Clear headlights?

Does anyone know if anyone has ever produced any clear headlight lenses for the Riv? I have my doubts, but it's worth asking.

Nope. Ive heard that GM has secret surveillance cameras set up all over the world in order to catch someone who would dare put those on a Riv. afterwards that someone would disappear forever..but not before being severely beaten about the neck and face with a taxidermied bull penis dipped in hot sauce..

Mine are clear. Do you mean the corners that get yellowed over time?

robotennis61 wrote:

Nope. Ive heard that GM has secret surveillance cameras set up all over the world in order to catch someone who would dare put those on a Riv. afterwards that someone would disappear forever..but not before being severely beaten about the neck and face with a taxidermied bull penis dipped in hot sauce..

...with a Prince Albert!

LOL Robo!

AA, I was thinking more along the lines of the lens in front of the hi/lows be clear and non-textured. I'm basically seeking more light output. After looking at some pics, I've come to the conclusion mine are fogged/yellowed.

They should clean up pretty easily. Have you tried using a polishing compound such as Scratch-X or metal polish?

composit headlamps are available new for like $300 each from Monster. Maybe a yard like Heidelberg has them. If not, or if you just wanted new ones, maybe the thing to do is get scruffy ones and have them converted to HIDs.

http://www.lightwerkz.net/products.htm

...is one of a handful that do proper projector conversions to HIDs. I am pretty sure they will do new lenses if you need them *but* you need to be sure you're aware of what plastic they are using for lenses and what care they will require so as not to yellow or haze up.

Albertj

I have not seen the yellowing on Riviera headlights. This happens on our cornering lamps and Regal headlamps because GM chose not to put a UV inhibitor in the plastic for those applications. To be fair, a lot of makes of cars have this problem. It is one of the things that is frustrating to me because it yellowed cornering lamps make our cars look older.

If you are talking about the "texturing"n the inside, that is actually a fresnel lens. It is a way to focus the beam in a relatively short thickness by breaking up the convex surface into many smaller sections. The light from the bulb is directed to the back, concave mirror then forward through the lens. The reason that some, newer cars have clear outer lenses is they are using projector beams where the bulb projects forward and the lens is small. The clear cover is just that, a cover to protect the lens and to provide some aerodynamic and styling functions.

It is also why you have to be careful about putting just any bulb into the socket. The optics may not match. This has been discussed elsewhere on this forum.

BTW-- I would love to have a replacement module with projector beams. Has anyone pursued Lightwerks (from above) ?

I agree with Scott (my, we have a lot of Scotts around here lately... )
As bad as the cornering light lenses are, made with a different resin, I've never seen a Riv with yellowed/clouded headlight lenses... especially compared with all the effed-up Fords, Chryslers & Nissans out there.)

When you have the time, and a full shaker of Martinis, you should read this thread about the many replacement bulbs available:
https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t172p195-silverstars-eurolights-x-treme-power-other-halogen-bulbs

I naturally linked to the page that has the still-rare HIR-2 bulbs that I went with after a lot of research, but there are several others if you then go to page 1... All of these bulbs are basically direct-replacements that keep the beam focused as intended, rather than HID substitutes that tend to glare oncoming drivers and either cost more for decent quality, or die quickly. You'll also see that SilverStars die quickly and don't add to your light so much as make it bluer. Of course, there are other choices in between... I've had the Philips bulbs for almost a year now, and they're still going strong, even with all the cycles our bulbs have to endure with the Twilight Sentinal - especially if you garage your car.

Thanks for the responses. I've had HID lights in the car for over 2 years now. Obviously without projectors. The light output is not what I'd like. It appears they may be pointing down but I do not want to adjust them as I've never been flashed or had complaints of glare.

I've used Silverstar bulbs in my Grand Cherokee and they have last over 2 years in both the low-beam and the fog lights. I've heard lots of complaints about them but I've always had good luck. Been running them in our Grand Am for a few months now.