PIT66 Headlights Assembly Smoky Lens Black Housing Review: A Bold Facelift with Serious Flaws

There’s a special kind of pride that comes with keeping an older truck on the road. Our 2005 Chevy Silverado has been a steadfast companion, a testament to an era of straightforward, rugged engineering. But years of sun, road debris, and countless car washes had taken their toll on its face. The original headlights were a milky, yellowed mess. Night driving had become a game of guesswork, the weak, diffused beams offering more of a suggestion of light than actual illumination. It wasn’t just a safety concern; the truck looked tired. It lacked the crisp, sharp presence it once had. This is a common story for owners of the venerable 2003-2007 Silverado and Avalanche models. You have a mechanically sound vehicle that’s let down by its aged, cloudy eyes. The search for a replacement isn’t just about seeing better; it’s about restoring the truck’s character, and that’s precisely what led us to investigate the PIT66 Headlights Assembly Smoky Lens Black Housing.

What to Consider Before Buying Aftermarket Headlight Assemblies

An automotive headlight assembly is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for both safety and style. It’s a critical component that directly impacts your ability to see and be seen, especially in adverse conditions. The primary benefit of a quality aftermarket assembly is the restoration of optical clarity, often surpassing the original factory output. This immediately enhances nighttime visibility, reducing driver fatigue and increasing reaction time. Furthermore, for owners of older vehicles, it’s one of the most effective ways to modernize the appearance of their ride, giving it a fresh, custom look that can dramatically increase its curb appeal. A new set of headlights can make a 15-year-old truck look five years younger.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the dual problem of diminished light output from old, hazy lenses and a desire to update their vehicle’s aesthetic without undertaking a major, expensive overhaul. This includes DIY enthusiasts who are comfortable with basic automotive work and truck owners looking for a cost-effective “facelift.” However, this might not be the right path for those who demand flawless, factory-level, plug-and-play simplicity and are unwilling to potentially troubleshoot minor fitment or wiring issues. For those individuals, a more expensive OEM replacement or a premium, well-established aftermarket brand might be a more suitable, albeit pricier, alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Fitment & Compatibility: This is non-negotiable. Double and triple-check that the assembly is designed for your exact year, make, and model. Pay close attention to sub-model details, like the “without Factory Cladding” requirement for the PIT66 assemblies on an Avalanche. Poor fitment leads to unsightly gaps, moisture intrusion, and a frustrating installation.
• Performance & Certification: Look for DOT (Department of Transportation) and SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) certification. This ensures the assembly meets federal standards for safety, construction, and light output pattern. Uncertified lights may be illegal, unsafe, and produce a scattered, ineffective beam that blinds oncoming drivers. The light source type—halogen, LED, or HID—also dictates brightness, color temperature, and lifespan.
• Materials & Durability: The lens should be made from high-impact, UV-coated polycarbonate to resist yellowing and hazing. The housing is typically ABS plastic. The most critical durability factor, however, is the sealant used between the lens and housing. A high-quality butyl rubber sealant is far superior to cheap silicone, as it provides a long-lasting, waterproof barrier against condensation.
• Ease of Use & Installation: The term “plug-and-play” is often used but not always accurate. Determine if the assembly requires custom wiring, splicing, or the use of resistors, especially if it includes features like LED DRLs (Daytime Running Lights) not present on the original vehicle. Also, check the quality of the adjustment mechanism; a functional, durable adjuster is essential for properly aiming your headlights after installation.

Ultimately, choosing the right headlight assembly is a balance of aesthetics, performance, and your willingness to engage with the installation process. The PIT66 assembly promises a dramatic visual upgrade, but as we discovered, it demands a certain level of hands-on commitment from the installer.

While the PIT66 Headlights Assembly Smoky Lens Black Housing is an excellent choice for a specific type of owner, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Aggressive Style Straight Out of the Box

Unboxing the PIT66 Headlights Assembly Smoky Lens Black Housing was an immediately gratifying experience from a visual standpoint. The combination of the smoky polycarbonate lens and the matte black internal housing is striking. It’s an aggressive, modern look that stands in stark contrast to the chrome-heavy OEM units. They felt surprisingly lightweight, which gave us our first hint about the material quality—it’s functional, but doesn’t have the heft of a factory part. The clear corner reflector is a clean touch, and the overall design is sharp and well-defined. We were pleased to see the DOT/SAE markings, confirming their compliance with safety standards. However, we did notice one bizarre quality control issue right away, which was later confirmed by another user’s feedback: a small, papery sticker was somehow on the *inside* of one of the sealed housings, a minor but annoying imperfection. Despite this, the initial aesthetic impression was overwhelmingly positive; these lights promise a radical transformation for the front end of any compatible Silverado or Avalanche.

