I have a 97 FZJ80 with after market headlights that look and work ok but the aiming mechanisms are junk and don't work for aiming side to side. I'm posting for recommendations. I heard the Japanese after market ones are pretty good but don't know the brand name.
80 series aftermarket headlights
- Thread starter offroadrolls
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Mark W
Yep, I really don't really care that much I guess.
Depo. Made in Taiwan (Taiwan is the new Japan 
)
They are the only aftermarket headlights for the '80 series that I am aware of that are not CCC (cheap Chinese crap). Not all Chinese aftermarket automotive lights are crap. But every '80 series replacement unit I have ever seen absolutely is.
The OEM units are more resistant to water intrusion. The Depo units are more modern in terms of design (they use the reflectors for all of the focusing and the lens is clear and unfluted).
A not uncommon upgrade is to get Depo headlights and upgrade them with projectors. This seems to be the best end result for lighting.
Mark...
)They are the only aftermarket headlights for the '80 series that I am aware of that are not CCC (cheap Chinese crap). Not all Chinese aftermarket automotive lights are crap. But every '80 series replacement unit I have ever seen absolutely is.
The OEM units are more resistant to water intrusion. The Depo units are more modern in terms of design (they use the reflectors for all of the focusing and the lens is clear and unfluted).
A not uncommon upgrade is to get Depo headlights and upgrade them with projectors. This seems to be the best end result for lighting.
Mark...
Last edited:
alia176
SILVER Star
I bet you can take the assembly out of your 80, then just clean up this 90deg gearbox looking thing. I circled it in red.
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Modern LED replacement bulbs have come a long way. I’m super happy with my OEM housings and LEDs. My build link below has the details of the route I took.
Anything that comes from the box with halos or plastic lenses are going to be subpar. Safe rule of thumb for 80 series.
Depo clear lens headlights with a projector retrofit are the BEST option, not the cheapest one. Depo headlights are good, but when you have them professionally retrofitted that's where you get into the fantastic output category. I've been building 80 series setups for over 7 years for guys since they are so lacking from the factory. I'll include a couple photos below from past builds for reference. It can be DIYd but there is a decently learning curve to it.
Depo clear lens headlights with a projector retrofit are the BEST option, not the cheapest one. Depo headlights are good, but when you have them professionally retrofitted that's where you get into the fantastic output category. I've been building 80 series setups for over 7 years for guys since they are so lacking from the factory. I'll include a couple photos below from past builds for reference. It can be DIYd but there is a decently learning curve to it.