headlights oem to aftermarket

[masphx]

The story. Had 98 oem headlights. Bought new aftermarket ones from certift back a couple years ago. Beams are a little off.

Can I re buy older oem 98 headlights and switch the clear glass from my aftermarket ones? Is this an easy or hard job? Aiming to get oem quality but a newer look. Thanks

 

[scrap metal]

The older style headlights have a completely smooth reflector bowl. I would advise against it as they are not designed for clear lens and you would probably blind all oncoming traffic.

The newer style with clear lens have a different reflector bowl design.

 

[UnderFire]

The best way is to get OEM 99+ headlights.

The glass on the aftermarket headlights is thinner, and nothing can compare to the OEM seal, swapping glass around means you have more of a chance for leaks.

 

[masphx]

Cool guys. Thanks for the info

 

[D Farms]

projectors.

 

[MTD]

This post exlpains how either style works. I just stole it from another thread lol

^^^^ YES!!! This is exactly what I mean! They use Fresnel lenses to shape the light whereas the 99+ lights use reflector optics to shape the light. Therefore if you put the 99+ glass onto say 96 housings there is essentially nothing to shape the light!

If you want to learn some more about how Fresnel lenses work go here:

Fresnel lens - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[pluton]

This post exlpains how either style works. I just stole it from another thread lol

Just substitute "cylindrical facet lenses" in place of the incorrect term "fresnel lenses' and it'll be correct.

 

[MTD]

Just substitute "cylindrical facet lenses" in place of the incorrect term "fresnel lenses' and it'll be correct.

Aka fresnal lens. The cylindrical lens is a derivation of Fresnel lenses.

 

[psraff]

projectors.

X2!!! RetrofitSource.com

Honest, this is one of the best things I've done. I started with OEM lights that had both glass broke from rocks. I did buy a cheap set off Ebay and took the glass out and swapped to the OEM housings. Never a leak or problem till this winter and now each is broke with more flying rocks....... I currently have silicone filling the holes but I need to replace them. At the time, I was told new OEM headlights were almost $300 each. I don't know what they are now....

 

[ninizhebeg]

I just stole it from another thread lol