That metal thing in the headlights

[hellvez]

I read a few post's about removing the metal piece in the headlight to improve output, I was just wondering how do you get it out?

 

[whiplash15]

Fact one: Its not metal. Fact two: If the reflector has burned away taking the diffuser out wont help. Fact three: Putting in after market bulbs wont help either.

 

[asluder]

I used a pair of needle nose pliers to get the ones out of my headlights. Just twisted them up with the pilers and pulled the out the hole where the bulb goes in. Don't think it helped much still drive every where with the high beams on.

 

[turborich]

It helps! It doesn't help by itself though. Cut the lenses off, take the metal piece out (yes it is metal) Get some chrome rocker panel tape from Pepboys and very carefully cut it to fit where the chrome has burnt off, Clean the inside of the lenses with rubbing alcohol, put it back together again by melting the lense back together at severel points with a decent soldering iron & finish by applying clear RTV silocone around the cut.

This works, I just did it to my friends 94. Check out the pics! My 95 on the left with BRAND NEW HOUSINGS & HIR BULBS! His 94 on the right with ORIGIONAL HOUSINGS that I refinished.

 

[The Rev]

you should make that a tech article, either that or link us to the thread you had it on (i believe you did have a huge post, i really liked it) if you can can you include the parts you used? because my lights are the worst i've ever seen on a mark, they look grey not yellow haha

 

[turborich]

you should make that a tech article, either that or link us to the thread you had it on (i believe you did have a huge post, i really liked it) if you can can you include the parts you used? because my lights are the worst i've ever seen on a mark, they look grey not yellow haha

Thanks! I will try to write something a little better up with more pics. This is by no means a perfect solution but it does work out pretty good! If you don't have $400+ bucks to fork out & you are handy with a dremel then it might be a good solution for you.

ALSO!!!!! Do not buy those blue colored hallogen bulbs that claim to be just like HID's for $20 bucks! Those are 100 watt bulbs & they get hott!!! They will burn your housings up in no time.

 

[mmtphoto]

I used a hole saw to cut a larger hole in the bottom of the housing and did what Turborich did-bought that chrome tape and placed it where the coating was gone (in fact, put it in other places too)-that, along with removing the metal things that surround the low beam bulb, made a big difference-if you really polish the lens, and do this, you can live with it-I still can drive with the highs on and no one cares, but it is better than it was, and it only took about 45 minutes. I just took my time, and re-taped the cutout back into place when done.

 

[The Rev]

im about to delve into this project sometime this week, i used my friends meguiars plastx on the headlights tonight and they cleaned the outside really well, but the reflective coating is toast, i just bought some replacement dremel cutters so we'll see how it all turns out

 

[turborich]

im about to delve into this project sometime this week, i used my friends meguiars plastx on the headlights tonight and they cleaned the outside really well, but the reflective coating is toast, i just bought some replacement dremel cutters so we'll see how it all turns out

Just take your time cutting the lense as it is fairly thick and tends to melt. go easy on it and it should work out fine. I went through about 5 cut off disc using my dremel.

 

[The Rev]

I'm prepping for it, I bought a 5 pack, Tuesday looks like the day for me, I'll have daylight time to mess with it. How do the housings come out? I haven't had time to check plus my driveway has no useful lighting.