Headlight upgrades
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
From: Ventura, Ca
it's a pretty straight forward mod. you just need a dremmel or a cut off wheel, 06 headlights and plug adapters.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...in-a-99-a.html
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Headlight-Co...ZXFD7s&vxp=mtr
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 435
Likes: 2
From: Bloomfield, NM
Well, I got my lenses cleaned up. And they are noticeably brighter. So now I'm looking at bulbs. Anybody have experience with Sylvania silver star ultras or Phillips xtreme?
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
I run the Silver Star Ultras. They are an improvement over the stock bulbs, but not a huge improvement. Maybe a 10% improvement over stock.
There are a lot of warnings about shorter bulb life, but I have been running them since 2012 without a failure. (Probably just jinxed myself
).
There are a lot of warnings about shorter bulb life, but I have been running them since 2012 without a failure. (Probably just jinxed myself
).
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 243
Likes: 16
From: Estacada, Oregon
Painless wiring has a kit which hooks up your lights directly from the battery with heavier wire. This allows the headlights to get the voltage they were designed for and they are noticeably brighter (but not too bright).
The PO of my truck did it, and I have no complaints.
The PO of my truck did it, and I have no complaints.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 435
Likes: 2
From: Bloomfield, NM
Is there a fuse or relay involved with that kit? I read another similar thread recently and a post mentioned that a kit like that greatly increased risk of fire. I will look at the kit when im off work but i like first hand input haha and I'm leaning towards the silveratar ultras if I change bulbs. My biggest concern is bulb life. The Phillips bulbs actually come up as no longer available on several sites. Makes me wonder how good their quality is if they aren't readily available.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,144
Likes: 1
From: ALPHA ,NJ
As stated the Halogen headlights for all Super Duties are terrible. Depending on your budget your best bet would be a HID or LED Retrofit. I had and 02 with lights like yours and wanted better light. I liked the 05-07 headlights better, but like stated, they're no better for throwing the light where it needs to go. So i put the 05-07 headlights through a retrofit and I got great results. I haven't been on in a while so I forget how to link pictures, but my registry has pictures.
Like Firekite stated, adding a LED light bar or a set of Hellas or Piaa lights would be your cheapest option and help for night time driving on those back roads. Depending on your need you can pick up a 30-40" bar for about 100$ on amazon, not great quality, but still throws a whole lot more light then the poor headlights that come on the trucks
Justin
Like Firekite stated, adding a LED light bar or a set of Hellas or Piaa lights would be your cheapest option and help for night time driving on those back roads. Depending on your need you can pick up a 30-40" bar for about 100$ on amazon, not great quality, but still throws a whole lot more light then the poor headlights that come on the trucks
Justin
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 314
Likes: 11
From: Dallas / Ft. Worth Area
As stated the Halogen headlights for all Super Duties are terrible. Depending on your budget your best bet would be a HID or LED Retrofit. I had and 02 with lights like yours and wanted better light. I liked the 05-07 headlights better, but like stated, they're no better for throwing the light where it needs to go. So i put the 05-07 headlights through a retrofit and I got great results. I haven't been on in a while so I forget how to link pictures, but my registry has pictures.
Like Firekite stated, adding a LED light bar or a set of Hellas or Piaa lights would be your cheapest option and help for night time driving on those back roads. Depending on your need you can pick up a 30-40" bar for about 100$ on amazon, not great quality, but still throws a whole lot more light then the poor headlights that come on the trucks
Justin
Like Firekite stated, adding a LED light bar or a set of Hellas or Piaa lights would be your cheapest option and help for night time driving on those back roads. Depending on your need you can pick up a 30-40" bar for about 100$ on amazon, not great quality, but still throws a whole lot more light then the poor headlights that come on the trucks
Justin
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,144
Likes: 1
From: ALPHA ,NJ
i believe they improved the output because they flipped the marker and headlight locations and were able to change the beam pattern to one more acceptable because of the new height. But compared to what is available out there with projector housings for halogen, and LED and HID bulb options all super duty headlights are terrible.
New User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
Maybe he's asking here because Google BRINGS people here, where there are supposed to be fellow Ford owners who have encountered issues that are being asked about.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 4
From: Lakehills, TX
No, it doesn't. https://www.google.com/search?q=Sylv...r+zXe+vs+Ultra
It's such a specific question, splitting such minute hairs, and not at all Ford specific (much less trucks in particular) that if he really thinks it's important, then he should cast much, much broader net.
It's such a specific question, splitting such minute hairs, and not at all Ford specific (much less trucks in particular) that if he really thinks it's important, then he should cast much, much broader net.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
blue924.9
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Oct 9, 2015 05:14 AM
Icthus in AK
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
9
Oct 20, 2014 03:19 PM
fridgeddiesel
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
1
Mar 26, 2011 01:07 PM
allisonmo2
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
20
Mar 19, 2009 09:15 PM