Notices
1999 - 2016 Super Duty 1999 to 2016 Ford F250, F350, F450 and F550 Super Duty with diesel V8 and gas V8 and V10 engines
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Real Truck

Quick headlight question.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 25, 2012 | 06:48 PM
  #1  
SasquatchZilla's Avatar
SasquatchZilla
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 910
Likes: 0
From: Lebanon, OR
Quick headlight question.

I've got an 01 and put the silver light bulbs in. Better yes, but they don't project forward enough. They project outwards more like floods. And yes, I aimed them correctly.

Is the second gen headlight swap worth the effort. I noticed on one site they said their pigtails do not support upgraded bulbs.. but that they used the oem assemblies for the second gen swap.

For those who've done the swap or have a second gen one, but owned a first gen is the difference worth the cost? Not interested in the HID, bc if I'm out somewhere and those suckers crap out, I'm up you know what creek without a paddle.

Or should I just get projector beam lights at a similar cost?
 
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2012 | 08:38 PM
  #2  
SasquatchZilla's Avatar
SasquatchZilla
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 910
Likes: 0
From: Lebanon, OR
Don't forget about me!
 
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2012 | 08:55 PM
  #3  
Buck268's Avatar
Buck268
More Turbo
20 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 532
Likes: 0
From: Grand Rapids, MI
Well now I'm not sure whats going on with my '99 and while I openly admit they aren't the single most amazing headlights in the world I find they are VERY decent. I drive a lot of new(er) E350's at work and while the newest lights are definately much nicer on those I don't feel like I'm hurting with my '99 like some of those vans (even though the lights are almost the same).

What I'm saying is my lights work great as they are- which appears to be factory. I'm never pulled the bulbs to check yet but the harness looks stock with no relay upgrades and the housings look factory stock, too. Does your '01 have the same setup with the non-clear lenses?
 
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2012 | 11:07 PM
  #4  
Yahiko's Avatar
Yahiko
Fleet Owner
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
I posted some info to a guy that wanted to remove the HID's that he
got wit ha truck he just got. If you did install HID's and one goes out
it is very easy to switch back. Just remove the HID lamp and unplug
the ballast and reconnect the replacement lamp to the factory plug
and you good to go. One thing to look at is the reflector that is in the
headlamps you have not in bad shape ? It may be that is the real problem.
Here is the thread for one of the HIG questions
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1205022-hid-kit.html
and here is the other one. Look at post #8 for a how to guide
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-question.html
Even if you are not going to use HID's there is some good info on
the wiring.
Here is more info on lighting problems and not bright enough
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...9-f-350-a.html
Read post #4 by me and some info on using some relays

Sean
 
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2012 | 08:12 PM
  #5  
SasquatchZilla's Avatar
SasquatchZilla
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 910
Likes: 0
From: Lebanon, OR
Those HIDs you linked to look pretty good Yahiko.

My main question is "Is there a big difference as far as projection forward with the second gen SD headlights vs first gen?". If someone has done the swap I'd like to know their observations. The only reviews I've come across talk about how nice the "updated look" looks vs the actual functionality.

I currently have the 2 piece that uses the 7009(?) bulbs. I switched to the silverlights and re aimed them. The have a great "flood" pattern, but don't project out far enough forward. If I swapped to the second gen one piece set up and maybe hids would that increase my projection?
 
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2012 | 12:17 AM
  #6  
Yahiko's Avatar
Yahiko
Fleet Owner
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
I see (or do I)
I have an 06 and I think the light pattern is much better than I
have seen from others. But I have not been in the drivers seat
in one of the older trucks. If you like have a look at my photos
and see the pattern that I have with the HIDs
This photo is low no fog 4300K 55Watt


It is very defined and have a nice cutoff so I don't blast the guy in front of me. (on low that is)

Sean
P.S. I think I would of been OK at 35 watt
 
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2012 | 12:37 AM
  #7  
Yahiko's Avatar
Yahiko
Fleet Owner
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
Here is a photo of the patterns at about 20' from wall
Low Beam

High Beam


I find that I really don't use High any more

Sean
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Pshicker
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
22
Feb 15, 2017 08:49 AM
pin8246
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
21
Jan 28, 2015 03:34 PM
NorEasterMA
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
16
Oct 3, 2014 02:57 PM
smoke20
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
3
Jun 7, 2011 12:22 AM
davewave649
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Mar 23, 2010 10:50 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:23 AM.

story-0
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-1
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
story-2
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

Slideshow: Ranking the 5 things owners love about their Super Duty and 5 things they don't

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:36:49


VIEW MORE
story-8
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

Slideshow: Ranking all 12 Ford truck engines available in 2026.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 13:32:20


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

Slideshow: The best Ford F-150 deal for every trim level (XL through Raptor)

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-21 15:59:01


VIEW MORE