1986 Ranger headlamp won't tighten back up!

[bozo4ford]

This seems to be a no brainer, but I'm still somewhat embarrassed...

Ok, in 26 years of owning this Ranger (1986) I had to replace the headlamps maybe once, or twice before. The other day my driving side headlight went bad.

I bought two replacement lamps and actually forgot what screws do what (adjustment screws top center, and one side screw either side) Silly me, I removed my plastic grill, thinking it would be easier...it helped a little bit, but not really.

The drivers side went in without a hitch, and the Pas side ..well, not so much. And now, the Passenger's side is very loose, and will not get tight.

I played around with the screws to much and now I can't get it tight again.

In order to get this frame tight again, do I only concentrate on the two top and two bottom screws, and the adjustment screw has nothing to do with tightening the lamp frame?

Any suggestions? I would be slightly embarrassed if I have to take this to the repair shop.

BTW...where can I get more of these small short tightening screws, and what size are they? I guess I can try the local hardware store and take one of these with me... thx!

 

[Mark_88]

Can't remember exactly how they go in, but I think the screws that hold the lamp in screw into the curved space behind the lamp. What you may need to do is remove the lamp and check that the screw holes are not rusted or the surrounding metal. If they are you may be able to use a slightly larger screw (same length though)...or you may need to drill new holes...or drill right through the back part and use a longer bolt and nut combination instead of the screws...

But you should not have to touch the adjuster screws at all...if you do it's a good idea to spray them with liquid wrench or similar beforehand because they do tend to seize up over time...but it sounds like you may need to replace one due to rust...so inspection of the socket would be a good idea...

May want to check with a local junk yard and see if anything is available...only other option if it is too rusted would be to consider going with the newer style where you just replace the lamp bulb instead of the whole case...but that may take a bit of modification or even replacing the front clip...which I was thinking about doing some day...

 

[martin]

The headlamp frame is held to the front clip by the two adjustment screws and a spring. The adjustment screws have grooves in them that the slots in the frame slide into. If the spring has disconnected or the slots have come out of the grooves the frame will be loose. The lamps are held to the frame with the four tiny screws (two top, two bottom). If the screws or the threaded holes in the frame are damaged you can use tiny sheet metal screws, which are available anywhere, to replace them.

 

[Mark_88]

Ah, that sounds familiar...I remembered now that mine were rusted and had to be replaced...but it is as you describe...I was going to go have a look at mine but we are getting drenched with cold icy rain...