Finally replaced my headlights

Before and after, I used the TYC brand from Rock Auto. Was an easy job.

As expensive as these plastic headlights are, and as long as we've had to be putting up with them, I'm really surprised that I've never heard of any aftermarket replacements, with glass, for any of them.

joe

homesick said:

As expensive as these plastic headlights are, and as long as we've had to be putting up with them, I'm really surprised that I've never heard of any aftermarket replacements, with glass, for any of them.

joe

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Expensive? Rock auto has multiple offerings for less than $100 each, for the entire headlamp housing.

Polycarbonate is still the material of choice. Glass is too brittle - wouldn't stand up to rocks, stones, and all the other debris your headlights encounter.

Dustin Jackson said:

Before and after, I used the TYC brand from Rock Auto. Was an easy job.

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Good good! I actually polished mine with mothers aluminum polish on a drill and it worked really damn good but you could still see where the clearcoat was cracking on them so I just got new lens for them

Hats off to you brother! Truck looks great!

Believe it or not I feel like one of the single most aesthetics of a vehicle are the headlights. I feel like it’s impossible for a vehicle to look good with yellowed or hazy headlights.

In most cases, when I buy a used vehicle, the first thing I do besides an oil change is replace the headlight assemblies. Usually they’re cheap enough and they make a huge difference. I didn’t have to do it with the ‘18 because it’s still new enough the lights still look good, thank goodness, because I priced the assemblies and it’s remarkable how ridiculous these dang things are for newer vehicles (Not just Chevy either, halogen taillight assembly for one of our Ford work trucks was over $600!!!!!!!).

I replaced the yellowed-out headlight assemblies on my 2003 Silverado about 5 years ago, they’re starting to peel now unfortunately.

Super difference! I'm getting more and more motivated to change mine out.

intheburbs said:

Expensive? Rock auto has multiple offerings for less than $100 each, for the entire headlamp housing.

Polycarbonate is still the material of choice. Glass is too brittle - wouldn't stand up to rocks, stones, and all the other debris your headlights encounter.

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In 40+ years of owning vehicles with glass headlights, I never had one damaged. Neither did anyone I knew. I never had, or saw, one get foggy either.

[Well... except in a crash.]

Sorry, but $100 is a lot, in my book.

joe

homesick said:

In 40+ years of owning vehicles with glass headlights, I never had one damaged. Neither did anyone I knew. I never had, or saw, one get foggy either.

[Well... except in a crash.]

Sorry, but $100 is a lot, in my book.

joe

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Only a very small minority of vehicles uses thick round or rectangular glass lights. Come out of the 80s,friend.

Go look at prices for the headlamp assemblies of other vehicles. For example, one assembly for my 2020 Malibu is $850. I was thrilled that I lucked out and found one on Rock Auto for $350.

ETA: Go find my new headlight/foglight thread. Your head will explode.

intheburbs said:

Only a very small minority of vehicles uses thick round or rectangular glass lights. Come out of the 80s,friend.

Go look at prices for the headlamp assemblies of other vehicles. For example, one assembly for my 2020 Malibu is $850. I was thrilled that I lucked out and found one on Rock Auto for $350.

ETA: Go find my new headlight/foglight thread. Your head will explode.

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Lord help me, the points are that glass was more durable and cost less, much less.

The quantity of old cars still rolling is completely irrelevant.

joe

Those new headlights really make a difference!

Then there's all the new LED mis-aligned ultra bright head lights. I pretty much refuse to drive on a two lane road after dark these days.