3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
Hello everyone,
I've just done retrofit the halogen head lights on my Camry XLE v6 to use the HID xenon. The problem is the head light covers is not clear so they reduce bright of HID xenon. I couldn't find any place that sell clear headlamp housing for camry 97 98 99 except 00 01 on ebay. Anyone know if those for 00 01 will fit on my 98? (just the housing, or clear lens cover, don't worry about wiring low/hight beam) I will just take out my old cover and put the clear cover of 00 01 to my old housing if anyone can confirm it would fit.
Do a conversion to 4.5 gen by changing the bumber, head lamp, paint,... would be cool and solve the problem but it costs too much for me. So is there any other ways that can make the headlight covers become clear?
Please help, thank you!
Last edited by tinhmuonkiep; 05-27-2007 at 02:40 AM.
Hello everyone,
I've just done retrofit the halogen head lights on my Camry XLE v6 to use the HID xenon. The problem is the head light covers is not clear so they reduce bright of HID xenon. I couldn't find any place that sell clear headlamp housing for camry 97 98 99 except 00 01 on ebay. Anyone know if those for 00 01 will fit on my 98? (just the housing, or clear lens cover, don't worry about wiring low/hight beam) I will just take out my old cover and put the clear cover of 00 01 to my old housing if anyone can confirm it would fit.
Do a conversion to 4.5 gen by changing the bumber, head lamp, paint,... would be cool and solve the problem but it costs too much for me. So is there any other ways that can make the headlight covers become clear?
Please help, thank you!
There are no after market headlights specifically made for 97-99. You'll have to do one of two things. Since you've already modified your existing housing a front end gen 4 to 4.5 conversion is out.
Buy a new set of of 2000-2001 headlights, heat them up and pull apart the lens from the rest of the headlamp. Do the same with your 98 headlights. Switch the two of them and make sure you seal them up good. Some people say it can't be done, others say differently. I have seen it done like this personally and the fitting on the car was a little tighter.
Sanding. This is probably cheaper but more tiresome. Assuming you have a NEW pair of headlamps then you have to heat up lamp and pull the lens apart from the rest of it. Now you sand and sand and sand some more. Add some rubbing compound and plastic polish. Do it right and you've got something to be proud of. There is a DIY thread for this. Just make sure you use a NEW pair of headlights so that they'll be crystal clear and not cloudy clear.
Yeah I saw you around and I like the clear cover of your head light. Can you tell me how to get it? I don't know which part of your DIY threads would make my head light cover clear because it only shows the retrofit thing which I've already done.
Last edited by tinhmuonkiep; 05-27-2007 at 08:26 PM.
Buy a new set of of 2000-2001 headlights, heat them up and pull apart the lens from the rest of the headlamp. Do the same with your 98 headlights. Switch the two of them and make sure you seal them up good. Some people say it can't be done, others say differently. I have seen it done like this personally and the fitting on the car was a little tighter.
This is what I was trying know. As you said, the clear cover of the 2000-2001 head light housing would fit on the 98 housing? I need to know before I buy a new 00-01 pairs. I think I can switch the covers easily because the covers of my head light were taken off once to retrofit.
Another question, If the clear cover can fit on the 98 housing then why wouldn't the 00-01 housing fit? difference shape? size? anyone know?
The headlight of leasaunce looks like using 00-01 housing which use separate bulbs for high & low beams, but did he have to change the front bumper, it doen't seem original since the grill is difference!?.
Can anyone leads me to the DIY sanding headlights thread?
Last edited by tinhmuonkiep; 05-27-2007 at 09:07 PM.
This is what I was trying know. As you said, the clear cover of the 2000-2001 head light housing would fit on the 98 housing? I need to know before I buy a new 00-01 pairs. I think I can switch the covers easily because the covers of my head light were taken off once to retrofit.
Another question, If the clear cover can fit on the 98 housing then why wouldn't the 00-01 housing fit? difference shape? size? anyone know?
The headlight of leasaunce looks like using 00-01 housing which use separate bulbs for high & low beams, but did he have to change the front bumper, it doen't seem original since the grill is difference!?.
Can anyone leads me to the DIY sanding headlights thread?
Er... Well one person on here did the 4 to 4.5 lens swap. Who was it..... Oh yeah! It was that velox dude. Here's a link to the thread... http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t52165.html
There's more information on there than what I can give you. You could probably PM him for more details. I'm guessing the actual 4.5 headlight housing is bigger and so the bumper would need to be modded. I have seen this lens swap done and like I said before the fitting was tight. I'd ask the guy who's car I had seen it on, but he moved over a year ago.
Many thanks to you!
Now I have to pick one option between $200+ or under $100 lol
I think I'll try to sand if I can't get those 00-01 aftermarket under $100.
Interested information but can't afford. It seems that the last one for sell in U.S has been sold in this thread anyway http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...hreadid=139762
Even if I have it, I think I would sell it to save for other upgrades.
Interested information but can't afford. It seems that the last one for sell in U.S has been sold in this thread anyway http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...hreadid=139762
Even if I have it, I think I would sell it to save for other upgrades.
Yeah, that was me selling the lights. I also have another set with damaged housing. The glass lens are in good shape. PM me if interested.
This is what I was trying know. As you said, the clear cover of the 2000-2001 head light housing would fit on the 98 housing? I need to know before I buy a new 00-01 pairs. I think I can switch the covers easily because the covers of my head light were taken off once to retrofit.
Another question, If the clear cover can fit on the 98 housing then why wouldn't the 00-01 housing fit? difference shape? size? anyone know?
The headlight of leasaunce looks like using 00-01 housing which use separate bulbs for high & low beams, but did he have to change the front bumper, it doen't seem original since the grill is difference!?
the GEN 4.5 Headlights are abig bigger than GEN 4. The shape is also abit different. So the answer to your question, yes it will NOT fit properly but you can make it fit. Regarding with the 2 bulbs in my housing, thats stock for Aust Camry I know that the US got 1 Bulb per headlight
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A quick reply to give you an idea.
I know that the US got 1 Bulb per headlight 
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