Headlights upgrade
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 582
Likes: 2
From: Eads, TN
Headlights upgrade
I'm beginning to want better lighting at night as my headlights are original...OEM. My truck is a 2003 F250. The lenses are clear, no fogging or discoloration, but they just seem dim.
I was considering a complete swap with some headlights I found on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/331255641952?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Not sure if any of you have bought these or similar ones, and how happy were you? I can't imagine swapping them out would be too difficult, but some of the search results I read where someone had to cut out or alter some of the truck housing, which I'm not interested in doing.
I'm also not that interested in the "bling" these somewhat give compared to OEM that I have now. Will these give me that much better lighting? I also don't want to blind oncoming traffic either.
Other that those on eBay, I was contemplating on just switching out the bulbs to Sylvania SilverStar Ultra 9007. Wondering if I would just be as happy with the bulb swap compared to the entire housing swap? Is there really a big difference in the two options?
I was considering a complete swap with some headlights I found on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/331255641952?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Not sure if any of you have bought these or similar ones, and how happy were you? I can't imagine swapping them out would be too difficult, but some of the search results I read where someone had to cut out or alter some of the truck housing, which I'm not interested in doing.
I'm also not that interested in the "bling" these somewhat give compared to OEM that I have now. Will these give me that much better lighting? I also don't want to blind oncoming traffic either.
Other that those on eBay, I was contemplating on just switching out the bulbs to Sylvania SilverStar Ultra 9007. Wondering if I would just be as happy with the bulb swap compared to the entire housing swap? Is there really a big difference in the two options?
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
I have a 2002 F250, and changed out my headlights to the 05 clear light housings with H13 bulbs and yes there was cutting involved to get them to fit. I also went with 6k HID lights with relay setup. I was using the Silverstars H13 and in my opinion they were garbage. Once I went with the 6K it was 100x better, i'm running a 4" lift so i adjusted the lights so it doesn't blind any oncoming traffic or the person in front of me through their rear view.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,647
Likes: 891
From: north of Minneapolis, MN
Get a upgraded headlight harness, like this
http://www.dfuserpower.com/catalog/harness.php
Through some XtraVision bulbs in...enjoy.
http://www.dfuserpower.com/catalog/harness.php
Through some XtraVision bulbs in...enjoy.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 793
Likes: 29
Am still running the original headlights as they are among the best that I have come across.
Perhaps yours are just getting dirty from the inside? Prior to going to expense and time of swapping the headlight assembly, try cleaning the lenses first. And Yes, this is possible by cutting a wire coat hanger, wrapping / taping paper towels around it (partially to protect the lens from the wire and partially to clean the lens), douse the towels with window cleaner, and swab the innards. Did this in my gasser when it was about 15 years old and got an instant and noticeable increase in light output.
If that does not get it, perhaps it is the bulb. My favorite remains Sylvania (the bright ones).
Also, there is a mod to also turn on the driving lights with the high beams.
Perhaps yours are just getting dirty from the inside? Prior to going to expense and time of swapping the headlight assembly, try cleaning the lenses first. And Yes, this is possible by cutting a wire coat hanger, wrapping / taping paper towels around it (partially to protect the lens from the wire and partially to clean the lens), douse the towels with window cleaner, and swab the innards. Did this in my gasser when it was about 15 years old and got an instant and noticeable increase in light output.
If that does not get it, perhaps it is the bulb. My favorite remains Sylvania (the bright ones).
Also, there is a mod to also turn on the driving lights with the high beams.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,344
Likes: 5,941
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
A lot of information in the two links below...
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-pictures.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...y-upgrade.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-pictures.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...y-upgrade.html
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 582
Likes: 2
From: Eads, TN
Get a upgraded headlight harness, like this
http://www.dfuserpower.com/catalog/harness.php
Through some XtraVision bulbs in...enjoy.
http://www.dfuserpower.com/catalog/harness.php
Through some XtraVision bulbs in...enjoy.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,647
Likes: 891
From: north of Minneapolis, MN
The factory wiring causes a voltage drop, that in turn diminishes the lumens of the bulb. The upgraded harness allows full voltage to reach the bulbs.
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Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 582
Likes: 2
From: Eads, TN
That's if I just swap out the bulbs and not the LED projection headlights(as in the eBay headlights above)......correct?
If I chose the eBay units, would I also have to upgrade the wiring harness as well?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,647
Likes: 891
From: north of Minneapolis, MN
Having minimal voltage drop has to be a benefit no matter what you put in. HID's are another story I suppose.
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 582
Likes: 2
From: Eads, TN
New User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Tallahassee
Get a upgraded headlight harness, like this
http://www.dfuserpower.com/catalog/harness.php
Through some XtraVision bulbs in...enjoy.
http://www.dfuserpower.com/catalog/harness.php
Through some XtraVision bulbs in...enjoy.
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 582
Likes: 2
From: Eads, TN
Thanks for all the information, guys.
I think I'm going to stay with my OE housing and buy the upgrade harness. Now my dilemma is which bulbs to buy? Some of you chose Phillips, some chose Sylvania. I don't want a spot light effect and I want something that will be an obvious improvement from what I have now, but I also don't want to have to change them out every year.
Is there some type of comparison chart out there where I can see the difference in the various bulbs?
I think I'm going to stay with my OE housing and buy the upgrade harness. Now my dilemma is which bulbs to buy? Some of you chose Phillips, some chose Sylvania. I don't want a spot light effect and I want something that will be an obvious improvement from what I have now, but I also don't want to have to change them out every year.
Is there some type of comparison chart out there where I can see the difference in the various bulbs?