How To Adjust Headlights on a GM Truck

Here is how to adjust the headlights on a GMC, Chevrolet, General Motors truck. This will work on the trucks built from 1988 to 1998. Adjusting headlight on a GM truck is easy if you have the right tool. There are two little bolts that you can reach through holes and turn to raise the headlights up and down, or to move it from left to right. It is a star bolt, so you will need a special socket to be able to turn it. I hope this video helps you to properly adjust the headlights in your Chevrolet or GMC truck.
Here is where you can buy a set of replacement headlights for your truck:
amzn.to/2Ay4PNg
Here is where to get a repair manual for this Chevy truck.
amzn.to/2DucFZH

[@MrJrFish]

This was EVERY question I had. THANK YOU for posting a concise informative illustration of how these work! Appreciated.

[@hoohoohoblin]

You’re welcome

[@holdenc3082]

Thanks for the no nonsense video. Some of the videos on this topic make it like a trigonometry project. Nobody has time for that.

[@hoohoohoblin]

You’re welcome

[@siaripop7]

You are the only installer to point out the headlight aiming adjustments and the adjusting screws...........Thanks!

[@raulduke7142]

E8 is the socket u need. Anyone doing work on their own vehicles should have a set of these E sockets. Part store has them for around $20 for a set. There are many of these style bolts on GM and many other vehicles. Well worth buying

[@hoohoohoblin]

Thanks

[@boths6ify]

Thank you thank you, I'm not sure how many thousands of oncoming motorists lives you saved! Mine were WAY TOO HIGH

[@hoohoohoblin]

You’re welcome

[@tonywalls8314]

A 1/4 inch deep socket and a 3” extension works great. Just enough bite without buying the special tool. Just used it on mine.

[@hoohoohoblin]

Thanks

[@aintnodrugsonme]

You sir, are the real mvp of this video

[@zeillion]

Verified. Works like a charm.

[@robmugs]

Verified...you'll strip your shit

[@yeahand-yr7lh]

Double verified, or if your a dummy like me and drop the 1/4 socket while adjusting them at night in the McDonald's parking lot you can also use a 7mm.

[@mangno27]

This video explains exactly I am looking for. Save my day. Tried to adjust the height of the lap projection. Thanks

[@Charlesdayis]

Straight to the point. The best video on youtube

[@BrianMChampion]

I just hit a deer with my '99 Suburban and this truck is so tough all it did was smash my grille and a headlight lens and a blinker lens on one side. I didn't have collision coverage, but I had comprehensive, which did cover deer accidents. I got a nice settlement and bought an aftermarket grille and lenses and put them in myself, which is pretty good for a guy who wears a jacket and tie. 410,000 miles and a brand new looking front. I have a newer car but couldn't part with this. But the headlights pointed the way Marty Feldman's eyes pointed, so I needed this video.

[@hoohoohoblin]

Glad I could help. These are great old trucks.

[@PMD_Bill]

Dude, you rock! Short, sweet and to the point. Beers to you my friend!

[@hoohoohoblin]

Thanks!

[@mannyvega7645]

I replaced the headlights on my 99 suburban sometime in january 19 . I did t adjust the headlights at all. A bulb burned out" already".... so I figured be a good time during this STAY AT HOME ORDER to do so. I wasent really sure about the pi s sticking up so, youtube brought me here. Thank you for the short and to the point video. It's much appreciated.

[@hoohoohoblin]

You’re welcome. I’m glad I could help.

[@jimporria3252]

@@hoohoohoblin zzzxzxxcPfd

[@jimporria3252]

@@hoohoohoblin pZzzzz ppppxxXppx

[@Live4Ibanez]

I was twisting on the 2 studs sticking up. Damn. Thanks for the video. Will try it again tomorrow night.

[@hoohoohoblin]

You’re welcome.

[@CoryCDS]

I did the same thing haha this video helped alot

[@johnnyba8150]

Am here cuz i did the same shit 😎

[@zachhoward8015]

Just did the same... i feel.stupid now lol now gonna tighten them since I lossened them rods an adjust it right lol

[@zachhoward8015]

Thank you for the simple video having this issue with my 98

[@hoohoohoblin]

You’re welcome

[@watershedwonders1744]

Thankyou very much, you helped me do it right, and didnt take long once i looked for help

[@hoohoohoblin]

You’re welcome

[@bowtie-man]

Thanks for posting the video.👍👍I just replaced the grille, headlight and park lenses on mine after 30 yrs and was wondering about the specifics of adjusting the headlights. Thanks again👍👍✌✌👊👊

[@TJMcC-bw1gn]

I believe there's a mistake in the various references to the adjustment screws. This appears to be a right side assembly which you show at the start and then removed (mounting bolts are up). When you show the adjustment screws from top view (with assembly installed) you indicate the left recessed screw tilts up/down; the inner one tilts left/right (this is not correct). When you show the assembly out of the truck (same orientation to the viewer as on the truck) you show the left screw as adjusting left/right and a close look at the mechanism shows that is correct (as this causes a pivot effect by moving the edge). The inner screw adjusts up/down (which also makes sense as the inner-most should move the entire assembly; an outer screw would not do so). You are showing the removed assembly with the mounting bolts on top, as on truck; given the design of the plastic light assembly in relation to the mounting plate, each side of truck uses an angled mount. So the left side would be just opposite: outer adjusts left/right, inner adjusts up/down.

