Dim headlights
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Maryville Mo
Dim headlights
The lights on my 97 F150 aren't very bright. Also the lense appears kind of yellow. Is there something I could do to increase the brightness of my headlights without spending a lot of money?
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
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There are cleaners to be used to restore the surface to near new, then a good auto polish to retard the buildup again.
Then get yourself replacment bulbs that are about 20% brighter.
The wiring will handle the brighter bulbs without any problem.
Lastly, make sure the charging system is putting out the voltage as it should, of at least 14 volts at high idle with the lights on..
Then get yourself replacment bulbs that are about 20% brighter.
The wiring will handle the brighter bulbs without any problem.
Lastly, make sure the charging system is putting out the voltage as it should, of at least 14 volts at high idle with the lights on..
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Green Bay WI. / Wawa Ont.
You can get cleaning kits for the yellowing. Never used it myself. I have heard good and bad about using it. Can't remember what it is but something cleans them up. You could try the junk yard for used ones. Let us know what you do. 
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: North Texas
I just replaced mine with some Sylvania Silverstar "High Performance Lighting" bulbs.
$40 for a pack of 2 at Wal-Mart. The dim, yellow bulbs had bothered me long enough, but I finally had an excuse to upgrade when my left headlight went out the other day.
That did the trick!
Here's a link for you:
OSRAM SYLVANIA - SilverStar
$40 for a pack of 2 at Wal-Mart. The dim, yellow bulbs had bothered me long enough, but I finally had an excuse to upgrade when my left headlight went out the other day.
That did the trick!
Here's a link for you:
OSRAM SYLVANIA - SilverStar
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2008
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Go on ebay and search for 9007 bulbs.Then look for the pair that are 80w low beam and 100w for the highs. i have them on 2003 supercrew and they are awsome. they costed me 12.00 bucks with shiping. better than anything you can buy a walmart or the parts store. ill try to get you a link to them!
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From: Louisville, Kentucky
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Joined: Oct 2007
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Alot of guys in the other forums I belong to use stuff like this to fix their fading headlights. Diamondite® Clear Plastic System Kit cleans, polishes, restores headlight lenses. Diamondite plastic polish scratch remover for headlights.
I just use plastic polish on mine and it cleaned them up pretty good, but they were not that bad to start.
I just use plastic polish on mine and it cleaned them up pretty good, but they were not that bad to start.
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I'd check for correct voltage & 0 resistance ground at the bulb plugs, after confirming "the charging system is putting out the voltage as it should, of at least 14 volts" as Bluegrass suggested.
The higher wattage bulbs are nice, especially if there are a zillion hours on your '97's headlights.
Most of the yellowed lenses I've seen look like they'd be next to impossible to restore. IMO it would preferrable to locate a deal on sparklingly clear replacements, new or used.
The higher wattage bulbs are nice, especially if there are a zillion hours on your '97's headlights.
Most of the yellowed lenses I've seen look like they'd be next to impossible to restore. IMO it would preferrable to locate a deal on sparklingly clear replacements, new or used.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Louisville, Kentucky
I agree that the voltage supply for the headlights is important as is the charging system and the battery connections. Lenses will yellow over time too. The article that I posted the link to is a wiring modification that supplies the headlights with fused power directly from the battery via relays controlled by the stock headlight switch. This results in a higher voltage level to the lights which makes the brighter and whiter. Combining this with the Silverstars should overcome the yellowed lenses. 
Posting Guru
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From: N. Fort Myers,FL
If you want to get rid of yellowed headlights, wet sand them. Thats what i did and it came out pretty good.
I cant exactly remember the grit i used, but i think i started out with 800-1000grit, then went to 1500, then to 2000 grit. After i was finished wet sanding, i used some plastic polish to finish it up.
I cant exactly remember the grit i used, but i think i started out with 800-1000grit, then went to 1500, then to 2000 grit. After i was finished wet sanding, i used some plastic polish to finish it up.
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From: Maryville Mo
I believe that my charging system is up to snuff but I'll take a look at that. I had wondered about brighter bulbs but wanted to get some input from the people on this forum. I'll have to check them out as well.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
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I would caution about using super high power lamps in place of stock lamps.
Here is why; 100 watts at 14.6 volts not 13, not 12, is very close to 7 amps each so times that by 2 is 14 amps thru the lighting circuit.
The voltage drop caused by the higher currents, defeats the purpose.
Higher heat generated in the housings don't help in the long term.
I have been very satisfied using lamps of 20% brighter with clean housings as well as properly aimed on both my truck and cars.
The whiter brighter types are very annoying to oncoming drivers as is some cars with HID from the factory..
Here is why; 100 watts at 14.6 volts not 13, not 12, is very close to 7 amps each so times that by 2 is 14 amps thru the lighting circuit.
The voltage drop caused by the higher currents, defeats the purpose.
Higher heat generated in the housings don't help in the long term.
I have been very satisfied using lamps of 20% brighter with clean housings as well as properly aimed on both my truck and cars.
The whiter brighter types are very annoying to oncoming drivers as is some cars with HID from the factory..
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My wifes Jetta had very dull looking lens after a couple of years in our harsh Canadian climate and I discovered a very mild rubbing compound worked wonders to restore a plastic lens.
These trucks came with a fluted lens and with a lttle bit of road grime reduces illumination drastically....I went with a lightning style headlight with normal silvania bulbs and I get much better visability without a the glare to drivers go the opposite direction.
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Its hard for me to believe those wiring mods would make my '98 F150 headlights any brighter & I'm a stiggler for bright lights. Someday I'll measure V at the plug & see if there's only 10-11V like that link claims, I strongly suspect its BS. Also, their over simplified 'OEM' diagram fails to show the OEM headlight relay-full current does not take the "torturous path" they claim. It does look like the ticket for conversion to 'off road' 100W lights though.
Never forget the "important" headlight ground.
The original lenses on my 225K '92 E150 remain sparklingly clear & impressively free of signs of sandblasting. Over the years I've come to believe excess exposure to car wash/detailing chemicals is involved in premature lens yellowing, more than "time" or exposure to the sun.
IMO nothing is going to "overcome the yellowed lenses" I've seen in the majority of cases. The issue for me isn't limited to illumination, front end appearance is important to me. I like sparkling, crystal clear, headlights enough to justify the expense of replacing them.
Never forget the "important" headlight ground.
The original lenses on my 225K '92 E150 remain sparklingly clear & impressively free of signs of sandblasting. Over the years I've come to believe excess exposure to car wash/detailing chemicals is involved in premature lens yellowing, more than "time" or exposure to the sun.
IMO nothing is going to "overcome the yellowed lenses" I've seen in the majority of cases. The issue for me isn't limited to illumination, front end appearance is important to me. I like sparkling, crystal clear, headlights enough to justify the expense of replacing them.