Your thoughts on after market headlights for 2001 Dakota. Who makes the best product and is it worth spending the time and money?

 

If you want stock replacements, AM-autoparts.com has 'em for good prices. They are decent quality at least.

 

These look decent. I'd seal them all around with clear silicon before install though. I got a similar set with slightly smoked glass on Amazon, but they're no longer available.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fits-97-04-...4383.l4275.c10

 

The silicone is a good idea. Cheap insurance against water and fogging. I got these from eBay or Amazon can't remember. They were about $60 a year or two ago so far so good. It's really nice that most aftermarket options are a one piece design vs the oem design is multiple pieces.

 

Wait till you have to change a bulb and see how you feel about having to take the front bumper off.

 

The headlight is only held in by 3 bolts that can be easily removed to replace all the bulbs.

 

Yeah, after the bumper comes off. At least, that's how mine are. This is why the OEM was not one piece. If yours are truly accessible, I'd love to see a pic.

 

I know exactly why you think they aren't accessible but they most definitely are I'll show you a trick of how to do it. I've had two Dakota's and taken the headlights out of both many times. Stand by for pics 👌

 

If you know a trick, I'm all ears.

 

All you need is a small 10mm socket with a 1/4" drive ratchet and extension. Find a gap by the corner of the headlight to stick the socket through, then move the whole works down towards the bottom bolts and out they come. The top bolt is self explanatory. There's also another spot near the splash guards with even more room to get the socket through.
When everything is ready to go back together stick a wad of paper towel in the socket to hold the bolt from falling out before it's threaded. Or otherwise a magnetic 10mm would be pretty sweet.
Also, for some people like myself with rather slender arms all the bolts can be reached with a normal wrench too.
If all else fails and clearances just aren't right you can reach the bottom bolts from under the truck with a normal wrench anyways.
I don't see any reason the bumper should ever have to come off, if none of these ways work with your truck for some reason that's a real bummer but I guess it's a good thing you've got two piece lamps then.