Cheap Headlights
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 412
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From: Fresno, CA
Cheap Headlights
Cheap headlights are just that, cheap. I've been wanting to upgrade the headlights on my '00 for oh, about the last 7 years and I finally decided to go for it. After a bunch of research I found that most people are happy with the cheap 02-04 lights from RockAuto. I ended up ordering a set of TYC from Amazon. They look great, the light output is totally unacceptable.
First is my original 2000 headlights with bulbs that are at least 7 years old.
Then, a blurry photo with a new TYC in the drivers side
Then a good shot of the beams themselves
The OE light
The TYC
Both TYC
I tried driving it and there are 2 super bright spots and then just light splashing everywhere else. I'm glad I bought them from Amazon and returns are easy. Back to the drawing board, likely OE 2005 housings are next.
First is my original 2000 headlights with bulbs that are at least 7 years old.
Then, a blurry photo with a new TYC in the drivers side
Then a good shot of the beams themselves
The OE light
The TYC
Both TYC
I tried driving it and there are 2 super bright spots and then just light splashing everywhere else. I'm glad I bought them from Amazon and returns are easy. Back to the drawing board, likely OE 2005 housings are next.
It's a Van Gogh
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,795
Likes: 1,326
From: Elk Grove, CA
I bought the $32 fleabay chingaderas too, one a Depot brand and the other (that arrived 3 days later) the TYC. That one is on my driver side and the light pattern is exactly like that. The Depot is fine but the TYC just plain sucks. I also have HIDs which complicates assigning blame for the bad pattern, but your pic proves it's mostly the lens. It's functional so I'm rolling with it, but next time OEM baby.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
I bought mine from Rock Auto. Don't remember which brand, but they beat the pants off the sandblasted OEM ones on my 02 when I switched them out.
Have you thought about contacting Rock Auto for an exchange? Got any pics of the lights in the day time? Is it a bad reflector that is the problem?
Have you thought about contacting Rock Auto for an exchange? Got any pics of the lights in the day time? Is it a bad reflector that is the problem?
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 412
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From: Fresno, CA
I bought mine from Rock Auto. Don't remember which brand, but they beat the pants off the sandblasted OEM ones on my 02 when I switched them out.
Have you thought about contacting Rock Auto for an exchange? Got any pics of the lights in the day time? Is it a bad reflector that is the problem?
Have you thought about contacting Rock Auto for an exchange? Got any pics of the lights in the day time? Is it a bad reflector that is the problem?
I think it is just poor design/manufacturing. It seems that the bulb is not sitting in quite the right place in the reflector.
I have been considering cutting them up for an HID retrofit, but I'm not sure if I want to spend that kind of time, or money.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,371
Likes: 46
From: Palm Bay, Florida
I've had the '02-'04 OEM FORD headlights in my '99 for about 4 years now along with Sylvania SilverStar bulbs, (I had the lights professionally aligned after the swap) and I am very satisfied with the output/light I'm getting out of them.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 412
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From: Fresno, CA
After a bunch more research I am gonna try a set of '02 lights from 1aauto.com. The pictures I have seen look pretty good and the price is great.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 412
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From: Fresno, CA
Got my lights from 1AAuto.com. They are Eagle Eye brand, and the price was great. The light output is greatly improved from the TYC, and WAY better than my original '00 lights. I'm not totally happy with the pattern, but for the investment I am OK with them for now. They will probably get HID projector conversions next year.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: SoCal/Wyoming
One thing I did learn today, changing out the stock fog light bulbs with 9005's is a PITA. I have the license plate frame so I thought I could pull the grill and reach it, no good. The only way to get the license plate holder off is to break the rivets holding it on. Went back to Ford to get some new nylon/plastic rivets and while they gave them to me or no cost, they at too large to fit in your standard rivet gun. Went to 6 stores and could not find one to fit so I ended up holding the rivet in place with a screwdriver and pulling the pin with pliers to set them. Just passing this info on in case you decide to upgrade these while doing the main lights.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 412
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From: Fresno, CA
Thanks for the info, but I don't have fog lights. I'm thinking about adding a set of LED fogs to supplement the low beams, but I'm not a huge fan of driving around with the fog lights on all the time. I have 4 100w lights mounted to the bumper, but they don't do me any good around town.
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