GMT400 Headlight Replacement

PAToyota

PAToyota

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What are people running for GMT400 replacement headlights? My OEM headlights have been "polished" a couple times and I have them on relays to brighten them up, but I'm to the point of just replacing the housings.

There are endless options of replacement housings that use stock bulbs:
s-l1200.jpg


But I'm somewhat leaning toward the LED versions:
81ejQT+GkvL._AC_SL1500_.jpg


However, the reviews seem to be generally favorable and much brighter with a scattering of people saying they don't last. I'll admit that LEDs in general are a concern because I see even OEM that go out and then you're replacing the whole unit instead of just a bulb.

Thoughts?
 
Stock replacements

Please dont ruin the poor truck with that ridiculous looking garbage

Put a decent bulb in the stock housing. If you need more light do whatever mod that runs the high/low at the same time. If that’s not enough add aux lights

Anything but those cheesy looking LED things
 
mjlogan88 said:
Stock replacements

Please dont ruin the poor truck with that ridiculous looking garbage

Put a decent bulb in the stock housing. If you need more light do whatever mod that runs the high/low at the same time. If that’s not enough add aux lights

Anything but those cheesy looking LED things
Click to expand...
If you're 16 and trying to get laid, the LED ones are perfect.
 
I'd like to find something as well that isn't trash. I've got stock type bulbs in a clear aftermarket housing in mine. I dislike it very much. I've wanted to put a good set of projectors in the factory style housing, but never have. Thought about building a setup that uses a couple of baja designs squadrons, their sae fog pattern for low, and a the other for high beam. But its never gone any further then a thought.

I think there was a thread at the old place that guys were building their own light bars. Thought it would be cool to build a short one to replace the headlights if you could make the pattern work for low beams.

I just put a set of nice fogs in the bumper that I use when needed, and left the crappy factory headlights alone.

Could swap to to 88-89 dual sealed beam lights. I much prefer those, as you can aim them separately. I've never felt the need to upgrade the factory headlights in my 88, but my 98 needs some help.
 
BustedCrank said:
I'd like to find something as well that isn't trash. I've got stock type bulbs in a clear aftermarket housing in mine. I dislike it very much.
Click to expand...

I'm in the same place. The aftermarket housings I've seen in person are less than quality and even the "OEM style" are questionable. I'd prefer to be able to see things in person before purchase, but that isn't likely.

BustedCrank said:
Could swap to to 88-89 dual sealed beam lights.
Click to expand...

I've thought about this as well, but haven't looked into it deep enough to know what all is required. LMC Truck sells the assemblies: https://www.lmctruck.com/lighting/headlight/cd-1988-89-headlight-dual
But I'm unclear as to whether those bolt in for the 90-up versions or what else needs to change. The grille is the same for dual or composite headlights and I'm guessing the grille/radiator support is also the same. So it should just bolt in?
If it doesn't turn into a full-on fabrication job, that is likely the way to go.
 
I must be alone in liking the work truck single headlight front end on most trucks lol. I would still put H4 conversion lights with LED bulbs in them but I just like the big single lights on these trucks and the 81-91 Squarebody (though I would prefer to swap whole front clip on those to the 79-80 round headlight style)
 
I'm doing the K2500 first, so the single headlight conversion is also an option - but that would require a new grille as well, adding to the cost. However, I don't think that option would look good on the Yukon.
 
Yeah really adds up, you got me thinking about the Yukon thing.

Police department Tahoe
TahoePD.jpg

Also probably opposite direction you want to go but the Escalade\Denali swap was popular for awhile then bam gone.
TahoeCad.jpg
Denali2dr.jpg
 
I'd would've gone with Crystal clear, clear coat the housing and call it a day

Screenshot_20260524_123510.jpg


Lots aftermarket design for cool looking, gmt400 book of faces group will have brands to avoid/recommend. I'm on few if you want me check out for ya

Though sequential taillight on gmt400 is pretty cool
 
I'm not into the Escalade\Denali look and can't say I really want the "work truck" look on the Yukon either. I'll have to look into the dual sealed beam setup some more. I'm thinking that might be the answer for both of them.
Yukon 001.JPG


What? said:
I'd would've gone with Crystal clear, clear coat the housing and call it a day
Click to expand...

As I said, I've done the polish and clearcoat a couple times and it is to the point of needing new assemblies. They are thirty-plus year old vehicles. The Dorman and other stuff generally is worse than what I have.
 
Ive got my 88 with sealed beam, and my 98 sitting here. I'll poke around tomorrow and see if it looks like a simple swap. I don't think it would look as clean as a new set of factory-ish crystal clear housings though.

Wasn't there a factory glass housing for those in a different country? I seem to recall a thread about it on the gmt400 forum, and there was a guy that had a source for them a while back. Maybe that was something else completely though, and I'm way off base.
 
PAToyota said:
I'm not into the Escalade\Denali look and can't say I really want the "work truck" look on the Yukon either. I'll have to look into the dual sealed beam setup some more. I'm thinking that might be the answer for both of them.
Yukon 001.JPG




As I said, I've done the polish and clearcoat a couple times and it is to the point of needing new assemblies. They are thirty-plus year old vehicles. The Dorman and other stuff generally is worse than what I have.
Click to expand...

My bad. I meant it on the new housing. That's what I do before I install it from the get go. Look at the brand. DEPO and Various Mfr for the diamond look that isn't fuzzy looking as OEM.

