Cheap OEM ebay Head lights

[got_no_sol]

^ You say that your $37 dollar bumper sucks, but it looks more like you haven't trimmed it enough for your intercooler and is thus making it appear to fit poorly.

I'm pretty sure we have the same bumper and it fits quite well on my car.

 

[RedTurboEclipse]

yea the bumper needs to be trimmed. I've installed several of those knockoff OEM style 97-99 bumpers, they fit perfect. but by the looks of the pics, the fmic is pushing it out, and why there is a crease.

The oem style lights look perfect though.

 

[Defiant]

Defiant,

Maybe you own one of these specific headlights yourself and have the benefit of looking at the real deal as opposed to these pics, or perhaps you have bionic vision. Mine is 20/20 and I'm also using a 42" monitor and 2 other people here also can not make out anything legible from what you circled or on the other pics either....

I'm just showing where to look to find out. I am compelled to keep the answer a secret, in case there's a trip to Tahiti for the lucky winner.

 

[Flipboi89]

I still bought them and the gap doesnt seem to look too bad. Plus I picked up a nice hid kit with them. Moneyy ha.

 

[azdave]

Here are pics and info on how the "OEM-copy" TYC 2Gb Eclipse headlights compare to the actual OEM headlamps. These aftermarket lights are sold to body shops who use this cheaper version to repair your car after a collision. These are branded "Keystone" which is a popular OEM-knock-off brand name for all kinds of lights and body shop parts.

Please note the differences when viewing the rear housing and you will quickly learn how to distinguish these for real OEM lights.

Don't pay much attention to the "DOT" claims. Nearly all aftermarket manufacturers are self-certified meaning until someone (FMVS) calls them out to prove that they actually meet all specs a manufacturer can put that stamp of approval on about any light they wish.

BTW, I have tested many headlights including all styles of ebay projector and these are by far the WORST possible 2G Eclipse headllamps to drop an HID kit bulb into. You will produce major amounts of glare and blind oncoming traffic.

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Beam pics from about 10' distance from the wall. Not very good but useable.

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[rush2252]

Look decent from the pics. What was the asking price? 150ish?

If you got the old ones you can buff em and use rattle can clear on them it holds up well

Kolby

 

[azdave]

Look decent from the pics. What was the asking price? 150ish?

If you got the old ones you can buff em and use rattle can clear on them it holds up well

Kolby

They are not good lights and I will not buy them again. The beam pattern is not good considering in the photo I was only about 6' from the wall.

I had picked up a 99 OZ recently to repair and then sell. The original lights were cracked so I pulled these out of the attic and installed them just about the time this thread was starting so I posted my experiances with them. You can find them all over eBay.

I would much rather buff out an old set of OEM lights and then cover them with 6-mil Ventureshield paint protection film. That is much better than any spray clearcoat you could find and it lasts for years without any further buffing or attention.

Here are the headlights installed in the OZ edition. They look excellent and fit as well as any other aftermarket lights but not quite as perfect as an OEM housing.

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(Yes, I'm replacing the black door handle with a white one)

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[Dsmj89]

AZdave great write-up once again. Since you are the light master, i want to ask you if there is any other headlights you would recommend ? I want a set of oem looking lights for my car, brand new, and was wondering if there is any place that sells true OEM headlights, or any other good oem-look alikes ?

 

[azdave]

AZdave great write-up once again. Since you are the light master, i want to ask you if there is any other headlights you would recommend ? I want a set of oem looking lights for my car, brand new, and was wondering if there is any place that sells true OEM headlights, or any other good oem-look alikes ?

I am not aware of any other OEM-looking headlamps other than the TYC above. Those are sold under many different brands so it appears that there are more choices when there really aren't.

A true OEM set from a dealer, with discount, will cost well over $500. Your best bet is to find a set of used OEM headlamps (using the pics above to be sure you really are getting OEM since most people have no clue that they might have aftermarket TYCs in their cars if they bought the car used).

When you find a set, be sure they are not deeply scratched or cracked and then plan on sanding and buffing them back to new quality. There are several threads already about how to do that.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

azdave,
Is the light output of these headlights that much inferior to OEM? Without a reference pic, or the units themselves, there's no way for me to tell.
Should they not be almost identical in output, given the same bulbs, since the housing and lens are nearly identical?

I did understand, however, that you were displeased with the output, I just don't know what you're comparing them too and I don't want to go around assuming things.

 

[InfiniteGSX]

I ended up getting something similar... but for 1gb DSM's...

