Front End Restoration

[OUMike]

So...about six months ago I decided I wanted to replace the front components on my aging 1994 Silverado. The truck runs great and really looks great, but my grill is bent and dull and my headlights were cracked and very yellow. I started seeing a major deterioration in the quality of my night time visibility and currently my area is going through quite a bit of construction so that is really a bad thing.

 

I stumbled upon Mr. Taillight about six or eight months ago, and noticed they had literally everything that I wanted for my project. I saved and did some research on light bulbs and had recently decided to replace the OEM bulbs with Sylvania Silverstar Ultras. I used Mr. Taillight's online form and had no trouble at all making my purchase. I purchased their 94-98 front end conversion kit (includes grille, filler, parklamps and marker lights), both headlight assemblies and even some taillight lens. My total was $385, and that was much lower than pretty much any other place I'd checked. I placed my order on June 1st (Friday).

 

The following Monday (June 4th) I received a tracking number and I began check my order. Even though at this point I'd received the tracking number I still was unable to see the progress of the shipment. I tried it a couple times over the next two days and finally called them on Thursday (June 7th). The lady I spoke with (Rhianna) mentioned that was standard practice for a package to sit on the floor for a WEEK before shipping. I was irate. She told me the package would ship first thing Monday monring. (June 11th, 10 days after purchase.)

 

I recieved the package late June 15th (Friday) a full two weeks after my order. After I inspectd the package I noticed that only one taillight lens had been shipped and I received 3 left markers and 1 right mark. When I made attempts to contact Rhianna and Steve NOBODY answered the phone. I called over a dozen times in one afternoon and nobody answered the phone. Often times I could hear the phone pickup and the promptly hang up. Once I finally did speak with them they completely denied their refusal to answer phones, but they did offer to send my missing pieces at no charge to me (how nice).

 

Moral of the story. Do NOT do business wiht Mr. Taillight, and I am fully willing to except "I Told you So's" from the guys on here that warmed me. I have an LMC Truck catalog on the way as I type this. But anyhow...on to the fun stuff.

 

The first picture here is the truck with the original parts. The 2nd picture is a close up of the original headlights and parklamps.

 

 

This picture is the (basically) finished product. The only thing I'm unhappy with is the slight difference around the bow tie emblem, but I can live with that. Plus if I decide I want the original GM grille I can pick one up from LMC.

 

Before installing the new headlights I loaded them up with Sylvania Silverstars. What a difference. One thing I really was surprised was that if your an on coming car (or standing in front of the truck) it really isn't that hard on your eyes. In spite of this the night time visibility is at least 100% better than previous setup. I highly recommend these, and I'm not quite sure how they got a bad rep. I've had them for two nights now and love them. Before installing I cleaned them with alcohol, but I did get a one year warranty on them so I honestly don't care if they got out in 11 months. In fact, I hope they do.

 

I'm really gonna be looking for something to keep these clean. Does anyone have any product ideas to keep these lights nice and clear? I was thinking Meguiar's Plastic X once a month or so?

 

Next things I intend on doing include door seals and weather strip, window tint and a completely clay and polish. I'll post pictures as I progress.

[gmc_ave96]

So...about six months ago I decided I wanted to replace the front components on my aging 1994 Silverado. The truck runs great and really looks great, but my grill is bent and dull and my headlights were cracked and very yellow. I started seeing a major deterioration in the quality of my night time visibility and currently my area is going through quite a bit of construction so that is really a bad thing.

 

I stumbled upon Mr. Taillight about six or eight months ago, and noticed they had literally everything that I wanted for my project. I saved and did some research on light bulbs and had recently decided to replace the OEM bulbs with Sylvania Silverstar Ultras. I used Mr. Taillight's online form and had no trouble at all making my purchase. I purchased their 94-98 front end conversion kit (includes grille, filler, parklamps and marker lights), both headlight assemblies and even some taillight lens. My total was $385, and that was much lower than pretty much any other place I'd checked. I placed my order on June 1st (Friday).

 

The following Monday (June 4th) I received a tracking number and I began check my order. Even though at this point I'd received the tracking number I still was unable to see the progress of the shipment. I tried it a couple times over the next two days and finally called them on Thursday (June 7th). The lady I spoke with (Rhianna) mentioned that was standard practice for a package to sit on the floor for a WEEK before shipping. I was irate. She told me the package would ship first thing Monday monring. (June 11th, 10 days after purchase.)

 

I recieved the package late June 15th (Friday) a full two weeks after my order. After I inspectd the package I noticed that only one taillight lens had been shipped and I received 3 left markers and 1 right mark. When I made attempts to contact Rhianna and Steve NOBODY answered the phone. I called over a dozen times in one afternoon and nobody answered the phone. Often times I could hear the phone pickup and the promptly hang up. Once I finally did speak with them they completely denied their refusal to answer phones, but they did offer to send my missing pieces at no charge to me (how nice).

 

Moral of the story. Do NOT do business wiht Mr. Taillight, and I am fully willing to except "I Told you So's" from the guys on here that warmed me. I have an LMC Truck catalog on the way as I type this. But anyhow...on to the fun stuff.

 

The first picture here is the truck with the original parts. The 2nd picture is a close up of the original headlights and parklamps.

 

 

This picture is the (basically) finished product. The only thing I'm unhappy with is the slight difference around the bow tie emblem, but I can live with that. Plus if I decide I want the original GM grille I can pick one up from LMC.

 

Before installing the new headlights I loaded them up with Sylvania Silverstars. What a difference. One thing I really was surprised was that if your an on coming car (or standing in front of the truck) it really isn't that hard on your eyes. In spite of this the night time visibility is at least 100% better than previous setup. I highly recommend these, and I'm not quite sure how they got a bad rep. I've had them for two nights now and love them. Before installing I cleaned them with alcohol, but I did get a one year warranty on them so I honestly don't care if they got out in 11 months. In fact, I hope they do.

 

I'm really gonna be looking for something to keep these clean. Does anyone have any product ideas to keep these lights nice and clear? I was thinking Meguiar's Plastic X once a month or so?

 

Next things I intend on doing include door seals and weather strip, window tint and a completely clay and polish. I'll post pictures as I progress.

Ok you may not believe this but I saw this on the DIY network on restorations in general. The said to keep a clear headlamp lens to get a small buff wheel for a drill and apply (tooth paste) as a compound to protect the plastic from damaging UV rays. So good luck With the truck.

[SNARK]

Have an 86 Blazer that I am restoring. Have tried severl different suppliers and LMC has been the best( not the cheapest). If there is a problem they have taken care of it. Also have found Meguiars # 2 or #6 will clean plastic headlight covers. DPS