Changing out '97 headlamp glass to later "clear" version headlamps??

[1997Camry]

This one's mainly a cosmetic concern. I've seen the 2nd variation of the 4th generation Camry (ie. '00, '01) with those nice big clear headlamp glass housing. My '97 appears much less stylish in comparison, gives it an older frosted look. I wonder if the clear glass version would fit my car. Somehow they don't look to be the same size. If not, is there an aftermarket headlamp that looks like the newer clear headlamps design?

This may also solve the dim headlight problem I've been having with my Camry. Even my girlfriend's Mitsubishi Lancer has brighter headlights.

[yotatechie04]

The headlamps you are wanting to get are too big for the gen 4...they are made specifically for the gen 4.5 only. They would bolt up with no problem, although you would have to splice another wiring harness for the high beam since they have two bulbs instead of one. You'd also have to get a hood off a gen 4.5 because the cutouts are lower in the hood on the gen 4, therefore the hood wouldn't close correctly. I was going to attempt this before, but I just decided to get brighter bulbs and clear out the headlamps by hand. It was a little difficult and time consuming, but much cheaper and a lot less stressful than going and doing all the conversion work.

[1997Camry]

Thanks for the info, I figured it looks to be imcompatible sizes.

So what did you do to yours? clear out headlamps by hand? Please elaborate or let me know if there's a step by step descripton on this. I would like to give it a shot. Also by the brighter bulbs, you mean the nonstandard Sylvania ones, or Krypton bulbs?

[yotatechie04]

I cleared mine by hand with sandpaper...there's a very good tutorial on how to do it on ToyotaNation, which I will supply you with the link at the end of this post. It works very good with the non-standard Sylvania bulbs, I have tried Krypton, and it didn't look all that great in my opinion, although you could always try it to see how you like it. I think Xenon works best, although you can try just about anything and compare.

Here's the link for the info...it's for a Gen 3, but it works very well for the Gen 4.
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...threadid=22858

[AJ236]

Tell me how you got the mesh in the grill. The Gen 4 grill is integral with the bumper cover, no? Did you cut it out? I need to do something, I lost my front emblem. I can't say I am upset about it either.

[yotatechie04]

Yes, the grille is integrated into the bumper cover in the gen 4, although in the Gen 4.5 it is a separate piece. Go figure eh? Anyways, yes I did cut mine out, I simply took a cordless drill and a drill bit, and drilled holes every 2 inches in the line that goes around the grille and simply ran the drill back through and cut it out. I bought a piece of the wire mesh on eBay for about $4.00 and put it in, looked way better than the original. Every time I look at it now I always wonder how I went so long with the stocker grille...anyways, if you need any further info on how to do your own grille, let me know, and I will help you in the best of my ability.

[AJ236]

Thanks. I cut it out last night about 7:30. I used a razor blade/utility knife. It just doesn't seem right that a 59 cent razor blade can cut through a $200.00+ bumper cover.
You are so right though. It looks so much better. I have been wanting to do it, but was too much of a chicken and didn't want to mess it up.

[yotatechie04]

Good to hear that you did it, and were actually pleased with the result. It's rather interesting how a cheap razor could cut through a rather pricey bumper, but it's just because it's made with cheap, flexable plastic, and Toyota just jacks the cost of it up to make a profit.

[yotatechie04]

BTW : Post a pic if you can...would love to see what it looks like.

[1997Camry]

Sounds great. I would really like some info on this. What did you guys do? Cut out the old grill and put in the Gen4.5 chrome like one? Woud it fit? Or did you just leave it bare?

Hey Yota, can you post a pic of your Toyota with normal coloring? I'd like to see all the stuff you've done to it. THanks.

[yotatechie04]

It's rather interesting how it's done. I didn't really intend on it looking as good as it did, I was just sick and tired of looking at the old, nasty-assed stock grille. I wouldn't have even imagined putting the Gen 4.5 grille in my '99, even though it's outlined with chrome, it's still almost as hideous as the original. I will post back again later with a few pictures of our car...I still need some time to get all the pics together anyways...If you're interested in doing this mod to your car I can help you with a step by step process that I used.

[yotatechie04]

I couldn't really find any actual good pictures of our Camry as of right now, although I did manage to find the one that I took after I cut out the factory grille and put the mesh in...so here it is...

[1997Camry]

nice looking front end. I would be afraid to do it though, it seems a single slip could ruin the front end. The cardboard knive is just not my forte. :/

On the other hand, are those the clear lamps after you've polished them?

[yotatechie04]

Thanks. I was contemplating whether or not that I should have cut it out, but if I messed up on it, it wouldn't have mattered all that much, my front bumper cover was already messed up a bit anyways. (Ramped the Camry over a railroad crossing at almost 50 mph, and cracked the bottom louver on the cover.) As for the lamps, yes, they were the ones that I had cleared by hand, and polished them up severely. After the first two polishes they started looking good...it took about three to get it like that.

[yotatechie04]

BTW, if anyone actually wanted their grille done, and either lived somewhere near me, or was willing to travel I would do it for free...it's not that hard, I've done plenty of Camrys like that since I done mine, all you'd need to get is the mesh for the grille.