Headlight swap questions
#1
Headlight swap questions
First of all how do you get those clips off of the headlights? I broke one of them trying to get it off so now the retaining ring is stuck. The others I cannot budge.
Second, I bought a used set of 2003 lights from craigslist. The seller had done the 05+ swap and sold these lights. I noticed at the time of transaction that the lights did not have the adjustment screws on them, but I didn't make a big deal since I figured I could re-use the ones I had. Apparently not. It is dark outside now, but I will get a better look tomorrow in the daylight, but the 99-01 lights seem to mount differently. I have two adjustment screws, but on the outer corner of my lights now, there is a fixed plastic tab that is held in place with the clip, and does not have an adjustment screw there, whereas it appears that the newer lights do. I can't buy the adjustment screws separately from Ford, so if I end up needing the adjustment screw, I will hope someone here has one laying around.
Second, I bought a used set of 2003 lights from craigslist. The seller had done the 05+ swap and sold these lights. I noticed at the time of transaction that the lights did not have the adjustment screws on them, but I didn't make a big deal since I figured I could re-use the ones I had. Apparently not. It is dark outside now, but I will get a better look tomorrow in the daylight, but the 99-01 lights seem to mount differently. I have two adjustment screws, but on the outer corner of my lights now, there is a fixed plastic tab that is held in place with the clip, and does not have an adjustment screw there, whereas it appears that the newer lights do. I can't buy the adjustment screws separately from Ford, so if I end up needing the adjustment screw, I will hope someone here has one laying around.
#3
Ok, since I have personally done the job twice, on 2 trucks , here is what I did.
#1. its way easier to remove the entire headlight and grill mounting panel with the headlights intact and swap the headlights on the bench, because the access is almost impossible otherwise.
#2. I was also missing a couple small pieces of hardware like you, and I salvaged them from the old lights prying the piece off and snapping it into the 02-04 style light, even though the length is off a little, its adjustable and will work fine.
#3. I was missing those mounting clips, and with a trip to home depot , I used small snap rings stacked up until each mount was tight.
#1. its way easier to remove the entire headlight and grill mounting panel with the headlights intact and swap the headlights on the bench, because the access is almost impossible otherwise.
#2. I was also missing a couple small pieces of hardware like you, and I salvaged them from the old lights prying the piece off and snapping it into the 02-04 style light, even though the length is off a little, its adjustable and will work fine.
#3. I was missing those mounting clips, and with a trip to home depot , I used small snap rings stacked up until each mount was tight.
#4
As far as snapping in the adjusters from the 99-01 lights, I can do that with two of the three but that top one as circled in the photos is a different shape and will not swap into the 02-04 light. That mount is non-adjustable on the early light and seemingly adjustable on the newer light. I don't have the adjustment screw for that location on the new lights. I really don't want to take the whole front end off, as that might be even harder with the grill guard in place, so I will have to figure out how to get those clips off. I don't mind breaking them and getting some new clips from Ford if need be.
#5
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