Tavi
Vehicle enthusiasts
Good to see you back. Do we get a good story to add to the vague predicament reference?
Spyder headlamps.....my take on 'em...and LIGHTING in general
- Thread starter shovelbill
- Start date
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deejaaa
Became Less Of A Human 5-13-18
OMG! Bill has awoke! good to hear you're still alive, but, are you okay?
do you need me to go up there to bring you back to reality? wish i could visit you but you know how that is...... but i would.
do you need me to go up there to bring you back to reality? wish i could visit you but you know how that is...... but i would.
shovelbill
Oh, the horror...
yup......i have awoken!
to reality that is........i'm ok. i'll explain better later.
if you did come up, all you'd need to bring is a toothbrush and an ice pick.......i think i'd like to try this memory booster trick.
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funny......but not.
Brother Al
I'm Awesome
Holy Hell! Glad to see everyone else is doing well! Things are good here. My daughter was born 11/11/17. My ole Truck is doing ok, Chassis rebuild project hit a snag and will require some welding, but Im still collecting bits. Latest score was a set of the GM hydraulic rear ext cab cushions for a NBS GMT900.. (reported by many to be a big upgrade over stock). Hunk o change because they are getting scarce, bought the last 2 a chevy dealer had on ebay for $120.
Daily Driver Spyder headlight update... (regular stock style replacements with direct current off the battery mod.)
Well, as most of you know, its been pretty fkn cold this winter. Here in W.Mass, its been weeks of temps averaging from 15°F during the day to -15°F @ night... we had a couple approach -30°F @ night, (without the wind chill)... Then we got pounded by a big Nor'easter a few weeks back, then this past Friday we got another that dumped 3" of rain and had 55°F temps, causeing a bunch of flooding issues... We are now back to a balmy 13°F @ 10pm.... global warming my ass, meanest early cold snap I can remember in my 42 years of life.
Anyway, These Spyder headlights are not holding up. Previously, I had noted that they were starting show hazing and minor pitting on the lens chrome.. After heavy doses of calcium chloride and salt on the roads, its taking its toll on them... and my truck. The chroming inside is clearly now has some decent pitting going on. The lenses themselves are also noticably breaking down with haze. I noticed how bad once the "December Dark" DST started. I also routinely take my truck through a hot car wash every week, once the snow flies. Its damn scary with wet roads, no moon, and these new LED streetlight all the towns are switching to. If I put my highbeams on, I can see reasonably well and its really not that blinding to oncoming traffic, although perhaps a bit annoying with no cutoff point... I will conclude that for me, routine Daily Driving with stock-type Spyder headlights is not an ideal long-term choice. I may try to find NOS lenses and swap in the glass lenses from that other Chinesium replacement.
Daily Driver Spyder headlight update... (regular stock style replacements with direct current off the battery mod.)
Well, as most of you know, its been pretty fkn cold this winter. Here in W.Mass, its been weeks of temps averaging from 15°F during the day to -15°F @ night... we had a couple approach -30°F @ night, (without the wind chill)... Then we got pounded by a big Nor'easter a few weeks back, then this past Friday we got another that dumped 3" of rain and had 55°F temps, causeing a bunch of flooding issues... We are now back to a balmy 13°F @ 10pm.... global warming my ass, meanest early cold snap I can remember in my 42 years of life.
Anyway, These Spyder headlights are not holding up. Previously, I had noted that they were starting show hazing and minor pitting on the lens chrome.. After heavy doses of calcium chloride and salt on the roads, its taking its toll on them... and my truck. The chroming inside is clearly now has some decent pitting going on. The lenses themselves are also noticably breaking down with haze. I noticed how bad once the "December Dark" DST started. I also routinely take my truck through a hot car wash every week, once the snow flies. Its damn scary with wet roads, no moon, and these new LED streetlight all the towns are switching to. If I put my highbeams on, I can see reasonably well and its really not that blinding to oncoming traffic, although perhaps a bit annoying with no cutoff point... I will conclude that for me, routine Daily Driving with stock-type Spyder headlights is not an ideal long-term choice. I may try to find NOS lenses and swap in the glass lenses from that other Chinesium replacement.
boomboy110
Newbie
I've installed this Spyder brand of headlights and tails on multiple vehicles. With very much success and satisfaction. So when I did a restore on my '94 last year. Of course, I had to replace the hazed over factory heads, so I went with the Spyder, and also the tails. I couldn't be happier. Very good quality and direct fit. Hard to find with eBay/china made parts. VIPMotoz, is the eBay seller i use anytime I am buying head/tails..
shovelbill
Oh, the horror...
whoa.....congratulations Al on your baby!
i know of the weather my friend.....unfortunately......LOL.....fuc this, im gettin too old for this ****.
i have to think the salt laden humidity is entering the lens causing the carnage.......it's getting in somehow. and now we know these type of Spyder replacements are a no go in the northern climates.........really that's why i chose glass. stock OEM, a harness and some bulbs would do you just fine.......i have to believe the stockers have a different quality plastic lens than the cinapanzie ****.
what's your daughter's name?
Brother Al
I'm Awesome
Boomboy,
This thread is VERY LONG, but worth reading all of it... These Spyders were mentioned a bunch of times by others, including myself. I liked them, but after several years of daily use, they are failing. The stock GM ones were made with much higher material quality requirements. This is true for 99% of all aftermarket parts.
I have no big complaints about fitment. I have APC tails, which needed a slight trim on them, here 'n there to fit neatly (stepside bed). They are doing just fine and are made decently, but made of a fragile type of plastic. I have Spyder front markers and they are not having the same issues, although the surface is hazing. I had Spyder side markers (grille)... they needed a lil sandpaper action to seat properly. They lasted a couple years, but they began to crack where the mounting pins are, messing up the lens surface. They were not over-tightened either. I believe that they died early because of heat expansion and potholes. Even after sanding them, they were a tight fit. My truck is Black, so it get damn hot in the sun. Everything expands, lens is squished and pushed outward... the pins got stressed and it cracked them.
The Spyder headlights are decent right out of the box... same deal and required a bit of "adjusting" to get them to seat fully into the rad. support. The headlights themselves started out just fine... but several years later, they arent looking so good... again daily driven truck in New England... extremes of weather and temp, plus salt and calcium chloride thrown in for good measure, (both very corrosive in their own ways)
This thread is VERY LONG, but worth reading all of it... These Spyders were mentioned a bunch of times by others, including myself. I liked them, but after several years of daily use, they are failing. The stock GM ones were made with much higher material quality requirements. This is true for 99% of all aftermarket parts.
I have no big complaints about fitment. I have APC tails, which needed a slight trim on them, here 'n there to fit neatly (stepside bed). They are doing just fine and are made decently, but made of a fragile type of plastic. I have Spyder front markers and they are not having the same issues, although the surface is hazing. I had Spyder side markers (grille)... they needed a lil sandpaper action to seat properly. They lasted a couple years, but they began to crack where the mounting pins are, messing up the lens surface. They were not over-tightened either. I believe that they died early because of heat expansion and potholes. Even after sanding them, they were a tight fit. My truck is Black, so it get damn hot in the sun. Everything expands, lens is squished and pushed outward... the pins got stressed and it cracked them.
The Spyder headlights are decent right out of the box... same deal and required a bit of "adjusting" to get them to seat fully into the rad. support. The headlights themselves started out just fine... but several years later, they arent looking so good... again daily driven truck in New England... extremes of weather and temp, plus salt and calcium chloride thrown in for good measure, (both very corrosive in their own ways)
Brother Al
I'm Awesome
Thanks Bill! Her name is Alina... Was going to be Selina, which has been in my family for a few generations... Mother-in-law and Wife "conversed" because she didnt like it, and suggested to my Wife that my daughter would feel left out not having a name starting with "A". The came up with Alina (Uh-lee-nuh)... yeah, I know... all that went through my head was Donnie Iris singing...LMAO... but, its grown on me, but even my Wife has trouble sometimes saying it quickly.
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jasons99hoe
OBS Enthusiast
spot on good observation. most automotive parts are in that same situation from my understanding.
Brother Al
I'm Awesome
...and possibly some liability.
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