Headlight upgrade

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Nov 20, 2015 | 04:57 PM

#16

pawpaw

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From: SW Va

I've installed BEL deer whistles on All family vehicles & since doing that, we've not had any dart in front. You can see the deer raise their head & look toward the vehicle & watch it as we approach, but they don't move. I know its said the whistles don't work, but that's not been our experience. Before installing them, the Wife, Daughter & I, each had one dart in front of us.
Mine jumped up out of a ditch along side the road where it had been feeding & got close enough running right in front of me that its rear hoof ticked the front bumper as I hit the brakes Hard, on wifes Neon brand new brake pads I was bedding in. Those puppies Really got bedded in on that slowing action. I tried to push that danged brake pedal through the floor board. Thought I was going to rear end that danged deer, but when its hoof ticked the front bumper, it picked up speed & pulled ahead, then darted left across the oncoming lane & down a wooded side road.
After that close call, All family vehicles got the deer whistles & I always use the fog lights on the Ranger when towing, so I have a better chance seeing them & can slow when passing in case one gets crazy, as the rural roads & fields to & from the lake are loaded with deer around here.

Nov 20, 2015 | 08:08 PM

#17

MikeB 88

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Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jan 2005

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My wife bought me a pair of those as a joke. I just might put them on.

Nov 20, 2015 | 08:26 PM

#18

pawpaw

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From: SW Va

On the Ranger, Taurus, Neon & daughters new Kia Optima, I installed them down low in front where air flow is increased, like below the bumper where it enters the Ranger lower fascia opening for the tranny & power steering coolers. Out of sight there, but gets good air flow so the sound is loud & projected forward. EDIT: We can't hear the sound, but the deer by their reactions when feeding of raising their head to look our way, indicate to me they can hear it.

Nov 21, 2015 | 05:49 AM

#19

MikeB 88

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Thanks for the insight. I've got a good idea on where to install them. Onc e I install them plus do a fog light upgrade, I'll feel safer.

Nov 21, 2015 | 11:05 AM

#20

pawpaw

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From: SW Va

Ok, keep us posted on what you decide to do & how it turns out.

Dec 27, 2015 | 05:19 PM

#21

grunt98444

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Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 30

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From: Bremerton WA

Added the OEM fog lights, used E-bay for the lights and a different center stack facia vs a new headlight switch, added a lot more peripheral light + they get used as drl's

Also upgraded to the Sylvania Silverstar Ultra bulbs for both head & fog lights, big difference in light output + a higher kelvin (around 5,000)

Dec 28, 2015 | 05:02 PM

#22

CBB9M

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Joined: Oct 2013

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Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeB 88

I do most of my driving at night to/from work. I'd like to upgrade the lighting of my headlights in order to see better. The headlights in my 2000 Ranger are stock, and I keep the lenses clean with no yellowing or dulling. What would/could be my best affordable options? Replace bulbs or replace the entire assembly?

Here's the very best way at this point in history to retrofit your headlights for improved performance and without blinding oncoming traffic (and forcing people to turn their brights on in front of the person with the blinding headlight so they can see) with illegal lighting that US customs failed to intercept (and yes, they are doing just that as best as they can):

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford'05HG

Go on amazon and look for new fixtures with clear lenses, and then throw a set of HIDs in it. You should be able to see a hundred miles with that setup. I'm doing the same and you can get it all done and to your door for $150 or less.

And like pawpaw mentioned, fog lights are great for wide visibility, especially with HIDs in them too. You could drive with HID fogs alone if it was legal.

Plus, HIDs outlast regular bulbs and use less energy.

Illegal on the public roadways in all 50 states, Canada and Mexico, not to mention blinding oncoming traffic with immense glare and falsely making the person with the defective lighting feel they made an *improvement*. It's important to understand that just because it's for sale on the internet doesn't mean it's legal and safe for use on public roads.

This is an excellent article that clearly explains exactly why slapping HID's into headlight fixtures designed for incandescent bulbs is a huge no-no. A must read for anyone who want to upgrade their headlights the right way.

Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

Dec 29, 2015 | 12:24 PM

#23

02FX4Dude

Senior User

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 352

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From: Waukesha, WI

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBB9M

I agree, if you want performance lighting projectors are the way to go. Fog lights and PNP HID are fine for driving around town on well lit streets under 40mph but the massive foreground light ruins any distance vision, for me it does anyway. Problem is the Ranger headlight assemblies are not easy plug+play with projectors. And if you don't have a mind for fabbing a retrofit yourself, you pay big $$$ for someone to do it for you. Even if you do the retrofit yourself it still runs to $350 or more.

I did mini H1 projectors in my Ranger years ago, they are way better than the halogens. I bought parts to upgrade to FX-R's but that probably won't be until spring.