Notices
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series All Ford Ranger and Mazda B-Series models

Headlight Mod

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 3, 2011 | 11:59 AM
  #1  
jimw411's Avatar
jimw411
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 759
Likes: 0
From: Ventura ,ca. (near L.A.)
Headlight Mod

I've noticed that when driving in most import cars that when you turn on the highbeams the low beams stay on making the lights really bright. On most domestic vehicle (such as my ranger) the low beam turns off when you click to highbeams. If you pull the lever towards you for flash to pass you will notice it's much bright cause both high/low beams are on with it.
I hooked up a relay to keep my low beams on when I switch on the high beams and in conjunction with my fog lights that turn on with the parking lights i have tons of candle power and can see for miles on the dark back roads now. I just thought i'd share the mod with you guys and see if anyone else has done this. BTW in California they only smog, theres no state inspection which i think is the reason for the weak high beams.
 
Reply
Old May 3, 2011 | 02:36 PM
  #2  
grandmas77f150's Avatar
grandmas77f150
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,017
Likes: 1
From: Jackson, MO
Do you have any more details than the vague ones you just gave?
 
Reply
Old May 9, 2011 | 04:04 PM
  #3  
jimw411's Avatar
jimw411
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 759
Likes: 0
From: Ventura ,ca. (near L.A.)
Next time you're driving down a dark road flick the high beam switch on (away from you) and then pull the lever towards you all the way and hold it and you'll see how much brighter it is. When you are pulling the lever towards you the low beam and high beam filiments in the bulbs are both on making it way brighter. I put in a relay so when you flick the switch away from you for high beams it's the same brightness as when you pull it towards you.
 
Reply
Old May 9, 2011 | 06:41 PM
  #4  
mfp4073's Avatar
mfp4073
Fleet Mechanic
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 10
From: down south
I think the vagueness was in the execution not the theory. As in, where/how did you wire it in. What kind of relay, etc.
 
Reply
Old May 10, 2011 | 08:34 AM
  #5  
grandmas77f150's Avatar
grandmas77f150
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,017
Likes: 1
From: Jackson, MO
Yes, I want to know the type of relay and where you installed it
 
Reply
Old May 18, 2011 | 10:58 AM
  #6  
grandmas77f150's Avatar
grandmas77f150
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,017
Likes: 1
From: Jackson, MO
Does anyone know what needs to be done?
 
Reply
Old May 18, 2011 | 09:26 PM
  #7  
mfp4073's Avatar
mfp4073
Fleet Mechanic
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 10
From: down south
I think we got hit and run.
 
Reply
Old May 18, 2011 | 10:40 PM
  #8  
00GT's Avatar
00GT
More Turbo
15 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 560
Likes: 7
From: MICHIGAN
Originally Posted by grandmas77f150
Does anyone know what needs to be done?
Yes... pull the lever toward you and hold....both highs and lows will come on......lol. I would like some real details too.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-7

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
Old May 19, 2011 | 06:59 AM
  #9  
grandmas77f150's Avatar
grandmas77f150
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,017
Likes: 1
From: Jackson, MO
I posted this on another forum too. It sounds like someone could modify the multi function switch. Hopefully this guy gets back with us so we know exactly
 
Reply
Old May 19, 2011 | 08:25 AM
  #10  
00GT's Avatar
00GT
More Turbo
15 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 560
Likes: 7
From: MICHIGAN
My lights were looking real dim so I wet sanded the head lights and buffed them.100% brighter. And it just looks nicer to.
 
Reply
Old May 19, 2011 | 08:48 AM
  #11  
KhanTyranitar's Avatar
KhanTyranitar
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,432
Likes: 7
Originally Posted by 00GT
My lights were looking real dim so I wet sanded the head lights and buffed them.100% brighter. And it just looks nicer to.
Nice, but off topic. Besides, how long are they gonna stay nice, you need to recoat them with a UV blocking protective clearcoat. Solaray is a good product for that, just google Solaray Headlight Clearcoat. It will make sure they stay nice.

On the main topic, I do have some questions about this. Yes, how is this execution done? It is somewhat unprofessional to explain what you did with explaining how it was done. This sort of thing should really be accompanied with photographs or schematics. However, even a good description would suffice.

My next question is who knows how much heat the headlight can take? The headlight and multifunction switches are under a lot of stress anyway, so these mods would have to be done is such as way that those switches are protected from too much current. Hopefully your relay is connected in such a way as to prevent that. And what about the polycarbonate housing itself? Don't you think its going to get extremely hot with both filaments lighted at the same time. I have to think that you are risking melting something.
 
Reply
Old May 19, 2011 | 08:56 AM
  #12  
grandmas77f150's Avatar
grandmas77f150
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,017
Likes: 1
From: Jackson, MO
I don't see heat being a huge issue in regards to the housing. Think of all the vehicles with DRL's. Or car's that keep lows on the highs like the 02+ Expos

I think the main issue will be if the bulb can take it over an extended life. But then again, how long do you plan on keeping your brights on? Mine are never on for very long
 
Reply
Old May 23, 2011 | 11:56 AM
  #13  
grandmas77f150's Avatar
grandmas77f150
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,017
Likes: 1
From: Jackson, MO
This is how it's done.

(Middle of the page) High Beam Upgrades
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
klassic
2017 - 2022 Super Duty
10
Jan 24, 2017 09:21 PM
88_F0RD
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Dec 30, 2016 12:37 PM
ruphianh
2017 - 2022 Super Duty
12
Dec 21, 2016 08:27 AM
Gator4855
Excursion - King of SUVs
5
Oct 14, 2016 09:14 PM
rwilimo
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
162
Nov 13, 2014 12:51 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:01 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE