This goes out to members in the DFW area, do any of you know of an auto body shop or service facility that has an optical headlight aiming system?

 

How is "optical" headlight aiming different from any other headlight aiming?

I've used the pro-grade "Hoppy" aiming tools similar to these...

...and also a pro-grade system that came with the alignment rack that shop used. Similar to this, but a thousand years older.

The last headlights I've aimed were done by shining them against a garage door. I used a vehicle with known-good lights, I marked the position of the vehicle on the concrete, and the "hot spots" of the headlights on the garage door with chalk (so it washes off easily) and then put my similar vehicle in the same position and adjusted my "hot spots" to match the other vehicle. Crude, but effective.

 

Opitcal aims a camera at the headlight, you put the screwdrivers on the adjusters, and it dials it in. We use industrial grade ones in my plant.

 

The above is what I am referencing. I had this done on a 4 headlight vehicle years ago and was amazed at the difference in night illumination my headlights made. I also had always used the garage door and masking tape method when a light or bulb burned out. I will be replacing both complete headlight assemblies on my Tacoma and wanted to get them dialed in from the start; I can dead-reckon them with the garage door but would like to dial them in with modern technology.

 

I've used the garage door or wall method for decades and don't know of any garages, body shops, etc... that still have one. Changing the lamp does not require the lights to be readjusted.

 

X's 2.

But, then again, I usually haven't kept my daily drivers long enough for it to be an issue. LOL!

 

He's replacing the headlight, not the bulb.

 

I have plans to do this to my Tacoma and have gotten OEM new condition take-offs to do it with. My plan is to park my truck Fri night pointing at my garage wall, tape the wall, and replace one at a time. Align it vertically with the other one, and aim them horizontally similarly. Then replace the second light, and align its new one to the other new one. If you don't move the truck, and tape the center impact, and take pictures of it, then adjust to replicate, it will be right on.

Useless trivial knowledge: any NUMMI Tacoma of the 2005-2010 models has its lights too high, as the Fouri units couldn't get them low enough into spec.

 

I have an (Vintage) original Guide headlamp aimer in its original container I would sell. Greg