I bought some Sylvania SilverStars to install in my 2000 Ext Cab. The passenger side was a piece of cake, a straightforward replacement--no problem. BUT the driver's side was a royal pain.

My question--- is there another way and did I miss the obvious?

The coolant reservoir is directly in front of the headlight unit and there's no way you can easily take out the old lamp and put in the new. Just not enough room although you can see the lamp housing from the top.

An access hole, if you look up from under the front end, is high up, is small and the lamp is a long way from it. Maybe if I had skinny hands and long arms I could reach it.

I wound up removing the air cleaner housing so I could slide the coolant tank out of the way enough to get at the lamp assembly.

Right side=1 minute replacement / Left side = 15 minutes (includes figuring out how to do it and then replacing the lamp and then putting everything back)

Is this crazy design engineering or am I just not seeing things right?

 

Look for the two metal tabs... pull them up... I missed the obvious the first time I replaced bulbs as well...


There are two metal tabs that lock the assembly in place. Pull both of those UP... check your manual.. it talks about the procedure to replace them!!

RP

 

HOW TO REPLACE YOUR HEADLIGHT BULBS

 

Thanks RockPick... I was missing the obvious and of course failed to look at my manual. I also had wondered what the black tabs were....so now I know.........

 

Oh yeah, one more tidbit of advice... remove your corners while you have your heads off...

As most of us know, pulling the heads out is cake, putting them back in can, sometimes, be a bitch... remove the corners by removing a single bolt that holds them in.... it'll make your life MUCH easier when it comes time to remount the booger...

Just another friendly tip...

RP

 

Yeah I just installed 9007SB(Super Blue) lights in my 97 yesterday. Lemme tell you I had already disconnected the hose the top of the coolant tank, the black plastic cover over the front of the radiator support, unbolted the coolant tank, partially disassembled/removed the air cleaner BEFORE I friggin realized what those damn tabs did! Oh well it was interesting, and they're in, but I did manage to break one of the plastic retaining clips on the pass. side assembly. BTW I need to stay away from this site before I spend too much money on my truck! LOL

 

Hehehe, kinda reminds me of when I was trying to put new speakers in my truck. I took all the pins & screws out of the door panel, took the handle off, & started to pull. I pulled like mad thinking that this truck had the common plastic retainers holding the door panel on. I started looking for more screws or anything I missed that may still be holding this door panel on. Finally I pulled at a slightly upward angle & the panel came right off. I was amazed. I thought to myself...first the oil filter behind the bumper & now this. Ford is making things too damn simple!