Expert: Van - 12/14/2005

Question
Hi Van,
Please excuse my ignorance!  I've replaced a headlight before, but I understand some vehicles have different lamps that could be tricky.  I have to replace one on our '92 Suburban.  Is there anything tricky or is it just a matter of going to the dealer, getting the bulb, and popping off the fixture and replacing it?  And I hope the fixture isn't tricky--  I'm quite a lame handyman!  :)
Thanks for offering your service!
Darin

Answer
Hi Darin,
You can actually save some money by getting the bulb at Wal Mart, or a parts store.
I would take the old one out, and get one with the same number, so you don't have a Halogen on one side, and a regular bulb on the other.
You will probably need a small Torx driver, kinda like a Phillips screwdriver, to take the housing around the light off, then a Phillips to remove the ring holding the light in, but really, no reason you can't do it.

Later models have a composite headlight, and a replacable bulb that you remove from behind, like down in behind the battery box, and if you have that, they are actually easier to replace than the larger old style headlight. Just turn the large plastic ring counterclockwise about an eighth of a turn, and then pull the bulb out.

Van