headlamps

Hi All,
In my continuing quest to strip my GT down, I have arrived at the headlamps. How do you get these things off? When I crawl under and look up, it appears that the bucket is screwwed on from the front. That means I have to get the crome ring off, I think. Wel, I can't get much of a grip on it.

On a brighter note, I got my special tuning air dam in from Chris. After taking off the bumper and the valance(????) I put it in place. Man that looks good! Thanks Chris.

You have to pull the head lamp rings up and off. A paint can opener will help.

Hi, Mitch:

You have to use a paint can opener or something with a curve or hook on the end. Some guys fashion something out of an old aluminum straight shank screwdriver - just put it in a vise and bend the end around. Being careful (so as not to chip any paint) and perhaps using a piece of wood back, ease the tool behind the chrome ring that surrounds each headlight. Then just "pop" the ring off. Once you get the hang of it, it's pretty easy.

The headlamp trim ring is held in place by a tab on top and spring clip at the bottom. The bottom of the trim ring is pulled forward and the spring clip slides over the back edge of the trim ring.

To protect the paint, you can use a piece of thin wood as Tom suggests, or an old scrap of leather or even an old rag folded over several times. I use a piece of scrap leather because of its density to resist being torn but your hook or pry bar (paint can opener) or split as wood sometimes will. A scrap of leather from a leather goods store like Tandy, or something you already have is a cheap tool you can use for many other tasks where you need to protect a surface finish. In my shop, I have two scraps, one large and one small.

I use the folded rag on the bottom of the headlamp opening, then use a large flat blade screwdriver to lift up on the ring. When it comes up, just use your other hand to pull the ring over the tab.
These other ideas are sounding like something to try out next time the need arises!