1997 Headlights
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 794
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1997 Headlights
Hey yall i gotta 1997 4x4offroad f150 4.6 173k miles. The headlights dont seem bright enough (ive only had it since 168k miles) ive tried adjusting them (the position) and that helped some... I figured id replace the bulbs with some Sylvania Sylverstar, but thats what was already in there. The lenses are yellow colored and the 3 nipples are on the headlights are all broke off, so if any one knows where to find, a good cleaning kit (tried rubbing them with polisihing compound didnt do anything) or if any one knows where i can find new lenses for them thatd be great also! Thanks yall
Rub my Belly
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,093
Likes: 1
From: Lawrence, KS
What kind of rubbing compond are you using? I've had pretty good luck with Blue majic on the GMC headlights. Had to do them about every 6 months but it worked real good. I hear there are plastic polishes that work fairly well also.
I have a set of headlights for the early build date of the 97 that I might be willing to sell.
I have a set of headlights for the early build date of the 97 that I might be willing to sell.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 794
Likes: 3
Turtle wax, it might of been polishin compound, i dont remember now, but i was just usin a terry cloth and my hands, i wasnt usin a buffer or anything. I think id wrather jus get some good ones.
How many miles are on yours? Early build date? Ill check the manufactured date of my truck. Could u show me a pic, via email, or on here, what ever is easiest?
How many miles are on yours? Early build date? Ill check the manufactured date of my truck. Could u show me a pic, via email, or on here, what ever is easiest?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 794
Likes: 3
Hey could u give me some info on your headlights in your truck's profile pic? The ABM ones that there was a tech article on how to instal, i really liked how those looked, but couldnt find any info on them, and when ever i try to find them kinda headlights online all i get are stuid euro lights.
Rub my Belly
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,093
Likes: 1
From: Lawrence, KS
The headlights on my truck now are TYC "Lightning Style" I think they were around $140 shipped. The Corners are Depo "Lightning style"
1997 f150s that were bilt on or before 7/96 use a different headlight setup than trucks from 8/96 to the 03 models. The best way to tell is if you try to remove the headlights and the corners come out with them you have the early build date head lights. They are all contained in what I call a "headlight bucket." If you can remove the the corners by just removing a screw and pulling the corners out, with the head lights staying in the truck, you have the later build date.
My stock headlights have about 98K on them. The previous owner kept the truck in a garage a lot and the headlights are in good shape.
***edit*** I'll try and get a pic of them but it might not be till this weekend
***edit again lol*** https://www.ford-trucks.com/articles/2004/34.php
1997 f150s that were bilt on or before 7/96 use a different headlight setup than trucks from 8/96 to the 03 models. The best way to tell is if you try to remove the headlights and the corners come out with them you have the early build date head lights. They are all contained in what I call a "headlight bucket." If you can remove the the corners by just removing a screw and pulling the corners out, with the head lights staying in the truck, you have the later build date.
My stock headlights have about 98K on them. The previous owner kept the truck in a garage a lot and the headlights are in good shape.
***edit*** I'll try and get a pic of them but it might not be till this weekend
***edit again lol*** https://www.ford-trucks.com/articles/2004/34.php
Last edited by 97Centurion; Nov 24, 2004 at 12:19 AM.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 70
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We live in AZ and get lots of sun. Have a 98 that sits outside all the time. Just cleaned the headlights with the following process:
1. Used 6000 grit wet/dry sand paper and water.
2. Polished with rubbing compound.
3. Finished up with wax.
Removed almost all of the yellow tint to them. I do know there is a acrylic polishing kit made that has varying grits of paper (from what I remember it goes all the way up to 12000 grit) but I am sure it is farily expensive. The method I used worked good which is basically the same process as the kit calls out.
Good luck.
1. Used 6000 grit wet/dry sand paper and water.
2. Polished with rubbing compound.
3. Finished up with wax.
Removed almost all of the yellow tint to them. I do know there is a acrylic polishing kit made that has varying grits of paper (from what I remember it goes all the way up to 12000 grit) but I am sure it is farily expensive. The method I used worked good which is basically the same process as the kit calls out.
Good luck.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: South Jersey
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
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I posted how to renew the Headlights on the Aerostar board, if they are leaking due to lens separation let me know have a repair for that too.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 1
From: Appling, GA
Originally Posted by 97Centurion
The headlights on my truck now are TYC "Lightning Style" I think they were around $140 shipped. The Corners are Depo "Lightning style"
1997 f150s that were bilt on or before 7/96 use a different headlight setup than trucks from 8/96 to the 03 models. The best way to tell is if you try to remove the headlights and the corners come out with them you have the early build date head lights. They are all contained in what I call a "headlight bucket." If you can remove the the corners by just removing a screw and pulling the corners out, with the head lights staying in the truck, you have the later build date.
My stock headlights have about 98K on them. The previous owner kept the truck in a garage a lot and the headlights are in good shape.
***edit*** I'll try and get a pic of them but it might not be till this weekend
***edit again lol*** https://www.ford-trucks.com/articles/2004/34.php
1997 f150s that were bilt on or before 7/96 use a different headlight setup than trucks from 8/96 to the 03 models. The best way to tell is if you try to remove the headlights and the corners come out with them you have the early build date head lights. They are all contained in what I call a "headlight bucket." If you can remove the the corners by just removing a screw and pulling the corners out, with the head lights staying in the truck, you have the later build date.
My stock headlights have about 98K on them. The previous owner kept the truck in a garage a lot and the headlights are in good shape.
***edit*** I'll try and get a pic of them but it might not be till this weekend
***edit again lol*** https://www.ford-trucks.com/articles/2004/34.php
The headlights are interchangable, they just use different types of clips to hold them in.
Rub my Belly
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,093
Likes: 1
From: Lawrence, KS
Originally Posted by Smaug
The headlights are interchangable, they just use different types of clips to hold them in.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 1
From: Appling, GA
Originally Posted by 97Centurion
Thanks, I wasn't sure if the headlights were the same. I know the corners are different.
I wasn't sure either until a friend of mine put some L style lights in his 2000 and let me borrow his old ones to try out. There are a couple of differences, the main one being the black nylon pieces. On the early 97s, the black piece goes thru a hole in the 'bucket' and has tabs to lock it in place. On the others, it has a small groove that is squared off and is locked in w/ the rod. The other difference is one of the studs is longer on the newer ones, but it doesn't interfere w/ anything on the older style.
I've also borrowed his corner lights and think that it would not be a big problem to make them work in the buckets. The bucket would have to be trimmed on the bottom of the hole where the plug goes thru and something would have to be done about the slanted screw hole on top of the newer style. BUT, there are so many more aftermarket choices w/ them.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 1
From: Appling, GA
UPDATE!!!!! Just tried to put my new headlights in, they are Depo L style w/ a built in projector, and they WILL NOT fit. The plug socket is about 2 in closer to the outside, which is exactly where the metal tab slides in to lock the bucket in place.So if you're going to go w/ an aftermarket light and you have an early production 97, you will HAVE to get the later style setup.