Ok so on the short list is new headlights, I searched I swear, haha. Mine are original and beyond repair. I could also use to throw a bit more light down the road as I live on some backroads full of furry four legged creatures and go to work and return home (24hr shifts) at 0 dark thirty.

I understand with some trimming newer headlights will fit and opens up a realm of possibilities to include, led, projectors, etc. I’m not sure I’m a fan of such a drastic change on an older truck. I want to freshen her up but keep her looking somewhat 20 years old.

I do like the look of the Euro style headlight housing which is nothing more than a clear flat lens vs the factory. That said everything seems to be low rated plastic cheap stuff with poor reviews.

Anyone have any insight on decent quality replacement headlights and marker/running light assemblies? Thanks, Rye

below is one option but it has some good and terrible reviews and I’m sure it’s lightweight plastic throw away stuff.

 

Oh and shameless plug if anyone has lights they tried and didn’t like or extras laying around I’m not ashamed to buy used, just PM me.

I know us truck guys, my buddy has changed lights 4 times on his 2016 Ram, lol.

 

I did a Morimoto Bi-LED projector install....they are awesome! I'll get a picture of the beam pattern tonight for you.

 

Thank you sir, I’m familiar with Morimoto. I guess I should mention my budget is in the $2xx.00 range only.

 

I think @SkySkiJason is the master of the lights.
There’s been some posts about the topic but I can’t remember exactly where at the moment... I’ll go looking and maybe add an edit if I find it.
I believe he recommends Eagle Eyes 2003 clear style with a special wiring harness (I’ll let him tell you which one) and Hella bulbs. Again, wait for him to clear up my mistakes. I’m off to search for the thread.

From what I gather adding the relay harness is the biggest way you’ll get better light.

Edit: found the one I was thinking about. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...my-lights.html

 

RyeThomas, Dan V has the best option available for our aging trucks, however it is also the most costly. Sometimes you have to pay to play...

FordTruckNoob made his own out of a sealed beam LED housing (I think...) and they do a great job.

The alternative that most of us go with is something like what you have above. I installed clear lenses and a relay wiring harness with some quality bulbs and it made a huge difference. The OEM wiring to the headlights is a joke...

SkySkiJason has some great information on headlight, harness and bulb sources. I thought the information was in the Tech Folder, but I didn't see it during a quick scan just now. Perhaps search for his name and some related terms in the subject line. If you cannot find what you are looking for, I will find them and post them here. Jason also recommends Hella 80/100w bulbs ONLY after upgrading the harness.

I recently replaced my running light housings after 7 years of using a clear lens. I run a chrome/amber bulb in the housing as well in order to give it that 100% clear lens look, but retain the amber turn signal and running like look.

The previous running light housing I used had the clear vertical lines in the lens and I wanted to get away from that, so I bought some from 1A Auto that are clear without the vertical lines.

Source: https://www.1aauto.com/products/i/1A...nfirmation+Old


The price was a bit more, but since the other housings lasted 7 years, I figured an extra $20 was worth it for the look I wanted.

I don't drive my truck during hours of darkness a lot, so the clear lens with the relay harness gets the job done for me. If I were driving during hours of darkness, I would without a doubt go for the Morimoto or FTN option. No matter what you do, seriously consider the relay harness at a bare minimum.

 

Thanks for the time and advice gents, I’ll get to searching what you all suggested next week. Right now it’s going to be sunny and 62 in Va the next 2 days. I’m kicking the fam out of the house for family chores and mandatory fun.

This site and the people on it are fantastic.

Thanks again and have a great weekend, Rye!

 

I second eagle eyes 02+ housings with Hella 100/80w bulbs and upgraded relay harness. Excellent light output and brights are insane for back roads.

Many drop in LEDs put out a wall of light with no cut off. Looks brighter but they don't put light down the road and blind oncoming traffic. Please research which bulbs work in composite housings to get you the cut off you need if you go this route. I've also heard brights aren't any brighter with these so consider that for your back road driving. I like @colorado350 set up with sealed beam LED trucklites if I were to go LED.

 

The Diamond Eyes with a relay wiring harness upgrade is a pretty solid choice. I ran that prior to the Morimoto.

 

This is the route I went, I run the Trucklites on my Jeep and the lights are incredible. They have a great beam pattern and cut-off, these are NOT a cheap led upgrade that throws light everywhere.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...tes-led-s.html

 

There are only 2 drop in LED’s that I know of that have legit optics and light output: Trucklite and JW Speaker. I considered them both but decided to go cheap and stick with halogen. The stock sealed beam glass lenses on the base models are garbage but an easy and more affordable fix is some E-codes (Cibie or Hella) with a premium H4 bulb. I have the Cibies on my truck and had a pair of Hellas on my old MR2 Turbo 20 years ago. I slightly prefer the warmer light color of halogen to LED or Xenon.

 

Even those cheapie drop in replacements would probably be a noticeable improvement over your old faded ones. The OEM clear lens housings are nearly $200 each last I checked which is a little exorbitant IMO.

 

Alright guys thanks for the advice. I ended up with eagle eye clear headlight housings, the parking lights were a different manufacturer but to avoid going with another vendor and paying another shipping charge I just decided to wing it. The Harness you guys recommended and the Hella 9007 100/80 watt.
Ill put up pics so there are part numbers to reference. Some of the stuff won’t be here for awhile but I will post up pics here when it’s done.Thanks again!

 

That combination is a tried and true method of upgrading the lights. It is just about the best option available unless you get into the HID or custom upgrades. You will be happy with the results.

 

For future reference. Two pictures of the Morimoto Bi-LED installed in a pair of chineseium 05-07 headlights.


High beam, slight up hill grade at the stop sign.

Cut-off at maybe 50 feet.