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?

 

Don't forget about me!

 

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?

 

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

 

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?

 

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

 

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