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I've had my truck for about 4 years. The headlights have always been kinda dim. If I'm the only one on a road they are find but if there are street lights or other cars my lights are just about worthless. I've changed bulbs. The lights are working. I've changed alternator but not for the headlights reason.. Still the same. When I went the other day to check the adjustment I was surprised. I marked a three foot mark on my garage door. Parked the truck about 20ft from the door. Turned on the headlights and I saw nothing on the door. It was daytime but no sun shinning. I waited until it was almost dark. and tried again. I now can see a light but still nothing positive. I waited until it was totally dark and I need a flashlight. Now I can see a light but it seems to be scattered all over the door. I've tried adjustment but can't seem to get a beam like the ones in the videos. I even covered one light to see if I can concentrate on just the drivers side. It is so scattered There is no way I can get a adjustment anywhere close to what it suppose to have. When I covered drivers side I get a little better spot for the right beam but still nothing that I can get a adjustment with. Just scattered.... like as if I was 40 feet away from door or maybe more. And ideas? I've changed bulbs but not the light itself.
The outside of the lenses are probably distorted / dirty from age and etc. I used deep woods "OFF" (the bug repellent) to clean mine. It doesn't get them perfectly clean - but it makes the light shine through a lot better.
Wet down a small rag with the OFF and scrub the lenses.
If this is your problem you can also get new lenses.
The outside of the lenses are probably distorted / dirty from age and etc. I used deep woods "OFF" (the bug repellent) to clean mine. It doesn't get them perfectly clean - but it makes the light shine through a lot better.
Wet down a small rag with the OFF and scrub the lenses.
If this is your problem you can also get new lenses.
I should be able to see something on that wall in daytime shouldn't I?
If the light is fogged out then it should probably be changed out. I got a set on CP and they are very good lens. I also bought a voltage thing on Bronco Graveyard to up the power and that helped. Now I'm getting a LED set of bulbs from CP and can't wait to try them out. Mine were like yours, really bad. My wife never wanted to drive at night with the original setup.
If the light is fogged out then it should probably be changed out. I got a set on CP and they are very good lens. I also bought a voltage thing on Bronco Graveyard to up the power and that helped. Now I'm getting a LED set of bulbs from CP and can't wait to try them out. Mine were like yours, really bad. My wife never wanted to drive at night with the original setup.
It isn't clear so I'm not positive if it's fogged out. I know my wife's car is fogged bad but I can still see good. I've even changed the bulbs to LED.. Absolutely no change in being able to see. That's why I'm wondering if I should change the Light itself out. Wondering if anybody and a design they think is better. I bought some once for a different truck and the refraction was terrible. Anybody try those clear lenses? Would they be better or just stay with original style lenses?
I cleaned my OEM lenses by sanding and putting furniture laquer after sanding, not good as new but made the lighting more clearer at night and the lense looks ok.
Best option is to replace the lights. There are a ton of them to choose from on-line, I went with some aftermarket ones, can’t remember the brand, just picked some that had great reviews. Couple of things though, I sealed the seams on the new ones with silicone before I installed them and be sure to order new retainer clips because you’ll probably destroy them getting them out. They made a world of difference. They’re kind of a PITA to change but definitely worth it.
I caution you about buying cheap China junk on Ebay. I had to take a dremel to the bulb mounting area to file down all the imperfections from the casting. I think those six clips are enough. Pickleboater, what kind of silicone did you use?
6 of the clips are used for both lights. I’m pretty sure the brand that I bought was Autoandart. I got them on Amazon. I used Gorilla Glue brand silicone, and sealed the crap out them. Also, one other thing that I did was to re-use the old adjusters, they were beefier than the ones on the new lights, I just unscrewed them and left them in place. Then threaded the new lights onto them. That also saved fighting two less clips. I’ve had them since April, still looking and working great.
I think the worst part of changing them is getting the trim bezels off and on. There’s a ton of you-tube vids.
Voltage to the bulbs. Stock wiring runs all the headlight current through the dash light switch. Probably a good bit of resistance and voltage drop from that, plus the current heats up the dash switch. I put in a commercial relay kit from LMC, uses the original light circuit to control relays that switch power directly from batteries to lights. You can buy relays and DIY for less, but have to cut wires and splice. The commercial kit plugs into the existing wiring with no cutting or splicing. Result of either approach is heavier gage wiring and shorter run which should result in more voltage getting to the bulbs. Plus, less current through the dash switch and wiring, so lower risk of burning up something.
Headlight lenses and reflectors. Fogged lenses and pitted reflectors basically absorb much of the light the bulbs do emit. You've got several options for good-quality replacements and cleaning up your existing lenses. Note that commercial polishing kits also come with a UV protectant, so the lenses don't immediately start fogging again... and faster, since you've removed whatever original UV protectant remained. I replace my light buckets with a clear set from LMC. My 2005 BMW Z4 got a polish kit, because lens and bucket kits are pricey and look to be a pain to install. The OBS are fairly easy.
Bulbs. Could be bad or weak bulbs. But higher-output bulbs may not put much light on the road if there's not enough voltage getting to them or the lenses or reflectors are bad.
Bronco Graveyard has the harness on sale for 10% off currently! I have it on the Bricknose and the dually. I have photos in my build thread how to install it and how it was routed for a hidden look.
Replace the assemblies. Not that expensive, when you do use a quality light film atop of them. LaminX or Expel work well. I cannot recall where mine came from... LMC? Rockauto? LMR? One set fit like complete trash, so be aware.
I replace bulbs every few years for that reason above mentioned by Paddler, especially if you drive often in low light conditions. They output less with age.
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