[@jeremynoakes6040]

sweet truck . I got a 95 as well pretty much rock solid but the body from the canidian weather aka road salt keep up the good videos

[@hoohoohoblin]

Thanks. 95 was a good year, as I like having the throttlebody injection because it simpler to keep running. I’ll keep making videos whenever I work on this truck.

[@oldbiker9739]

go for a drive and take your #15 torxs with you , my 91 chevy 1500 was way out , I could light up an on coming cars interior , and the right side head light I was hunting for U F O way up there past the top of the stop sign all is good now .

[@Bearded_Dad_Gaming]

You can use a 5mm socket on the star adjuster.

[@malcolmandtheboy-getonwith3050]

You switched from a left side light in the truck to a right side out of the truck. So, you first said left bolt tilts it and right bolt is left and right and the the opposite with the light you have out of the truck.

[@Icanbreakstuffnsometimesevenfi]

The inner adjusts the beam up and down. The screw on the left, or the outer adjuster, moves the beam left and right

[@jazrosales2008]

Thank you for this. I just adjusted my left side headlight.

[@hoohoohoblin]

You’re welcome

[@Michael-lx7px]

You don't have to have a star socket, a 1/4inch socket fits perfect!

[@hoohoohoblin]

Thanks.

[@oldbiker9739]

male torx # 15 1/4 '' drive long Exciton will adjust those up or down or side ways .

[@RichardMontgomeryKK]

Would be great to know on the up and down setting do you go counter or clockwise to lower. I have tried it but the change seems minimal if at all. It is hard to tell if I am going in the right direction or not. It is possible my aftermarket lenses aren't adjusting right. BTW it is an E8 star socket that works on these. Some like mine even have a phillips head option as well.

[@hoohoohoblin]

I don’t remember which way raises or lowers it. You are right that id doesn’t have much travel up and down.

[@toddmcmahon2648]

logic would suggest that turning clockwise you would be raising and counter to lower. Plan on spending a few hours on it because either direction is agonizingly slow to see results 🤨🤔🤬

[@lazurm]

It's not called "star" socket, technically, but it's called, instead, torx sockets.

[@rusty.spires7931]

YeSir.u.The.Man... I enjoy your videos...

[@ineverlaugh]

i got sum low quality aftermarket lights that came with these horrible brackets for the headlights fits real loose

[@creekboys6939]

Lots of info!

[@donaldhiggins3285]

Thanks! I new it was simple just overlooked the adjustment screws.

[@hoohoohoblin]

You’re welcome. I’m glad I could help.

[@pacvend]

Just got stuck in bad fog and my hdlts where way high and blinding me and set them lower Thanks!

[@davidmcintosh3971]

A 6mm 12-pt socket will work in a pinch in place of the Torx E-10 socket.

[@A1rsoftKid]

Most likely a torx E-8 socket. This truck is a 97 or 98. E-10 might be for later models.

[@tonydodds4745]

He failed to mention the adjust bolts are different for each side.

[@valladolid0711]

Thanks

[@hoohoohoblin]

Welcome

[@Makoonga]

Finally...a video that is actually useful.

[@hoohoohoblin]

Thanks

[@defiantgoon4061]

Bro you blinded me at the end of the video 😵

[@randybeard6040]

Also must check Left to Right, do not want headlights shining off in the ditch or both shining toward center line of vehicle...

[@yohon1550]

12 point works fine

[@rolandoq21]

I unscrewed it all the way out thinking it was the screw to remove the headlight .... I can't get it to screw back in.. Any advise ?? Thanks.

[@hoohoohoblin]

I don’t know. Maybe the nut fell off of the bottom. If you remove the headlights, you’ll probably be able to figure out how to get the screw back in.

[@RogueOverlanders]

Thank you

[@hoohoohoblin]

You’re welcome

[@rsoblaze]

i adjusted my low beams but i can’t seem to adjust my high beams

[@Steve-ps2tw]

Thanks! Forgot where the 2 adjuster bolts were.

[@hoohoohoblin]

You’re welcome

[@kaozz21965]

But, What is the star socket i need????

[@furonable]

I'm just going to take the whole headlight to Harbor Freight and ask if they have anything that fits it lol

[@we-tha-ones]

T10

[@mariaantonietapadilla708]

All the lights come on except the headlights. Could you tell me why?

[@zerchdafirst5994]

You change the adjust screws order

[@davidfink9729]

Well fuck me , i was twisting the wrong ones all along. best video on youtube bud. No bullshit music or telling us to wear safety glasses , resperators , or sissy bullshit stuff. thanks again!!!!!!!!!!

[@hoohoohoblin]

You’re welcome. I try to keep my videos short and simple.

[@gordonenquist36]

Do your "rules" on adjustment hold true only for stock height trucks ? What about trucks that have been lowered or have been raised high up ?

