I have a 00 Tacoma and the stock headlights have gone to trash.

I was wondering what recommendations you can make for replacements.

I think eBay lights are trash.

I had a pair of hella lamps for my 91 pickup that kicked ass.
- anyone know of similar lamps for tacomas? (I'm willing to $$$$)
- should I just buy new bulbs? Recommended manufactures?

 

what kind of trash have they turned into?? As far as your options besides retrofitting projectors I'm gonna say you don't have many options besides some new bulbs or some housing replacements.

Are your housings fogged and sun baked?? Pitted, cracked??

I have had some silverstar replacement that work really well but don't have the lifespan of a standard halogen bulb. Higher temps and brighter lights = lower life.

Start with this thread and see what ideas it gives you

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/h...w-pics-133563/

 

OK, I purchases some new bulbs (sylvanias) for starters and yes my housing is very fogged, and I will attempt it polish out the lenses. Does anyone have any helpful advice for removing the fog/oxidation ?

 

I used to work for a company that manufactured headlights for GM. There, a UV hardcoat was applied to the lenses to help protect against the fogging. I asked about all the products used to "polish" older lights and was told that ultimately, you are removing this coating and exposing the bare plastic to the elements and that in about 6 months you will have the same problem.

I don't know how much truth there is in that, but I have tested lenses with and without that coating and it makes a huge different as far as how weak the lenses are without it.

But like I said, we never worked with the polishing kits...what I was told is hear-say.

 

Polishing kits are great but it will get foggy in no time compared to a brand new housing, did my buddy's escort lights and it turned out pretty good but back to fogged in 3-4 months

Although I know detail shops will polish for about 100 bucks but I'm not sure on the stuff they use or if the longevity is any different.

I'm going to guess most of your issue is due to the fogged up lights most of the light stays in the housing and doesn't reflect as it should due to the lenses. If your new bulbs still seem dim you might try the polishing and see if you are happy or bite the bullet and get some new housings BUT from toyota I don't even want to know how much replacements would be, prolly an arm and a leg and a finger or so(:

 

I use wheel polish and a $2 buffing wheel from harbor freight chucked into my drill. Maybe 2-3 times a year I polish my Tacoma's and Subies lights... Tail lights too!

 

Yep, options for fogged up lenses are:

• Do above ^^ with $10 polishing paste from local stores, OR
• buy the $20 3M kit that comes

Or find replacement housing that has glass lenses like Hella's do.