Upgrading to 2014 silverado clear headlights is honestly one associated with the quickest ways to make an aging truck feel brand new again. If you're still driving around with those manufacturing plant housings that possess began to turn that nasty shade of "old tooth" yellow, you know exactly what I'm talking about. The particular 2014 Silverado was a massive step-up in design with regard to Chevy, but your best-looking trucks begin to show their age once the eyes—the headlights—get all cloudy and weathered.
There's something about a clean, crisp and clear lens that just changes the whole feel of the front-end. It's not just about aesthetics, though that's a large part of this. It's about that will crisp, sharp appearance that says a person actually care for your rig. Whether you're heading to work site or just grabbing groceries, getting clear lights can make the truck look "well-kept" instead of "well-worn. "
The particular Aesthetic Shift of Going Clear
When we discuss clear headlights for this specific year of Silverado, we're usually looking at a few different styles. You've got your regular OEM replacements that look just like exactly what came from the display room floor, and after that you've got the greater modern versions that might possess a bit associated with chrome or also a blacked-out inside while keeping the outer lens completely transparent.
I've always experienced that the 2014 silverado clear headlights with the chrome internals appear the best upon trucks with the particular classic Silverado stainless- grille. It ties everything together. If you opt for a smoked lens, a person might lose some light output, and let's be real, the stock light on these vehicles wasn't exactly world-class to begin with. By staying with the clear lens, you're ensuring that every bit of light created by your bulbs actually makes it on to the pavement.
It's a refined change if you're just looking at the parts on a table, but once they're attached onto the vehicle, the difference will be night and day. It's such as the truck suddenly woke up. This looks wider, cleaner, and honestly, the lot more costly than it in fact is.
Precisely why Factory Lenses Eventually Give Out
You might be wondering why you even require to look intended for 2014 silverado clear headlights within the first place. Why did the particular originals get therefore ugly? It basically comes down in order to UV exposure. Producers use a polycarbonate plastic material for people lenses since it's impact-resistant—which is usually great for each time a rock flies up on the highway—but it's also prone in order to oxidation.
Once that factory ULTRAVIOLET coating wears thin, sunlight just eats away at the particular plastic. You've probably seen those "headlight restoration kits" in the auto parts store. They work with a few several weeks, but it's generally a losing fight. Once the rot sets in, the plastic gets micro-cracks and deep yellowing that no qualtity associated with sanding can really fix. Replacing the whole assembly is usually the only method to get back again that factory-fresh clarity. Plus, by the particular time the outside is yellowish, the interior reflectors are usually often dusty or heat-damaged too.
The Installation Reality Check
I'm going to become straight with you: swapping out the particular headlights on a 2014 Silverado isn't the five-minute job. It's not like the old days where you pulled two hooks as well as the whole lamp popped out. Chevy made a decision to make all of us work for it upon this generation.
Towards your fresh 2014 silverado clear headlights within, you're likely to possess to pull the top plastic shroud, then unscrew the best from the grille, and eventually pull the particular grille forward or off entirely. Generally there are also concealed bolts tucked away behind the fender liners and close to the bumper. It's a bit of a "puzzle" the very first time you do this.
Will be it hard? Simply no. Is it tedious? Absolutely. You'll want a good 10mm outlet, maybe a cut removal tool therefore you don't breeze those plastic clips, and about a couple of hours of free period on the Saturday. Simply take some time. There's nothing worse compared to snapping a plastic tab in your brand-new clear housings because you were seeking to rush the fit.
Choosing Between Clear and Stainless Accents
Whenever you're shopping intended for 2014 silverado clear headlights , you'll see lots of "clear" choices that actually have various internal "buckets. " Some are real chrome, which mimics the factory look. Other medication is "clear" yet possess a black housing behind the lens.
When you have the Work Truck (WT) or an LUXURY TOURING with the black plastics, those clear-lens-with-black-housing units look extremely mean. They give it a custom made look without the legality issues or even the dimness of a tinted zoom lens. However, if a person have an LTZ or High Nation with all that will brightwork on the particular front, stick along with the chrome internals. It keeps that will premium, high-end appearance that Chevy meant for those decreases.
One more thing to look intended for is whether the newest units come along with bulbs. A lot of aftermarket clear headlights will reuse your factory light bulbs, but if you're already in there doing all of that work to pull the particular grille, you may as well throw within some fresh, top quality bulbs. It's inexpensive insurance against having to take the whole front end apart again 3 weeks later due to the fact a blinker bulb decided to stop.
Maximizing Presence together with your New Devices
The best part about getting a fresh set of 2014 silverado clear headlights is the safety element. It's simple to forget about how much light you lose when your lenses are usually foggy. It's such as driving having a set of dirty shades on at night.
Once you get all those new clear enclosures in, the beam pattern needs to be much more defined. The light hits the inner reflectors and bounces out exactly where it's supposed to go. If you need to bring it the step further, look into some high-performance halogen bulbs or also a reputable LED conversion kit. Simply make sure that will if you move LED, you're utilizing a bulb designed with regard to a reflector housing which means you don't finish up blinding everyone in the oncoming lane. Nobody likes "that guy" with the poorly aimed truck lights.
Talking about aiming, don't forget to check the position once you install the particular new units. Also if they're "plug and play, " they almost constantly need a little bit of adjustment with a screwdriver to create sure you're hitting the road but not the treetops.
Keeping the Clarity for the Lengthy Haul
So, you've spent the cash, spent the mid-day sweating over your stock grille, and now your truck looks amazing with those 2014 silverado clear headlights . How can you keep them that way?
The greatest mistake people create is neglecting them until they change yellow again. Given that most aftermarket lamps don't have the particular same high-end UV coating as the originals, you have in order to be a little aggressive. Every time you wax your vehicle, wax your headlights. A good man made sealant or the specialized ceramic finish for plastics will certainly go a long way in preventing those UV rays.
In case you reside somewhere like Az or Florida where the sun is totally brutal, it may even be worthy of looking at a clear bra or a 3M protective movie for the lens. It protects against rock chips and adds an additional layer of UV defense. It sounds like overkill, but five years from now whenever your lamps still look brand new, you'll be glad you did it.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the particular day, your truck is a device, but it's furthermore something you probably are very proud of. The 2014 Silverado is a fantastic platform that still looks contemporary by today's standards—provided the headlights aren't dragging it lower. Investing in a set of 2014 silverado clear headlights is one of those rare enhancements that checks most the boxes: this makes the pickup truck safer, it makes it look better, plus it helps sustain the resale worth.
It's a project that anyone with the basic set of tools may handle. Once a person take a step back and discover that "new truck" sparkle from the top end, you'll question why you waited such a long time to swap them out. There's just no alternative for a clear view from the road ahead.