[@retiredoldsarge5938]

like it says. Measure the height of your lights on your vehicle. That is the measurement you go by when you masure where they are aimed on a wall. 36 inchs on your vehicle translates to 36 inchs on the wall. 30 inchs is 30 inchs etc. Its not really rocket science.

[@TeamJCWhitney]

Glad you mentioned that each states have their own rules with regard to headlamp aiming. Every car owners must know this. How are your headlights so far? Rad truck by the way!

[@hoohoohoblin]

These headlights work great so far. Thanks.

[@BRUCECRUZ]

I have a 1997 Silverado and mine looks just like yours. I notice that mine looks like the left and right are out of wack. Do you know the measurements for these?

[@MrJOHNEBOB]

Did you not watch this? 🤣

[@zackcapes820]

Ik it’s not related but my trucks headlight studs won’t come out and my assembly is stuck and I need to replace my headlight

[@hoohoohoblin]

The same thing happened to me. I ended up replacing all the headlights. The nuts at the end of the stud was just spinning around endlessly. Watch this video I made to see how to get the whole unit out. After that, you can either reuse it or replace it. Headlight Replacement Chevrolet Truck 88-98kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnjafn-Gj9l_m6s

[@arturo707]

Can you give me link to where u bought the new set of headlights from ?

[@hoohoohoblin]

I got them from 1aauto.com. There are a lot of people selling them on eBay as well, but I wanted to be sure they were good quality. They were around $100, and headlight bulbs are included. Turn signal bulbs are not included.

[@andybub45]

I tried to do it myself and was unable to, have to take it to a shop with an aiming device.

[@coreythefam6455]

What bolt is it to adjust them up and down?!?

[@hoohoohoblin]

The bolt closer to the wheel side of the truck moves it up and down.

[@coreythefam6455]

hoohoohoblin no.. mine is way up and wondering what size nut or bolt of the star shape?

[@Josh-wp9ow]

Guessing youve got it by now, but ours is a 96 k1500 and it took a philips screwdriver

[@shawnsavage9015]

Nice video.. What kind of bulbs do you have in your truck?

[@hoohoohoblin]

I had LED headlights on there for a while, but I switched back to regular ones recently.

[@vicente5776]

THe tool is a TORKS socket or screw driver

[@joojoo68]

Lil question I might get my grandfather's truck his is a 1988 can I put the head lights you got on your truck on it and get rid of those freaking sealed beam ones what do I need to do.

[@hoohoohoblin]

1988 through 1998 trucks should have the same headlights. I don’t think they were sealed beam in 1988.

[@joojoo68]

hoohoohoblin well apparently so because thats what it is do i have to get a different grille too.

[@johnrhodes101875]

some Chevy trucks from 88 to 98 had the stupid single headlights on each side but it was lower base model trucks like the Cheyenne which was a V6 No Air now the Silverados we're top of the line

[@ericdillon1169]

@@hoohoohoblin 1988-1992 had sealed beams headlights, if I remember correctly. After 1992 for the 93 model year, they switched over to the one piece headlight.

[@rubenjs117]

Do you have snowcones for me and sully

[@AllaLighting]

Great video, we have led headlight bulbs, fog light, turn signal light, interior lights,etc for cars, trucks, motorcycles, if you are interested to shoot the video of how to install, please contact us for samples.

[@Handlebarrz]

I can do some tail lights on a 95 chevy 1500 if you send the sample

[@Snowman3g]

I have a 97 bravada can you adjust just the high beams? My low beams are good but my high beams need to be lower

[@hoohoohoblin]

No. They are both part of the same unit and they move together.

[@funguy7979]

How do I get my low beams to activate when I turn my high beams on? I have a 2015 Silverado and they would both be on when I turned my high beams on. I was just curious.

[@hoohoohoblin]

I know that some people have wired their trucks up to do that. If you search for it on the Internet, you’ll find a forum or somebody shows how to do it. You basically have to wire the headlights together to make the low beams stay on when the highbeams go on.

[@funguy7979]

@@hoohoohoblin thank you

[@petestanton1945]

"Torx"

[@Chalz108]

LOL in Oklahoma all they say is make sure they ain't shining past 75 feet on the roadway

[@hoohoohoblin]

That’s easy!

[@obspurp3171]

What about bottom ones?

[@hoohoohoblin]

I made a different video about that. They’re easy to change.

[@alm7707]

called a torx head not star

[@P.az13]

What about twisting them lol

[@lynchinjesus]

Wrong! I wish it were this easy. Doesnt work on my 99 tahoe. Got the stupid 5mm socket and none of the posts do anything. Waste of time.

[@jakeburchfield6692]

I think my screw got stripped because the position hasn't changed

[@hoohoohoblin]

That’s possible. It happened to my truck.

[@mexicanvenom8294]

Do y’all know how to fix this I’m having the same problem on my right headlight

[@jeffchick3447]

Dude, you contradict yourself with what each screw adjust..

[@theaussie7160]

I installed led light an I’m not going to adjust them cause I’m a cunt.

[@blazestrawn7331]

Thank you

[@hoohoohoblin]

You’re welcome

[@SundownBlazer]

Thank you