Best headlight options for a 1999 ford ranger on a tight budget.

[I support common sense]

My current headlights are very dim and are adjusted too low, obviously I can adjust them, but I would like to get better headlights altogether. I can’t find led headlight housing for this truck. What solutions do in have, looking for long lasting solutions. I’m a do it right the first time guy, so even if it cost a bit as long as it lasts I’m fine.

 

[pjtoledo]

are the lenses yellow and foggy? polishing them helps a lot.

 

[ekrampitzjr]

Here's what I did: in new stock-style headlight housings, I used LED replacement bulbs.

Your 1999 Ranger uses 9007 halogen bulbs. You can get a pair of aftermarket replacement headlight housings from eBay for about $50–$60 for 1998–2000 models. Right, you get both housings for that price. Get the ones that are clear like the originals. Some aftermarket units have a darkened look that some people like. You don't want those.

The best LED bulbs I've used are Fahren. Get the good ones for your truck, which are the Fahren Termitor replacements for 9007. From Amazon they're about $65 per pair.

Use the new housings for the LED bulbs. Aim the new headlamps carefully after installation. I do this after dark in a level parking lot near home against a cinder-block building wall. The bottom adjustment screw (for side to side) is hard to reach after installation and takes a 4 mm wrench. The critical one is the upper adjustment screw (up and down), which takes a larger wrench, I believe 8 mm.

You will be surprised at the difference, and it keeps the stock appearance. These LED bulbs have come a long way over the past few years. Proper adjustment will not blind other drivers on low beam. You're out only about $120 or so.

My truck has passed Virginia safety inspection twice with these bulbs, no problems.

For the people who want to fuss that these bulbs are "illegal": if you are running LED replacements for other bulbs such as the taillamps, those are technically just as illegal.

 

[I support common sense]

Thank you. Are those housings designed for led? I understand it scatters the light and blinds other drivers otherwise. Any chance you could provide a link to those housings?

 

[ekrampitzjr]

The housings are just stock housings designed for halogen bulbs. If you're going to upgrade, this is your cheapest solution for better lights in front.

Here's an example: 1999 clear replacement housings

The beam is a little patchy, but the overall output is so much better that you won't notice. Auxito and Fahren work well for the bulbs. These are plug and play. Some other brands of LEDs might still be a problem or require wiring mods. Those two brands worked for me out of the box without problems.

As mentioned, proper aiming will prevent dazzling other drivers.

 

[I support common sense]

From what I understand until you can have a led strip as thin as the filament in a halogen bulb a led will never be as finely concentrated or properly aimed. So I’m wondering if they make led housings to go with the bulbs.

 

[SenorNoob]

The only true LED housings that I'm aware of are for Harleys and Jeeps. (Round) Or 6054 drop ins. (Rectangular) I suppose with some work you could convert to either.

I'd order a set of TYC replacements from Rockauto. Go ahead and get the sides too. The TYC taillights I got (88) seemed to have been made with the original Ford molds. There is lots of flash. I had to drill the screw holes out to put them on, but they've held up great so far. (4 years)

 

[I support common sense]

My current housings are fine. They aren’t fogged up, but they are certainly not brand new. How would it benefit me to get the tyc versions?

 

[SenorNoob]

Never mind then. I misunderstood. I thought you had foggy housings now...