Head lights
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 532
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
It would seem like someone would eventually catch on... All you need is the headlight bucket and lense... You don't really need the black bracket and turn signal that you have to buy as a set everywhere... I wouldn't be opposed to buying just the buckets with new lenses for $40 or $50 per side... It's just rediculous to spend $150-$200 just to get rid of clowdy lenses... It would seem like a distributor would catch on and just sell the sealed bucket... I know I'm not the only one to think this...
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
Just restore them. Here's a good thread for a complete and GOOD restoration
Headlight Restoration-new UV sealant idea - Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum
Headlight Restoration-new UV sealant idea - Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 8,098
Likes: 10
From: Westford, MA
What happens to the lenses over time is,that the plastic deteriorates from the elements and oxidizes. You can restore them with a restore kit, but usually after 6 months the lens will turn cloudy again, and you'll need to zap them one more time.
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 8,098
Likes: 10
From: Westford, MA
On some of the older headlights such as these they used to glue them. On the newer cars and trucks they're fused with heat because it's a better way to seal the beam.
I've also restored many lenses in my fathers auto body shop over the years, and I've also help manufactures test fit and create tooling for new parts along the way.
Hey, I was just trying to help you guys understand why just lenses might not be available for your vehicle, and the reason behind it.
I've also restored many lenses in my fathers auto body shop over the years, and I've also help manufactures test fit and create tooling for new parts along the way.
Hey, I was just trying to help you guys understand why just lenses might not be available for your vehicle, and the reason behind it.
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 532
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
Tony,
Can you find out why the entire assembly has to be purchased when just the head light bucket is the only thing needed? Maybe the bucket is the major part of the cost, I don't know. And maybe the entire assembly needs to be removed to get to the bucket anyway; so why not replace the entire assembly is the mentality for it being sold as such (manufacturer's way of thinking?).
Can you find out why the entire assembly has to be purchased when just the head light bucket is the only thing needed? Maybe the bucket is the major part of the cost, I don't know. And maybe the entire assembly needs to be removed to get to the bucket anyway; so why not replace the entire assembly is the mentality for it being sold as such (manufacturer's way of thinking?).
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 7
From: Des Moines, Iowa
On some of the older headlights such as these they used to glue them. On the newer cars and trucks they're fused with heat because it's a better way to seal the beam.
I've also restored many lenses in my fathers auto body shop over the years, and I've also help manufactures test fit and create tooling for new parts along the way.
Hey, I was just trying to help you guys understand why just lenses might not be available for your vehicle, and the reason behind it.
I've also restored many lenses in my fathers auto body shop over the years, and I've also help manufactures test fit and create tooling for new parts along the way.
Hey, I was just trying to help you guys understand why just lenses might not be available for your vehicle, and the reason behind it.
Either way I wasn't talking about just a lense... Even though lenses would be easy to replaced themselves on our old trucks b/c after 20+ years the glue that sealed them is letting loose anyhow... The above pic I posted has the top headlight resealed with silicone after I polished both sides.
Anyway, I was talking about being able to buy the lense and bucket (sealed unit) alone... The pieces I don't want nor need are the black frame that mount the headlamp (and turn signal) to the core support or the turn signal. If you ask me if it can be dismantled the individual pieces should be sold seperate... There is no reason that you should have to buy a new turnsignal and plastic mounting base for the whole unit when just the sealed headlight bucket could be sold seperate.
I can guarentee you Tony... if you guys sold the individual pieces and not the whole head lamp assembly.... There would be a TON more guys buying the cheap sealed buckets from you. I would have been one of them... the only reason I polished up my units is because I am unwilling to spend $200 on new headlamp assemblies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 7
From: Des Moines, Iowa
Tony,
Can you find out why the entire assembly has to be purchased when just the head light bucket is the only thing needed? Maybe the bucket is the major part of the cost, I don't know. And maybe the entire assembly needs to be removed to get to the bucket anyway; so why not replace the entire assembly is the mentality for it being sold as such (manufacturer's way of thinking?).
Can you find out why the entire assembly has to be purchased when just the head light bucket is the only thing needed? Maybe the bucket is the major part of the cost, I don't know. And maybe the entire assembly needs to be removed to get to the bucket anyway; so why not replace the entire assembly is the mentality for it being sold as such (manufacturer's way of thinking?).
x2^^^^^^^ thanks ed! My sentiments exactly! You do need to remove the assembly in order to dismantle it and remove the bucket (and/or turn signal) but there is no reason to need a replacement black mounting frame or the turnsignal! unless you hit a deer and they are broke...
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 8,098
Likes: 10
From: Westford, MA
If there was an easy way to seperate the two,then there would be a lens kit on the market for all kinds on lenses,but to accomplish that you would need to heat up the entire light,and to do that without warping the bucket would be tricky for a customer to do.
Then to seal them again you would need to glue them back. It's not the easiest of processes for the average person to try and do.
Then to seal them again you would need to glue them back. It's not the easiest of processes for the average person to try and do.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 7
From: Des Moines, Iowa
your not getting it tony... On our trucks the $100/headlight assembly that you guys sell is the lense/bucket, black mounting frame, and turn signal. All of these 3 can be disassembled very easily... YET the only way to buy a new bucket/lesnse is with the black frame and turn signal attached....
We don't want those two attached!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! we just want the lense and bucket!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We don't want those two attached!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! we just want the lense and bucket!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 7
From: Des Moines, Iowa
well that's kinda the point new bulbs $20 and polish kit $20... =$40 plus you have time invested polishing them... I would rather have spent $60-$80 on just the lense and buckets and bolted them in. Saves time and is only marginally more expensive... But the only way to get the lense and buckets is to spend $150minimum.... Not really worth it now...
Heck! The 80-86's have aftermarket buckets that replace the OEM big bulbs with halogen or even HID kits. Why can't we get something like this for our 87-91's??????
Hella H4 Conversion Headlights 200mm toyota chevy ford - eBay (item 280643466427 end time Mar-19-11 21:04:24 PDT)
Heck! The 80-86's have aftermarket buckets that replace the OEM big bulbs with halogen or even HID kits. Why can't we get something like this for our 87-91's??????
Hella H4 Conversion Headlights 200mm toyota chevy ford - eBay (item 280643466427 end time Mar-19-11 21:04:24 PDT)
