headlights

[Fishin757]

i want to put these headlights on my tahoe but i cant find online if they are legal or not in VA...any of you know?http://www.ebay.com/itm/SMOKED-92-98-CHEVY-TAHOE-SUBURBAN-BLAZER-HEADLIGHTS-CORNER-BUMPER-SIGNAL-LAMPS-/320917616704?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1998%7CMake%3AChevrolet%7CModel%3ATahoe%7CSubmodel%3ALS%7CEngine+-+Liter_Display%3A5.7L&hash=item4ab82e3840&vxp=mtr

 

[Donnie Yukonie]

here is the headlight law... however i couldnt find anywhere the law against aftermarket headlights, Virginia Code, Chapter 10, Title 46.2.
now these will put off lower light just a fyi, i would ask a local cop or state trooper the laws against aftermarket headlights

 

[SunlitComet]

laws aside you can't see crap with those installed.

 

[_Dylan_]

Well those corner lamps aren't legal because they don't have a reflector, so I'm assuming the other lights aren't DOT legal either.

 

[soulsea]

Just an FYI ... often a chrome reflector in a housing that's painted black will look black to the eye/pics when the lights are off. So it could be that the reflectors in those are chrome and the pic doesn't show it. So you'd have to contact the seller/manufacturer to check.

However, they still won't be street legal since they don't have the DOT compliant amber side reflectors.

 

[Donnie Yukonie]

mine arent reflectors and i dont get pulled and i pass safty inspection

 

[soulsea]

Eek, they still do yearly safety inspections in Jersey?
Most states have done away with them and only do emissions on older vehicles.

Anyhoot, lot's of folks (including me) have stuff on their vehicles that isn't compliant. It really depends on the knowledge and ambition of the leo/inspector to detect less obvious ones.

But if those housings in the op's pic are indeed black on the main beam reflectors, getting pulled over or failing inspection will be the least of the concerns ... hurting someone in and out of the vehicle due to poor visibility will be of the highest.

 

[Donnie Yukonie]

your right and TECH in the state of newjersey i would have to get them removed but my vehicle is registered in NC so i dont grab too much attention, who follows laws any way lol if it looks good id pay a 30 dollar ticket IMO lol

 

[Fishin757]

The lens itself is clear but the back where it usually is chrome is black. I actually did ask a cop today and he said as long as the lens isn't tinted and I had amber lights on the bottom and side it should pass. And either way with the side marker I can pop those out in a second and put the factory ones in to pass inspection

 

[domin8]

However, they still won't be street legal since they don't have the DOT compliant amber side reflectors.

I have to disagree. My 2006 Cobalt didn't have an amber reflector in the turn signal. The whole housing was chrome. GM did install amber bulbs. It was the horrible fried egg look. That did pass Virginia Inspection. It just needs to look amber when the bulb is on in order to pass inspection. Virginia inspections are very thorough. They take the time to lift the car in the air and remove tires to inspect brakes and suspension. It took over an hour every time my cars needed inspecting.

As for the lenses, I think it'll depends on the inspector. I hope the OE ha some good friends. I didn't see a DOT compliant number in the lense in the picture. No info in description either.

 

[soulsea]

In regards to headlamp reflectors:

On the front at the same height, with an equal number at each side of the vertical center line as far apart as practicable

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=393.11

(this linkie is for commercial vehicles, but it's the same for private, I just cant find that linkie right now ... need coffee )

 

[soulsea]

So I'm out driving around and noticed a Lexus RX without amber reflectors in its headlight housings. But it did have them on the side of the front fenders.

So it seems the requirement is to have them but not necessarily in the housings themselves. However since it looks better in the housings than on the bodywork I guess most manufacturers locate them there.

 

[_Dylan_]

I have to disagree. My 2006 Cobalt didn't have an amber reflector in the turn signal. The whole housing was chrome. GM did install amber bulbs. It was the horrible fried egg look. That did pass Virginia Inspection. It just needs to look amber when the bulb is on in order to pass inspection. Virginia inspections are very thorough. They take the time to lift the car in the air and remove tires to inspect brakes and suspension. It took over an hour every time my cars needed inspecting.

As for the lenses, I think it'll depends on the inspector. I hope the OE ha some good friends. I didn't see a DOT compliant number in the lense in the picture. No info in description either.

Not sure what head lights you have, but this picture shows an amber reflector.

 

[domin8]

Those look like the ones on my wife's 2007 Cobalt.

Here are some thatlook exactly like what was on my Cobalt. Yes, we had a his & hers thing going on.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/320964339162?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619

 

[soulsea]

So yeah, it turns out many cars have them on the side instead of the housings.

I spotted Fiat, Mini, Xterra, old Maxima, a Mercedes, BMW, and Audi, all with reflectors on their fenders. Amazing what one sees when one pays attention.

Not that any of this matters mind you in relation to the housings in the OP, if they are indeed black on the reflectors, they're just simply inadequate and dangerous.

 

[_Dylan_]

Those look like the ones on my wife's 2007 Cobalt.

Here are some thatlook exactly like what was on my Cobalt. Yes, we had a his & hers thing going on.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/320964339162?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619

There is a orange reflector on those. According to the DOT there needs to be a reflector on the front and back of cars so that you can see the car parked at night.

The turn signal itself needs to be amber (on the front) whether its an amber bulb or amber housing.

88-98 chevy trucks use an amber bulb in the turn signal. The upper corner light is an amber reflector.

Those ebay lights don't have a reflector in the corner lights, so its not legal. You could just add a reflector to the fender if wanted to be legal.

 

[Fishin757]

soooo what if i just leave the orange markers from the factory on? i dont want anyone hitting my truck again. it took way too long to get back.

---------- Post added at 09:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:17 PM ----------

looks like these have the DOT marking on the bottom light and looks like they have reflectors in the marker lights http://www.ebay.com/itm/94-02-Chevy-C-K-Pickup-Suburban-Tahoe-Blazer-Blk-Headlights-Bumper-Corner-Lights-/261085803130?fits=Year:1998%7CModel:Tahoe&hash=item3cc9ed327a&item=261085803130&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

 

[NathanJax]

soooo what if i just leave the orange markers from the factory on? i dont want anyone hitting my truck again. it took way too long to get back.

---------- Post added at 09:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:17 PM ----------

looks like these have the DOT marking on the bottom light and looks like they have reflectors in the marker lights http://www.ebay.com/itm/94-02-Chevy-C-K-Pickup-Suburban-Tahoe-Blazer-Blk-Headlights-Bumper-Corner-Lights-/261085803130?fits=Year:1998%7CModel:Tahoe&hash=item3cc9ed327a&item=261085803130&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

Not DOT legal. Bless your truck, from the factory, had an amber reflector on the side besides on the headlights/parking lights. He can't even verify if they are legal...

As state law varies from state to state, country to country, we cannot be liable for any legal issues which may arise due to the use of products. Buyer assumes responsibility for any violations of local laws and rules that may result from use of our products. Please check your local laws and research the item to make sure you are purchasing the correct items.

Must have an amber reflector in front and red reflector in the rear

 

[domin8]

 

[Fishin757]

anyone know where to get legal lights on the cheep? im done with ebay