The next thing needs fixed on the F250 is the headlights. Planning on getting the entire assembly and going with Sylvania Silverstar Ultra or Sylvania Silverstar zXe bulbs. I originally wanted to go with the original style but some of the clear type are growing on me. RockAuto seems to have the best price on TYC brand @ $70 for the complete set. I've read that most of the new lenses start to yellow after only a few years. What are y'all going with? I don't want LED or Projector style.

 

What year, and what's wrong with your current headlights?

 

1996 F250. The headlights are faded out bad and the driver side lens is broken loose from bumping a cow out of the way. The blinkers and side markers still look ok. I figured if I have to take everything apart to replace the headlight assembly I'd replace everything at once. I've tried the polishing deal without much luck.

Also looking at doing the headlight relay mod. I've found one kit that uses 14g wire. Most of the kits don't look very good though. Might build my own.

 

I ran one of the relay kits for a while until their cheap plug melted at the bulb and left me with intermittent headlight function. Got rid of it after that, I don't know that it makes much difference anyway.

I'm not certain of the brand but I used a set of headlight housings from Jeff's Bronco Graveyard. They are still clear ~5 years later.

 

Yea I am not into them LED head lights either.
I went with the TYC in my 07 Cown Vic as the factory ones were filled with small cracks.
Now the new ones look great but the light pattern output is crap and I installed relays just to make sure they would be bright.
See I did adjust them by the book and I was getting flashed like they were on high beams and they were not.
They came with bulbs so I left them in for now.

Before that I replaced the ones on my 02 Dodge Durango as I had "fixed" the yellow at least 3 times that I also got through Rock Auto.
I am running the bulbs that came with the lights, why replace them if they work? and I am vary happy with the pattern and output.
Up to that point I was running Sylvania Silverstar Ultra bulbs in the old light and was happy with them.

When any of the bulbs go bad I will go back with Sylvania Silverstar Ultra.
As for the pattern the Durango lenes has a pattern like the old school glass bulbs and why I think it does good out on the road for a pattern where the CV the pattern is on the reflector at the back.
I dont know how your lights but figured I would let you know what I have found between the 2 .

In short I would use the bulbs that come with the lights till they burn out then go with the Sylvania Silverstar Ultra.
Also look into a head light relay kit as that will make the head lights brighter as a full 12 volts will now go to the bulb.

BTW I also run Sylvania Halogen glass bulbs with relays in my 81 F100 and just love the light out put and pattern. Wish I had it in the CV and I would be happy like a pig in sh**
Dave ----

ps: have you looked into projection lights if any one has done that up grade if there is room for them?

 

Get the best quality you can find. I don’t have a suggestion other than Ford but I imagine they are unobtanium or near to it.

The relay harness is a good idea if for no other reason to reduce the load on the headlight switch. I have seen more than one has overheated.

 

Questions on the LED lights...I've heard they can play tricks on these old trucks. Has anyone else heard of them causing issues? This truck has a flatbed on it and I just got done replacing the tail and backup lights with new 4"round LEDs. I also added 4 LED marker lights to the sides of the bed. I like the LEDs on the bed lights and auxiliary lights. I've got a 50" light bar and 3 small LEDs for seeing at night. We check cattle at night allot in the winter and the LEDs are great.

 

I’ve used tyc a few times, no issues. Oldest set I still have were installed 8 yrs ago, still clear. I currently have 3 sets on trucks and no complaints. I had them on a square body for several yrs before I sold it, no issues.

I have one of CE relay kits for the ‘96 but haven’t used it yet. CE uses hella relays etc. CE used to make one specifically for these trucks, but looks generic now. Might have to call and talk to them.
https://ceautoelectricsupply.com/headlight-relay-kits/

I’ve also used an elcheapo Amazon relay kit on a GM truck, it’s terrible. It works like a resistor and dimmed the lights.

 

I replaced my headlights a few months back. I forget which brand, but the clear lens with the multi facated reflector. I didn't realize there was a kit for the relay mod. I made my own using 12 gauge wire and some fused relays from Amazon with 12 awg pigtails. Works pretty well, though the light output could be more even.

 

Did yours look like this? These are Lumen assemblies.

I use the Sylvania Silverstar Ultra bulbs, they seem nice and bright.

 

Yes, that's the style I used. Looks a bit off with the older style blinkers and parking lights, but they work alright. I'm still running the bulbs that came with it, but I kept the silver stars that were previously on the truck.

 

Found my RA order summary. I purchased the "Various Brands" FO2505108 (FR332-B0012) for my '93.

 

Another one for TYC headlights. So far no discoloration. My entire lights on the front of the truck were either broken or sun damaged. So I did the complete set with TYC from Rock Auto. Made the truck look a lot better. Also changed all the bulbs while I was there and the headlamp surrounds. Truck had a hard previous life. It was stolen and driven through a storefront in an attempt to get a local store's safe.

 

If you want to try a new trick, try polishing out the lens and see what happens. Just treat the headlight like a faded paint job. With the right buffer and polishing compounds, you can turn your old headlight to new. Of course this will not fix the cow damage that you mentioned. If you got a buffer, you got nothing to lose but your time. Just thought. The skills you learn may help you in the future. If you don't have a buffer, it might not be worth the hassle.

To get this back on track, I purchased TYC through my supplier. Why? because they had them in stock for cheap and were delivered in an hour. With those headlights, I used Phillips LED bulbs. While handling that detail, I painted the grey sections of my grill to satin black. I also painted the cooler and everything behind the grill flat black. It really looks good. The components behind the drill do not stand out. I did not see any quality issues with the TYC headlights. Time will tell, but so far so good.

I did this a couple summers ago and the headlights still look good. I don't drive at night often, but the times I have used the headlights, they work good. The headlights operation is kinda old school/low tech. There is no computer that will cause you issues/warning lights. If you elect to get some high power bulbs, that extra heat can effect the bulb connectors. You can buy a connector that can handle that extra heat, but the way I look at it, the LED bulbs are just better in every way. I would stick with a name brand bulb.

 

I'm undecided on whether I want to go with the new clear style or keep old style so am going to try the polishing trick again. I watched a videos and the Mother's polish and protector spray gets really good reviews so will try that and new bulbs. We won't drive it much at night but I do want it to function and look good. It's amazing how bad an old faded set of headlights can make a car look.