Hello Ya'll,

I am new to the forum here but I just picked up a 2012 Ford E-350 van and the headlights needs to be replaced because they are old and cracked and water will get inside if it rains. I was going to order the OEM replacements however I wasn't sure if there are any good aftermarket ones you recommend.

I was looking at "after market headlights for 2012 E-350" and I get F-250 headlights but I do not think they are compatible.

This is the style I am looking for, but it may not exist!
HEADLIGHTS LED

Thanks!

 

Projector style replacements would be the best performing option but I have not seen any yet, and the version designed for the Superduty pickup won't fit vans of course... it's shaped a little differently.
Don't buy cheap replacements, if they aren't DOT certified the beam pattern will be useless.

 

Thanks for the reply! Its a bummer the F-250 headlights are not compatible because they have so many options!

 

I'm glad that I have an older model (1998) I was able to swap to the Low series lamps (sealed beam type) used Hella Vision plus shells and Flösser H4's. I've never had these glass lensed headlights break, fade or cloud up. And they burn warm to keep the snow and ice from building up on the lens in wintertime.

 

That link doesn't open for me but no big deal---if its from that "carid" site I'll never buy anything from them again.

When you're searching stop defining your parameters to such a high degree---this "aftermarket headlights......." is why you're not finding anything specific to the E-Series. As you're already discovering there's nothing from the F-Series that interchanges with the E-Series.

Cruise eBay and you'll find plenty of OEM and aftermarket replacement headlight assemblies. TYC is a fairly high quality aftermarket/imported line of automotive lighting assemblies. On occasion someone will be selling an authentic set of OEM assemblies for affordable money.

Do keep in mind the acrylic assemblies will degrade quickly from the inside due the operating conditions they experience---nothing to be done when they discolor and lose their reflectivity. The exterior will become pitted and cloudy due simple driving and exposure to the weather. Buy cheap versions and be prepared to change them every few years when they've lost their ability to illuminate the highway.

 

I replaced with hella glass too on my 2011. Huge improvement and much prefer Euro specs on beam pattern to DOT. No contest imo.

 

I'd love to see how you did this exactly---any images of the job when finished?

 

I believe I used these
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hla-003427811?seid=srese1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoab_BRCxARIsAN Mx4S5jX8I_CNxWVP2YzJchnTBNhukbIsZw3sWfnBMA6m8WCABy 3AUNpAEaAkUDEALw_wcB

with osram laser night breaker bulbs. 2 years in and I have been pretty pleased with the performance. My 2011 is with the black trim front end which has a separate headlight assembly. It appears to me the chrome trim one's have the all inclusive light cluster style assembly. On the latter I'm not sure what an upgrade might entail.

 

My understanding of sealed beam headlamps is the Euro spec doesn't adhere to DOT spec's due the upward projected light spillover that's intended to illuminate overhead roadway signs----how do your Euro spec housings work in that capacity?

 

After much reading before opting for the Hella's, this is what I came to understand as well. It's been a couple of years since bringing myself up to speed on all this but in a nut shell the upward spillover compromises the ability to design an optimized beam pattern into the lense. Euro spec is designed to light up more of the shoulder and the peripheral instead. This I gather does not affect a more quality beam pattern.

Anecdotally I can say the spillover to the sides is MUCH more useful in a lens. It makes driving, especially when you're the only vehicle, much more confidence inspiring. The beam pattern does seem to be a better quality (nice focused hot spot and even spill) and there was a lot of side by sides you can look at online. The biggest thing I notice is how much more usable light there is on low beam and I've never been high beamed back.

I'd also add I've never had an issue reading overhead signs. Seems a really dated spec.

 

That seems like it would be a great beam pattern to have out here in the boonies....

 

I had a set of the hella euro beams in a 77 dodge van,a 80 dodge van,and a 90 dodge van. Sold them to a FTE member. I am in the process of replacing the ford aero style with the hellas in my 02 Quigley. The beam pattern is a sharp horizontal cut off to the left and an upward angle on the right,to illuminate signs,etc.. Hella used to publish pictures of the beam pattern on their website,but I dont know if they still do.The pattern puts more light than stock headlights to the immediate sides for better close in illumination. The tight beam pattern is what makes them so much better. Almost no light scatter..As far as DOT compliant; the only reason for the noncompliant is the separate bulbs (H4), not sealed beam. . All the newer headlights use separate bulbs now anyway. I dont know of anyone who has been stopped or ticketed for Non DOT headlights. At this point in time,I doubt that the old DOT rules are even in effect.Another advantage is the fact that different wattage bulbs are available. I use 55/100 H4s in mine. The stock are 55/60. Even with the higher wattage high beams,the superior beam pattern doesnt seem to cause oncoming traffic to be "blinded".Besides,you would normally dim your high beams for oncoming traffic anyway. I live in rural Wisconsin and the better light pattern makes a world of difference on back roads for seeing deer.

 

An addition; A good idea/essential if you use higher than stock wattage is to use relays for at least hi beam. I use 12 ga wire on both hi and low. The stalk switch ( on the directional switch) isnt wired to handle high amp loads and will burn out in a short time.When relays are used,the load goes on the relay,not the switch.

 

Good point Rick1025

 

Its not an out-dated spec unless over head signage on bridges etc have ceased to exist?

What works in the city is far different from what works or is needed where street lights and such don't exist. We all need to assess where we're driving most often and build to that. Today there are so many add-on after market lighting choices there's literally something for every need or desire.