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Thread: DIY: Headlight Mod

  1. #1
    Full Access Member n2titan's Avatar
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    Default DIY: Headlight Mod

    Credit definitely goes to titanse05 and RyBo for their original posts.

    Methods

    Oven (easier)
    Heat gun (harder)



    Materials


    Gloves
    Flat head screwdrivers
    Duplicolor primer
    Duplicolor black paint or color matched paint
    Duplicolor clear coat
    150 grit Sandpaper and a sanding block
    (2) Permatex Ultra black gasket maker tubes
    T10 Torx bits or small screwdriver or eyeglass repair kit can be used
    Cookie sheet
    Towel
    Masking tape



    Prepping the headlight housing


    Remove all (3) bulbs and wiring from the housing.

    Remove the bumper filler. (body color strip under the headlight)

    Wipe down the housing from dirt and oils.



    Splitting the headlight housing


    Preheat oven to 275 degrees.

    Towel - Wet the towel, fold and place on cookie sheet.

    Place headlight (lens face down) on the wet towel.

    Put in oven for 7-10 minutes.
    Note: The only thing that should touch the housing is the wet towel.

    After 10 minutes, remove the headlight and start splitting.

    Note: For me, this is the best corner to start prying. Use a screwdriver to open up this corner. Push the screwdriver in, push it down, then lift up the lens. After, grab the black backing and the corner of the lens and start yanking them apart. There are nine tabs around the headlight that need to be unlatched by a screwdriver.


    Remove chrome housing from the lens. Use a T10 Torx bit, small screwdriver or eyeglass repair kit to remove the (4) screws.

    Remove the amber reflector from the chrome housing.
    Note: This part can be difficult. The chrome area around the amber reflector can break easily. Be patient.

    Remove all the original black gasket. You can reheat to soften the gasket or use a heat gun or hair dryer.



    Prepping and painting


    Masking tape - Mask areas you want to leave chrome.
    Note: Some mask around the turn signal section. Some paint everything. If everything is painted, the halogen parking/turn signal won’t be as visible.

    Sandpaper - Use a 150 grit sandpaper and sand down all the chrome and wipe down with lint free cloth.
    Note:This process will take time.

    Primer - Spray at least two coats and wait 10 minutes between coats, then let dry.

    Color - Spray the color of choice, then let dry.

    Clear coat - Spray the clear coat, then let dry. Remove masking tape.

    Amber reflector - Spray with the color of choice or tint spray, then let dry.

    Allow all painted surfaces to dry for 24hrs.



    Sealing the headlight housing


    Make sure everything is clean, oil free and dust free.

    Amber reflector - Reattach to painted housing.

    Painted housing - Reattach to lens.

    Gasket maker - Apply to the headlight backing in the groove where the lens will sit.

    Lens - Reattach to headlight backing. Make sure the 9 tabs connect and apply pressure to properly seal.

    Bungee cords - Wrap around headlight housing maintain pressure while the gasket dries.
    If you don’t have bungee cords, use what you can to maintain pressure ( try a belt, or use the masking tape. )

    Allow the gasket maker to dry for 24hrs.


    Happy modding!




    If you don't have the time or material to do this mod, PM SiMpLyMoDiFiEd.
    He's done many Headlight Mods for Titan Owners.
    Last edited by n2titan; 01-22-2010 at 01:03 PM.


    2007 LE Crew Cab || 22x9 Axis Titan || 305/45/22 Pirelli Scorpion ATR || 35W 4300K Driving 5000K Fogs || LED Tail lights || 2.5" NCD Leveling kit Custom debadged grille || DTRL LEDs || Headlight Mod

  2. #2
    Full Access Member n2titan's Avatar
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    Here are some finished products:

    Color Matched by RyBo



    Color Matched by Bran761G




    Silver and Black by Eddie Fonzareli




    Black Chrome by n2titan





    Chrome Insert by n2titan




    Amber painted Silver by Advocate07



    Tinted Amber by dd dailydriver



    2007 LE Crew Cab || 22x9 Axis Titan || 305/45/22 Pirelli Scorpion ATR || 35W 4300K Driving 5000K Fogs || LED Tail lights || 2.5" NCD Leveling kit Custom debadged grille || DTRL LEDs || Headlight Mod

  3. #3
    Full Access Member Twistedfreedom's Avatar
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    some black chrome headlights would be AWESOME

  4. #4
    Full Access Member SiMpLyMoDiFiEd's Avatar
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    the plating would not hold up with the heat from the lights

    IRC VK56 Member "Special Operations Pit Crew"

    My Truck Featured Here!!
    Need Headlight Mod Done? LMK I have Many Happy Customers on the site!

  5. #5
    Full Access Member n2titan's Avatar
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    The black chrome was painted not plated. I used Tamiya hobby paint (smoke tint)


    2007 LE Crew Cab || 22x9 Axis Titan || 305/45/22 Pirelli Scorpion ATR || 35W 4300K Driving 5000K Fogs || LED Tail lights || 2.5" NCD Leveling kit Custom debadged grille || DTRL LEDs || Headlight Mod

  6. #6
    Full Access Member SiMpLyMoDiFiEd's Avatar
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    Gtk

    IRC VK56 Member "Special Operations Pit Crew"

    My Truck Featured Here!!
    Need Headlight Mod Done? LMK I have Many Happy Customers on the site!

  7. #7
    Full Access Member Danielk's Avatar
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    yea that would look pretty cool on mine
    2005 NISSAN TITAN 4X4 CREW CAB, 6INCH FABTECH LIFT, 3INCH PERFORMANCE ACCS LIFT, SHACKLE MOUNTS FLIPPED, CUSTOM SHACKLES, 08 COIL OVER SPRINGS, 38.5X15.5 SUPER SWAMPER RADIALS, 18X10 ULTRA ROGUE WHEELS, SUPER CHIPS CORTEX, VOLANT COLD AIR INTAKE, FLOWMASTER EXHAUST, RUNNING BOARDS, LINEX BEDLINER, RANCH HAND REAR BUMPER, PRG SWAY BAR ENDLINKS, PRG DRIVE SHAFT SPACER, TINTED WINDOWS, TINTED TAIL LIGHTS AND 3RD BRAKE LIGHT, ELECTRIC REAR SLIDING WINDOW, E-LOCKER,

  8. #8
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    Thank you for the step by step guide! I had some truck lighting accessories for the front of my truck on the way and I want to DIY it to save on service fees to the mechanic.

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