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I have to say, the light output is perfect! It has almost a Projector Cutoff compared to OEM, but not "As Sharp" as Projectors, And light output on the ground is much more spread out and even, instead of a hotspot in the middle and dim on the sides. The output is very even. And high beams are great also, even light distribution also. I Love Them.

I would take pictures but having HID Issues, and awaiting new Bulbs.

I always look forward to reading something from Dave, Always detailing with pictures and figures. A+ Work for the DSM Enthusiast.

 

[Defiant]

....

 

[burkgonzo]

where do you get the all clear 1gen lights at?

 

[azdave]

azdave,
Is the light output of these headlights that much inferior to OEM? Without a reference pic, or the units themselves, there's no way for me to tell.
Should they not be almost identical in output, given the same bulbs, since the housing and lens are nearly identical?

I did understand, however, that you were displeased with the output, I just don't know what you're comparing them too and I don't want to go around assuming things.

I don't have a direct comparison since none of my 2Gs have 2Gb OEM lights installed but I do have a set of 2Ga OEM lights in my 95 GSX and those lay down the light much better than the TYC's in the 99 GS. I drove the GS in the pics above last night and then the 95 GSX this morning before daylight. The OEM lights in the GSX were lighting up the road better.

I know the reflector "looks" good in the TYC but they just don't have as good as a beam shape as the OEM units. I don't think the OEM are that great either but they outperform the TYC.

 

[InfiniteGSX]

where do you get the all clear 1gen lights at?

Ebay! 160 Bucks! Very worth it IMHO.

What people could do if they are really stressed about the lighting of their aftermarket headlights, is toss each one in the oven for a few minutes and seperate them all and put the new clear lens on the OEM Lights. Kinda costly, I'd look more into what Dave was talking about.

I had some pretty torn up 2gb Lights, Well I have sittin around. I wet sanded them down for a few hours, and then went over with Plastic Polish. They came out lookin brand new. I was amazed.

 

[azdave]

....toss each one in the oven for a few minutes and seperate them all and put the new clear lens on the OEM Lights. Kinda costly, I'd look more into what Dave was talking about.

I had some pretty torn up 2gb Lights, Well I have sittin around. I wet sanded them down for a few hours, and then went over with Plastic Polish. They came out lookin brand new. I was amazed.

I have tried that. The TYC lens is a close fit but not perfect. Same goes for trying a lens from other ebay projectors on an OEM housing. Also, no aftermarket lights have a very high quality hardcoat applied to the lens. Most begin to fail within the first year. I apply rock protection film before I put many miles on a new set of lights.

Part of my arsenal for testing 2G headlights.

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[InfiniteGSX]

Wait... Ok so you see my new headlights. I love the look and light output... how exactly can I protect them for long term use? Cause I already have a couple tiny dings that really upset me...

 

[azdave]

Wait... Ok so you see my new headlights. I love the look and light output... how exactly can I protect them for long term use? Cause I already have a couple tiny dings that really upset me...

I use 6-mil Ventureshield paint protection film. It applies much like window tint except that it is stretchy for following compound curves. I put it on my lights 3 years ago and the lenses still look great. There are many vidoes on youtube for application techniques.

 

[Flipboi89]

I put these on last night, the fitment was pretty good. I havent got my bumper on but once I get it on Ill snap a pic.

 

[InfiniteGSX]

I use 6-mil Ventureshield paint protection film. It applies much like window tint except that it is stretchy for following compound curves. I put it on my lights 3 years ago and the lenses still look great. There are many vidoes on youtube for application techniques.

Can I find this locally? Or have to order? and from where?

 

[meliketoball]

I put ebay projector lens on my stock housing. It fit perfect.

I totally agree with your statement on how the lens will show some signs of wear in the first year.

 

[InfiniteGSX]

I hope I can prevent that... 160 is enough to spend for a couple years of use... But never know if they are going to be around in a year or more. You know you see somethin on ebay... and then a few months later you can't even find it.

 

[IIv SHaDoW vII]

I vouch for AZDAVE and his recommendation for the Venture Shield stuff.. The stuff is amazing.. I wet sanded my headlights, buffed them, and applied this stuff to them 3 months ago and they still look amazing.. Be reminded, I live in Kansas and the weather has been shitty for the past 3 months too.. The film holds like a champ through snow and 10 degree weather as well as humidity and 80 degree weather.

 

[azdave]

Can I find this locally? Or have to order? and from where?

If you can't find Ventureshield on ebay or locally at a tint shop I would sell you some of my supply at my cost. I have a 24" wide roll and will sell as many feet as you need. PM me if you are interested.

 

[93_tsi_fwd]

Great write up/review man, way better than mine.

I looked on ebay for that Venture shield, but they dont have any for dsm.