Notices
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L) Diesel Topics Only

New Headlights??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 27, 2015 | 01:20 PM
  #1  
Iowa-Rob's Avatar
Iowa-Rob
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 100
Likes: 1
From: Wilton, IA
New Headlights??

Looking to put a new headlight setup on the 94 but not sure what to buy.
I still have the stock headlight set-up. Sometimes, if the moon is bright, it's brighter than my headlights.
I would like something that looks trick but also will really light my way.
Anyone done a complete headlight swap upgrade? Have pictures? Where did you buy them? Use LEDs?

Thanks guys!
 
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2015 | 04:56 PM
  #2  
The_Josh_Bear's Avatar
The_Josh_Bear
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 867
Likes: 3
From: North Bend
Club FTE Gold Member
There are a few good write-ups on using relays to make your headlights work like they should have in the first place, which is one of my next things to do.
Outside of that I can't tell you much, except whatever you do, AIM your lights properly! Nothing worse than some idiot pickup/jeep driver that isn't smart enough to aim his brighter-than-the-Sun LEDs at the GROUND instead of up in my cab
 
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2015 | 09:45 PM
  #3  
shorerider16's Avatar
shorerider16
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 203
Likes: 1
From: Agassiz, BC Canada
Are the lenses and reflectors in good shape? If not even factory style replacements would make a big difference. Search on here for the headlight relay mod, it's quite cheap, relatively easy to do and makes a big difference. Depending on what's in your truck now a good quality replacement bulb could also help.


If your driving on a lot of highways and back roads with not a lot of traffic adding an aftermarket led light bar would make a big difference. I've had good luck so far with generic led lights of EBay for reasonable prices. Obviously this option doesn't work so well if your driving in populated areas.


As far as fancy aftermarket lights that replace the factory headlights go I don't know a whole lot.
 
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2015 | 07:00 AM
  #4  
tjc transport's Avatar
tjc transport
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,569
Likes: 5,605
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
Club FTE Gold Member
99.999% of aftermarket headlights sold ARE NOT DOT APPROVED, which means they are not allowed for on road use.

they may say dot compliant in the ad, but that is not dot approved.
 
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2015 | 08:25 AM
  #5  
tecgod13's Avatar
tecgod13
Logistics Pro
15 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,737
Likes: 179
From: Western Mass
Originally Posted by tjc transport
99.999% of aftermarket headlights sold ARE NOT DOT APPROVED, which means they are not allowed for on road use.

they may say dot compliant in the ad, but that is not dot approved.
True, but that doesn't stop Joe ****** from installing them and blinding everyone else...

I really wish there was some enforcement of bright headlights. I have awesome night vision so I'm continually blinded by oncoming traffic.

With that said... I'll agree adding the headlight relay mod made a world of difference with my '88. That and cleaning up the lenses with one of those headlight polishing kits helped a lot. And please make sure your lights are properly aimed.
 
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2015 | 08:34 AM
  #6  
tjc transport's Avatar
tjc transport
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,569
Likes: 5,605
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
Club FTE Gold Member
i really wish they would make it legal to stop those ***holes and be able to smash those damn headlights out of the vehicle
 
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2015 | 11:13 AM
  #7  
southern-old-bold's Avatar
southern-old-bold
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by tjc transport
i really wish they would make it legal to stop those ***holes and be able to smash those damn headlights out of the vehicle
Seems like it's a problem the world over. Shopping mall carparks must be really dark.
 
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2015 | 01:33 AM
  #8  
thzpcs's Avatar
thzpcs
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
You could always add some LED fogs or something if you're only having issues on the back roads. A lot of the LED bulbs really suck, but if you get the right ones, they're amazing. I had a friend install them, and I thought he had done an HID swap! They're really nice as they're brighter, but won't blind people like those jerks who put HIDs into their regular reflector housings and blind everyone.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Nov 30, 2015 | 01:15 PM
  #9  
fordtruckman838's Avatar
fordtruckman838
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Saint Maries Idaho
Originally Posted by thzpcs
You could always add some LED fogs or something if you're only having issues on the back roads. A lot of the LED bulbs really suck, but if you get the right ones, they're amazing. I had a friend install them, and I thought he had done an HID swap! They're really nice as they're brighter, but won't blind people like those jerks who put HIDs into their regular reflector housings and blind everyone.
Cyclops Adventure sports Long range optimus. Nuff said. I have a set on my Dl-1000 Adv bike and can see our local kamikaze deer at about a 1/4 mile. They have the best lights and best warranty of any led bulb manufacture that I have seen anywhere, bar none. Adding those also halved the number of people pulling out in front of me, makes the bike a lot more visible.
 
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2015 | 09:55 PM
  #10  
Iowa-Rob's Avatar
Iowa-Rob
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 100
Likes: 1
From: Wilton, IA
Thanks guys for all the replies.


I have not done the relay mod. So maybe we should try that first.
We live out n the country and I'm worried about deer, or cows, or whatever...
I agree that having them aimed helps everyone!!
 
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2015 | 10:06 PM
  #11  
hairyboxnoogle's Avatar
hairyboxnoogle
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,945
Likes: 13
I was in the same boat as you with the lights. Polishing didnt do a whole lot. So i went with something like this 1992 1996 Ford Bronco F150 F250 F350 "Factory Style" 6P Corner Bumper Head Light | eBay
MUCH better even with the stock bulbs. Quality is as decent as you can expect for chinese. I thought i could do even better with HIDs and projectors. $400 later, the projectors are marginally better than the chinese housings. Also, they are DOT approved, they have the stamp on the lense even. They have a very nice flood quality, and dont blind enemy, i mean other drivers. Lemme see if i can dig up some pics.

The only one i have saved to my albums here, unable to get on facebook currently to get the others.
 
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2017 | 12:54 AM
  #12  
Paddy Murphy's Avatar
Paddy Murphy
New User
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Bright Lights = Bright Nights.

I went with Recon for all mu lighting needs when i got my F350.

The headlights are awesome when you switch out the bulb in the projector to a HID. Lots of discussions on the HID vs newer LED.

I recently switched my 35w HID 6000K bulbs to an equivalent in LED and was extremely disappointed. I switched back to HID.
If i had my time back i wold have went with the 55w HID ballasts and bulbs.

I also installed a 24" LED Light bar from Recon in the lower Air Dam. What a complete disappointment. After running the truck with it for 5 years and making excuses that the HIDs were out lighting it. I replaced it with a Rough Country 24" LED Light bar.

What a difference. The new light bar washes out the HID's. Then above and below the Ford badge in the grill I dremmeled out the black plastic grill to install an upper and lower 30" light bar from Rough Country. Everyone comments on how sick it looks.

Me im blown away by the light when im off road on an oilfield lease.
 
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2017 | 08:38 PM
  #13  
Iowa-Rob's Avatar
Iowa-Rob
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 100
Likes: 1
From: Wilton, IA
Paddy do you have any pics of your truck?
We never did do anything.
But then my son wrecked it! Took out the headlights and grill and all.
Doing a bunch of engine mods now. But we will be ready for lights soon...... I hope!
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Paul_Bukowski
2015 - 2020 F150
43
Nov 14, 2024 12:16 AM
Icthus in AK
6.7L Power Stroke Diesel
32
Nov 3, 2014 07:31 PM
Bigtruc
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
10
Jun 22, 2012 08:30 PM
mikebrawn1
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Jul 8, 2010 06:29 AM
stevenn1
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
12
Nov 6, 2006 11:29 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:39 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE