387 Headlights, or lack of...

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Elroythekid, Feb 27, 2012.

  1. Elroythekid

    Elroythekid Road Train Member

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    Sep 9, 2010
    Halifax Nova Scotia
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    My 387 has the worst headlights of anything ive ever driven.. :biggrin_2556:
    The lenses were cloudy so i purchased one of the restoration kits and polished them, it worked, they WERE very clear, but.. there was only a small difference in the light output, rainy nights are scary, might as well run on the park lights, and...they clouded up in a couple months..., dealer says new lights will fix it, at $500 a piece....
    So, i have a bodyman friend who suggested filling the holes in the fenders and paint them, (i was going to 2 tone it any ways) and I could add the 379 4 headlight system to the hood/grill area.
    I will have to have a plate machined to align them properly, another friend machinest looked at it and said he could make a mount from billett that would angle them properly, I can get the 379 assemblies cheap, and some beer ,,
    That said, how will this look? :biggrin_25523: I like the idea of having sealed beams again, and a 4 headlight system, the lights in my classic were great.
    I was looking for driving lights to add to the bumper but nothing has a flat beam that is bright enough, i have a set of 55watt Hellas and other than the first 5 feet cant even tell they are on,:biggrin_2551: waist of money.. tried a set of 100 watters in the bumper and everybody flashed at me, too bright, and the pattern ,,well there wasnt a pattern....
    i do most of my driving at night and need to fix this prob. any suggestions?:biggrin_25514:
    I really hate the move to all the lights with the lexan covers, my 07 dodge p/u has them and they are getting cloudy, the wifes 06 diesel bug is doing the same... Seems to me to be the dumbest "improvement" in vehicles yet. What was wrong with good old GLASS lights?

    Thanks!:biggrin_25525:
     
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  3. beltrans

    beltrans Medium Load Member

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    Nov 26, 2008
    spokane wa
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    It is hard to say how it will look..........It depends where and how you mount the lights... My friend owns 387 and has same problem you described above. He cut two holes in the bumper right below the headlights and put driving lights there. It looks like the only place you can install(add) lights on 387 is its bumper area. Anywhere else in the hood/grill area it may look just ugly........or........
     
  4. The Admiral

    The Admiral Heavy Load Member

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    Jul 18, 2010
    Akron,Ohio
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    Find out what bulbs you have. Then look up PIIA lighting. I get mine at the autobarn.com they are not cheap,but they will solve your problem. I use the Extreme White. I'm sure there are others that work well too.
     
  5. fortycalglock

    fortycalglock Road Train Member

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    Jun 25, 2011
    Tourist Town, FL
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    Find a salvage 587 hood with the projectors. For me to tell you how the 379 lights would look, we'd have to go to the politics forum:biggrin_25523:
     
  6. Elroythekid

    Elroythekid Road Train Member

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    Sep 9, 2010
    Halifax Nova Scotia
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    I did the PIAA extreme whites already, its really the lenses I think and for 1k ill come up with a different solution. I looked at the 587 lights they won't fit the stock holes but my friend may be able to make them work if they r the same contour, finding a set might be the problem, if mine are 1k I'd be afraid to ask what they would cost....
     
  7. underpsi

    underpsi Road Train Member

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    Sep 18, 2008
    Toronto, Ont
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    Why don't you try an aftermarket supplier. $500 for headlight bezels is way too much!
     
  8. Elroythekid

    Elroythekid Road Train Member

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    Sep 9, 2010
    Halifax Nova Scotia
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    There doesn't seem to be an aftermarket supplier making a set for the 387. I have looked everywhere, no luck. Found replacement lights for Volvos and Columbias with projector lenses but nothing for the 387. :biggrin_25513:
     
  9. spax

    spax Medium Load Member

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    Aug 5, 2011
    United States
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    Try toothpaste and a toothbrush on those plastic lenses. It works better and is cheaper than all that magic stuff you can buy to do the same thing.
     
  10. ProduceHauler

    ProduceHauler Light Load Member

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    Apr 28, 2011
    California
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    I was quoted $289 each by some Peterbilt dealer back in 2010, can't believe they are $500 now. I call it BS
     
  11. Elroythekid

    Elroythekid Road Train Member

    2,606
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    Sep 9, 2010
    Halifax Nova Scotia
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    I checked the Pete dlr in bangor to see if they were cheaper south of the border.. $ 450 each was his price. Not much of a saving. Ill try the tooth paste but the problem is the out side came clean with the 3m kit, very clean actually, but it didn't last and there is some fogging on the inside?? There are posts where guys heat them in an oven and take the lenses off and clean them inside but kinda a crap shoot, if you screwed it up you would HAVE to go to the stealer for new ones... That would suck. There is one on ebay, drivers side I may look at, but even with them clean they didn't have a great amount of light.
     
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