Stock Headlights Suck
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Eaton, CO
Stock Headlights Suck
I swear the stock lights on my truck are just as bad as the stock lights in my 1969 Mercedes Benz 220 Diesel. The batteries are brand new and fully charged. Anyone swap out their stock headlights with brighter, more clear ones the newer rigs have?
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,734
Likes: 1
From: Monroe VA
I think the '03-'04 model lights will be clearer than what you have now and they will bolt right up without having to do the modifing to make the '05's. But the '05's are great. I replaced the lights in my '03 with the '05's and I really like them.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,549
Likes: 14
From: Payson, AZ
My stock lights got cataracts and I replaced them with these aftermarket lights and put Silverstar bulbs in. Much, much more light. Got them off ebay along with the clear turn signals and the '05 grille.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,250
Likes: 42
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Of the next Riffraff East
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,679
Likes: 2
From: Concord NC
The pre 02's are bad for fogging, the 02-04 are much brighter, but as already stated, the 05-07 are the way to go. Mine are setting on the floor now waiting on the pigtail adaptors to get here.
Yes some cutting of the header panel is requried as well as a heavy dury wiring harness with relays to upgrade the light weight OEM wiring. Dfuser.com has all you need.
Yes some cutting of the header panel is requried as well as a heavy dury wiring harness with relays to upgrade the light weight OEM wiring. Dfuser.com has all you need.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 68
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,250
Likes: 42
Just do yourself a favor and do this. I had the stock (tried buffing), then the aftermarket POSes all with siverstars. You can see in my gallery. What a waste of time and $$$.
Nothing compares to the full upgrade or adding a set of fog lights if you need to save money.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Southern Colorado
I absoulutely disagree with empiretc!
I installed a set of aftermarket clear lens headlights, and upgraded the wiring harness & bulbs, at the same time. The difference in overall visability was HUGE! Also, there was no cutting involved at all (another big advantage!).
Changing your stock headlights for a clear lens headlight of the same design makes for a quick & easy installion. For me, just a hair over 1 hour (and I'm sure I did it the hard way).
So, to sum up, aftermarket clear lens headlights, Silverstar Ultra bulbs, and an upgraded wiring harness WILL give you all the light needed for safe night driving!
Richard
I installed a set of aftermarket clear lens headlights, and upgraded the wiring harness & bulbs, at the same time. The difference in overall visability was HUGE! Also, there was no cutting involved at all (another big advantage!).
Changing your stock headlights for a clear lens headlight of the same design makes for a quick & easy installion. For me, just a hair over 1 hour (and I'm sure I did it the hard way).
So, to sum up, aftermarket clear lens headlights, Silverstar Ultra bulbs, and an upgraded wiring harness WILL give you all the light needed for safe night driving!
Richard
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,734
Likes: 1
From: Monroe VA
I went with the '05's for the looks. I only have the pigtails and not the whole upgraded harness and the lighting is not much better than my stock '03's, but it is better. The only thing I would see with going with the aftermarket ones is the possibility of them fading sooner than some OEM lights(that is just my opinion and I have not dealt with any aftermarkets lights so I have NO facts to support my opinion) That is just something I thought about when I was thinking about the swap. Now going with the OEM '05's, I spent almost twice as much as I coulda gotten the aftermarkets on fleabay. To do the '05 upgrade you have to cut out pretty much everything behind your current headlights and turn signals. My advice is that if you are going to spend the money on the '05's go ahead and get the upgraded harness with the relays.
Of the next Riffraff East
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,679
Likes: 2
From: Concord NC
Give me a few days and I will have had all three and can tell you for sure. Went from stock, to stock with 9007 Silverstars, then added the harness, then the 02 style clear lens and soon the 05 with 9008s. All have made an improvement so far and I am sure the last will be at least as much as the others.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,241
Likes: 1
From: Powder Springs, East TN
I currently run 02s with silverstars in mine and I love how much better they are compared to stock one day I will update the harness and go with 05s with silver stars. You can find the 02 lights out there pretty cheap if you look around.