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Headlight Modification

Nathanbrummer@SCS

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While I had my front bumper off for the Steeda fascia install I figured it was a perfect time to crack open the headlights and paint that chrome. While I was doing that, I also installed the Diode Dynamics DRL led boards.

Let me first start off by saying that this mod is a pain in the ass. It sucks! No getting around it. That being said it looks bad ass, so you'll have to weight the pros and cons for yourself.

I've done some headlights on other cars and these were by far the most difficult. The permaseal glue used on our lights is bullshit. It does not heat like the glue manufactures used to use. It took multiple heat cycles in the oven. But after some choice words and a little patience it finally came open. Here is a step by step of what I did.

First, I recommend you watch this video. It was actually the most helpful. I followed the same steps.


Baking
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I heated my lights at 250 degrees for 15 minutes. I took them out and ran a flat scraper around the seal to start breaking the glue away from the housing. After a minute or so it was time to go back into the over for another 10 minutes. You then just repeat the steps until you get all the way around the light. You can then get the scraper or a small screw driver in between the lens and housing. Once you get all the way around you can pull the lens off. I was so focused on this that I did not take any photos, and if I shot a video, it would have been so littered with profanities that it wouldn't have been usable.

Finally Open
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Here is what the housing looks like once you finally get the lens off. The area to be painted is held to the lens with four small philips screws.

Paint Prep
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I taped off everything that wasn’t chrome. I thoroughly cleaning all the surfaces, then went to town with some black plastic spray paint.

Painted
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Final Product.

Installing the DD DRLs
Diode Dynamics video is pretty good. I Watched it a few times. Here’s a link.


DRL Boards
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This is a photo of the stock vs. diode led panels. I followed Diodes instructions and used a dremel and 5 minute epoxy.

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Diode Panels installed.


Painted Panels installed back in the housing,
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From this point you just seal them back up. I removed as much of the permaseal as I could I then took a head gun and heated the the remaining permaseal and used a bunch of black silicone. Again, here is another video that I used. I followed the same steps.


Reinstall
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Put your bumper back on and wire them up.
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Wiring
Follow diodes directions. They’re super easy to follow.

I hope this helps. I hadn't planned on doing this, otherwise I would have taken more photos. I had trouble finding this info in one location so I figured it would help to at least have all the links in one post.
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jbailer

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Thanks for sharing! I did a project like this before and could never get the headlights resealed and regretted doing it. Location=602, I'm guessing you're in AZ? If so, you might not have the same problems as me in MD. My lights seemed to fog up all the time. Who knows, maybe I'll get bold and try it again.
 

Twin Turbo

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Superb! More photos of the finished job, please :headbang:
 

boogs

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I installed a set of halos in a 2012 Tundra. Looked great but swore i'd never go through the hassle again. Yours look great btw!
 

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P4RKER

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That looks great! Seeing the price of replacement lights makes me way too nervous to throw my headlights in the oven.
 

lzaffuto

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Man, that looks awesome! I was immediately intrigued when I heard about the DRL/front sequential turn signal mod but I couldn't bake my lights either. You are one brave dude. Great job! Maybe one of these days when there are affordable aftermarket replacements on Ebay...
 

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Nathanbrummer@SCS

Nathanbrummer@SCS

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Man, that looks awesome! I was immediately intrigued when I heard about the DRL/front sequential turn signal mod but I couldn't bake my lights either. You are one brave dude. Great job! Maybe one of these days when there are affordable aftermarket replacements on Ebay...
I'm honestly surprised there is not an aftermarket plug and play solution in place yet.
 

GrabberBlue

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BEAUTIFUL!

Thanks for the DIY, I can't wait to do this on mine.

Is there a sure fire method to sealing the housing properly?
 

Dizzle58

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So time wise how long did each headlight take? Seems like if you went into it knowing that each light would take you an hour it might not be that bad.
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