I have a 1982 f100 and while on a drive from tulsa to bartlesville (45 min) it became evening and so i turned on my lights. come to find that my head lights arent coming on but the orange lights are so, in the past i have had troubles with the switch that swaps the brights with it sometimes i press it and the lights just go off.

So the next day i turn on my lights and they are back on again. I wanted to know if anyone has had this problem and knows what to replace exactly before I just start replacing all of it front to back. thanks

 

You mean you drove right past me up US75. And didn't say hello?? I'm in Skiatook.

Anyway, these trucks have a number of problems associated with the headlights. One is the dimmer switch on the floor, which can easily do what you described. So I'd replace the dimmer switch first thing - it is easy and fairly cheap.

The other major problem is more complex. The wires Ford used were just barely adequate when new, as were the connections. But now they are quite suspect given their age. However, they are long and carry all of the current for the headlights into the cab, through the headlight switch, and then out to the lights. And with the poor connections they frequently get hot and melt. The usual spot is right close to the headlight switch, so look under there to see if you have any melted insulation. And, even if you don't you should seriously consider one of the headlight relay kits, like the one shown at the bottom of this page from LMC's catalog. (There are many others selling them, so I'm just showing this as an example.)

 

for 35$ that seems like a great improvement. Im In college at okwu and will be working here over the summer so that is at the top of the list as soon as my finals are over with. I would love to swing on by and chat for a second next time I head down there I will send you a pm

 

You are on. Looking forward to meeting you.