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.
The front of my headlight assembly has become cloudy and the output has diminished over the years on my Gen 4.5 2001 Camry 5sfe with 186k miles. In researching new headlights, I noted the OEM is ~$50-$60.
But I've notice that there are other options now for much more $ such as Halo lights by Anzo or JDM, black euro headlights, etc. Also found info on Canbus Xenon HID conversion headlight kit by EFX.
Are any of these aftermarket "upgrades" worth it and do you recommend any?
I unlike bigbird am in favor of spending the extra money to make the headlights look better.. am I in favor of the halos though? Nope. I had halos at one point, satisfied me, and then I realized they really only belonged on bimmers. If you want HIDs then upgrade to projectors, which I don't believe is sold, so you'll have to do yourself. If you don't want HIDs, then the blacked out headlights may be best for you depending on the color of your car.
I unlike bigbird am in favor of spending the extra money to make the headlights look better.. am I in favor of the halos though? Nope. I had halos at one point, satisfied me, and then I realized they really only belonged on bimmers. If you want HIDs then upgrade to projectors, which I don't believe is sold, so you'll have to do yourself. If you don't want HIDs, then the blacked out headlights may be best for you depending on the color of your car.
Can I buy a headlight assembly with the projectors/HID built in? What is the difference between projectors, HID, and Xenon?
Also, my car color is "sage" which is sort of between grey and silver. Would black lights work and is there any difference in the output of these vs clears?
Can I buy a headlight assembly with the projectors/HID built in? What is the difference between projectors, HID, and Xenon?
Also, my car color is "sage" which is sort of between grey and silver. Would black lights work and is there any difference in the output of these vs clears?
I put black halo headlights on my Antique Sage Pearl 2000 Camry. They look great. I didn't notice any noticable difference between the black halo and the OEM head lights. I did notice that the OEM fogs were brighter than the headlights, so I upgraded the bulbs to the Hella ones. Now they match.
See my sig for the output of the Hella and the halo.
Can I buy a headlight assembly with the projectors/HID built in? What is the difference between projectors, HID, and Xenon?
Would black lights work and is there any difference in the output of these vs clears?
Projectors built in? I think not, but may be corrected. HIDs built in? Yes, but don't get them cause they'll blind the crap out of everyone else. Don't put HIDs in unless you have projectors, in which case you have 4 options.
1. Aftermarket headlight, without HIDs.
2. Aftermarket headlight, retrofit projectors into them and use HIDs.
3. OEM headlight, without HIDs.
4. OEM or aftermarket headlight with HIR bulbs.
Black lights output, less.. but so minimally less that you can't tell the difference.
Don't worry bigbird.. your cars have been inspiration for me, including the headlights. Quality-wise.. I don't think the aftermarket is that bad, to me they seem just as good as OEM.
Oh god i hope not...my car is a piece thanks though. the biggest difference is when ya look at the mount points and the quality of the plastic for the lense. typcally, and its not much of an exception here, they yellow before the OEM ones do and dont fit as well (small gaps and harder to adjust). other then that, they are just fine.
Projectors built in? I think not, but may be corrected. HIDs built in? Yes, but don't get them cause they'll blind the crap out of everyone else. Don't put HIDs in unless you have projectors, in which case you have 4 options.
1. Aftermarket headlight, without HIDs.
2. Aftermarket headlight, retrofit projectors into them and use HIDs.
3. OEM headlight, without HIDs.
4. OEM or aftermarket headlight with HIR bulbs.
Black lights output, less.. but so minimally less that you can't tell the difference.
Do you buy the projectors/HIDs as a package or are these sold separately? Any recommendations on where to go?
Pay me to do them for you But the process is long and difficult if you haven't had any experience. The first time I did it it took almost a week and it came out like crap. Now I can do a retrofit in 3 hours and have it look beautiful. Just take a look at the work I have done (yes i'm totally selling myself)
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Scamry
thanks though.
the biggest difference is when ya look at the mount points and the quality of the plastic for the lense. typcally, and its not much of an exception here, they yellow before the OEM ones do and dont fit as well (small gaps and harder to adjust). other then that, they are just fine.
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