HAS ANYONE CHANGED THE HEADLIGHTS ON THEIR 2002 QC 1500 ? I TRIED CHANGING MINE. BOY LET ME TELL YOU, IT AIN'T EASY.. I WAS PLANNING ON CHANGING THE BULBS TO A WHITER/BRIGHTER LIGHT. I FINALLY GAVE UP AND DECIDED TO DO IT LATER WHEN I HAD ENOUGH TIME,,,, LIKE MAYBE 2 OR 3 HOURS.

 

Its easy just make sure u get all 3 bolts then pull straight out hard. I do mean hard they do not like to come out.

 

You have to get in between the bumper and the light for the 3rd bolt. Also, you have to finesse it out of the truck. It was pretty easy after doing the first one and figuring out how to get the headlight assembly out. Also, park facing a wall and mark where the beams hit before you take them out, that way if you must readjust you can do so after the install of the new bulbs. Mine are pointing sky high and I need to lower them. Makes for good night driving, but pisses off all the oncoming traffic, so I need to lower them ASAP.

I replaced mine with some bulbs by APC. They seem to work as well as the Silverstar bulbs I had before. A little brighter and crisp appearing.

 

On my 05, I just went up from the bottom.. Did have to set aside the fuse box, and then just crawled up from the bottom..

 

Are you replacing the assemblies or just the headlights?

When I replaced my assemblies, I found the left side one was ALOT harder. I also found it was easier to undo three bolts holding the wheel well cover up and ran my ratchet with extension through there. Use a screwdriver wrapped in a cloth to protect your paint to push the bumper out of the way when you go to pull it out. Hope this helps. It took me about an hour and a half for both, but I take my time cause I enjoy the work.

 

Let me explain further.. Basically, what I'm trying to do is change the bulbs to brighter/whiter ones. I have made several attempts to change the bulbs, with no luck at all.. I know you have to Twist the bulbs to release them from the holders, but damn.
Then to add to the problem, i have a fuse box on one side, that has to be unhooked, before i can even replace the other one.
There has to be a simpler way, No wonder the dealerships charge so much......

 

yeah just go from bottom. i have small hands so i was able to do it although it is a beotch but i had to get some brighter bluish white bulbs

 

It took me almost 3 hours and a 6pack to put silverstars in my 03... What a pain in the rear!!!
I have big mitts, and the only way I could get at the "hidden" bolt was to sneak a 1/4" drive deepwell on a long extension between the bumper and the bezel. Still managed to skin up my knuckles and emit some choice phrases. It didn't help that I did this on a "brisk" day one January when it was maybe 10F out... Was definitely worth it though. Much brighter/whiter... Didn't have any problems with angle like some others have mentioned... Don't see how you could if you only took out the 3 bolts holding the assembly in place...

I plan to replace the bulbs in my 06, but I think I'll wait until I have a full afternoon to waste just to play it safe.

 

Put new bright white bulbs in my 03' took me about 5 minutes... Dunno why you would take the assembly loose...

 

Hey BigBluRam, are the 2003 made differently than the 02? just wondering how you were able to accomplish that task in five minutes.