headlight adjustment

[puty72]

1989 ford ranger 2.9 xlt 4x4


I was wondering how to adjust my headlights because they are shining in different directions.

 

[Tedybear]

Two adjusters on each headlight unit. You'll see the heads sticking out. They are very very small hex head shafts that run down to the adjuster gear.

S-

 

[greenpus]

LOOKS OK TO ME

 

[greenpus]

I found this and thought it was funny

"Well, here's what my brother does. He adjusts both headlights up and to the left as far as they can go. Then, every day he moves them a quarter turn down and to the right. And when people in oncoming vehicles stop giving him the finger and cursing at him as they pass, he figures he's getting pretty close. "

 

[Tedybear]

Here's the really sad part. Keeping in mind I used to turn a wrench 20 or so years ago for a living.

Replaced both headlight assys due to the yellowing problem being so severe no amount of 'refinishing' kits would touch it. (and I tried several).

Went to the local dealership (they actually have the cheapest labor rates) to get a hand pulling the diff plug due to it being seized. I figured I would have them align the headlights the correct way and save the headache.

The "tech" had to heat the diff plug and it finally broke free. Good fluid and he put anti-seize on it when reinstalled. Then he pulled out the very DUSTY "Hoppy" headlight aim set.

Anyone want to guess who trained him that day on how to calibrate and adjust the headlights correctly?

The shop manager didn't charge me a cent for the 60 minutes I spent working with the young "Tech" showing him how to calibrate---use the blue rod attachements--and the internal mirrors to gain the right aim. I told the shop manager these Hoppy tools are perhaps the most under-rated $$ maker a shop can have. 20-30 minute charge to align headlights..and about 70% of all cars/trucks? Have bad headlight aim. I used to do this procedure about 8 times a day at the shop I worked at. (NYS inspection at the time (not sure now...no longer an inspector for 20 years) required headlight aim checked and repaired).

And people came back within a few days to THANK ME because now they see the road at night--and not the corn fields.

S-

 

[greenpus]

Replaced both headlight assys due to the yellowing problem being so severe no amount of 'refinishing' kits would touch it. (and I tried several).

I used GlassyLite. It's expensive but worked well to get rid of yellow and cloudiness of the lens. It does work like most with sanding and polishing the lens but the sealant that is put on at the end does something to the lens to make it look new again. I was amazed.

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

I used GlassyLite. It's expensive but worked well to get rid of yellow and cloudiness of the lens. It does work like most with sanding and polishing the lens but the sealant that is put on at the end does something to the lens to make it look new again. I was amazed.

i used DOT 3 brake fluid and a rag. works good

 

[yyc_tbird_sc]

-Park your truck 10' from a flat wall. Be sure that it is perpendicular with the wall and front end pointed towards the wall.
-Measure from the ground up to the center of the headlight.
-Make a horizontal tape line on a flat wall that height (1" masking tape works well)
-Measure how far apart your lights are
-Make vertical lines using the tape again, be sure that these vertical lines are directly in front of your truck.
-Turn on you headlights (low beam, not high beam).
-Adjust the headlights so that the hot spot is about 2-3" below the horizontal line, and inline with the vertical lines.

 

[Snafu]

you could go through what tbird said or just park it infront of a wall or garage door and use the adjustment screws to adjust them to your liking it may be more accurate with all the taping and measuring but it also takes up time you could be using for something else

 

[MNBen]

I did what Tbird said. It is done and over with and you do not have to second guess. Some manuals say 20', at least for my '99.
MNBen

p.s. Would the fog lights be aligned the same way??