I’m looking to replace/ update my headlights in my 02 F250. They are currently stock and the housing are yellowed pretty badly. I get decent lighting but I would like to upgrade. I know this subject has been beaten to death but in my research, I can’t seem to find a definitive solution. I do not want to cut the header panel or retrofit to 05-07 style lights if I do not have to. Regardless of the route I go, I will be replacing the headlight buckets with new clear ones.

Options from my research-

1. HID’s from Mishmoto or Retro Solutions- https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...installed.html

Pro’s-

High light output

Pretty well put together kit

Fairly simple to install

Con’s

Expensive

Possibly hard to aim?

Electrical interference with tuners


2. LEDs from Trucklite- https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...tes-led-s.html

Pro’s

Great light output

Con’s

Sealed beam style buckets- I don’t think the black bezels around the lights would look good with a chrome bumper and grille

Expensive

Could ice up (don’t produce heat)



I would like to keep the same headlight style (non-sealed beam) and have seen a couple of guys that took an LED sealed beam style light and mounted it in headlight buckets. If I go the LED route I will probably attempt this. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...s-led-s-2.html



3. New, higher power bulbs and harness

Pro’s

Fairly simple

Relatively cheap

Con’s

Probably not as much light as the other options

Have to build wiring harness (for higher output)



Any ideas or suggestions are welcome; I would also like to hear any reviews from anyone who has upgraded their lights.



Thanks-

 

Subscribing...while it's true this subject has been gone over before, lighting technology is changing so fast that it is worth checking on a regular basis.

 

I converted to 05 headlights and Retro-Solutions 55 watt Bi-Xenon HID kit. In good faith I would not recommend their HID kit for the truck. I bought 4 kits from him and have had nothing but problems with truck kit. The others have had no issues other than his replacement bulbs do not perform the same as the originals. It is a long story and if you or anybody wants more info PM me.

 

Headlights are a hit and miss on here. Thousands of opinions. I would start with LED bulbs though. If you are like us, we keep trying to get them perfect. We have been on a long expensive journey!

Good luck!

 

Ive been pretty happy with my 01 having put 03(clear) housings in with silverstars. It was a tight fit to swap out fwiw but it has the clear side lightn compared to the yellow

 

 

I purchased these from EBay https://www.ebay.com/itm/1999-2004-F...72.m2749.l2649 and then bought this HID kit and then added some LED bulbs for the brights.

I did have to do some cutting, but once cut it was a nice fit. Also I can adjust the horizontal and vertical position of the low and high beams. No more large gaps between the headlight and fender nor blinding people.

 

I have a set of the 03 style clear housings/signals (still 2 piece) I purchased from 1Aauto with silverstar ultra's and they perform great and look great with a chrome bumper and billet grill...excellent output and crystal clear. Total install time was less than 15 minutes per side.

 

I know HID's and LED's are all the rage but I went this way and couldn't be happier. Huge improvement over original and more than enough light even for these old tired eyes. The light assembly's are direct fit and the 12 volts directly to the bulbs really brightens them up. Got the idea for the harness upgrade from this thread by Sous https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-pictures.html



https://www.1aauto.com/products/i/1ALHT00151?trk_msg=153CDMFVDU6KD334ALPJMS9RVG&trk_ contact=3FVCMKQFNQRQI5BJ3U1508J9J8&trk_module=tra& trk_sid=LFOJVHDHAUUD3HDLEL2D02U1SG&utm_source=Tran sactional&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=https%3a%2f%2f www.1aauto.com%2fproducts%2fi%2f1ALHT00151&utm_cam paign=OrderConfirmation&utm_content=1A+Order+Confi rmation

Heavy duty headlight harness


https://coolbulbs.com/hdh9007



https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sylvania-Si...item23b0d007dd

 

I think I'm going to go the simple route. New housings, bulbs, and upgraded harness. At some point I'll probably end up playing with cutting my old housings up and mounting either a projector or LEDs in them.

Thanks for the input, I'll be sure to return the favor when I get around to experimenting.

 

The harness is available on the marketplace.

 

Here's my second set of projector lights. Look 100x better than I had on before.

 

Did you build these? Are the LED's switch back?

 

I did not build them. I provided a link above where I got them. I did wire the LED strip into a wire that was acc only. So the light strip always comes on when I start the truck. I like it that way. You can wire them up however you want.

 

That's nice they look better, but what I and most care about is how do they work. How is the light cut off on the low beam projector? How much light is thrown down range on high beam? Inquiring minds want to know.