What makes a headlight different? Is it because of the light pattern or something?

ok assignment america time. Does anyone know which headlight assemblies would fit a 87-91 bonneville? Im looking on ebay and such and Ive found many that are the right shape but Im not sure about the size. Ill have to stop by a bmw dealer tomorrow and measure some.

heres one that I found


Heres some lights that already have brackets, I have no idea how big the lights are though.

I'* really doubting that you'll be able to find headlights that will fit without some bodywork. Maybe just grinding but it'* tough.

Thats exactly what I am afraid of. I want this to be a drop in replacement. This doesnt seem impossible so I want to keep trying new things until someone tells me to shut up

Your best best would be to head to your local scrap yard with a measuring tape and some numbers. Find something that'* real close and go from there.

I'd be willing to bet real money nothing is going to just drop in.

Good luck tho. If you make it work, it'll probably be slick as snot on a doorknob!

I have a few ideas... one of which is going on my car

first I'll give you another idea.... actually I think a set of headlights you put up is the ones I'm thinking about.... the quad rounds from an integra.... youd have to adapt your outer housing around them, but that way you'll have no gaps and it should only really require new mounting holes drilled (should be 4 holes... flat mount)

I dunno if the first year or so 87-91 bonnes had quad square headlights.,... if they did .. your "easiest" option would be to retrofit the quad housings... get some aftermarket headlamps (they make diamond cut H4 and projector housings for the old squares now) ... now this is gonna sound really complicated (and unfortunatly until I get mine done I won't have any pictures to reference) but on the trim there'* a double lip , get rid of the inside lip so a peice of lexan will sit flush ...if the side marker/turn signals are integral to the housing/trim take the stock plastic off and so the same to it... so one peice of lexan covers it too. while you've got your fancy grindy tool out ...cut out/grind down the little peice that separates the 2 headlights...but leave it flush with the headlight housings... make everything nice and smooth ... take the modified bezel and paint it black (or what ever your desired color) ...take a peice of lexan and cut it to fit on that lip you smoothed down at the start...leave notchs/holes to access the bezel mounting screws ...glue it in place

now... get ahold of your 4 new lamps... (personally I'm going with 2 diamond cuts and 2 projector... you can got all 4 projector but I've never liked projectors as low beams)... take the lenses off all 4 lamps... install the low beam diamond lamps.. mask off the projector in the other housings and paint black(or what ever your choice color is ... looks better if it matchs the bezel ) .. install the new black projectors... slip the modded bezel inplace ...revel at your work....then take it off again and aim your headlights ...install marker/turn light bulbs ...reinstall bezel... call all your buddies over to check out your pimpin new headlights... take pictures and post on BC

now ofcourse during the process you can add angel eyes ...and custom paint the lexan for "angry eyebrows", and designs over your marker lights....I'm personally doing all three and adding a small ram air scoop on the drivers side bezel right down at the bumper. if you run into problems with condensation check the seal around the lexan.. and add someweather striping around the headlight lamp housings where they meet the bezel

ofcourse if this gen of bonne never had quad headlights ..I just let out my 'super secret" mod and wasted space

I'd do it.. if I actually saw my dad. It'* been about 3 months, and I doubt it'll change. With the way he'* acting, it'll be faster if you just find one in a yard.

Also, what may not be a bad idea, because you don't want to do body work.. is to get some other 87-91 headlights, cut them up, and mount in the new ones, into that frame. That way you won't need to do any body work, and it'll save quite a bit of time. And most important of all, it will look like it came that way straight from GM.


-justin

Thats a good idea. Ive got an extra pair of lghts too. It will save a lot of bracketry. The original equipment finish is what I am going for. I refuse to put something that looks home made on my car. Thats what you call Hillbilly-rice.

*clears throat* Wha? I think what you mean to say is that you want a nice fit and finish. I bet you didn't mean to liken hillbillies to crappy work

Cheerfully withdrawn
The Integra headlights are an interesting idea. They are angled too much, but do you think that they will come apart without breaking? What I am thinking is that I can take off the outer plastic so the lights sit closer to the front. The composite casing is pretty deep so I may have to cut back the sheet metal on the inside of the headlight opening of the car. This way I can put in angel eyes as well. Ill do some more research and Im going to the weckers soon. Thanks for humouring my far fetched ideas

I think if you're gonna replace them go to something that'* worth it, not just rounded. Projectors could be cool, but you'd want a smooth front glass for a good look IMO.

You'd definetly wanna gut a current one to start out with.