Replacing headlights

[James Morse]

I'm getting new headlights. Gave up trying to un-yellow the headlightss, and, they're cheap.
Question: Is there any way to swap and retain the line-up of the headlights? Or am I going to have to re-adjust them after the new ones are in?

 

[Uncle Gump]

Cheap headlight housings aren't always a good choice. I've always stuck with factory units.

But with any headlight housings you swap... they will most likely need adjustments after installation.

 

[James Morse]

Thanks Uncle, are you saying that new headlights come with a housing which is not good so I'm looking at the wrong part? How would I find OEM for a '99 wouldn't they be out of production? So let's say a parts place is selling them as "OEM" they are going to cost about 2x as much right? Which I suppose is ok if it saves me work, but then instead of 60/pair I'm looking at 120 or something.
Maybe I'm missing something. What am I -not- getting (quality, ease of install, etc) with the cheaper ones?
I take it by housing you are talking about the lens assembly? sorry for being dense

 

[Uncle Gump]

It's really a quality thing. Poor reflectors etc...

I assumed you were replacing the entire assembly.

I've never replaced one other then with a used OEM. Then just put the elbow grease into them.

 

[James Morse]

More Information for TYC 20565600SET (rockauto.com)
That's what I was going to get. So I'm thinking whatever else is in the assembly, is on the truck to re-use.
There are more expensive ones $40 ea
I think to get what you are talking about as to the bulbs/lense it would have to say OEM NEW, so far I don't see that.
In this pic I think what I am replacing is part #8 I don't see why I'd need to replace anything else, I don't see it broken or anything. Just the lens is really yellow and cloudy and makes it look old plus I'm probably losing a bit of headlight strength on the road. Frankly I can live fine without replacing them I just thought it would look quite a bit better so I guess that's just vanity.

i think this would be the OE one...
Mazda OE ZZP051040B - Front Left Headlight (carid.com)

 

[rumblecloud]

Te item you have noted from Rock includes everything you need to replace your current headlamp(s).
Adjusting is really not that difficult. Level surface 10 to 20 feet from a wall or garage door. Turn the adjusting wheels until they are level. If they are too high, oncoming traffic will let you know pretty quickly.

I assume you have tried the polishing compounds, like Mothers, to clean up the scratches and pitting on the surface of your existing lenses?
I've used it mine with good results. If you really get after it, it comes out pretty clear.

 

[ekrampitzjr]

In my experience with several vehicles with composite headlamps, the plastic lens will get fine cracks over time and then moisture will get into the headlamp assembly. The lens is glued to the assembly and isn't available separately because the glue is supposed to make the assembly weathertight (until the lens cracks, that is).

I bought a set of aftermarket headlamps from eBay last year to replace my originals because of the fine cracks, even though the lenses hadn't yellowed. The dealer I bought the truck from might have polished the lenses to remove yellowing, don't know. Aiming the assemblies wasn't any big deal, except that I would have to remove them from the truck to tweak the bottom screw because I didn't have a tool that would reach it in that confined area. Then I would reinstall it and check the aim.

The aftermarket stuff I got had about the same performance at night as the originals. Ranger headlamps aren't that great anyway. That's why so many guys here are interested in LED replacements and other options.

 

[fastpakr]

The special wrench for adjusting Ford headlights can be really helpful. It makes it quite a bit easier to get to the adjustment knobs.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002SR8AK?tag=959media-20

There are probably a bunch of options available, that's just the first one I found.

 

[James Morse]

Nice wrench, thanks. Summit has it too a bit cheaper, probably other places.
So all I need is the lens unit.
OEM not in stock and they are a lot more expensive at least I didn't find them in stock yet.
I looked at Mother's they have a ton of products. I'd assume you are talking about polishing compound so Dupont #7 (they still make that?) or 3M glaze might be about the same. I might not have been aggressive enough, will give it another shot polishing first.
What are LED options that people have used and liked?
Thanks.

 

[Chapap]

I got some off of ebay. Definitely cheap. The worst part is that the adjuster screws were round on the end, so I couldn't use a wrench- Had to use vice grips. I really like the look of the clear lenses (sometimes called crystal or euro), but hallogens have terible light output as it is and these cheapies make it even worse I think.

I really want to do an LED conversion. It's still on my list. Nothing made for a ranger this old though. I'm still wanting to retrofit (more like hack in) a sealed beam led replacement or some running lights. Not a cheap proposal (good running lights are $100+ ea and will need two low and two high) and will take a couple tries to get it functional... then will have to make it not look like a hack job.

 

[mikkelstuff]

The best thing I did when changing out the headlamp assemblies in my '02 Ranger was to install Hella 100W/80W bulbs. I know the 100's are meant for only off road use but they certainly make a difference for me.

 

[James Morse]

How about xenon are they good?

 

[Chapap]

I'm fairly certain that, for the application of automotive headlights, xenon is synonymous with HID. HID is "high intensity discharge." Instead of a filament, there's an ark and instead of the bulb being filled with a semi vacuum, it's filled with xenon. The ark makes the xenon glow. Different gasses make different colors, brightness, lifespan, etc. and xenon is what is used for headlights. This is a dumbed down and probably not too accurate description, but it's close enough for a 10 second description.

LED vs HID is one of those endless debates, but both are infinitely better than halogen. LED is basically plug and play, and HID needs a ballast. I'm firmly in the LED camp, but wouldn't spend money to convert from a stock HID system.

 

[oldgeek]

If I understand the situation, most aftermarket headlight lenses are a cheap plastic and not the polycarbonate of OEM. So, one will have yellowing issues even sooner. Is that correct?

 

[rubydist]

I would be looking for some that are: CAPA CERTIFIED or NSF CERTIFIED. That means they are certified to use as replacement parts for insurance purposes. I have never had one of those with a poor beam pattern. On the other hand, I have one now that I bought that was not CAPA certified, and it has a terrible pattern.