Hi ya'll,

So I just imported my truck, 2003 F250 into Canada from the US and one of the changes you have to do is daytime running lights - standard up here as I'm sure a lot of you know.

I debated just letting the inspection place do the change, but when I heard $200 I knew that was a joke, so did some research on here and here is what I did...might help someone else:

On a 2003 F250 you need the Canadian relay and the resistor - relay is near the mastercylinder and resistor is right near the front drivers side headlight - I'll take pictures.

The problem I ran into is the trucks at the wrecking yard were too parted out, the f250 at least, so I went to the F150's, same year and it's a match. Pulled the relay and resistor (2 minute job), put them on my truck in the parking lot (3 minute job) and for a grand total of $20 I now have daytime running lights ---nice savings of $175!

So, for anyone out there bringing an 03 into Canada DONT waste your money - find a 2003 F250 OR F150 and just grab the Canadian stock parts. I didn't know the F150 would work, couldn't find it here (probably is somewhere), so just a heads up that they do.

Hope this helps!

 

Good stuff, thanks for the info! Got any pics for a writeup on how to do this? Here in Tennessee bumpers and a windshield are not even required to be street legal (I keed, I keed!), but was thinking of doing this if the swap is easy enough, just for that added visibility/safety factor (as if a black crew cab dually can't be seen).

 

I quick trick I did, of the DRL, here when I imported my truck into Ontario, was just unplug the auto light on sensor in the dash and put a jumper between the plug, I heard just unplugging works too, I guess this only works for trucks equiped with auto lights, it was free and works for me here. I just leave the light switch in auto positions

 

So I went this route just incase the inspection was particular about running lights and this way the lights aren't on at full strength either.

Here are some pictures to show exactly where and what you need for a 2003 F250 - mine is the 5.4 so I don't know if this is the same as a diesel OR any other year. Also, I can't guarantee this is a solid set up...but it worked for me and once again the parts are from a F150 (only b/c F250's are sparce in the junkyard here).

A picture of the resistor you'll find right above the passenger headlight.



The stock location on a US truck for the relay (please note I have the Canadian relay installed...but the mount is there on the US truck so it is plug, play and mount...very nice)


Here is the resistor mounted up on my truck - same location as you'd find it in the junk yard (and this is the hardest part of the install simply b/c there is not welded nut to fix the part too...took a few minutes to get a nut on)


This is a picture of the new DLR relay in place...fits like a glove and this is exactly where I found it on a parted out F150)



And here is a final look at the New relay in place connected to where the old loop dummy was:




Hope this all makes sense, I may have some terms mixed up, no clue, but should help!

 

And one other thing...

I got to the junkyard late so it was about to close, so I was in hurry mode. Checked a 99 F250 out, knew the realy was under the glove box, pulled it and checked and no dice! So out of desperation I pulled the F150 relay, same year and there you have it.

Just in case someone else tries earlier F250's...my experience was it didn't work!

 

Great info, thanks for posting those!

 

nice trick
was wondering what the DRS's look like, is it the headlights on a dimmer setting?
thanks

 

Hey there,

Yes, regular lights on a dimmer setting. Once you turn the actual headlights on you can see a big difference.

I've run this set up for 5 years now, no issues at all, no burned out bulbs, it all works flawlessly.

Ray

 

Since this old thread is still relevant to some who might be wanting DRLs, attached is a photo of the module I installed first on my 2002 and then on my 2005. It has always worked excellent and simply taps into specific lighting wires under the dash. I can't remember where I ordered it from, but you should be able to google the part # on it:



PS: I've used it 10 years on the original bulbs which I only recently replaced for something whiter (Wagner #9008BLX)