headlight replacement on 96 SLC2

Unless the lens is cracked, replace just the bulb.

I suggest you replace both bulbs. Either the other one will go out in a couple of weeks, or you will have one bright white new bulb and one dull orangish old bulb.

Also, don't bother with any of the fancy "HID-like" or "Blue light" bulbs. Stick with either standard name-brand or Sylvania SilverStars.

Steve

If it isn't "dull orangish" already, how is replacing the other bulb going to cause it to become so?

I am just betting that there will be a noticeable difference between the new bulb and old bulb (playing the odds).

Steve

So what if there is? It doesn't mean the old one is no good.

It can be disconcerting to some drivers if the lighting isn't balanced. And maybe misleading a bit. I almost always replace them 2 at a time and put the extra in the glove box. When another goes I put the old one back in till I get a chance to replace them. Or buy 2 and put them in the glove box until one of the old ones goes.

If the popup headlamp in the '96 is just like it is in my '92 (which I believe it is), there is no separate bulb IIRC. It's a big honkin' sealed glass lamp that needs to be replaced. There is no separate lens.

Lane [ lane (at) evilplastic.com ]

I guess part of the answer depends on what the OP meant by "SLC2": SL2 or SC2. The SL2 does not have popup headlamps.