OEM headlight differences?
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 113
Likes: 3
From: Washington
OEM headlight differences?
Hi,
It looks like I might need new headlights in my 92 SC400. I noticed different part numbers depending on the year/production time of the car. Is there a physical different between 92-00 for the headlights?
Thank you for the insight.
It looks like I might need new headlights in my 92 SC400. I noticed different part numbers depending on the year/production time of the car. Is there a physical different between 92-00 for the headlights?
Thank you for the insight.
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
From: Delaware
They will bolt in from any year. There was a change to the actual lens (glass part got bigger) at the generation switch (95-96ish)At some point they went from an all clear insert that covered the parking lights, to a half clear half chrome. That change is in the series with the smaller lens.
I have a 92 as well which at some point got a new driver side head light. The new headlight had the same size projector lens, a small grove on the clear headlight cover, and a gap under the metal refractor piece under (and in front) the projector assemble. Seeing the changes made me conclude te driver side headlight came from 93-95. My passenger side is stock, it came with the same size glass as the other, however it was shattered around the rim and I epoxied it as a temp solution since I have my lights open all the time.
The RHD headlights are designed with driving on opposite side of road and can seriously blind oncoming cars (as well as your right hand turns would get a tad scary).
Unless your clear covers are smashed, cracked bad, or something, you can easily fix any other problems. And yes any year sc headlights fit any year sc.
Hope that helps
I have a 92 as well which at some point got a new driver side head light. The new headlight had the same size projector lens, a small grove on the clear headlight cover, and a gap under the metal refractor piece under (and in front) the projector assemble. Seeing the changes made me conclude te driver side headlight came from 93-95. My passenger side is stock, it came with the same size glass as the other, however it was shattered around the rim and I epoxied it as a temp solution since I have my lights open all the time.
The RHD headlights are designed with driving on opposite side of road and can seriously blind oncoming cars (as well as your right hand turns would get a tad scary).
Unless your clear covers are smashed, cracked bad, or something, you can easily fix any other problems. And yes any year sc headlights fit any year sc.
Hope that helps
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
From: Delaware
Nah, it's just small things that don't matter, the bulbs are the same etc. I never held the only piece that changed and mattered (the later larger projector essmbly). It ads some light tho. So if you can get a later set, I'd recommend it (although not really important). Also stay away from the ebay ones as the shove a small 880 (fog light number may be wrong) bulb as you main driving light. Google this: "lens change" site:clublexus.com Just copy and paste the whole thing.
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 113
Likes: 3
From: Washington
Thank you for the info.
LH Unit
It appears years/production dates part numbers:
04/1991 to 07/1992 part number supersedes to 07/1992 to 04/1993, both which are NLA.
They then supersede to:
04/1993 to 01/1994 which supersedes to 01/1994 to 08/1996. 01/1994 to 08/1996 part number is available
Also available are two different part numbers, one for
08/1996 to 08/1998
08/1998 to 2000
RH unit appears to follow a similar pattern. So It appears if buying a new set of headlights your bound to get the style with a larger projector lens? Further, any idea what differences there may be in the later year lights - late 1996 to 2000?
LH Unit
It appears years/production dates part numbers:
04/1991 to 07/1992 part number supersedes to 07/1992 to 04/1993, both which are NLA.
They then supersede to:
04/1993 to 01/1994 which supersedes to 01/1994 to 08/1996. 01/1994 to 08/1996 part number is available
Also available are two different part numbers, one for
08/1996 to 08/1998
08/1998 to 2000
RH unit appears to follow a similar pattern. So It appears if buying a new set of headlights your bound to get the style with a larger projector lens? Further, any idea what differences there may be in the later year lights - late 1996 to 2000?
if you buy a set of lights you wont have to worry about it if its from the same year as a set should match itself, only be a small issue if you are just replacing one. I didn't even realize there was a difference between years.
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Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 113
Likes: 3
From: Washington
No worries, I'll be staying OEM.
I got one unit that is taking on water and would rather just replace it. Unfortunately about every 3 months I'm having to polish them with plastx or the like to get rid of the haze/yellowing. If I only get one new unit I know the new one is going to look way better than the other unit that is still dry. Almost makes me want to get two new sets...but which set - hence my original question about differences.
I got one unit that is taking on water and would rather just replace it. Unfortunately about every 3 months I'm having to polish them with plastx or the like to get rid of the haze/yellowing. If I only get one new unit I know the new one is going to look way better than the other unit that is still dry. Almost makes me want to get two new sets...but which set - hence my original question about differences.
Are the jdm lights that much different from ours? My car was hit & I have a set of jdm lights & was wondering. I know they are for rhd does this mean the right side headlight will be much brighter then the left side? Will it be like having a high beam on at all times? Thanks.
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 113
Likes: 3
From: Washington
Are the jdm lights that much different from ours? My car was hit & I have a set of jdm lights & was wondering. I know they are for rhd does this mean the right side headlight will be much brighter then the left side? Will it be like having a high beam on at all times? Thanks.
So if you place a RHD headlight into a LHD car your light beam will be not just centered but also up and to the left....potentially blinding oncoming traffic. In order to correct this you would need to either produce a new cut off shield that has the correct cut off for LHD or replace the cut off shield in your JDM units with a USDM...if they bolt up/mount the same way. This I do not know.
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
From: Delaware
Next time you try to use the restore kit, take them to a body shop to clear-coat over the finish. This will keep the covers from yellowing for a while longer. Once I get mine finished I'm clearing the inside and outside to keep them from yellowing permanently 
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