Performance Deep Dive: Looks, Lights, and Leaks

An aftermarket part, especially one as critical as a headlight, must be judged on more than just its looks. It needs to fit correctly, perform its function reliably, and withstand the elements. We put the PIT66 Headlights Assembly Smoky Lens Black Housing through a comprehensive evaluation, from the garage workbench to nighttime country roads and the unforgiving spray of a pressure washer. Our findings reveal a product with a stark duality: it excels in aesthetics but falls short in critical areas of function and build quality, making it a product you have to go into with your eyes wide open.

Installation and Fitment: A Test of Patience

The manufacturer describes these as a “direct replacement,” but in our experience, this was an optimistic claim. For the mechanically inclined, the process is manageable, but it’s far from the simple bolt-off, bolt-on job one might expect. The first challenge was the physical fit. While the main mounting points lined up, we found, as other users have, that getting everything to sit perfectly flush required significant persuasion. We had to slightly manipulate the fender and apply careful, steady pressure to get the side marker housing to click securely into place. Without this adjustment, it felt like it would pop out after hitting the first serious bump, a frustration echoed in user feedback.

The second, more significant hurdle was the wiring. These lights are not plug-and-play if you want to utilize all their features. The main headlight and turn signal bulbs from the original harness plug in, but if your model has Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), you’ll need to do some custom wiring. As one helpful user noted, the brown wire is positive, but figuring this out requires either prior knowledge, a multimeter, or some online research. We ended up splicing into the existing DRL circuit to get them working, a task that requires basic electrical supplies and confidence. This is a critical point for potential buyers: if you are not comfortable with wire stripping, splicing, and tapping into a fuse box, you will need to factor in the cost of a professional installation. While some users reported an “easy installation,” our assessment is that this applies only to those with previous automotive electrical experience.

Lighting Performance and Adjustability: The Aim is Off

Once installed and wired, we moved on to the most important function: lighting the road. We transferred our existing halogen bulbs (as none are included) and fired them up. The light output through the smoky lens was acceptable, though noticeably dimmer than a perfectly clear lens would be. The internal chrome reflectors do a decent job of casting a defined beam pattern that avoids excessively blinding oncoming traffic, adhering to its DOT compliance. The cutoff is reasonably sharp for a reflector-style housing. Visually, the effect is fantastic, and the overall look is exactly what we hoped for.

However, the praise stops when you attempt to aim the beams. This proved to be the product’s most significant functional failure. The adjustment screws are made of soft plastic and feel incredibly fragile. Turning them yielded very little, if any, vertical movement of the headlight beam. On one of the assemblies, the adjuster simply spun without engaging the mechanism at all. This is a massive issue. Properly aimed headlights are a legal requirement and are absolutely essential for safe night driving. Our experience was identical to that of multiple users who reported “horrible beam adjustment” or “no headlight adjustment.” One reviewer summed it up perfectly: “If you going for looks and don’t care for night driving. Then these are for you.” It’s a damning but accurate assessment. Without the ability to properly aim the lights, their primary function is severely compromised, relegating them to more of a cosmetic accessory than a safety-critical component. It may be possible to shim the entire housing to achieve proper aim, but this is a workaround that should not be necessary.

Durability and Sealing: The Achilles’ Heel

A headlight’s ability to withstand the elements is paramount to its longevity. This is where the budget-friendly nature of the PIT66 Headlights Assembly Smoky Lens Black Housing becomes most apparent. The product description boasts of a “sturdy sealing structure” and a “one-way vent,” but our real-world testing proved otherwise. After just one week of use, which included a heavy rainstorm and a trip through a touchless car wash, we discovered the dreaded sign of a poor seal: condensation. A fine mist had formed inside the lower portion of the passenger-side lens.

This is one of the most common complaints from other owners, with many reporting moisture in their units within weeks or months of installation. This isn’t just a cosmetic annoyance; persistent moisture will dramatically shorten the life of your bulbs and can cause the internal reflective surfaces to corrode and delaminate over time. While it’s possible for a handy owner to bake the headlights open and re-seal them with a high-quality butyl sealant, this is an intensive process that should not be required for a brand-new product. Furthermore, one user reported their housing *melted* within a week. While we didn’t experience this with standard wattage halogen bulbs, the thinness of the plastic housing gives us pause. We would strongly advise against installing any high-wattage or HID conversion kit bulbs in these housings, as they likely cannot handle the increased heat, creating a significant safety risk.