With the sealed beam, I got headlight from truck lite. Looks real good and classy. Though paintjob and wheel combo helps. I'll find the picture
 
BustedCrank said:
Ive got my 88 with sealed beam, and my 98 sitting here. I'll poke around tomorrow and see if it looks like a simple swap. I don't think it would look as clean as a new set of factory-ish crystal clear housings though.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking that the four mounting holes in each are the same and it is just a matter of swapping them. Hopefully... Even if they're not the same, it should be a simple matter of some new holes.

Screenshot 2026-05-25 at 12.14.45 PM.png
Screenshot 2026-05-25 at 12.14.55 PM.png


The plan would be to do the K2500 first as I'm less concerned about looks for it. Then depending on how it looks, I'd do the Yukon.
 

Headlights - Lights - Our Products — Truck-Lite Advanced LED Lighting

| Headlights - Lights - Our Products — Truck-Lite Advanced LED Lighting
www.truck-lite.com www.truck-lite.com

They don't carry the ones I have which is this below



Would be cool to get 88+ style and have separate headlamp to fit in housing

I'll check gmt400 groups for their recommendations and post back here for ya
 
PAToyota said:
I'm thinking that the four mounting holes in each are the same and it is just a matter of swapping them. Hopefully... Even if they're not the same, it should be a simple matter of some new holes.
Click to expand...

I believe you are correct. I checked both core supports, the hole behind the lights is the same, they both look like they should have a single headlight, because they both just have a round hole where the work truck light would be. The 98 did have different holes around that main opening though, doesn't have the square hole like the 88.
PXL_20260525_232319750.jpg



Both core supports have access holes for the earlier adjusters.

PXL_20260525_232626310.jpg
PXL_20260525_232717859.jpg



I didn't confirm, because I would have to pull the grill off, but I would have to agree with you that the mounting holes for the housing assemblies are probably the same.

Would want to make sure your grill surround around the lights has the "shelf" that goes back to where the 88 lights would be so it doesn't have a gap, since the lights don't come out flush with the grill like the single piece lights. The grill in my 98 does have it, but it is an aftermarket grill.

PXL_20260525_232409787.jpg


I think the hardest/most time consuming part of the whole thing would be switching the harness ends to the older style, not that that would be that hard to do.

Oh, and depending on how your corner marker lights are. Cant tell from your picture if yours do or not. My 98 corner lights have a plastic part that wraps around a little further towards the headlight, would have to trim that off for aesthetics. But again, mine are aftermarket on that one.

PXL_20260525_233158907.jpg
 
BustedCrank said:
Ive got my 88 with sealed beam, and my 98 sitting here. I'll poke around tomorrow and see if it looks like a simple swap. I don't think it would look as clean as a new set of factory-ish crystal clear housings though.

Wasn't there a factory glass housing for those in a different country? I seem to recall a thread about it on the gmt400 forum, and there was a guy that had a source for them a while back. Maybe that was something else completely though, and I'm way off base.
Click to expand...
Was Brazil,but think it's tapped out now.
 
I took a quick look at the grilles and they both have the "sawtooth" cut and extra length on the inner divider like this:
pxl_20260525_232409787-jpg.jpg


So, I'm going to put the dual sealed beam assemblies on my list to do - check to see whether there are cheaper options than LMC.
 
Late to party but here's the link for comments on the newer headlight style



Then there's this thread in similar stytle headlight

Eagle eye composite headlight

Well I rolled the Dice on Eagle eye composite headlight assembly's from Rock. At 22$ each they gota be better that what I have now. I polished the original lenses, but they are discolored on the inside, so it only helped a little. I also ordered some new bulbs. They came today, still waiting on...
www.gmt400.com www.gmt400.com


Then with these 88 style

Tech: 88-89 GMT400 Quad Sealed Beam upgrades (Bosch T84 E-code headlights)

I’ll start this thread off by simply stating that the output of the 88-89 sealed beam headlights are a joke. This thread will outline the OEM lighting in the quad headlight trucks, and available upgrade options. Many people simply say switch to composite headlights; while this is a valid option...
www.thetruckstop.us
 
I was sure i had picture of this headlight on my truck but cant find it. Anyhow if you go 5x7, these are awesome improvement with halogen bulb. Never tried LED in it though, didn't need to.

There's time even on road I'm happy with it I didn't put hi beam on(west coast desert/mountain)

Took my time to adjust it out on dark road to where I want it though.

Left: Sylvania basic or night vision
Right: Truck-lite 27009(no longer in stock but available in link above post)

These would be perfect if smaller for 88+ headlight style

20160621_102035.jpg
 
PAToyota said:
I took a quick look at the grilles and they both have the "sawtooth" cut and extra length on the inner divider like this:
pxl_20260525_232409787-jpg.jpg


So, I'm going to put the dual sealed beam assemblies on my list to do - check to see whether there are cheaper options than LMC.
Click to expand...


I didn't see this thread until just now.

This is a very easy swap. I did this on my '99K3500 EBS and it was a big improvement over the plastic housings. I also powered them directly off the alternator to get the higher voltage and powered both brights and both dims together for even better lighting. It was a significant improvement.

I may have a complete set of the dual sealed beams assemblies left in my shop. I'll check when I'm over there tomorrow.
 
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