I was wondering if these headlamps are just as good as the originals or if these are bad quality (i.e. not focus light, cheap parts)

Somebody crackd into my 00 housings.
I dont see what the point in stealing halogen housings would be but idk?
I was looking at new ones anyways.

Well i am just wondering if these are good as 02-03 oem.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2002-...spagenameZWDVW
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2002-...spagenameZWDVW

Or these even come with ballasts that i could resale?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2002-...Q5fAccessories

 

for that price they are probably good quality. But why not just search for an OEM one.

 

Tried i only see them selling for like 600 a piece.

http://www.factorynissanparts.com/pa...layCatalogid=0

So would these work as good as a OEM or are they sub par like ebay projectors?

 

i would only buy OEM headlights. When i got my car the passenger side headlight was after market. The beam pattern on aftermarket headlights is horrible. I tried adjusting the mounting base for the bulb but it didnt help. Nothing beats OEM parts.

 

The 3rd link with balasts might be OEM but I'm not sure.

 

Was the aftermarket like the OEM one or was it like a cheap ebay projector or something with halos? Also is there anywhere i can buy OEM for pretty cheap? I cant find anybody on the org selling them and other than that they are about 700 a peice. I cant afford that i am only 16 haha.

Is there a way to tell from looking at them or would i have to call them or something?

 

I'd almost be willing to bet that those aftermarkets are actually make but the same manufacturer of the OEM lamps (they weren't made by Nissan)

Let me also state that I don't know firsthand but this is common practice in manufacturing.

 

Uhh do you mean "Im willing to bet that those aftermarkets are actually made by the same manufacturer as the OEM. (Nissan doesnt make the headlamps)

If so are you saying they are the same only nissan doesnt market them. And if you are saying that is that for the first 2 links of the 3rd one?

 

That's what I meant, yes.

I'd be willing to bet the first 2 auctions and the 3rd are also the same. Both are resellers of aftermarket parts. I'd email the place in the first 2 and just make sure bulbs and ballasts are included. Might even call them, maybe you can strike a better deal for both shipped.

 

Ya i dont think the first 2 do. But i know the 3rd one does. I will be looking into that one i guess.

 

I think it's just a bad photo, I guarantee those 2 vendors are selling the exact same stuff. I'd be my guess this is the exact same light used as "quality replacements" by insurance companies.

 

Makes sense ya. Ill probably go with the 3rd link. How much do you think i could sell the bulbs and ballasts for? I already have a HID kit for this.

 

The aftermarket one i had looked just like OEM, but a cheap off brand. OEM headlights will say Nissan on the lenses. Maybe try calling around to salvage yards and see if they have any.

 

Does anybody have like a down the road shot with 02-03 housings? Or if not how well on a scale of 1-10 do you think they light the road?

Also i tried calling local junk yards they all sale for like 400 for each side cheapest, and she said they were after market also.

 

I dont have any shots of them, but i think they light up the road very well. Much better than any halogen headlight i ever saw.

 

Ok thanks man just wondering how they looked. I think i might go with the OEM set if i can find a good deal.

 

i thought the oem ones for 600 bucks included the hid assemblies too?

 

The third link is also aftermarket because you can tell the ballasts have a Philips label on it. OEM ballasts are made by Matsushta. Basically all three of those links are selling the aftermarket Depo headlights.

Type in "02 OEM Maxima Headlight" in ebay and you'll get a couple of hits for OEM ones around $200-$300

 

Thats not too bad ill keep looking hopefully i can find a right side too

Also how bad do the depos focus light?

 

Don't buy the headlights from Headlight Depot... srsly.

they have a crappy beam pattern and are far from OEM

 

:matt93se:

 

try to find damaged ones. got mine for free that way hah jk i just got very lucky...





after some major work...

 

Nice what did you do to those?
Just a whole lot of plasticX or whatever its called?

 

he did ALOT more than just PasticX with those headlights

 

took time, some ghetto rigging and a whole lot of effort. but i would call around junkyards and see if they have 02-03 maximas on the lot and check it out...better than paying 5-600 a pop for em.

 

uhh care to share what they look like with the hood open?

$600 for two brand new headlights w/ ballasts and bulbs isn't a horrible deal. thats only 300 each.

 

Ya but they are depo so i hear the focusing on them is bad?

