Xenon Headlight Assembly Options

[GarrettMoore]

We need new headlight assemblies for our 2019 Tahoe.

It has the Xenon bulbs which seems to severely limit our aftermarket options, and a lot of them get terrible reviews.

Can anyone point me to a reputable brand that people have had good luck with?

 

[MrTris]

Hi, retrofitter, here.

There are literally zero worthwhile aftermarket headlight assemblies that are worth the money.

New ones are like, almost a grand apiece from the dealership/gmpartswhatever, so, your best bet, honestly, is finding a wrecked one that the headlights are still good on, pull em, get em cleaned up (I can walk you thru this, if you need) and then reinstall on your rig.

 

[CMoore711]

I agree with @MrTris above.

visit some OEM GM parts websites, use your VIN to determine the exact GM OEM part # for the headlights on your vehicle now. Then I would head over to eBay and search for some GM OEM headlights that are used but in good condition and working.

Now would also be a good time to replace/upgrade any bulbs or OEM HID Ballast.

 

[MrTris]

This thread made me go looking.. Even on car-part, you're looking at some seriously poor options, and honestly, you're better off with new from the dealership, even though the price absolutely sucks. ($2300!)

Look, CAN you get away with cheap aftermarket? Yeah, they exist. The problem is usually with the lenses, they'll yellow rather quickly and you're gonna spend some real time sanding, polishing and coating, at least once a year. The HID bowls and such are a gamble - might be good, might not.

Your other option, at half the price of new (~$1800) is the LEDs from Morimoto, which are a supreme upgrade. I think if you coat them, new, you might get better mileage out of the lenses, but, you're also gonna have superior lighting, so, there's that...

Out of curiosity, what's wrong with your current set?

 

[Venator]

With what would you coat the Morimotos?

 

[CMoore711]

@MrTris is nailing it! I forgot about the Morimoto XB LED headlights.

The Morimoto XB LED headlights for the K2XX Tahoe/Suburban are the only aftermarket non-OEM headlight assembly I would consider.

If you’re going to go brand new, they’re significantly cheaper than OEM. They might even be not much more expensive than lightly used OEM headlight assemblies.

They offer significantly more light output than the OEM headlights and have a much brighter functioning LED DRL.

Here’s a great video on them:

There are some members on the forums with Morimoto XB LED headlights on their GM SUVs (maybe different MY and generation), but search the forums for feedback/reviews. Morimoto is also very easy to work with on their product warranty and customer service.

You could consider applying an additional UV protective coating on the lenses while they’re new before installation. There are various products to do this with. Look at the final step or final sealant coating products and process sides for typical headlight restoration.

 

[MrTris]

In the fb groups, I've seen a handful of folks complain about the lights yellowing about a year or so in, which is concerning, but, there's lots of factors at play, there, not the least of which is those particular owners being derelict in their exterior maintenance.

With what would you coat the Morimotos?

Couple of different options, but, easiest I'd recommend is a ceramic coating. For other, more expensive, more complex options, there's PPF or taking them to a body shop and having them sprayed with BASF clear.

 

[Venator]

OK thanks! I'm considering getting those lights, but only after I've actually driven in the dark and determined if I can stand the factory lights or not. I don't know anything about coatings and would want to make sure the lights last.