'94 Headlight upgrade & adjustment
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,374
Likes: 46
From: Palm Bay, Florida
'94 Headlight upgrade & adjustment
I bought my '94 F150 back in September, and quickly noticed that the headlights were out of adjustment,I inquired at my local Ford dealer about having them adjusted, they said they did them by eye!!! what a bunch of crap that is!!!!
I remember when Florida still had yearly vehicle inspections that they would adjust your headlights for free as long as you removed any trim pieces so they could get to the screws, then they used some type of machine with a leveling bubble in it to go by.
Does anyone do this anymore?? may be a different Ford dealer, may be an independent shop????
I've heard all about the garage door stuff, I really don't think much of that either, how do body shops adjust headlights after repairing a front end wreck??
Second part of my question is has anyone tried the new SUPER BLUE bulbs from GE?? just bought a set for my truck, and wondered what others think??
Thanks!!!!!!
I remember when Florida still had yearly vehicle inspections that they would adjust your headlights for free as long as you removed any trim pieces so they could get to the screws, then they used some type of machine with a leveling bubble in it to go by.
Does anyone do this anymore?? may be a different Ford dealer, may be an independent shop????
I've heard all about the garage door stuff, I really don't think much of that either, how do body shops adjust headlights after repairing a front end wreck??
Second part of my question is has anyone tried the new SUPER BLUE bulbs from GE?? just bought a set for my truck, and wondered what others think??
Thanks!!!!!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
'94 Headlight upgrade & adjustment
I've had shops say my headlights were fine when I KNEW they were cocked, so I don't trust them to do it. The best way I've found to adjust headlights is to find an empty road with a light-colored surface and stop the truck on it. You can make an adjustment, then hop in & see how it looks. It helps if there are some road signs facing you so you can tell if you have them too high, but it's easy to do a test drive to check.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
'94 Headlight upgrade & adjustment
For state inspections in Massachusetts they park your vehicle 20 feet from a wall. The center of the headlight's light must be at a curtain point if not it's out of alignment.
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds
.
Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Justin - One Happy FTE Member
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds
.Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Justin - One Happy FTE Member
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: West Coast
'94 Headlight upgrade & adjustment
I just changed the headlights in my 94 E150. I guess GE wasn't kidding about long life. They were OEM bulbs, GE with date of manufacture stamped on them and 6054LL long life. 1994 and 193K mile and they were still burning. I finally changed them because they were kind of dim on lo-beam and a lot brighter on high. Probably due to wear. I went with the GE HO 6054's from WalMart. Seem a good deal brighter. Not sure if it is because of the bulb is better or the old ones were just worn out.
I just aimed them using the same formula shown in my Corvette's service manual. 25 ft from wall, the bright spot should be within 4 inches below the center mark corresponding to the center of the lamphouse. Seems about right to me. I eyeballed them around the neighborhood, looking to see if they made glare in the windsheilds of cars and they seem fine.
I just aimed them using the same formula shown in my Corvette's service manual. 25 ft from wall, the bright spot should be within 4 inches below the center mark corresponding to the center of the lamphouse. Seems about right to me. I eyeballed them around the neighborhood, looking to see if they made glare in the windsheilds of cars and they seem fine.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,079
Likes: 11
From: LA and CO
'94 Headlight upgrade & adjustment
Haven't tried those bulbs but I believe that Haynes or Chilton's manual has an adjustment procedure for adjusting the lights. It involves parking a certain distance away from a wall and such.
John
John
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: West Coast
'94 Headlight upgrade & adjustment
Just want to add, these new bulbs ROCK! It was all raining and storming tonight and man, can I ever see a lot better with these new headlights.
Head down to WalMart and get some. They have the blue ones too, but the HO's put out a real good light and have a longer hour life.
Head down to WalMart and get some. They have the blue ones too, but the HO's put out a real good light and have a longer hour life.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,577
Likes: 0
From: Southern MD
'94 Headlight upgrade & adjustment
You've gotta be careful when replacing original bulbs with higher wattage bulbs. Ford is known to use the minimum gauge wire possible with originals, and higher wattage bulbs can cause overheating of the wiring and cause failure or fire.
This is especially prominent with the later model Mustangs. I've read on some Mustang boards about guys putting in HID bulbs and having wiring problems. I would suspect this could happen all thru the Ford line.
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http://easyad.net/images/94vanavitar.jpg http://www.easyad.net/images/mustang1.gif
'94 E-150 Conversion Van 4.9 / C-6 -- '89 Mustang LX 5.0
This is especially prominent with the later model Mustangs. I've read on some Mustang boards about guys putting in HID bulbs and having wiring problems. I would suspect this could happen all thru the Ford line.
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: West Coast
'94 Headlight upgrade & adjustment
The GE HO headlamps are standard issue DOT-approved highway legal lamps. They aren't high-wattage lamps (which *can* damage wiring). They are just standard 55 watt headlamps with improved light output.
If you think Ford used skinny wires, take a look at a GM product, particuarly the ground wires.
If you think Ford used skinny wires, take a look at a GM product, particuarly the ground wires.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
'94 Headlight upgrade & adjustment
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 01-Jan-03 AT 02:41 PM (EST)]Your comment on Chebbie lights is right on the mark. Have you noticed how many "new" GM trucks have one or more lights out on the front end? I'd say at least one out of six I see have a light out, be it a marker or a head light.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,719
Likes: 1
From: Lee's Summit MO
'94 Headlight upgrade & adjustment
Also, when you replace the factory bulbs, make sure the new bulb has the same round "doughnut" seal size as the ones your taking out. If they are smaller, they will allow water and other crap in.
I've never replaced a factory bulb yet on either of my F-150s, however I did take one out and replaced the doughnut. I've been told to use KY Jelly or similar and lube up the doughnut. No water yet.
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