Aftermarket headlamps: 1999 Tacoma

FrontRanger

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Oct 22, 2007
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166
Location
Colorado, USA
Hello Automotive CPF-ers,

I recently acquired a 1999 Toyota Tacoma. It came with some aftermarket headlamps whose make I can't determine. Here is a frontal view of the right one:



I know that there is a lot of aftermarket junk out there, and maybe these are in that category. But maybe not. I took out the lamps, and they're H4 Sylvanias marked with German origin, rather than some unmarked (which usually means Chinese) stuff. And they do make a reasonably well-clipped horizontal beam on the garage door at night. The problem is that they are not correctly aimed. They're pointed much too high and I need to adjust them. Adjusting headlamps in my other car ('66 Mustang) was obvious - three screws right at the bezel. But these are quite a bit different and I wanted to ask if anyone knew how to adjust them. Here's a shot of the rear of the (mounted) light.



I am guessing that it's the two hex-head screws that I've marked with arrows, but something I read on another website described some other features that I don't even see on mine. Even if no one else here has a similar vehicle, hopefully this adjustment mechanism is a commonality among modern vehicles. Does anyone know how to do it? And is there some specialty tool you need for those screws? Even my smallest socket doesn't fit.

Also, a more general question: Does anyone have a link to the best way to optimize the adjustment angle? I see a lot of stuff on the web, but I figure CPF will be more authoritative. It's my first time on this sub-forum and hopefully this isn't something that get asked often and irritates the regulars, but I checked the lone Sticky and also had no luck with the site search engine.

Thanks for your help.
 
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I don't have any suggestions regarding the physical adjustment of these headlamps. In general (I have heard), you should park on flat ground facing a vertical wall 25 feet away. Adjust the headlights so the distance from the ground to the center of your headlight is the same at the wall. I have done it with success.
 
How much will the dealership charge to aim them? I'd say that an accident caused by misaimed headlamps would probably cost more than a proper adjustment at the dealership. A "fix it ticket" would at the very least be a major inconvenience.

The aftermarket headlamps could also be just plain junk; it may be better to order a set of factory lamps and have them installed. Part of the installation process, of course, is setting them correctly.
 
I'm 90% sure you're correct on aiming.

It's simple to adjust them; the above is about half-correct. PM me if you want directions. Takes maybe 15 minutes to adjust, then drive around and see how you like it.

BTW, head over to Tacomaworld.com for more info than you need. Welcome to the Taco club!
 
All the aftermarket replacement (non-OEM) headlamps are junk. The DOT/SAE marks are usually fraudulent. The "Perfect OE fit and performance" promised in the ads is a joke. See this report (PDF) on a DOT test of original-equipment, TYC, and Depo versions of basic low-tech headlights. Plenty of failures with the TYC & Depo units in fit and function. See page 21 and 30 if you don't have time to read the whole report.

The bulbs are OK if they have clear colorless (not blue/purple) glass.

Aiming info is here.
 
My car uses a similar aiming mechanism. One of the screws will move it up and down, the other will move it left and right. It's a 3-point mounting. One corner is fixed (either lower inner or upper outer, can't tell from your pic). If the screw is above it, there's your vertical adjustment.

The screw that is horizontal from the fixed corner is horizontal adjustment.
 
My car uses a similar aiming mechanism. One of the screws will move it up and down, the other will move it left and right. It's a 3-point mounting. One corner is fixed (either lower inner or upper outer, can't tell from your pic). If the screw is above it, there's your vertical adjustment.

The screw that is horizontal from the fixed corner is horizontal adjustment.

Yes, I figured it was two orthogonal dimensions of adjustment. I will try it to see if I can get a passable beam pattern. If not, then I have to order a new set of headlamp assemblies.
 
All the aftermarket replacement (non-OEM) headlamps are junk. The DOT/SAE marks are usually fraudulent. The "Perfect OE fit and performance" promised in the ads is a joke. See this report (PDF) on a DOT test of original-equipment, TYC, and Depo versions of basic low-tech headlights. Plenty of failures with the TYC & Depo units in fit and function. See page 21 and 30 if you don't have time to read the whole report.

I read the whole report. It's impractical to sample every aftermarket part, so I think they did a good job of choosing the most frequently appearing samples. It's likely to be statistically representative of aftermarket manufacturers as a whole. The results are absolutely disgraceful. Automotive lighting is a matter of life and death, and not just one's own.

Learning this really frustrates me. The reason I have this truck with the aftermarket stuff is that a teenage girl was text messaging instead of driving, and totalled my bought-new, stock Tacoma while it was parked. I'm already out $1800 (replacement cost minus insurance payment) plus a week of work. Now the most likely outcome is that I have to replace the whole assembly. So while it was not pleasant to hear this message, thank you for pointing me toward the real-life data.

The bulbs are OK if they have clear colorless (not blue/purple) glass.

The bulbs in there now are clear and marked 60W. The ones it came with were blue-tinted and marked as 90W (and of course, there's no guarantee that the wiring can accommodate that current). I'm guessing the increased power was intended to overcome the tinting which must be lossier than the clear glass. Luckily, the guy who sold me the truck also gave me the clear lamps... and even knew enough to avoid contact with the oil on human hands.

Thanks for all the other responses, too. I appreciate the help.
 
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