Help Headlight - grille terminology 1989 GMC shortbox

Newbie here ....I have a 1989 GMC 2 wd shortbox truck ...the CHEVY grille thats in it is trashed.... I want to buy a new correct GMC one and I dont understand the terminology ....... my existing grille has 4 individual headlamps on the top row grille cutouts 2 left 2 right ,the lower cutouts have parking lights in them .

Are "composite" headlamps where both the high beam and low beam are in one sealed unit ? I see the term composite grille all the time ? I dont have that - again I have 4 individual headlights .

What is the grille style called on a 1989 when you have the 4 individual headlamps ? A p/n would be great but that may be asking too much ...

Thanks in advance - i just dont want to order the wrong one and have to deal with returns across the country etc .....

Composite refers to the plastic housings with replaceable halogen bulbs for low and high beam, like these.



I believe what you're describing on your truck would be the quad sealed beams, which look like this. Right?



I'm 99% sure that as long as your grille has the rectangular light openings, you can use either style of headlights with no issues.

Give me a minute and I'll try and find a GMC grille part number for your '89.

Stock grille for an '89 GMC C1500 with the quad beams is GM part number 15615109. Amazon has them for around $350.

https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Parts-15615109-Grille-Assembly/dp/B005VUNTVQ

Keep in mind if you switch from a Chevy to a GMC grille, you'll need new corner lights. The Chevy ones aren't going to fit the GMC grille. Headlights and parking lights will swap over no problem.

It gets tricky with terms when you have the quad sealed beams because usually the parts guys say sealed beam, they mean the single large sealed beam used on the base model/work truck trim level. Doesn't account for the quad sealed beam trucks, which actually use the same grille a composite headlight truck would use.

Richard

Thanks guys...yes its confusing ......