What Other Users Are Saying

Scouring feedback from other owners of the PIT66 Headlights Assembly Smoky Lens Black Housing reveals a consistent and divided sentiment. On one hand, the praise for the product’s appearance is nearly universal. Buyers use words like “beautiful,” “sickest head lights,” and “they look really nice!” to describe the aesthetic transformation. One user was pleased that they “fit just like oem and look great,” suggesting that fitment can sometimes be straightforward. These comments confirm that, for pure visual impact, the product delivers exactly what it promises.

On the other hand, the negative feedback is just as consistent and focuses squarely on quality control. The most prevalent complaint, by far, is moisture intrusion. One user stated, “Haven’t had them for more than 2 months now and the lower passenger lens has moisture in it,” while another asked, “Not sure why these have water coming in on the bottom of headlights on both of them.” The second major issue is the non-functional adjustment mechanism, with one owner lamenting, “No headlight adjustment. Don’t recommend this product. I no have to buy different ones are not drive at night.” These critical reviews align perfectly with our own findings, painting a clear picture of a product that prioritizes form over function and long-term durability.

How Does the PIT66 Headlights Assembly Compare to Alternatives?

The PIT66 Headlights Assembly Smoky Lens Black Housing exists in a crowded market. While its specific fitment targets a niche of Chevy owners, it’s useful to see how its value proposition stacks up against other types of headlight upgrades. The key takeaway is that you get what you pay for, and different products serve entirely different needs.

1. AmeriLite 2009-2018 Dodge Ram 1500 2500 3500 Switchback LED Projector Headlights

The AmeriLite assembly represents a significant step up in both technology and price, designed for a different vehicle family (Dodge Ram). Instead of a simple halogen reflector, this unit features a projector lens for a much sharper, more controlled beam pattern, which is superior for use with HID or LED bulbs. It also includes modern features like “Switchback” LED halos that function as both white DRLs and amber turn signals. A buyer would choose the AmeriLite over the PIT66 for superior lighting performance, advanced features, and likely better build quality and sealing, accepting a much higher cost. The PIT66 is a budget cosmetic upgrade; the AmeriLite is a comprehensive performance and technology overhaul.

2. HWSTAR 180W 5×7 7×6 LED Headlights DRL Hi/Low Beam

This HWSTAR product is not a full housing assembly but a universal sealed-beam LED conversion. It’s designed for older vehicles that use a standard rectangular 5×7 (or 7×6) headlight, like Jeep Cherokees or older Ford and Chevy trucks. The primary focus here is a massive upgrade in brightness and efficiency. Someone would choose this over the PIT66 if their main goal was raw light output and they cared less about a custom-molded look. The HWSTAR provides a brute-force lighting solution that drops into a factory bucket, whereas the PIT66 is an entire aesthetic package that relies on you providing the bulbs. It’s function over form versus form over function.

3. HWSTAR 7 Inch LED Headlights Round DOT Approved

Similar to its rectangular sibling, this HWSTAR product is a universal 7-inch round LED sealed-beam replacement, common on Jeep Wranglers and classic cars. Again, the appeal is a direct and powerful upgrade to modern LED technology, offering superior brightness, longevity, and a sharp cutoff pattern. A Jeep owner looking for trail-ready illumination would choose this in a heartbeat. The comparison to the PIT66 highlights the difference between a universal performance part and a vehicle-specific cosmetic part. The HWSTAR light is built for performance and broad compatibility, while the PIT66 Headlights Assembly Smoky Lens Black Housing is built to achieve a specific custom look on a specific range of Chevy trucks.

Final Verdict: A Cosmetic Win with Major Caveats

So, should you buy the PIT66 Headlights Assembly Smoky Lens Black Housing? Our final answer is a qualified “maybe.” If your number one priority is to give your 2003-2007 Silverado or Avalanche an aggressive, modern facelift for the lowest possible price, this product delivers on that promise spectacularly. The visual change is immediate and impressive. However, this recommendation comes with a list of serious conditions. You must be prepared for an installation that may require fender adjustments and custom wiring. You must accept that the headlight adjusters are likely non-functional, potentially compromising safe and legal beam aiming. And most importantly, you must be willing to risk—or proactively fix—the poor factory seal that will almost certainly lead to condensation.

We would recommend this product only to the budget-conscious DIY enthusiast who loves the look, understands the trade-offs, and is willing to put in extra work to address the shortcomings. For anyone seeking a simple, reliable, plug-and-play solution that works perfectly out of the box, we strongly advise looking at higher-priced, more reputable alternatives. The PIT66 assembly is the definition of “you get what you pay for”—a stunning look that comes at the cost of functional integrity and long-term durability. If you’ve weighed the pros and cons and are ready for a project, you can check the latest price and see if this bold upgrade is right for your truck.