Swapping Headlights from '99 to '04
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Palm Bay, Florida
Swapping Headlights from '99 to '04
I have bought a set of OEM FORD 2004 headlights and corners to swap onto my 1999 F350.
I've been doing some reading on this and would appreciate some help in getting started:
Is there a detailed writeup somewhere I can refer to? I understand that the adjusters are different from the '99 to the '04 lights?
What has everyone done to adjust your headlights when you do a swap like this? can I remove the headlights themselves alone or do I need to remove the corners first?-I am thinking about keeping the '99 corners for a while-might be a different look....where do I start?? I've heard about some clips or something?? Thanks!
I've been doing some reading on this and would appreciate some help in getting started:
Is there a detailed writeup somewhere I can refer to? I understand that the adjusters are different from the '99 to the '04 lights?
What has everyone done to adjust your headlights when you do a swap like this? can I remove the headlights themselves alone or do I need to remove the corners first?-I am thinking about keeping the '99 corners for a while-might be a different look....where do I start?? I've heard about some clips or something?? Thanks!
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,715
Likes: 2
From: Seneca, SC
I am in the process of putting the 05 headlights in my truck, so I cant help you too much on this. I can tell you that getting the old lights out is a pain in the ***... As far as the adjusters go, I'm not too sure what the difference is...someone will chime in soon with more knowledge.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,177
Likes: 40
From: Newport, WA
Hopefully you got the adjusters with the new lights...
Remove the corner lenses first- 2 screws above the bumper then tug on them gently till they pop out. Next remove the 2 metal lock clips on the upper mounts of the headlight. Then you either need to fanagle your arm down into noseeum land and pop the retainers loose (squeeze on both sides) on the lower adjuster and pull the whole assembly out. Or if you pull hard enough, the retainers on the lowers might break off. Those clips on the upper mounts can be a pain, you need to pull upward on them without bending or breaking them if possible. If you do end up tweaking them they are easy to come by luckily.
Remove the corner lenses first- 2 screws above the bumper then tug on them gently till they pop out. Next remove the 2 metal lock clips on the upper mounts of the headlight. Then you either need to fanagle your arm down into noseeum land and pop the retainers loose (squeeze on both sides) on the lower adjuster and pull the whole assembly out. Or if you pull hard enough, the retainers on the lowers might break off. Those clips on the upper mounts can be a pain, you need to pull upward on them without bending or breaking them if possible. If you do end up tweaking them they are easy to come by luckily.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2009
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I believe the headlight adjusting/mounting are the same for 99-04. On the headlight assembly there are three adjuster/mounting brackets. Two on the top and one on the bottom. The two retainer clips on the top can be removed by pulling out on the outer portion of the clip and pulling up at the same time. You will have to do this on both the right and left side of the same clip. I used a pick and hook to do this. For the bottom unscrew the adjuster bolt and remove the headlight. If its the same as your new one just screw it back in. If not. Then find a wood screw that is a little bigger then the plastic of the bottom bracket and screw it in 2 turns and use the pick to push in the tabs and pull on the wood screw. I found this to be the easiest way to remove it.
It you vs the headlight.
It you vs the headlight.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,177
Likes: 40
From: Newport, WA
I believe the headlight adjusting/mounting are the same for 99-04. On the headlight assembly there are three adjuster/mounting brackets. Two on the top and one on the bottom. The two retainer clips on the top can be removed by pulling out on the outer portion of the clip and pulling up at the same time. You will have to do this on both the right and left side of the same clip. I used a pick and hook to do this. For the bottom unscrew the adjuster bolt and remove the headlight. If its the same as your new one just screw it back in. If not. Then find a wood screw that is a little bigger then the plastic of the bottom bracket and screw it in 2 turns and use the pick to push in the tabs and pull on the wood screw. I found this to be the easiest way to remove it.
It you vs the headlight.
It you vs the headlight.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Hey pal that's why I said I believe they are the same. if you look in LMCtruck.com the headlight set is the same for 99-04 and yes the assemblies are different.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,177
Likes: 40
From: Newport, WA
The light sets being sold in LMC truck are the 02-04 style, which do fit all the 99-04 SD's as we all know. They also sell the 99-01 style lights but not in a set.
Long story short- if you want to install 02-04 lights in a 99-01 make dang sure you get the upper adjusters with them if you get them used. Otherwise good luck, because myself and several other people have scoured the junkyards looking for adjuster assemblies and they are almost as rare as a dodo bird.
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Of the next Riffraff East
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Concord NC
You still haven't found those adjusters? Did you try Ed and see if he could get you some new ones?
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,177
Likes: 40
From: Newport, WA
Nope still haven't found any, and Ed said he could sell me some for about $200 per side with new headlights attached 
Trust me Barry, I've looked all over to find a set of those dang adjusters. An elusive little critter they are.
Trust me Barry, I've looked all over to find a set of those dang adjusters. An elusive little critter they are.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Well Chase if you read the post it is asking for help on removal and that is what I gave. If you look at LMCtruck.com it does list the assembly 99-01 and 02-04. I believe 03 falls between those years, but you might want to call them and see if they can work together. 
my bad for just trying to help.
my bad for just trying to help.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,177
Likes: 40
From: Newport, WA
No worries! The advice you gave on removing the old lights is spot on. Buying new lights from some place like LMC gets you the correct adjusters, but if you get used ones from another FTE member or a junkyard you need to make sure you get the adjusters with them or you'll end up with a set of lights you can't do anything with like I have
