Hi, I'm a newby on this forum, but lighting is a real sensitive subject for me. Why? I ride long distance motorcycle rallies (think 1000 miles + a day). I ride in the tar pitch blackness of the deserts and through critter laden roads in Canada. Yeah, my life depends on good lighting. My credentials include, but are not limited to, over 30 years of dealing with EC lighting (European). I strive to accomplish the best lighting I can find for each and every vehicle I have ever owned...
The Ranger is a tough one though, for 2 reasons: 1- vehicle specific light housings; 2- the dismal 9007 bulbs they use.
Here's a few things to consider: The "SilverStar" bulbs are made by OSRAM. They make 2 versions, the Sylvania -sold here in the US, and the OSRAM SilverStar marketed for Europe. In each and every case, no matter what bulb brand, the "EC" version is superior in lighting to the DOT version.
I am in fairly regular contact with Daniel Stern, a lighting engineer (a member of the US board of engineers "SAE"). Currently, the very best 9007 to be had is the Phillips Xtreme +80. I just slapped a set in my '06 Ranger. A very noticeable difference.
http://store.candlepower.com/bfcopo90hbpo1.html
Now, if you want to rehabilitate the lenses (and you should, or the extra light will be wasted), here is a kit that makes a complete rehab possible:
http://www.doublehornproducts.com/product.php?productid=8&cat=1&page=1 This kit is unique, in that it includes a spray coating that makes your headlight just like it was when it was new. New looking, new coating (that usually gets peeled over time, and even mild abrasives peel it even further).
A couple of other points worthy of note here: 1- Avoid any "blue" light bulbs, no matter what the claims. Imagine putting (blue) sunglasses over your bulbs...same effect. HIDs. 2 things: 1- installing them in a halogen housing (conversion) is #1 illegal - federally; and #2 very non-functional due to the shape of the HID "arc"...it can never be focussed properly, and causes light "scatter" that blinds oncoming traffic (do you really want to blind oncoming traffic, and then deal with a possible head-on?) Not a good idea. Also, the Kelvin tempurature of HIDs (4200ish) is actually bad for the human eye's ability to see in the dark. Halogen, more yellow in spectrum, is much better for night vision. "Closer to sunlight" claims is fine, if EVERYTHING is lit up. But when everything is dark, all "closer to sunlight" lighting does is create contrast, which not optimal for actually seeing at night. Depth perception and colro rendition are diminished significantly.
For more evidence, have a look at these very interesting articles:
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/HID.html
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/conversions/conversions.html
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/disadvantages/disadvantages.html
Daniel Stern currently has a st of E-code (European) headlights for a 98-01 Ranger. I only wish I could use them. These would be an unbelievable upgrade. Contact him through one of those links if you are interested. I am currently chasing down a set for my '06. Somewhere in the southern hemisphere (Brazil I think). Are they worth it? Oh yeah. I spent $600 on an E code headlight from the Netherlands for my motorcycle, because they are that worth it.
If you have any questions, feel free to fire away. Use this information as you see fit.
HTH (Hope This Helps) !