Notices
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Bumpsides Ford Truck

Headlight pattern/spread

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 6, 2014 | 10:58 PM
  #1  
351Cleveland C4's Avatar
351Cleveland C4
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 8,678
Likes: 191
From: On the Edge of the Desert
Ive adjusted my headlights so that the high beams shined down the road straight ahead, but the low beams only get a few feet out from the truck. Is that normal? New cars obviously spread the light out way more than that. But I can't get mine lined up right. These are aftermarket clear lens lights with a 9003 style bulb. I've heard of the 7" LED headlights, but are they any better as far as the light pattern?
 
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2014 | 11:59 PM
  #2  
HIO Silver's Avatar
HIO Silver
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
Good optics and refraction needs to be engineered. Some aftermarket products provide 'the look' but not necessarily the quality.

I suggest performing the alignment procedures described in the following article to determine what yer working with and go from there. It may end up ok. Maybe not. At least you'll know whether the lense and/or reflector was correctly engineered.

Installing Halogen Headlights - Mustang Monthly Magazine Photo & Image Gallery
 
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2014 | 12:15 AM
  #3  
351Cleveland C4's Avatar
351Cleveland C4
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 8,678
Likes: 191
From: On the Edge of the Desert
Good info hio. Thanks bud. I was looking for the actual adjustment process, but I just took it out on a dark road and did what looked good.

I'll adjust them to spec and see what happens.
 
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2014 | 08:30 AM
  #4  
D & D's Avatar
D & D
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 474
Likes: 3
From: Central Wisconsin
Originally Posted by 351Cleveland C4
Good info hio. Thanks bud. I was looking for the actual adjustment process, but I just took it out on a dark road and did what looked good.

I'll adjust them to spec and see what happens.

That method is what I have always used. Make sure you are adjusting on low beam. The highs should come out fine.
 
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2014 | 12:43 PM
  #5  
ultraranger's Avatar
ultraranger
Lead Driver
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,399
Likes: 40
From: El Dorado, Arkansas
 
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2014 | 08:23 PM
  #6  
FECruzer69's Avatar
FECruzer69
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
There's a gravel road about one mile north of town that's nice and flat, dark and quiet. That's where I go to adjust the headlights on all my vehicles. I always take a couple of old towels with me so that I can hang them in front of the other lights while I'm adjusting one light.
 
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2014 | 08:29 PM
  #7  
351Cleveland C4's Avatar
351Cleveland C4
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 8,678
Likes: 191
From: On the Edge of the Desert
Originally Posted by FECruzer69
There's a gravel road about one mile north of town that's nice and flat, dark and quiet. That's where I go to adjust the headlights on all my vehicles. I always take a couple of old towels with me so that I can hang them in front of the other lights while I'm adjusting one light.
That's basically what I did
 
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2014 | 10:03 PM
  #8  
351Cleveland C4's Avatar
351Cleveland C4
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 8,678
Likes: 191
From: On the Edge of the Desert
Got it lined up in the driveway tonight, used the garage door, adjusted them, took it out on the road and they are pretty good. Now I'm gonna get some good bulbs and see what that does.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-3

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-6

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 7, 2014 | 10:13 PM
  #9  
HIO Silver's Avatar
HIO Silver
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
Originally Posted by 351Cleveland C4
That's basically what I did
And that's prolly why ya ended up posting yer question/issue in FTE!
 
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2014 | 10:39 PM
  #10  
351Cleveland C4's Avatar
351Cleveland C4
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 8,678
Likes: 191
From: On the Edge of the Desert
Yeah, it was my first attempt. They were nowhere close to lined up before. The dirt road got them close. Now they are pretty good though. I want to get some small driving lights to put on the front somewhere. Maybe in the grille.
 
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2014 | 10:48 PM
  #11  
HIO Silver's Avatar
HIO Silver
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
Originally Posted by 351Cleveland C4
Yeah, it was my first attempt. They were nowhere close to lined up before. The dirt road got them close. Now they are pretty good though. I want to get some small driving lights to put on the front somewhere. Maybe in the grille.
Stick 'em in the bumper like I did...ala LMC's custom bumpers. They're visually unobtrusive...

 
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2014 | 10:52 PM
  #12  
351Cleveland C4's Avatar
351Cleveland C4
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 8,678
Likes: 191
From: On the Edge of the Desert
I'm worried I'd break them down there, or fold the bumper where the holes are. I've been known to ram stuff. Lol
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
James Doty
1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis
9
Nov 13, 2018 04:37 AM
Rusty_S
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
Nov 9, 2014 07:59 AM
curtis73
1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis
5
Mar 10, 2012 10:10 PM
shawn001
2004 - 2008 F150
10
Mar 13, 2007 06:49 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:44 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