Light me up
#1
Light me up
I’m looking to replace/ update my headlights in my 02 F250. They are currently stock and the housing are yellowed pretty badly. I get decent lighting but I would like to upgrade. I know this subject has been beaten to death but in my research, I can’t seem to find a definitive solution. I do not want to cut the header panel or retrofit to 05-07 style lights if I do not have to. Regardless of the route I go, I will be replacing the headlight buckets with new clear ones.
Options from my research-
1. HID’s from Mishmoto or Retro Solutions- https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...installed.html
Pro’s-
High light output
Pretty well put together kit
Fairly simple to install
Con’s
Expensive
Possibly hard to aim?
Electrical interference with tuners
2. LEDs from Trucklite- https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...tes-led-s.html
Pro’s
Great light output
Con’s
Sealed beam style buckets- I don’t think the black bezels around the lights would look good with a chrome bumper and grille
Expensive
Could ice up (don’t produce heat)
I would like to keep the same headlight style (non-sealed beam) and have seen a couple of guys that took an LED sealed beam style light and mounted it in headlight buckets. If I go the LED route I will probably attempt this. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...s-led-s-2.html
3. New, higher power bulbs and harness
Pro’s
Fairly simple
Relatively cheap
Con’s
Probably not as much light as the other options
Have to build wiring harness (for higher output)
Any ideas or suggestions are welcome; I would also like to hear any reviews from anyone who has upgraded their lights.
Thanks-
Options from my research-
1. HID’s from Mishmoto or Retro Solutions- https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...installed.html
Pro’s-
High light output
Pretty well put together kit
Fairly simple to install
Con’s
Expensive
Possibly hard to aim?
Electrical interference with tuners
2. LEDs from Trucklite- https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...tes-led-s.html
Pro’s
Great light output
Con’s
Sealed beam style buckets- I don’t think the black bezels around the lights would look good with a chrome bumper and grille
Expensive
Could ice up (don’t produce heat)
I would like to keep the same headlight style (non-sealed beam) and have seen a couple of guys that took an LED sealed beam style light and mounted it in headlight buckets. If I go the LED route I will probably attempt this. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...s-led-s-2.html
3. New, higher power bulbs and harness
Pro’s
Fairly simple
Relatively cheap
Con’s
Probably not as much light as the other options
Have to build wiring harness (for higher output)
Any ideas or suggestions are welcome; I would also like to hear any reviews from anyone who has upgraded their lights.
Thanks-
#3
I converted to 05 headlights and Retro-Solutions 55 watt Bi-Xenon HID kit. In good faith I would not recommend their HID kit for the truck. I bought 4 kits from him and have had nothing but problems with truck kit. The others have had no issues other than his replacement bulbs do not perform the same as the originals. It is a long story and if you or anybody wants more info PM me.
#4
#7
I purchased these from EBay https://www.ebay.com/itm/1999-2004-F...72.m2749.l2649 and then bought this HID kit
and then added some LED bulbs for the brights.
I did have to do some cutting, but once cut it was a nice fit. Also I can adjust the horizontal and vertical position of the low and high beams. No more large gaps between the headlight and fender nor blinding people.
I did have to do some cutting, but once cut it was a nice fit. Also I can adjust the horizontal and vertical position of the low and high beams. No more large gaps between the headlight and fender nor blinding people.
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#8
#9
I know HID's and LED's are all the rage but I went this way and couldn't be happier. Huge improvement over original and more than enough light even for these old tired eyes. The light assembly's are direct fit and the 12 volts directly to the bulbs really brightens them up. Got the idea for the harness upgrade from this thread by Sous https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-pictures.html
https://www.1aauto.com/products/i/1ALHT00151?trk_msg=153CDMFVDU6KD334ALPJMS9RVG&trk_ contact=3FVCMKQFNQRQI5BJ3U1508J9J8&trk_module=tra& trk_sid=LFOJVHDHAUUD3HDLEL2D02U1SG&utm_source=Tran sactional&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=https%3a%2f%2f www.1aauto.com%2fproducts%2fi%2f1ALHT00151&utm_cam paign=OrderConfirmation&utm_content=1A+Order+Confi rmation
Heavy duty headlight harness
https://coolbulbs.com/hdh9007
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sylvania-Si...item23b0d007dd
https://www.1aauto.com/products/i/1ALHT00151?trk_msg=153CDMFVDU6KD334ALPJMS9RVG&trk_ contact=3FVCMKQFNQRQI5BJ3U1508J9J8&trk_module=tra& trk_sid=LFOJVHDHAUUD3HDLEL2D02U1SG&utm_source=Tran sactional&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=https%3a%2f%2f www.1aauto.com%2fproducts%2fi%2f1ALHT00151&utm_cam paign=OrderConfirmation&utm_content=1A+Order+Confi rmation
Heavy duty headlight harness
https://coolbulbs.com/hdh9007
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sylvania-Si...item23b0d007dd
#10
I think I'm going to go the simple route. New housings, bulbs, and upgraded harness. At some point I'll probably end up playing with cutting my old housings up and mounting either a projector or LEDs in them.
Thanks for the input, I'll be sure to return the favor when I get around to experimenting.
Thanks for the input, I'll be sure to return the favor when I get around to experimenting.
#14
I did not build them. I provided a link above where I got them. I did wire the LED strip into a wire that was acc only. So the light strip always comes on when I start the truck. I like it that way. You can wire them up however you want.
#15