New Headlights

[LilMule]

My driver's side headlight cover is scuffed and cloudy on the inside of the cover, so I can't get at it and was thinking about getting a new light. I have a 2008 LT and it seems like it can be more expensive to get one LT light than two LS lights and an LS grille. What are everyone's opinions on which style I should pick? Do more people think I should stick with what I have now or switch to the other style? If I switch, does that require anything more than popping out my current grille and headlights and popping in the new ones? Is there another, better option that I haven't found yet?

 

[Mounce]

What you haven't thought of is the bumpers between LS and your LT are different. The LT has a stepped down area around the bottom of the grill where LS's do not so to make it look right you'd have to get an LS bumper along with the grill and headlights.

Also, I'm unsure if the headlight swap requires the header panel to be changed or not. Do a search or two here and you'll find more info.

 

[LilMule]

Interesting, I wasn't aware of a bumper difference also. That seems like an awful lot of work to replace a headlight. Are there any nice aftermarket LT lights, then? I see a lot of different LS light models, but only replacement lamps for the LT. Is this the only option if I'm not willing to replace the entire front end?

 

[Sib]

Unless you want to go with an SS grille and use LS lights there are really no options. LT headlights are expensive. Just keep searching eBay or even craigslist. Maybe look at a local junkyard to see if there is anything there you could pick up for cheaper.

 

[Mounce]

LT headlights are expensive.

SS grille to use LS lights with current LT bumper is expensive

New bumper and grille to convert everything up front to LS is expensive.

Lot of expensive options lol.

 

[LilMule]

Guess I'll just buy a replacement drivers side lamp. Hopefully it'll match the passengers side so I won't have to buy the pair. Since I can only find the one style of LT replacement lamps, though, I'm guessing it should match fairly easily.

Edit: Alternatively, are there inserts for the grill notch in non-LT headlights?

 

[24v 4.2]

I have an LT too. If your headlights are in the same condition mine were; The small scratches and fogginess is actually in between the clear coat and the plastic. I took one of the headlight restoration kits that come with sand paper that you attached to a drill attachment and I sanded through the clear coat and slightly underneath that and that cleared up the fogginess.

$20 for the kit is a much better option!

 

[Mounce]

I hadn't even thought about suggesting that!

Would be worth a shot. Get the one that goes on a drill and take your time and don't put too much pressure.

 

[LilMule]

I bought a kit with sandpaper pads (hand use, not a drill head) and didn't make any headway. The fogginess is behind (inside?) where I touch the outside of the light. If I get the more expensive kit with the drill attachment, should I worry that I would essentially be grinding away the clear coat on the cover? Is the clear coat important for protective reasons or not?

 

[Sparky]

Clear coat helps slow the UV yellowing damage. Just respray fresh clear coat over them. I'd recommend removing the lights for the whole process.

Header panel is the same for LS vs LT headlights, that part didn't change.

 

[LilMule]

I'll give the rotary polishing kit a try, then. $20 is much better than $135.

 

[Mounce]

Yeah, it's supposed to remove the clear coat and all of the junk under it. The kit should come with a "sealer" applicant but idk how well it would work.

Kit might not fix your issues but it's worth a shot I'd say.

Also, I've seen mentioned some special UV resistant clear coat made for plastics, try to get it if you can find it.

 

[LilMule]

I'll do that, thanks.

 

[02TrailBlazer]

This- http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Magic-730-6-Headlight-Sealer/dp/B0051PJWQW
Seems to be keeping mine looking nice, but you could probably wax them and get the same effect.

 

[triz]

This- http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Magic-730-6-Headlight-Sealer/dp/B0051PJWQW
Seems to be keeping mine looking nice, but you could probably wax them and get the same effect.

I find they yellow a lot quicker with that sealer. I get better results just by polishing them with the Plastic X.

 

[02TrailBlazer]

I find they yellow a lot quicker with that sealer. I get better results just by polishing them with the Plastic X.

Oops, I apply the sealer after a full sanding up to 2500 and then finished using Meguiars Ultimate Compound or Plast-X. But I've also had good results from just polishing since its garage-kept.

 

[BlazingTrails]

I have a spare ss grill if anybody needs it. $250

 

[LilMule]

I have a spare ss grill if anybody needs it.

Will it fit on an LT?

 

[Mounce]

If it's 05 or newer, yes.

 

[BlazingTrails]

Will it fit on an LT?

Yes it will 06 and up. Or you can change to a newer bumper like I did.

 

[Mounce]

Oops, I thought it was 05.

 

[Blazin'05LT]

Yes it will 06 and up. Or you can change to a newer bumper like I did.

20150509_084809.jpg

Will the fog lights from 02-05 LT bumper fit on 06-09 bumpers, cause I was thinking about swapping to the newer style bumper with an SS grill...

 

[Sparky]

Fogs didn't change at all.

 

[24v 4.2]

You want to sand through the clear. My fogginess was in between the clear and plastic.

Took some time, but came out clear. Definitely want to use the drill!