2011 GX460 Headlight Questions (1 Viewer)

[Montana Cruiser]

Hi All, I have a few headlight questions. I have a 2011 with the factory HID low beam headlights

• OEM housings have yellowed and hazed up. I polished them last year with good results and coated with a Sylvania protectant, but the haze and yellow are coming back already.
  • Option #1 - I'll try polishing again and if the results are good does anyone have a recommended protectant to keep them from hazing up again? I was thinking Xpel, but I can't find any precut kits and cutting my own seems challenging as I've never worked with that product.
  • Option #2 - New housings - OEM is $$$ - has anyone had good luck with DEPO aftermarket housings? Either way, whats the best way to protect new housing?

My other headlight issue is intermitted flickering of both low beams (not always at the same time). I've swapped bulbs and no noticeable change there. I don't see any visible signs of moisture in the housings or bad connections. Whatever I do, I will replace in a pair for peace of mind.

• New HID low beam bulbs
  • Bulbs (low beam) - should I go HID OEM replacement here (I think the stock light is ok as is) or is there a reliable upgraded bulb that produces more light without looking ultra white and obviously aftermarket?
  • Ballast - do the OEM ballasts go bad? I haven't really found much on the OEM ballasts going bad, mostly aftermarket stuff.
  • High Beams - while I am in there doing all this, any reliable and easy upgrade to the high beams? Again, I think the stock light is ok, but always up for an upgrade that is reliable and looks OEM'ish

Thanks in advance for any insight!

 

[r2m]

Hi All, I have a few headlight questions. I have a 2011 with the factory HID low beam headlights

• OEM housings have yellowed and hazed up. I polished them last year with good results and coated with a Sylvania protectant, but the haze and yellow are coming back already.
  • Option #1 - I'll try polishing again and if the results are good does anyone have a recommended protectant to keep them from hazing up again? I was thinking Xpel, but I can't find any precut kits and cutting my own seems challenging as I've never worked with that product.
  • Option #2 - New housings - OEM is $$$ - has anyone had good luck with DEPO aftermarket housings? Either way, whats the best way to protect new housing?

My other headlight issue is intermitted flickering of both low beams (not always at the same time). I've swapped bulbs and no noticeable change there. I don't see any visible signs of moisture in the housings or bad connections. Whatever I do, I will replace in a pair for peace of mind.

• New HID low beam bulbs
  • Bulbs (low beam) - should I go HID OEM replacement here (I think the stock light is ok as is) or is there a reliable upgraded bulb that produces more light without looking ultra white and obviously aftermarket?
  • Ballast - do the OEM ballasts go bad? I haven't really found much on the OEM ballasts going bad, mostly aftermarket stuff.
  • High Beams - while I am in there doing all this, any reliable and easy upgrade to the high beams? Again, I think the stock light is ok, but always up for an upgrade that is reliable and looks OEM'ish

Thanks in advance for any insight!

I too would like to hear what comes up about a protective coating for the headlight lenses.
Regarding replacement, have you considered replacing with LED?
There's been some discussion on this forum about different LED's. I think MrTorgue had changed out to LED's if I remember correctly.

 

[MrTorgue]

I hate the fact that this is a problem. I miss glass headlight lenses. What sucks is you can only resurface/polish them so many times. Always buy OEM. Too many people I know have bought those Depo products only to be disappointed.

The solution if one exists is some sort of coating that prevents the UV damage that causes the hazing. I just don't know if it exists that actually works.

 

[r2m]

I hate the fact that this is a problem. I miss glass headlight lenses. What sucks is you can only resurface/polish them so many times. Always buy OEM. Too many people I know have bought those Depo products only to be disappointed.

The solution if one exists is some sort of coating that prevents the UV damage that causes the hazing. I just don't know if it exists that actually works.

Wonder if there's a clear vinyl UV wrap to cover the lenses?
Maybe something like this? Headlight Tint | Buy Car Headlight Covers and Headlight Tint Film Online – Lamin-X - https://lamin-x.com/light-film-covers/tinted-headlight-covers/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA0syqBhBxEiwAeNx9Nzz6GW137hgL-J0AaMJyG0kMO1aNgVq1VIQlnDbPzbbBGq_xoCmEtxoC0BgQAvD_BwE

 

[Montana Cruiser]

I hate the fact that this is a problem. I miss glass headlight lenses. What sucks is you can only resurface/polish them so many times. Always buy OEM. Too many people I know have bought those Depo products only to be disappointed.

The solution if one exists is some sort of coating that prevents the UV damage that causes the hazing. I just don't know if it exists that actually works.

I agree, I have used a few different protective coatings and none of them have lasted more than a year which is almost pointless. I think a better solution may be a clear wrap like the Xpel I mentioned above or the Lamin-X that @r2m posted ... which has the added benefit of providing some rock chip protection and is replaceable.

Agreed on the plastic housing, thankfully the headlights on the 80 series were glass and the DEPO replacements also glass. I am actually in the process of figuring out a lighting plan for my 80 series too .... but thats another forum.

 

[MrTorgue]

I agree, I have used a few different protective coatings and none of them have lasted more than a year which is almost pointless. I think a better solution may be a clear wrap like the Xpel I mentioned above or the Lamin-X that @r2m posted ... which has the added benefit of providing some rock chip protection and is replaceable.

Agreed on the plastic housing, thankfully the headlights on the 80 series were glass and the DEPO replacements also glass. I am actually in the process of figuring out a lighting plan for my 80 series too .... but thats another forum.

I'm designing another solution for my 2010 that's entirely out of the box thinking. I hope to have a prototype template build by late spring.

 

[rav8]

• Bulbs (low beam) - should I go HID OEM replacement here (I think the stock light is ok as is) or is there a reliable upgraded bulb that produces more light without looking ultra white and obviously aftermarket?
• Ballast - do the OEM ballasts go bad? I haven't really found much on the OEM ballasts going bad, mostly aftermarket stuff.

I just replaced my bulbs in early September (2010 originals). Once replaced, the flickering went away, so I think my ballasts are fine. They are the same color as stock but were noticeably brighter as new bulbs should be. I used the Philips D4S available here: More Information for PHILIPS D4S - https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=6319494&cc=1445667&pt=11701&jsn=47

I previously ordered a set from the Jungle Punks and was less than satisfied with how they arrived. RMA'd the same day. See below images.

 

[Rednexus]

My GX470 has Depo housings in it. They were in the rig when I bought it in 2020, not sure how long before that they were installed. They are perfectly clear today, no issues so far at all. I even opened them up to paint the chrome interior black and put them back together in 2021. The quality was fine and I had no issues during or after re-assembly. They aren't OEM housings, but if they last another 4-5 years (7-8 total), with a polish along the way, I'll be pretty happy with them.

If you feel like rolling the dice, you can also just replace the lenses. Looks like there are aftermarket replacement lenses on eBay for <$350 for both lights. It is not hard to replace the lens, it requires pulling out the lights, a $40 heat gun, a little bit of patience, and some a roll of butyl rubber sealer. It's maybe 30-45 minutes of work per side.

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[markthegrea]

Perhaps?