Opening tail lights...

[Pinchlite]

I would imagine opening rear lights would be the same as opening any other plastic headlight assembly>

I want to open the tails and install flexible led tubes for this effect...

https://i.imgur.com/wh8QgZi.jpg

I already opened up the spec D and replaced the Halos so I am quite confident I can do the rears.
I was just curious if they might be permanently glued vs Butyl?


Pic of my diy specd halo upgrade.

https://i.imgur.com/dPfU9hA.jpg

[06YarisRS]

I would imagine opening rear lights would be the same as opening any other plastic headlight assembly>

I want to open the tails and install flexible led tubes for this effect...

https://i.imgur.com/wh8QgZi.jpg

I already opened up the spec D and replaced the Halos so I am quite confident I can do the rears.
I was just curious if they might be permanently glued vs Butyl?


Pic of my diy specd halo upgrade.

https://i.imgur.com/dPfU9hA.jpg

Can't help you with the taillights, but I do have a couple questions about the SpecD headlights. Why did you upgrade the halos? Are the ones in the SpecD lights poor quality? How is the overall lighting at night with the SpecDs? I've not had good luck at all with any aftermerket headlights. The light patterns and visible have been horrible; one swap out rendered a van I had undriveable at night.

[mitch9521]

Can't help you with the taillights, but I do have a couple questions about the SpecD headlights. Why did you upgrade the halos? Are the ones in the SpecD lights poor quality? How is the overall lighting at night with the SpecDs? I've not had good luck at all with any aftermerket headlights. The light patterns and visible have been horrible; one swap out rendered a van I had undriveable at night.

Pretty much all aftermarket projector lights have crappy output. Only option is a projector retrofit or retrofit a set of stock housings. I did a D2S 3.0" retrofit in my 2014 with DEPO stock style lights. Turned out awesome.

[06YarisRS]

Pretty much all aftermarket projector lights have crappy output. Only option is a projector retrofit or retrofit a set of stock housings. I did a D2S 3.0" retrofit in my 2014 with DEPO stock style lights. Turned out awesome.

I think a projector upgrade might be in my future. I've surfed around looking at bits and pieces. Something about putting my OE headlights into my oven freaks me out. LOL. I though about it again, as a local u-Pull sells headlights for like $40.00 a piece. Suppose I could buy a set and try. If I do, I'll hit you up for some tips. :thumbsup:

[mitch9521]

I think a projector upgrade might be in my future. I've surfed around looking at bits and pieces. Something about putting my OE headlights into my oven freaks me out. LOL. I though about it again, as a local u-Pull sells headlights for like $40.00 a piece. Suppose I could buy a set and try. If I do, I'll hit you up for some tips. :thumbsup:

I have personally done 5 retrofits, 2011 Ranger, 2013 F150(twice), 1999 Tercel, 2007 F150, 2014 Yaris. Its not that bad. I will say though, my Gen 3 headlights were held together with permaseal and it was a NIGHTMARE to pull them apart. If I remember right it took 6 attempts per headlight at about 250°F.


Here is a shot of my 2014's retrofit. I basically blacked out the housing except for the chrome trim pieces and turn signal reflector. I deleted the amber reflector too. I would like to eventually do a set off M-LED projectors in a factory set of Japanese market housings, but those projectors are $500CAD for the pair, oof.


https://i.ibb.co/ws5twys/IMG-20200815-183250650.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/QYM5L4v/IMG-20201021-144623491-HDR.jpg

[Pinchlite]

Can't help you with the taillights, but I do have a couple questions about the SpecD headlights. Why did you upgrade the halos? Are the ones in the SpecD lights poor quality? How is the overall lighting at night with the SpecDs? I've not had good luck at all with any aftermerket headlights. The light patterns and visible have been horrible; one swap out rendered a van I had undriveable at night.

I have not driven or even tried at night time yet.

I only replaced the halo rings and swapped bulbs to led.

[spoonzz]

I will say though, my Gen 3 headlights were held together with permaseal and it was a NIGHTMARE to pull them apart. If I remember right it took 6 attempts per headlight at about 250°F.


What did you use to reseal it? The same permaseal or new one?

[Pinchlite]

opened the (spec d ) headlight housing using heat gun.

This went way easier then I thought it would.

I used same original seal..but put bead of silicone into groove,,pressed together and let sit for a few days.

so far no leaks.

have driven in heavy rain on highway and even powerwashed car multiple times.

No leaks or fogging up.

[mitch9521]

What did you use to reseal it? The same permaseal or new one?

Hell no. The standard for re-sealing headlights in the retrofit community is butyl rubber. The same stuff you'd use for sealing windshields and stuff, older cars run butyl as headlight sealant too.

I did my 1999 Tercel's headlights and they were butyl sealed, they literally fell apart when I pulled on them after heating them up to ~200°F for 5 minutes, absolutely brilliant. :biggrin:

[spoonzz]

Haha I ordered some of that the other day. I plan on resealing one of my headlamps again and properly cause I don't want any condensation or anything happening.

I used an giant cardbox box and hair dryer as a makeshift oven so I'm sure it'll work with the butyl rubber great to reseal.