Dome Light - White Plastic vs Chrome

[A.Bursell]

Have a white plastic dome light in my 67 and was thinking about dressing it up a little by swapping to a chrome one since my interior is pretty nice (OEM parts). I searched for originals and think it's not a common topic, so I pretty much came up empty. Looking at aftermarket reproductions, it looks like the "chrome" available is plastic chrome. Where the chrome originals also plastic?

[Richard]

Originally Posted by A.Bursell

Have a white plastic dome light in my 67 and was thinking about dressing it up a little by swapping to a chrome one since my interior is pretty nice (OEM parts). I searched for originals and think it's not a common topic, so I pretty much came up empty. Looking at aftermarket reproductions, it looks like the "chrome" available is plastic chrome. Were the chrome originals also plastic?

Yes

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by A.Bursell

Have a white plastic dome light in my 67 and was thinking about dressing it up a little by swapping to a chrome one since my interior is pretty nice (OEM parts). I searched for originals and think it's not a common topic, so I pretty much came up empty. Looking at aftermarket reproductions, it looks like the "chrome" available is plastic chrome. Where the chrome originals also plastic?

Yes, they were all plastic.

[A.Bursell]

Excellent- thank you! Now, the next questions is ... is this worth searching for an OEM piece or is aftermarket pretty much identical or maybe even better? I always lean toward OEM, but plastic stuff especially is getting harder and harder to find in good shape...

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by A.Bursell

Excellent- thank you! Now, the next questions is ... is this worth searching for an OEM piece or is aftermarket pretty much identical or maybe even better? I always lean toward OEM, but plastic stuff especially is getting harder and harder to find in good shape...

A lot of times the old OEM ones are brittle and the mounting tabs will break off when installing them, if they are not already broke....

[A.Bursell]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

A lot of times the old OEM ones are brittle and the mounting tabs will break off when installing them, if they are not already broke....

Pretty much what I thought. Thanks Doc.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Chrome doesn't last long on those. Only chrome piece that was shot on my truck. I've seen 2 NOS in about 10 years, and this is one. https://www.ebay.com/itm/11639452616...Bk9SR6ikyqr8ZA

Not sure you can tell the difference between an OEM housing and reproduction however, I suspect you can't.

[A.Bursell]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

Chrome doesn't last long on those. Only chrome piece that was shot on my truck. I've seen 2 NOS in about 10 years, and this is one.

Not sure you can tell the difference between an OEM housing and reproduction however, I suspect you can't.

Thanks- I missed that one and even searched there. Little spendy, but NOS is NOS. I suspect you are probably right about telling the difference, especially given that 95% of it is actually covered up anyway. Repro probably worth a shot.

[pjmoreland]

I have a reproduction chrome dome light in my truck and it makes a buzzing sound from road vibration. I'm planning on swapping it out for an original because the noise is irritating. I'm not big on doing things like sticking a piece of gum in there.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

I have a reproduction chrome dome light in my truck and it makes a buzzing sound from road vibration. I'm planning on swapping it out for an original because the noise is irritating. I'm not big on doing things like sticking a piece of gum in there.

My NOS dome rattled, prior owner even drilled through the factory one for screws to hold it in place, OH NO!. I solved the rattling by applying 3M strip caulk along the back perimeter, leaving open spaces to insert a credit card to release the clips.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

My NOS rattled, prior owner even drilled through the factory one for screws to hold it in place, OH NO!. I solved the rattling using 3M strip caulk along the back perimeter, leaving open room to insert a credit card to release the clips.

On my reproduction, it's the lens that is rattling in the base. The base is held solidly to the cab.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

On my reproduction, it's the lens that is rattling in the base. The base is held solidly to the cab.

I suspected it was the lens after I wrote that.

[pjmoreland]

I tried installing a NOS lens in the reproduction base, and it did not fit well at all.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

I tried installing a NOS lens in the reproduction base, and it did not fit well at all.

Bummer for someone who at least wants the right lens. I suppose you can have an original re-chromed assuming still good, yikes. By now a lot of them are a bit brittle or broken.