• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Convert headlights to sealed beam


Chapap

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Jul 31, 2021
Messages
1,056
Reaction score
672
Points
113
Location
NW Florida
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford Ranger XLT
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.3
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
1.5” till I get these springs replaced
Tire Size
225-70-R14
A 351 Windsor (or 5.8 as they were known more recently) is a totally different engine than a 351M or 351C from back in the day........... or the 352 that was very similar to the 360 and 390. I am referring to trucks from the mid 80's up. Mid teens for mileage in a 351W/5.8 truck from that era is doable. I did have a '76 F250 with a 390 in it and it did get a solid 8mpg all day long. My current F250 also will get 8mpg...fully loaded, pulling 10,000lbs. I can average 10-11 empty...maybe 12 downhill.
I tried to figure out the 351 w/m/c. I decided that basically every f150 is a W except maybe the earlier ones. It’s hard to find any designation beyond 351 for a particular vehicle. To make matters worse, it seems that this is a common tinkering engine and can be bought as crate engines with carbs. It was tough to find fuel injected info for the 351W.
 


Shran

Junk Collector
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
Solid Axle Swap
Truck of Month
Joined
Mar 4, 2008
Messages
8,691
Reaction score
4,791
Points
113
Location
Rapid City SD
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Trucks pre 82 had 351Ms, after that were Windsors. Cleveland was commonly used in cars up to the early 70s, the Windsor was as well. The 352 I mentioned was used in trucks up till around 1970? Or so.
 

rubydist

Well-Known Member
TRS Forum Moderator
Joined
Dec 16, 2016
Messages
1,024
Reaction score
855
Points
113
Location
Denver
Vehicle Year
2009
Make / Model
Ford Ranger FX4
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Back to the op question about headlights - I bought these on fleabay: 9007 HB5 CREE LED Headlight Bulbs Conversion Kit High Low Beam 6000K Xenon White and they are high/low beam and they are about 50% more light than the original halogens - enough that they provide noticeably more light, but not so much they seem too bright to oncoming cars. The only downside I have found is that they don't generate enough heat in the housing to melt the ice off the lense on days when it is snowing. There are about 1000 choices on the web and only a very few of them are worth the money so do your research carefully.
 

rusty ol ranger

2.9 Mafia-Don
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
12,387
Reaction score
7,477
Points
113
Location
Michigan
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
177 CID
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
A legend to the old man, a hero to the child...
Trucks pre 82 had 351Ms, after that were Windsors. Cleveland was commonly used in cars up to the early 70s, the Windsor was as well. The 352 I mentioned was used in trucks up till around 1970? Or so.
M's were also used in cars up to 79 with the demise of the LTD II.
 

rusty ol ranger

2.9 Mafia-Don
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
12,387
Reaction score
7,477
Points
113
Location
Michigan
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
177 CID
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
A legend to the old man, a hero to the child...
the 400 was a great V8, same bore & stroke as the 300-I6. 9mpg with a C6 & 4.10’s
The 400 had/has massive potential. Plus attleast in my exeperence is more reliable then a 460.
 

That_4.0_ranger

Active Member
Joined
Nov 19, 2021
Messages
235
Reaction score
152
Points
43
Location
Appleton,W.A.
Vehicle Year
1991,1987
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Size
4.0, 2.9
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
stock
Tire Size
31x10.50-15
Maybe proprietary isn’t the best word. I mean it’s a 3rd gen ranger headlight. Fits nothing but this particular truck. I have brand new headlights installed. After experiencing cars with LEDs and HIDs, these halogens are just terrible. I’ll probably tinker with the old headlights to see how much of a hassle it’ll be then throw a pair of accessories on. But maybe it’ll work.
you could also try led replacement bulbs
 

fastpakr

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
U.S. Military - Veteran
V8 Engine Swap
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
8,016
Reaction score
2,832
Points
113
Location
Roanoke, VA
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
285/75-16

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,327
Reaction score
17,805
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
I am quite content with the LED's in my H4 conversion lenses.

Beats the heck out of sealed beams, patterns well, looks stock... no regrets.

I actually parked my Ranger idling in my cornfield and "met" it with my F-150 to seem how it would be for "the other guy", seemed a lot better than a lot of OEM LED headlights.

Yes they don't melt snow off the lenses (I don't drive my truck in snow) but they also are less likely to melt old wiring.

 
Last edited:

Chapap

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Jul 31, 2021
Messages
1,056
Reaction score
672
Points
113
Location
NW Florida
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford Ranger XLT
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.3
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
1.5” till I get these springs replaced
Tire Size
225-70-R14

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,327
Reaction score
17,805
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual

Chapap

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Jul 31, 2021
Messages
1,056
Reaction score
672
Points
113
Location
NW Florida
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford Ranger XLT
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.3
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
1.5” till I get these springs replaced
Tire Size
225-70-R14
To convert my 85 from sealed beams to more modern bulbs.
OK I get it. That beam pattern looks good. Supposedly getting drop in LED bulbs usually doesn’t work, but sometimes it does. One of those thing that you have to try all the led offerings until one works. Why did you convert to H4 instead of getting an LED unit?
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,327
Reaction score
17,805
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
OK I get it. That beam pattern looks good. Supposedly getting drop in LED bulbs usually doesn’t work, but sometimes it does. One of those thing that you have to try all the led offerings until one works. Why did you convert to H4 instead of getting an LED unit?
i wanted it to look original, i dont care for the look of the drop in units.

I would rather run halogen H4's on relays than have to look at the drop in ones on a regular basis.

My bulbs had good reviews on amazon with my housings... so i gambled.
 
Last edited:

fastpakr

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
U.S. Military - Veteran
V8 Engine Swap
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
8,016
Reaction score
2,832
Points
113
Location
Roanoke, VA
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
285/75-16
Which bulbs are you using? The set I tried a few years back really soured me on LED's from a functional standpoint as drop in replacements for filament bulbs as well as their quality (of the three I bought, 1 was DOA and two died within a year or so).
 

Chapap

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Jul 31, 2021
Messages
1,056
Reaction score
672
Points
113
Location
NW Florida
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford Ranger XLT
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.3
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
1.5” till I get these springs replaced
Tire Size
225-70-R14
Which bulbs are you using? The set I tried a few years back really soured me on LED's from a functional standpoint as drop in replacements for filament bulbs as well as their quality (of the three I bought, 1 was DOA and two died within a year or so).
My accord had LED low beams and halogen high. They later put led highs on the lower models which ticked me off. I read good things about Simdevanma (in 2018) and got a pair. They were AWESOME. They’re 100% Chinese with no web presence past Amazon and eBay listings, but they really blew me away. Of course it was high beam only.
 

fastpakr

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
U.S. Military - Veteran
V8 Engine Swap
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
8,016
Reaction score
2,832
Points
113
Location
Roanoke, VA
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
285/75-16
I was really curious about the drop in LED's that Justin was using.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Shran
April Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top