Headlight clip tool?

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Jul 10, 2024 | 01:05 PM

#16

TexasGuy001

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Joined: Sep 2001

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Mastiff37

Well, it's together but sure looks terrible. Gaps all around and the headlight protruding on the bottom. Maybe I have it aimed wrong, but I think it's about right. Overall, a pretty terrible design from a maintenance perspective. I never imagined changing headlights would be a 3 hour job. Changing headlights on my other American truck

takes about 5 minutes. The Toyota took maybe 30.

Last question. Anyone know the purpose of the rubber pieces that go behind the plastic header against the core support? They just peel in and out, but the Chinese copy header I bought is now too close and they don't fit right. I don't really see what they are for, so I'm thinking of just leaving them out.

I don't know why everyone thinks changing the headlight assemblies on these trucks is so difficult. Its not the best design, but it can be done in less than 1 hour, sometimes 30 mins. Would have been nice if they made it as easy as the GMT800 Chevy's but it really isn't that bad.

I always just get new clips, and use a small hammer, a screw driver, and needlenose pliers.

The best replacement headlights I have seen for our trucks are TYC CAPA cert from Rock Auto.

I always adjust the new headlights to get them as close to the old ones as possible. Then test fit the bezel and parking lights to see how well it lines up and make adjustments. Often to make aftermarket headlights look the best they have to stick out a bit more from the side marker, but it makes them line up better with the parking light / turn signal.

Then when all is done I adjust the height with the twist rod. I think the adjuster may be 4 mm socket but I use a 5/32" socket.

Those rubber pieces are for directing airflow through the condenser and radiator. Often reproduction grilles or header panels to cause them not to work though. That can be fixed by adding something like a grooved rubber weather strip or something similar with a channel in it to extend them.

Suggest adding relays to get the most out of the halogen bulbs, it really makes a difference.