I suggest the $40 kit for lens resurfacing and a drill. Do everything longer than the instructions say and you can get really good results with your old lenses.
Replacement headlight quandary
I'm replacing the headlights on a recently new-to-me 2004 2500HD because the originals are fogged/crazed.
I decided to spend the money and go with OEM replacements from Chevrolet. I ordered the replacement assemblies from my local dealer, and when I went to install them I discovered that the shield for the bulb is not properly centered on the bulb location. I tried to adjust them but the shield and its stand are simply not made correctly. At this point I took a hard look at the headlight assembly and discovered that even though it is clearly marked "GM" it is not marked "Guide" and was not made in the USA like the originals - in fact they were manufactured in China like all of the aftermarket junk I was trying to avoid!
So my dealer spent a couple of days trying to find me a set of USA manufacture with no luck. They will refund my money of course, but I still need headlights . . .
Any suggestions or known source for old stock? Any dealer techs or parts guys out there follow this forum and have a set on hand?
Thanks for any help/suggestions
Gregg
I decided to spend the money and go with OEM replacements from Chevrolet. I ordered the replacement assemblies from my local dealer, and when I went to install them I discovered that the shield for the bulb is not properly centered on the bulb location. I tried to adjust them but the shield and its stand are simply not made correctly. At this point I took a hard look at the headlight assembly and discovered that even though it is clearly marked "GM" it is not marked "Guide" and was not made in the USA like the originals - in fact they were manufactured in China like all of the aftermarket junk I was trying to avoid!
So my dealer spent a couple of days trying to find me a set of USA manufacture with no luck. They will refund my money of course, but I still need headlights . . .
Any suggestions or known source for old stock? Any dealer techs or parts guys out there follow this forum and have a set on hand?
Thanks for any help/suggestions
Gregg
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
You got fantastic results on your headlights for sure.
I initially considered that path as the detail center where I work offers that service, and they do a great job. We've had the headlights on our rollbacks done with impressive results.
Unfortunately my headlights aren't just fogged, there is actually crazing, or minute cracks, that appear to penetrate the lens to full depth. Polishing would not correct those, and they are significant enough to cause light scatter around the edges of the lens - not ideal at all.
Gregg
I initially considered that path as the detail center where I work offers that service, and they do a great job. We've had the headlights on our rollbacks done with impressive results.
Unfortunately my headlights aren't just fogged, there is actually crazing, or minute cracks, that appear to penetrate the lens to full depth. Polishing would not correct those, and they are significant enough to cause light scatter around the edges of the lens - not ideal at all.
Gregg
I bought a ser from jegs online they fit good . Have you tried to buff your factory ones. Any white or blur chrome polish is goodI'm replacing the headlights on a recently new-to-me 2004 2500HD because the originals are fogged/crazed.
I decided to spend the money and go with OEM replacements from Chevrolet. I ordered the replacement assemblies from my local dealer, and when I went to install them I discovered that the shield for the bulb is not properly centered on the bulb location. I tried to adjust them but the shield and its stand are simply not made correctly. At this point I took a hard look at the headlight assembly and discovered that even though it is clearly marked "GM" it is not marked "Guide" and was not made in the USA like the originals - in fact they were manufactured in China like all of the aftermarket junk I was trying to avoid!
So my dealer spent a couple of days trying to find me a set of USA manufacture with no luck. They will refund my money of course, but I still need headlights . . .
Any suggestions or known source for old stock? Any dealer techs or parts guys out there follow this forum and have a set on hand?
Thanks for any help/suggestions
Gregg
I got a set from Parts Geek for my Grand Prix 50 bucks a piece fit perfectI'm replacing the headlights on a recently new-to-me 2004 2500HD because the originals are fogged/crazed.
I decided to spend the money and go with OEM replacements from Chevrolet. I ordered the replacement assemblies from my local dealer, and when I went to install them I discovered that the shield for the bulb is not properly centered on the bulb location. I tried to adjust them but the shield and its stand are simply not made correctly. At this point I took a hard look at the headlight assembly and discovered that even though it is clearly marked "GM" it is not marked "Guide" and was not made in the USA like the originals - in fact they were manufactured in China like all of the aftermarket junk I was trying to avoid!
So my dealer spent a couple of days trying to find me a set of USA manufacture with no luck. They will refund my money of course, but I still need headlights . . .
Any suggestions or known source for old stock? Any dealer techs or parts guys out there follow this forum and have a set on hand?
Thanks for any help/suggestions
Gregg
3M kit from oreillys worked for me. 2001 gmc sierra 2500hd and 2003 s10.
Yeah the Chinese ones are Junk! Never heard of them fitting just right and/or adjusting right, and they will leak (mobile aquariums).
I would recommend finding some used oems, facebook, junkyards. Ones that aren't crazed all the way threw can be sanded, polished and LamenXed.
I did mine about a year ago (they were not crazed all the way threw) after messin with the "Best" chinese ones I could find. They now sit in a box in my garage.
Sand paper 1000-5000, then DA polish, then pre cut LamenX. Got to get All the clear coat off with the sand paper before you even get down to the plastic. Took me about a week sober in spare time to get all 4 done.
Conclusion: As always take your time, check YouTube and as for the LamenX it won't look perfect the minute you smooth it on, it will take a few days to settle. Don't rub the heck out of it you'll rub threw it. And Yes, I've seen the LamenX dry out/crack out of some vehicles but it was 5+ years old in a 100+ heat, just replace it.
Good Luck!
I would recommend finding some used oems, facebook, junkyards. Ones that aren't crazed all the way threw can be sanded, polished and LamenXed.
I did mine about a year ago (they were not crazed all the way threw) after messin with the "Best" chinese ones I could find. They now sit in a box in my garage.
Sand paper 1000-5000, then DA polish, then pre cut LamenX. Got to get All the clear coat off with the sand paper before you even get down to the plastic. Took me about a week sober in spare time to get all 4 done.
Conclusion: As always take your time, check YouTube and as for the LamenX it won't look perfect the minute you smooth it on, it will take a few days to settle. Don't rub the heck out of it you'll rub threw it. And Yes, I've seen the LamenX dry out/crack out of some vehicles but it was 5+ years old in a 100+ heat, just replace it.
Good Luck!
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
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