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Old 12-20-2024, 12:32 AM   #1
A.Bursell
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Dome Light - White Plastic vs Chrome

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?
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Old 12-20-2024, 12:41 AM   #2
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Re: Dome Light - White Plastic vs Chrome

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Originally Posted by A.Bursell View Post
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
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Old 12-20-2024, 12:41 AM   #3
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Re: Dome Light - White Plastic vs Chrome

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Originally Posted by A.Bursell View Post
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.
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Old 12-20-2024, 12:48 AM   #4
A.Bursell
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Re: Dome Light - White Plastic vs Chrome

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...
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Old 12-20-2024, 01:11 AM   #5
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Re: Dome Light - White Plastic vs Chrome

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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....
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Old 12-20-2024, 01:17 AM   #6
A.Bursell
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Re: Dome Light - White Plastic vs Chrome

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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.
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Old 12-20-2024, 02:02 AM   #7
71CHEVYSHORTBED402
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Re: Dome Light - White Plastic vs Chrome

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.
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Old 12-20-2024, 02:17 AM   #8
A.Bursell
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Re: Dome Light - White Plastic vs Chrome

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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.
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Old 12-20-2024, 03:11 AM   #9
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Re: Dome Light - White Plastic vs Chrome

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.
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Old 12-20-2024, 04:02 PM   #10
71CHEVYSHORTBED402
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Re: Dome Light - White Plastic vs Chrome

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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.
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Old 12-20-2024, 04:03 PM   #11
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Re: Dome Light - White Plastic vs Chrome

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Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402 View Post
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.
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Old 12-20-2024, 04:07 PM   #12
71CHEVYSHORTBED402
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Re: Dome Light - White Plastic vs Chrome

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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.
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71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assembly kit for restoring the (a) truck from the ground up. My build thread, and more on the assembly kit https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025
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Old 12-20-2024, 04:09 PM   #13
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Re: Dome Light - White Plastic vs Chrome

I tried installing a NOS lens in the reproduction base, and it did not fit well at all.
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Old 12-20-2024, 04:57 PM   #14
71CHEVYSHORTBED402
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Re: Dome Light - White Plastic vs Chrome

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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.
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71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assembly kit for restoring the (a) truck from the ground up. My build thread, and more on the assembly kit https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025
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