Also somebody is willing to sell me OEM housings with bad scratches and depo housings with perfect plastic covers. Could i switch the depo plastic covers with the OEM for OEM quality or would the glare w/ depo covers be bad?

 

not to you

 

Bump,
anybody know if i could switch the depo plastic covers onto OEM for OEM quality or would the glare w/ depo covers be bad?

 

shut up choii. i know you are all over my nutz but back off.

compared to other cars in our class brand new headlights fully loaded for 300 a piece isn't bad.



edoy: the glare isn't from the covers.

 

Alright so i could switch them over, and if i do switch the lenses how hard are they to take off and switch and glue back on properly?

 

i'm sure it would work, and the swap wouldn't be too hard. to do that you would need to wrap the headlight in a damp towel, bake at 350/400 for ten-fifteen minutes. remove, pry with flathead screwdriver and you're done. you could go buy some of that adhesive and apply it to the depot to ensure it stays on there nice.

when you're prying, make sure you get the clips out first before yo start pulling. be patient with it and don't rush it.


btw torgus, don't you have snow to plow?

 

also you're referring to depot headlights, which, btw has already has been discussed, and is nowhere near the quality as oem.

 

choii oems go for 650+. a decent knock off for under 1/2 the price isn't bad. i'm not going to argue this with you. if you don't think it's a good deal then fine. i really doubt ppl in this thread care what you think regarding the price of knock offs.

i mod headlights in my spare time. notice my sig. who do you think knows more about them? depot headlights arn't the best but they are still better then the ebay projector ae headlights. anyone who complains about the depot lights not being as good as oem...no **** they are under 1/2 the price.


1 you don't knwo what you are talking about. seriously shut up. 400 degrees are you crazy?

2 don't wrap it in a damp towel. AT MOST lay the towel on the bottom of the cookie sheet. i don't do this and have done around 20 headlights in this fashion and never once had any problems WHAT SO EVER. all it will do is get the nasty grey glue all over the towel and ruin it. it's hard enough to get off the cookie sheet with goo gone.

and no choi i don't have to snow to plow. next year i probably will with my brother's boss as i'm buying a 02 ram hemi to haul my boat. I figure i might as well buy a plow as it will pay for it'self in 1/2 a season. i'll be making around $40 and hour + any people who i pick up which will be around 100-200 per driveway. I know what you were trying to say is that i drive a lowered car with a front lip. why are you on here if you hate lowered cars with lips?

again i don't snow plow choii, you see i own 2 modified maximas. one is my fo sho cah and my other is a DD/winter beater. either way even my beater has more mods then your ride so why don't you stop following me around on the org and back off ah nuts son?

 

I own a 03 maxima and one of ma piaa super whites went out for my foglight bulb. So i purchased http://www.amazon.com/Hella-HLA-H831...4194879&sr=8-3

and i was disappionted with the yellow light it gave off. I was wondering what capsule can be used with this also i couldn't find the thread showing how to install it. Another thing is do you think the 85 watts bulbs will melt the capsule?

 

and yet 400 degrees with damp towel wrapped around them and two headlights later...i have come out with nicely done headlights.

please, do the whole org a favor and plow into a cow. ok thanks.

i'm done here..

 

400 is wayyyy too hot. that's uneeded and you probably do need wet rags on your lights. just because your method works it doens't mean it's the 'right' way to do it. 250 300 tops for 12 minutes is all you need to separate them. the 250-300 range depends as most ovens vary 20 degrees in temperature.

i'm not sure how i would plow into a cow but...why would that really matter? i'd kill the cow and owe a farmer a few grand. truck would be fine...

 

Hmm i am hearing 2 different temps and ways. Not sure what to do with. Anybody elses input would be appreciated?

 

bump,, anybody know anything else about cooking the headlights?

 

Whatever method you use, you can't go wrong unless you leave it in the oven without monitoring it. Every oven is little different and electric ovens heat up faster than gas ovens. I've opened up my headlights twice doing the angel eye/clear lens mod. I used the oven method the first time but that 10-15 minutes was too long for me. The second time I used a heat gun which you purchase from just about anywhere. You can put the heat directly where it's needed; where the lens and housing come in contact with each other. Just don't let the heat gun stay in one place for more than a couple of seconds are you will melt the plastic.