Alright I decided to pull the trigger on some brand new headlights, so I ordered them from Pembroke Pines Lexus' online site. Well they called me today and said that the headlights that I ordered are from a '99 and the VIN that I gave them is from a '97(obviously). Shouldn't they be the same??! I ended up telling him to just put the order through as is, but he was like, "Are you sure?? If they're not what you want, you have to pay for shipping." He was adamant in saying that they looked up parts by VIN # and that the part # that I ordered was different than the part that came up when they searched by VIN. Did I do the right thing?

If you read this far, and you still care, if you go to their ordering part of their website, I used the search function using a '97 Lexus Sc300, found the headlights and clicked 'Add to Cart.' I didn't even see the actual part #, and on their website, there is nowhere to even find the part #. He even looked up the part # that came up when he searched by my VIN, and said that it was still a valid, in-use part #. Am I completely ignorant of something here? If you know any better, please enlighten me!

Thanks in advance,
~Joe

 

All the headlights will work from 92-00. I believe 98-00 model headlights have an improved cutoff line in the projector. I normally just order everything for my car from a 2000 model anyways.

 

as ACleanSC4 said, you should be perfectly fine, you will be getting better headlights than what you currently have.

 

just out of curiosity, what was the cost?

 

I have ordered several parts from them. When I checkout I usually leave out my vin because I know exactly what I am ordering and so I don't get emails like that. You should be fine with the ones you ordered. Any new 92-00 SC headlights that you order have the sharper cutoff, but I guess order the 00 just to be safe.

 

Yeah I have done a ridiculous amount of searching on this board and knew for a fact that 92-00 headlights are the same, and that in 2002 they changed the design of the projector for all of the newly manufactured headlights for our cars to have a better cutoff line and all of that. My question was more of a "Why the heck are there 2 different part numbers?" Yeah if I end up ordering anything more from them, I'll leave my VIN out. They also mentioned that one of the interior pieces I ordered didn't match with my VIN, but that's only cuz I ordered a black one, and my car originally came with tan.

Now my dilemma is that I had retrofitted E39 projectors into my old headlights, but the headlight, no matter how much I polish it, just looks yellow compared to the glass highbeams. So now I have new, ridiculous $$$ headlights.... Do I throw em in the oven to get some E39 lovin? Or should I just throw the old headlights/retrofit kit in the classifieds?

Oh yeah and sc300gte - They were $244 and some odd cents apiece, then like $9.44 per side for the seals that go on the top... And I think there was like 40-something dollars of shipping. I ordered some other goodies though, so my total order came out to like $615 *gasp*

Anyway, thanks for the reassurance y'all!! I'm now not worried that I'm gonna have to send them back or anything.

Peace
~Joe

 

I think the reason there are 2 part numbers is because one is the older number. I guess Lexus does not want to delete the older number from their system in case somebody orders the older number. So I'm thinking if they order the older number they will just send the updated headlight.
Man I don't know about opening the new headlights. As for me, I would have a hard time going through with it and would probably not do it since they are so expensive. If you decide to do it, I'm sure you can sell the updated oem projectors for a pretty fair price. Just be very careful when putting them in the oven. The seals are probably strong since they are new. The hids will definitely look better in the retrofit projectors though.

 

Same headlight from 91-00. You should be good.

 

I just ordered brand new headlights (2000 Model). I will make a thread when I slap em on including pics and cutoff line using a 6000k hid kit.

 

Seeking to adjust headlight aim both verticle and horizontal on my 91 LS 400. Looking for the adjusters and how to know when adjusted correctly.

Just replaced the headlight bulb today and discovered some water in the glass container. Seems as if a stone hit the lens leaving a small hole letting rain water enter. Drained out the water, put a hair dryer to the bulb socket hole to dry out the interior and shook out a few pieces of small loose glass shards. To plug the hole I inserted a wood toothpick. Tight fit, snapped off end, smoothed off with sandpaper.

Might there be a better fix than a toothpick to plug the hole? Any info on how to aim the lights?

Thanks.

Ned
Seattle

 

ECE projectors will be better than any DOT projectors. I think it depends how much you love your car. I say sell your E39 retro kit and get better projectors like s2k/tsx/tl and retrofit that into your new headlight.

 

Yeah the thought crossed my mind... I think I'm gonna put in the E39's for now and more likely than not switch em out later for TSX/TL ones.

Thanks for the advice!
~Joe

 

There's a thread on s2k projectors, you should do that if you have the resources.

 

Why put in E39's then switch them out later, and double your labor involved?

TL's won't fit. (Bi-Xenon)

TSX are great bang for the buck! (I have a pair for sale btw)

 

Only because I don't have enough $$$ to spring for better projectors at the moment, but I refuse to roll around with the stupid looking 'Squirrel Spotters' or whatever they are due to the 02+ projector design. Besides, after having taken like 12 of these suckers apart, I can do it in pretty much no time flat. I just finished putting the E39's into the new headlights actually -- I'll get some pics after my car's all back together this evening.

--- PS - Emoshun - PM fixin' to be sent =0)