuff These Days	There are services that will come to the house and polish out your lights to clear for $70.00 per light. No installing and adjusting needed. About time to call them again. Lasts about 2 years.................

01-21-2021, 08:58 AM	#3
fish4food Ten Point Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Calhoun County	Last time I went through this on my 2004 I just bought replacements on eBay. Came out to about $50 for a pair with side markers. Now that you mention it, I need to do it again.

01-21-2021, 10:48 AM	#4
Nova Ten Point Join Date: Jan 2008	You can wet sand them out and then polish with one of those foam drill attachments and plastic polish. Worked well on my sequoia.

01-21-2021, 10:50 AM	#5
panhandlehunter Pope & Young Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sweenyish Hunt In: Brazoria, Matagorda & Webb Counties	Meguiars makes a kit for like $30. I did mine on my Tundra and they still are clear about 4 years later.

01-21-2021, 12:24 PM	#7
bear Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Canadian, Texas Hunt In: Panhandle of Texas	got any pics of your truck? Love some old gen tacoma pics

01-22-2021, 08:50 AM	#9
White Falcon Pope & Young Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Holly Lake Ranch Hunt In: East Tx. and Anywhere I can!	Rub, "OFF" bug spray on it and rub it off. Will have to redue about every year. Works for me.

01-22-2021, 06:47 PM	#10
Turboe Four Point Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: SW FTW Hunt In: Wise Co and ETX	There should be several ones to choose from on Rockauto.com I believe. I found a set there for my 2007 when I had it and was very satisfied. I just can't remember which one I went with...

01-22-2021, 08:30 PM	#12
Strummer Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Edna Tx Hunt In: At Gary's place ,and the backyard	I got a co worker that re did his . They look great . Let me see if I can get ahold of him .

01-22-2021, 09:09 PM	#13
Strummer Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Edna Tx Hunt In: At Gary's place ,and the backyard	My buddy went with Morimoto lights .

01-22-2021, 09:15 PM	#14
BTLowry Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lindale Hunt In: Behind the house and public in Texas; Kansas Unit 5	Thanks for the suggestions May try some of the DIY tricks before replacing assemblies

01-23-2021, 10:14 AM	#18
Mule Skinner Six Point Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: San Antonio Hunt In: Eastern Edwards Co.	My teenage son went to Lowes and bought several grits of sandpaper and a few other supplies. He’s done all our vehicles’ headlights and a few for other family members. In other words, if you have a kid, have them do it! LOL