Adjusting Headlights - For Dummies w/pictures

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11-01-2012, 07:54 PM

sammie0126

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Adjusting Headlights - For Dummies w/pictures

Ok for those of us who really are not experts and need really detailed instructions I am posting some of the things I've done to my truck. Headlights were too high after new springs - put new Silverstars in and adjusted the headlight aim.

You need:
A flashlight to see
A Torx 15 driver
A roll of tape
Level and/or tape measure

Pull the truck onto a flat surface about 25 ft from a wall and turn the lights on then measure from the outside edge of the light beam and place a piece of tape across that distance on the wall. Doesn't look level in the picture but it was by the time I started adjusting, picture taken before I had it completely level.

Level the tape with either with a long level or a tape measure - measuring both ends and center from floor.

There are two torx 15 bolts to adjust the left right or up down level of the lights.

Top bolt is for left right and you turn counter clockwise to move the light beam in toward center.

Bottom bolt is for up down and you turn counter clockwise to move the light beam down.

I adjusted until they were the same distance from my tape line up/down and left/right then test drove. Adjusted several more times after each test drive until I got exactly how I wanted it, sure the neighbors thought I was nuts!
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11-02-2012, 12:28 AM

VQT

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Do you know the vertical distance from the ground up to the tape? Given that that lights beam are 25 ft from the source. I remember reading about the vertical distance at 25 ft away also.

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11-02-2012, 05:38 AM

sammie0126

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No height listed depends on vehicle and if it is lifted or not. Use the light pattern to determine your starting point. Here are full instructions but I just used the 25ft and measured off the starting point and eyeballed it from there in my "for dummies' instructions.

Screen Method Aiming
All headlamp types

NOTE: Horizontal aim is not necessary for VOR or VOL headlamps.
NOTE: Consult your state vehicle inspection manual for recommended tolerance ranges for visual aiming.
NOTE: The sight shield may need to be positioned or removed for access to the adjusters.

Before starting headlamp adjustment:
- Check the tire inflation.
- Check that no other load is in the vehicle other than a half tank of fuel.
- Check that the headlamps are clean.
- Check for correct headlamp operation.
- Check that the vehicle is on level ground.
- If the vehicle is equipped with air suspension, make sure that the switch is on.
  NOTE: The vertical wall or screen must be a minimum of 2.4 meters (8 feet) wide.
Park the vehicle on a level surface approximately 7.6 meters (25 feet) from the vertical wall or screen directly in front of it.

NOTE: The center of the lamp is marked by a 3 mm (0.12 in) circle on the headlamp lens.
Mark a horizontal reference line on the vertical wall or screen.
- Measure the center of the headlamp height to ground and record.
- Make a 2.4 meter (8 foot) horizontal mark (masking tape) on the vertical wall or screen at the same distance from the ground as previously recorded.

NOTE: This procedure should be done in a dark environment to effectively see the headlamp beam pattern.
Turn on the low beam headlamps to illuminate the wall or screen and open the hood.
NOTE: For SAE type headlamps, the appearance of the beam pattern may vary between vehicles.

On the wall or screen, locate the high intensity area of the beam pattern. Place the top edge of the high intensity zone even with the horizontal reference line.

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