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My 2002 Ford Excursion 7.3 190k miles factory headlamps as so faded and dim I no longer drive at night..Any suggestions on something clear and bright? Thanks in advance
You can go for a factory replacement like you have from a reputable source like @1Aauto, 05+ conversion which requires some trimming or even a Projector retrofit if you want to spend even more. All depends on your budget.
I have a 99 F250, My older style headlamps sucked. Waifu ordered some 02+ style and I added some Sylvania Silverstars to go with, still a great combination.
I've replaced both sets in our Excursion and F350. For the wife's Excursion I went with the clear 2 piece lens like came in the 03 Superduty trucks. For my F350 I went with the 1 piece 05+ Harley Davidson style lens. I also upgraded both trucks to the led bulbs that were cheap at $22 per truck and have had no issues for many years not. It made a HUGE difference in both trucks...especially my F350 as I was like you in the head lights were basically useless at night like I might as well not even turn them on!
Might try one of those headlight lens restore kits.
I used a 3M kit on mine, went a little off the instructions as they said to start sanding with the included 500 grit paper and that just wasn't cutting it. So I took some 150 grit , then some 300 grit to the lens first , then continued with the kit as the instructions said.
Forgot to take a true before picture, but here they are after the 500 grit sanding.
And here they are when all done.
That was about a year ago , and they're still clear today. Just make sure to apply the included clear coat as per the instructions.
While it took a couple hours, it sure as heck was cheaper than replacing the headlights.
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I had another pair that were the 2 piece Harley style before these 05+ as pictured above. The exterior lens is what was tinted and that made them usless like the original lens after it deteriorated. These newer 05+ as pictured have a clear lens like the ones on the wife's Excursion. They are black inside around the perimeter so the reflector inside is still silver like the wife's Excursion. Have had them on the truck for several years now and they still perform very well like the clear units on the Excursion...plenty of light!
Might try one of those headlight lens restore kits.
I used a 3M kit on mine, went a little off the instructions as they said to start sanding with the included 500 grit paper and that just wasn't cutting it. So I took some 150 grit , then some 300 grit to the lens first , then continued with the kit as the instructions said.
Forgot to take a true before picture, but here they are after the 500 grit sanding.
And here they are when all done.
That was about a year ago , and they're still clear today. Just make sure to apply the included clear coat as per the instructions.
While it took a couple hours, it sure as heck was cheaper than replacing the headlights.
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Yep, I've used something similar and you're right, the clear coat is the key to them staying clear. However, the op probably has the original glass headlight units, and I'm not too sure those can be polished like the plastic housings can when they turn yellow like they tend to. On a side note, I'm surprised you didn't just pop those headlights out instead of masking them off given they come out with just a couple bolts...unlike the 2 piece units which are a pain...
Yep, I've used something similar and you're right, the clear coat is the key to them staying clear. However, the op probably has the original glass headlight units, and I'm not too sure those can be polished like the plastic housings can when they turn yellow like they tend to.
Glass?? The last vehicle I had that had actual glass headlights was third gen Camaro. Ford used actual glass headlights into the 2000's?
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Glass?? The last vehicle I had that had actual glass headlights was third gen Camaro. Ford used actual glass headlights into the 2000's?
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Yep, the early Superduty trucks from 99-02 were glass...maybe even the early 03 units...and it wasn't clear either, as there were deflectors attached on the inside. I can't remember what my ole 97 7.3L had. I think the 03 clear lens units may have even been glass in the beginning...
You can go for a factory replacement like you have from a reputable source like @1Aauto, 05+ conversion which requires some trimming or even a Projector retrofit if you want to spend even more. All depends on your budget.
My budget (and goals) were low - so I went with original style from @1Aauto . They were $64 for the pair and shipped fast.
I think the price is low because these trucks are so old and with many good LED upgrade options; vendors would rather sell the parts than have sitting on their shelves.
For my needs - the original style/design is sufficient. It's not as bright as I like, but I don't drive at night much often.
JMHO
Yep, the early Superduty trucks from 99-02 were glass...maybe even the early 03 units...and it wasn't clear either, as there were deflectors attached on the inside. I can't remember what my ole 97 7.3L had. I think the 03 clear lens units may have even been glass in the beginning...
You could get glass headlights on the XL/worktruck spec as recently as 2010
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