Headlight preservation

[Titan]

Just popped for two new headlight assemblies. Any ideas on how to keep the reflectors and lenses in good shape? I really don't want them to be worthless in a couple years.

 

[kustomizingkid]

Gen 1 or Gen 2?

I'm guessing Gen 1...

I would start of with an HID kit in the low beams... Other than that just keep the bugs and gunk off them and hit them with plastx if they get any scratches.

 

[turborich]

I have had my "new" headlight housings for about 3 years now, I installed a set of the HID's and they still look & perform like new. The heat from the stock 9005 bulbs is what kills the reflective material. Also leave the auto headlight feature turned off! manually turn your lights on only when you need them.

If anyone recommends the HIR bulbs I would pass all together, The HIR's bulbs burn much hotter. I tried this & wouldn't recommend it at all.

**This is if you are speaking of Gen 1 lights of course.**

 

[BAD97LSC]

+ 1 buy an hid kit off ebay, a 9005 based kit plug and play, stock halogen bulbs will burn up the reflectors inside in no time, hid's are not as hot and will make the inside of the housings last longer, not to mention the light you'll have will give you a chubby!!!


dammit rich you beat me by less than a minute!!! hir's suck i had them too, dont bother they make things even hotter inside the housing.

 

[Titan]

Gen 1

Will the HID kit keep the reflector from degrading? Is the kit like the Lincoln LSC HID's?

 

[Titan]

I see alot of different HID kits on ebay. Any idea which ones to avoid?

 

[kustomizingkid]

The HID's burn cooler and are much much brighter...

Most people here seem to be satisfied with their cheapo kits from ebay, around $80.

 

[luxuryrules]

Gen 1

Will the HID kit keep the reflector from degrading? Is the kit like the Lincoln LSC HID's?

Yep. The issue is that the heat from the bulbs cooks the reflectors. HIDs burn much cooler, thus, slower cooking

Also keep several coats of wax on those headlights. And then several more. And another one, just for good measure.

 

[Kevin O'Connell]

Hid

With the HID's installed, would you still pull the small metal covers out of the housings that are in front of the bulbs or would that be too bright or get you pulled over?

 

[kustomizingkid]

Definitely leave the metal piece in....

 

[turborich]

I would leave them in place, I took mine out & my lights work excellent, They light up the road great & do not blind anybody. It does change the pattern though. I would leave them in place first & see what you think. You can always remove them if you want later on. The only reason that I removed mine was because I didn't want the heat reflecting back onto the chrome finish & burning it again.

 

[luxuryrules]

Definitely leave the metal piece in....

I agree. If you like the way the lights look with it in there, leave it in. Removing it may or may not cause glare to other drivers, but if it does and causes an accident you are legally exposed and your financial future is in jeopardy. The HID upgrade alone should give you sufficient lighting, especially combined with new reflectors.

 

[k9t8m]

Best way to preserve headlights is not driving at night. lol.

I would go with new oem housings and an aftermarket HID kit off ebay. There is a member here who sells them I believe.

 

[turborich]

Some pics, both with the metal thingys removed. I know it's hard to believe but it doesn't blind anyone. It does alter the pattern though. There are pros & cons to doing this.

Same car, same lights, just one is light & other is dark. The glare in the 2nd pic is due to my camera. It doesn't look this way to the human eye in person.