1988 LED Headlights upgrade?
04-16-2018, 07:44 AM
#2
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Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 9
Do you know if the reflector arrays have gone bad? There was a thread I was reading the other day about how to clean the arrays up and fix them, but I don't remember what the link is right now. Will edit when I find it.
04-16-2018, 07:30 PM
#4
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 38
I didn't even know that was a thing. Is there a youtube video of the process i can follow?
04-17-2018, 05:26 PM
#5
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 1,323
not sure if there is a video on the 2nd gen Maxima, I think there might be write up on here somewhere, but it's relativity simple, there are 4 metal clips you need to pull off you can see 2 of them when you open your hood and look at the light, but they are glass lenses on plastic housings, you want to warm them up enough to soften the glue but not hot enough to melt the plastic, and carefully pull the lenses, off refinish the housing inside (chrome paint) and put back together
04-19-2018, 05:16 AM
#6
HID kits are reasonably priced and not very difficult to install which could also be an option. I found they gave off amazing light on my 3rd gen which were glass lenses aswell. I don't have the HID's anymore but still have the headlights themselves if your interested though I'm not sure if they can be modded to fit a 2nd gen.
Last edited by ac max 92; 04-19-2018 at 05:26 AM.
04-20-2018, 07:58 PM
#8
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Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 38
HID kits are reasonably priced and not very difficult to install which could also be an option. I found they gave off amazing light on my 3rd gen which were glass lenses aswell. I don't have the HID's anymore but still have the headlights themselves if your interested though I'm not sure if they can be modded to fit a 2nd gen.
i'd love to see!
05-04-2018, 10:23 PM
#11
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 61
Yeah here you go I bought them from Amazon.
05-04-2018, 10:29 PM
#12
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Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 38
05-05-2018, 06:32 AM
#13
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 61
06-25-2018, 03:27 PM
#19
It's a damn shame that Headlamps can't be found for that model anymore! I found a Dorman driver's side headlamp...That's at Summit and Car Id...WTF are you folks suppose to do who still have 2nd Gen Maximas? I've got a buddy with a 87 Maxima that's been garaged with a timing belt related bent valve issue and It's clean as hell!!!
06-25-2018, 04:16 PM
#20
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 38
It's a damn shame that Headlamps can't be found for that model anymore! I found a Dorman driver's side headlamp...That's at Summit and Car Id...WTF are you folks suppose to do who still have 2nd Gen Maximas? I've got a buddy with a 87 Maxima that's been garaged with a timing belt related bent valve issue and It's clean as hell!!!
06-25-2018, 09:50 PM
#21
08-08-2018, 04:07 AM
#24
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Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 14
I had issues with my headlights a few years ago...
There are few if any new OEM headlight assemblies available.
There are some non- oem Knock-off parts, but they are JUNK. They are Plastic instead of the OEM metal, and their reflectors do not focus correctly (like the OEM do).- (with any type of bulb - Halogen or LED)
I was lucky to get one of the last NEW Oem Driver side headlights from someone in Sweeden on ebay.
The Non Oem ones are a reasonable price, but are junk.. you would be far better off repairing/resurfacing your original.
That being said, when you come to fit any of the compatible LED bulbs, be aware, that they will not focus or Dip like a modern headlight.
Although I have not tried it, I strongly considered fitting a modern headlight reflector assembly in behind the original OEM headlight lens. That way you would keep the original outside appearance of the OEM assembly, but benefit from a modern, efficiently focused reflector, with a bright and well focused beam.
If you just throw a modern LED lamp into your OEM headlight assembly, . yes, you will get significantly brighter lights, BUT -- you will also become one of those annoying people who BLIND oncoming drivers at night, because, even when dipped, they will be thowing light all over the place, including directly into oncoming drivers eye.
Also, you will probably fail any Headlight alignment test when/if the car needs to have a state required inspection. ( or put old bulbs back in for the test !!!)
There are few if any new OEM headlight assemblies available.
There are some non- oem Knock-off parts, but they are JUNK. They are Plastic instead of the OEM metal, and their reflectors do not focus correctly (like the OEM do).- (with any type of bulb - Halogen or LED)
I was lucky to get one of the last NEW Oem Driver side headlights from someone in Sweeden on ebay.
The Non Oem ones are a reasonable price, but are junk.. you would be far better off repairing/resurfacing your original.
That being said, when you come to fit any of the compatible LED bulbs, be aware, that they will not focus or Dip like a modern headlight.
Although I have not tried it, I strongly considered fitting a modern headlight reflector assembly in behind the original OEM headlight lens. That way you would keep the original outside appearance of the OEM assembly, but benefit from a modern, efficiently focused reflector, with a bright and well focused beam.
If you just throw a modern LED lamp into your OEM headlight assembly, . yes, you will get significantly brighter lights, BUT -- you will also become one of those annoying people who BLIND oncoming drivers at night, because, even when dipped, they will be thowing light all over the place, including directly into oncoming drivers eye.
Also, you will probably fail any Headlight alignment test when/if the car needs to have a state required inspection. ( or put old bulbs back in for the test !!!)
I upgraded the headlights and now they are soooo much better! Thank you guys :3
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