Aiming USDM 300ZX (Z32) Headlights by Modifying Headlight Housing

This video shows the backstory and restoration of my 300ZX Twin Turbo headlights and alternative aiming adjustments of USDM units. To get straight to the aiming of the low and high beams with the alternative screws, go to 14:00 minutes. (PS: At 16:10 and 17:21, I was using my passenger side headlight in a mirrored format so that it could represent the driver side headlight unit.)
In this video, I reveal how one can actually vertically adjust the low and high beams beyond the conventional vertical and horizontal adjustments on the USDM units. I am not responsible if your attempts go badly as I really took my time on this project and did not rush the process; moreover, I did a lot of searches on the writeups of committed Z32 owners who attempted to do the same and learned from them.
Have since switched to LED bulbs for low, high, and fog lights and the car really lights up the night now!

[@night-sapphire]

A well-cared for sleeper Z that roams the night...with proper illumination, of course. Used your method over Thanksgiving to work on my lights and they came out exactly as described. Thanks man.

[@anthonymaster6160]

I am an original owner of a 1991 300 XZ. Over the years, I had put in about 280,000 miles of pure enjoyment. The interior is still a new. I plan to restore it back to new condition mechanically and repaint the whole car to its original color, Diamond (Pearl) Black.
My daily driver car is Lexus LS 430.
If I remember correctly, on the back (on a 2-seater) either the driver side or passenger side under one of the covers near the Bose speaker is a device use to adjust the projector headlights. I never used it. You may want to check it out, or read the car manual (if you have it). Good luck.

[@emptyroads7094]

Thanks for this info. I completely know what you're referring to: it's that plastic contraption that rests on the protuding nodes of the headlight glass. Sadly, as a third owner of the ride, I purchased it with that part missing, but have seen it before with other drivers.

[@ChairmanMeow493]

You have the force. Damn you epoxy! Thanks for doing this.

[@syjdmzx]

this is such a detailed review of the 300zx headlights. Much respect, I appreciate the amount of effort you put into this!!

[@emptyroads7094]

Thanks for the good vibes and pardon the delayed response! Demystifying this process for all Zeers is the least I can do for fans of the Z32.

[@findalefinnie]

Thanks for all of the information!

[@emptyroads7094]

Thanks for the good vibes Z fan!

[@andrewmorey4195]

Super detailed video. You mention that you did use the standard horizontal and vertical adjustment screws around @24:50 and that it was easy. But you also greased everything up beforehand which was smart. I am having an issue adjusting my headlights this way.
My problem is that the screws dont want to turn, they started to a little bit but then the heads started to strip. I probably can still turn them but cannot apply a lot of torque. I'm just curious what you would suggest in this case. Is it all the pivot points that are locked up and they need to be greased up? Is it the gears in the adjuster mechanism that are broken, if so that would require a spare which is probably tough to find by itself. Or is it just the screw itself that is hard to turn? I did spray PB blaster but adjusting the whole headlight looks like a big task for a little Phillips head. Thank you

[@emptyroads7094]

This is a very real concern. All I can say is that my humble knowledge acquired from undertaking this task was due to the fact that I had a spare to work with and was ready to keep buying headlights were this process to fail me repeatedly (I really didn't have a choice--who drives around at night with a screwed up headlamp). Thus, I was ready to eat up the consequences of going down this rabbit hole and was ready to keep sourcing parts. As for turning the screws, I wouldn't rely on the drive of the Phillips head but to use the socket to turn the screw (on the side of the mount that has the socket, that is the right side on 20:27). The Phillips adjustment on the other side without adequate lube will continue to strip it if torque is an issue (pertaining to the left side of the mount on 20:27). In all honesty, I think you're almost there and more lube (on the left of 20:27) would free up the adjusment; use a wire brush to clean all the threading if possible and once the lube gets to it overnight, I'd like to believe turning it will be achieved, but this is just me speculating. Wishing you the best on this!