How can I get OEM headlight assembly for cheaper?

[texas1]

I just bought a 2002 Tahoe with 220,000 miles on it for $2000 and love it. It needs work and my goal is to get it back to excellent condition.

The headlights/turn signal plastic lenses are yellow and fogged up and I want to replace them with the genuine GM OEM headlight assembly. According to gmpartsdirect.com the OEM replacements would cost $376 for all four parts together.

I just want regular halogen bulbs, nothing fancy, no blue lights, no LED since my eyes are old school. Is there a cheaper place to by OEM headlights or is there a damn good alternative that isn't so expensive? I see a lot of aftermarket headlight assemblies on Amazon.com and Ebay yet the negative reviews me off. Is $376 worth it for the OEM replacement or are they just overpriced from the dealer?

I was on Interstate 10 in west Texas over the weekend and realized the current headlights are so dim that other cars low beams out shined my high beams. Also it was hard to see all the deer that were grazing next to the 80 mph speed limit freeway at night. Thanks in advance.

 

[PG01]

I just bought a 2002 Tahoe with 220,000 miles on it for $2000 and love it. It needs work and my goal is to get it back to excellent condition.

The headlights/turn signal plastic lenses are yellow and fogged up and I want to replace them with the genuine GM OEM headlight assembly. According to gmpartsdirect.com the OEM replacements would cost $376 for all four parts together.

I just want regular halogen bulbs, nothing fancy, no blue lights, no LED since my eyes are old school. Is there a cheaper place to by OEM headlights or is there a damn good alternative that isn't so expensive? I see a lot of aftermarket headlight assemblies on Amazon.com and Ebay yet the negative reviews me off. Is $376 worth it for the OEM replacement or are they just overpriced from the dealer?

I was on Interstate 10 in west Texas over the weekend and realized the current headlights are so dim that other cars low beams out shined my high beams. Also it was hard to see all the deer that were grazing next to the 80 mph speed limit freeway at night. Thanks in advance.

Amazon lights aren’t all that bad, or cheap for that matter so they will last you a while if you get a better brand. Spyder or even depo’s aren’t bad lights, but you can always fix yours. Buy cheaper Amazon lights and while the originals are off sand them down, many tutorials here on the forum and on you tube, and clear coat or wax them .

Ps. You’re in the 2021 side of the forum but not a big deal, an admin will move it for you.

@07Burb @soulsea @NathanJax

 

[Bill 1960]

If you’re interested in restoring the ones you have.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics, please.

You have already received some great feedback on your question. Good luck!

 

[texas1]

Amazon lights aren’t all that bad, or cheap for that matter so they will last you a while if you get a better brand. Spyder or even depo’s aren’t bad lights, but you can always fix yours. Buy cheaper Amazon lights and while the originals are off sand them down, many tutorials here on the forum and on you tube, and clear coat or wax them .

Ps. You’re in the 2021 side of the forum but not a big deal, an admin will move it for you.

@07Burb @soulsea @NathanJax

First time poster mistake lol. Thank you.

If you’re interested in restoring the ones you have.

Thank you both. I called a headlight restoration shop a while back and when they asked if water was inside the assembly they said they cannot do a restoration. Looks like they are wrong.

If you would skip the restoration option which specific cheaper-than-OEM headlight assembly would you recommend? $150 or less seems reasonable to me.

 

[adventurenali92]

I had good experiences with DEPO aftermarket housings. They were reasonably priced and good quality.

 

[89Suburban]

I got mine for my '07 from here.


https://www.1aauto.com/search?q=headlight&year=2002&model=44&searchQuery=headlight

 

[03catburban]

Ive had good luck with DEPO also sanding and clear coat works well too

 

[Tonyrodz]

First time poster mistake lol. Thank you.





Thank you both. I called a headlight restoration shop a while back and when they asked if water was inside the assembly they said they cannot do a restoration. Looks like they are wrong.

If you would skip the restoration option which specific cheaper-than-OEM headlight assembly would you recommend? $150 or less seems reasonable to me.

I've restored headlights many times. If water has gotten inside don't even bother. The lenses would look clear, but you'd see the nasty reflector. If no water got inside just start sanding with a palm sander, working from coarsest to finest grit, use plastic polish, then use something with uv protectant to seal them. If you decide to get other then oem lenses, they usually have cheap plastic mounting brackets. Just swap over your old brackets to the new lenses. You'll be good to go.

 

[rjdjbd]

I just bought a 2002 Tahoe with 220,000 miles on it for $2000 and love it. It needs work and my goal is to get it back to excellent condition.

The headlights/turn signal plastic lenses are yellow and fogged up and I want to replace them with the genuine GM OEM headlight assembly. According to gmpartsdirect.com the OEM replacements would cost $376 for all four parts together.

I just want regular halogen bulbs, nothing fancy, no blue lights, no LED since my eyes are old school. Is there a cheaper place to by OEM headlights or is there a damn good alternative that isn't so expensive? I see a lot of aftermarket headlight assemblies on Amazon.com and Ebay yet the negative reviews me off. Is $376 worth it for the OEM replacement or are they just overpriced from the dealer?

You can buy replacement sets on both Amazon and eBay. I’ve bought three sets from eBay and they’ve been great. Two sets for my 17 year-old Suburban over the years and one for my motorhome that happens to use that exact lighting.

I personally would not waste my time trying to restore the headlight lenses as it never lasts, certainly not nearly as long as replacing them. You can buy the complete package of headlights and marker / turn signals. About $100 will get you OEM-looking lights. (Current seller on eBay as a compete set plus fog lights for $122.) I think I had to buy the fog / driving lights separately. Super easy to change them out and keep in mind you will need to adjust the headlights once replaced.