Topic: Headlight Change?

[Weldo]

I just went to change the drivers side headlight on my 91 pickup, and it looks like I can't get to the headlight til I take off the bezel.  Ok, but I can't get the bezel off till I get the grille off, and I can't seem to get the grille of til I get the bumper off!  What the hell is going on here?  There are these little clips on the grill, I don't know how they come out, and I broke 2 or 3 out of 4 clips.  Also there are clips on the bottom of the grille that can't be accessed with the bumper in place.  Changing a headlight should be a 5 minute thing, what am I missing?

[TrackVino]

Is it one of those headlights that you only replace the bulb from the back?

[BLACKDOG]

no the whole headlight comes out.  I got mine out, the grile bends enough to get a screwdiver in where the screws are, and you just have to play with it a litle to get it out.  MY grill is ziptied on, all those little clips broke off

[RCRunner]

That's what you pretty much have to do to change a headlight ... it sucks ... I must have broke 3 or 4 of them dammm clips.
So, I decide to change the whole light assembly to the ones that you just change the light bulb from the back of the housing ...I can now change my headlight BULB in about 5-7 minutes     

[Prismo]

A thin screwdriver can be used to push the clip sideways in it's slot to release it. Push in the direction of the slot & it will release. I put Bosch motorcycle headlamps in mine, change bulb from the back.

[UNBREAKABLE]

THose litte clips are expensive from the dealership

[Weldo [OP]]

I don't think I could even change over to the replacable bulb type headlights because to change bulbs from the back, I'd have to remove the battery and the air box I think.  My headlight bezel I broken already, maybe I could just bend it just enough to get the screws out.  I'd like to keep the clips in tact so my grille isn't all loose and crappy, but I can't even get to the bottom clips because the bumper is dented right where I get to one or two of the clips, thus closing up that gap between the grille and bumper.  I'd love to ax that stock bumper and build a nice one out of plate.

[Prismo]

I have to remove the washer tank on the passenger side (3 small bolts). Take the bolts off mounting the airbox to the fender (4?), move the airbox aside & change the bulb on the drivers side. It is easier in my opinion than the stupid grille & light bezels. The headlights I use now will light up the highway 3/4 mile ahead when the brights are on. I have replaced 1 bulb in 3 years, they last a long time.

[Weldo [OP]]

I see, that's not too bad at all.  What kind of lights did you get to replace the big glass bulbs?  Like what vehicle did they come from and were they easy to mount?

[Prismo]

They are Bosch motorcycle headlamps, got them at a motorcycle junkyard. Bought the 55/130 bulbs at Central 4wd. They fit in the original headlamp holder.