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2003 F350 headlamps are crazed, polished the yellow off but they're in rough shape. Looking for replacement recommendations and any possible bulb upgrades. Not looking to blind people or be the annoying guy with those damn headlamps. I do need all of the light I can get though. Tell me what's worked for you.
@F350towing Good catch on the harness, Thanks. @INFRNL Never heard of Flosser, I'll check them out
Flosser is a German company. They make some of the best automotive bulbs, but seem to be harder to come by in the US. I think i found all my bulbs on ebay.
Amazon might have some of them.
OK, now the plot thickens. This style, if they're any good and reasonably easy to install might be an upgrade.
That's just an 05-07 unit. I have both...the 02-04 two piece clear lens in the Excursion, and the 05-07 one piece lens in the F350. Both have the LED bulbs with 6500k color. I get a little better light projection out of the Excursion, but I don't know if it's the bigger versus smaller bulb reflection surface and/or the 2wd versus 4wd height...
OK, now the plot thickens. This style, if they're any good and reasonably easy to install might be an upgrade.
Yes, these are the 05-07 style that are a direct fit.
When they were changed on old green, they were actual 07 headlights and we had to cut the header panel to make them fit. that will not be an issue with these. again, doing this upgrade again, would just get these.
I've ordered the correct harness and Hella bulbs. When I put an order together I'd most likely get my new housings from RA, but I am still thinking about the one-piece upgrade.
I went with the Rock Auto TYC CAPA certified factory replacement lamps. Bought the harness that was linked on ebay and a set of Hella bulbs from Amazon. Lamps fit and look good. Harness is in, they could have used a couple of more inches of wire, but it did fit running it under the hood latch in front of the radiator. Haven't turned them on yet as I have the batteries out doing some cleanup under the hood. Has to be better than what it was.
IIRC, SSJ has said several times that 02-04 with the 80/100 bulbs is better illumination than the 05-07 housings with any bulb.
The 05-07 lights do look good though...
They look cool but I don't think they work better.
I wouldn't put over-wattage bulbs in plastic housings either but that's just me. They're okay in glass/metal H4 housings with upgraded harnesses. A high end bulb with a new clear lens 02-04 housing that isn't scratched real bad from having dirt wiped off of it is pretty good. The old school 200mm H4 Euro-code glass housings (Hella makes a good one) have a way better pattern but that's a bit of a pain to retrofit those unless it was an XL base model that came stock with the crappy sealed beams and most people prefer the plastic aero lens look anyway.
I wouldn't put over-wattage bulbs in plastic housings either but that's just me.
I’m at just the over 3 years now with the 100/80 Hella bulbs in the TYC plastic housings and all is well.
Had them out in the summer for an intercooler repair and got to take a good look at them. They still look new.
I think the bigger issue from the heat generated with the higher wattage bulbs is on the plugs. That’s why I made sure to get a harness with the ceramic plugs as opposed to plastic.
both sides still clean and shiny, no signs of heat discolouration or distortion.
These make a dark country windy road a pleasure to drive on. Stock bulbs and housings and I could easily outdrive the lighting capacity.
The thing a lot of folks don't think about is that "extra" heat with the higher wattage bulbs helps melt snow and ice where Les is and where I used to be in Truckee.
I’m at just the over 3 years now with the 100/80 Hella bulbs in the TYC plastic housings and all is well.
Had them out in the summer for an intercooler repair and got to take a good look at them. They still look new.
I think the bigger issue from the heat generated with the higher wattage bulbs is on the plugs. That’s why I made sure to get a harness with the ceramic plugs as opposed to plastic.
both sides still clean and shiny, no signs of heat discolouration or distortion.
These make a dark country windy road a pleasure to drive on. Stock bulbs and housings and I could easily outdrive the lighting capacity.
Good to know, and I agree the plugs and wiring are the main safety concern with high wattage bulbs.
