Has anybody tried glass lensed headlights for 94 to 99 GMT400's ?

[Big T]

Digging this one up......Hey @BigT are you still happy with these headlights? I looked these up on Amazon (by manufacturer part number so I'd be sure they were the same) and they have mediocre reviews. It seems like all headlights for these trucks are a crapshoot.

I am happy with the housings, but the lens covers have yellowed and crazed from sitting out. I can no longer find the same housings with the right deflector cups that will not melt when used with HID lights, so I am looking at doing a lens swap. Wondering how to get the existing lens off. Was considering a dremel tool with cutting wheel.

 

[JayTheCPA]

IIRC, Retrofit Source has some videos on reworking lenses and it seems that most methods involve baking the assembly for softening the lens-to-body glue. Once the glue is soft, it is a matter of prying off the lens.

 

[Big T]

IIRC, Retrofit Source has some videos on reworking lenses and it seems that most methods involve baking the assembly for softening the lens-to-body glue. Once the glue is soft, it is a matter of prying off the lens.

Tried Retrofit Source and their website is difficult to work with. Never could find a housing, let alone a video of any kind.

 

[Big T]

But an internet search found this video:

Now the question is what to use for adhesive on the new lens.

 

[FellowTraveler]

But an internet search found this video:

Now the question is what to use for adhesive on the new lens.

Any quality marine grade (wet) adhesive will work.

 

[Big T]

Any quality marine grade (wet) adhesive will work.

Like 5200?

 

[Big T]

This is the only euro style housing compatible with HID lights they are showing on Amazon:

Amazon.com: Autozensation For Chevy Gmc C10 Ck Suburban Yukon Chrome Clear Head Lights: Automotive

Note the attachment for the deflector cup on the low beam attaches using an arm extending below the cup. My experience is that this attachment style will droop under the heat from the HID bulb. That said, I could use the lens cover on my existing housings.

 

[Duvall]

I have the glass lens style headlights. I bought them from LMC several years ago. I have not had any fitment issues with the grill. Certainly, I am not thrilled with the quality of the plastic that the brackets are made of. Its a little flimsy compared to the OE stuff. Fortunately, I have not had problems with them bouncing or anything. They have had halogen bulbs in them until recently.

I have done a fair amount of reading and research into the aftermarket LED headlights over the last few years. I watched a lot of video reviews and comparisons. The Hikari LED lights have some of the best reviews and they do not glare oncoming traffic. I bought a few sets for different vehicles I have currently or owned in the past. I am very happy with them, so I bought a set for the glass lens housings in my gmt400. They have a very distinct cut-off line and they are a white color, not yellow or blue. They also develop a lot less heat than halogen or HID.

I looked into HID conversions on many occasions for different vehicles because of my dissatisfaction of halogen. Its not easy to find a headlight housing that works well with HID for the GMT400. Typically HID use a projector style housing. Like BigT has noted you need a reflector cup if they don't use a projector. Even these style will not always prevent the glare to traffic in the opposing direction.

Long story short, or long.

There are some LED "bulbs" now that work very well with reflective style housings that are designed for halogen bulbs. The mosy important part is not blinding oncoming traffic.

 

[ak diesel driver]

These guys have some good videos

 

[Big T]

I have the glass lens style headlights. I bought them from LMC several years ago. I have not had any fitment issues with the grill. Certainly, I am not thrilled with the quality of the plastic that the brackets are made of. Its a little flimsy compared to the OE stuff. Fortunately, I have not had problems with them bouncing or anything. They have had halogen bulbs in them until recently.

I have done a fair amount of reading and research into the aftermarket LED headlights over the last few years. I watched a lot of video reviews and comparisons. The Hikari LED lights have some of the best reviews and they do not glare oncoming traffic. I bought a few sets for different vehicles I have currently or owned in the past. I am very happy with them, so I bought a set for the glass lens housings in my gmt400. They have a very distinct cut-off line and they are a white color, not yellow or blue. They also develop a lot less heat than halogen or HID.

I looked into HID conversions on many occasions for different vehicles because of my dissatisfaction of halogen. Its not easy to find a headlight housing that works well with HID for the GMT400. Typically HID use a projector style housing. Like BigT has noted you need a reflector cup if they don't use a projector. Even these style will not always prevent the glare to traffic in the opposing direction.

Long story short, or long.

There are some LED "bulbs" now that work very well with reflective style housings that are designed for halogen bulbs. The mosy important part is not blinding oncoming traffic.

I am a big fan of the HID lights for the amount of light they throw. The limiting factor is the right housings and they just aren’t making them anymore.

Yes the aftermarket housings and brackets are far cheaper in quality. The lens are thing and overtime will turn yellow and craze. You can try buffing but the crazing will turn into real cracks. Bracket plastic lacks the reinforcing silica. Unfortunately, that’s all we can get at this point.

 

[FellowTraveler]

Have you considered going to the 1999 GMC dual headlight grill, the cost isn't bad and you can get quality Hella E code to fill them.
Or get creative and try fabricating custom round modules high & low and fabricate a cover to surround the modules with the stock quad grill.

Check out headlight modules here: https://www.rallylights.com/

 

[Twisted Steel Performance]

Best thing I did was convert to the quad lights, old school glass and lots of different bulbs to pick from...

 

[Big T]

Best thing I did was convert to the quad lights, old school glass and lots of different bulbs to pick from...

Quad lights = sealed beam?

HID light projection is better than any I've used. For $60, some Betty Crocker Baking, and some adhesive, I'm willing to try and swap lenses.

 

[Twisted Steel Performance]

Not sealed beams, I can install most any bulb, don't remember the bulb numbers, 9007 ??? the housing is all glass... I tried led, hid, about all of the different setups and I didn't like any of them, but that's just me... the composite housings just didn't work well for me...

 

[ak diesel driver]

So where did you get them?

 

[Big T]

Not sealed beams, I can install most any bulb, don't remember the bulb numbers, 9007 ??? the housing is all glass... I tried led, hid, about all of the different setups and I didn't like any of them, but that's just me... the composite housings just didn't work well for me...

IRRC:
9005 = Lo
9006 = Hi

 

[FellowTraveler]

Maybe better off with aux lighting...

 

[Husker6.5]

IRRC:
9005 = Lo
9006 = Hi

Other way around. The higher number (9006) is Lo Beam and 9005 is Hi Beam on Halogen/HID equivalents. 9004 and 9007 are for single bulb (three prong) halogen Lo/Hi applications, like on a 6x8 single lamp.

 

[Big T]

I'm going to try these headlight housings as they have the deflector cup mounted from above. Worst case, I transfer the lenses to my existing housings:




Amazon.com: MAYASAF Headlight Assembly for C/K 1500 2500 3500 Suburban Tahoe Canyon Blazer, Headlamp Kit for Chevy Pickup Truck, Clear Lens Chrome housing W/O Corner & Bumper Signal Lamps (Left+Right): Automotive

 

[Big T]

They delivered the headlight housings and these deflector cups will work (ie will not melt and droop down), so no need to change lenses amongst housings.