Headlights Housings and Conversions

Housings, conversions and replacements

Items here fall into a few groups. Complete replacement headlamps match the original shape and plug into the factory connector. Projector and halo housings, common from Spyder Auto Group, change the look and often the optics. Round 7 inch LED headlights, such as those used on Wrangler-style vehicles, swap in for older sealed beams. Smaller parts such as bulb retainers, adapters and wiring pigtails also appear in this category.

Choosing a style

• Factory-style replacement: the simplest option when a lamp is cracked, hazed or damaged. It restores original fit and function.
• Projector headlights: use a lens to focus the beam. Some include halo rings or CCFL accent lighting and may come with bulbs, while others require you to supply your own.
• LED conversions: these replace halogen bulbs or entire housings with LED sources. Check whether adapters, anti-flicker modules or PWM adapters are included.
• Sealed beam style conversions: rectangular and round upgrades for older vehicles that use a standard sealed unit.

Specs to compare

• Bulb type: H4, H13, 9007 and similar designations are not interchangeable. Confirm what your vehicle uses.
• Size and shape: 7 inch round, 5.75 inch round and rectangular formats are common.
• Lens and finish: clear, smoke, black or chrome trims change appearance but not necessarily performance.
• Pair or single: read the listing. Many products are sold as a pair, and others are individual sides.
• Beam pattern: a housing designed for a projector or reflector bulb should not be fitted with an incompatible bulb, because glare can result.

Installation and aiming

Most headlamp swaps are bolt-in work using basic hand tools, though some vehicles require removing the grille or bumper trim. After installation, check that low beams and high beams work, then have the aim adjusted. A poorly aimed lamp, especially an LED in a housing not designed for it, can blind other drivers. Some late-model vehicles also monitor bulb load, so a resistor or adapter may be needed to avoid dash warnings.

Compatibility and legal notes

Headlamps are vehicle-specific. Confirm fitment for your exact year, make, model and trim, and read the manufacturer's specifications. In the United States, headlights are generally expected to meet federal and state requirements, and rules vary, so check your local regulations. When you are ready, compare the products below.

Care, fogging and maintenance

Hazy or yellowed lenses are among the most common reasons owners replace headlamps. Before replacing a lamp, it can be worth checking whether restoration would be enough. If a housing has moisture inside, a failed seal or a cracked lens is the likely cause, and replacement is the usual fix. Check the wiring connectors for heat discoloration or corrosion, since melted plugs can mimic a bad lamp.

Keep spare bulbs of the correct type when you travel, and handle halogen bulbs by the base, because skin oils can shorten their life.

Keep an eye on the condition of the surrounding parts too. Cracked mounting tabs, corroded ground wires and brittle wiring insulation can make a brand-new lamp seem faulty. Replacing the connector pigtail while the lamp is out is inexpensive and often prevents flickering. Take notes on which bulbs and connectors your vehicle uses so future repairs go faster.