After i purchased a 2001 F150 Lariet 5.4L extended cab last week, I was looking at aiming the headlights a little higher and noticed what looks like a red strobe bulb inside the headlight assembly. Anyone ever seen anything like this from the factory? Was this something that was added as aftermarket? I have not taken the taillights out to see if there is anything there similer. I also noted there was a 8 ohm horn mounted up front near the radiator like there had been a PA in the truck once.

 

Sounds like you bought a former police or fire vehicle because red strobes are not factory installed - nor legal for anybody else. I'm kinda surprised they left them in other than the fact that adding them leaves a 3/4" hole in the housings. I'd just leave them there becasue removing them will just cause more problems. Oh yea, and don't even think about hooking them up.

 

shout id hook em up u cant get in trouble for having police lights...you just cant use them with a siren or attempt to pull someone over or use it to get through traffic...Well at least in texas you cant.

 

I would not listen to this guy if your smart. I am fairly certain that he has not read a word Texas Penal Code or Texas Traffic Code. If you have use red lights on the front of your vehicle on the road, siren or not, you had better be a peace office performing official duty, be a volunteer fireman responding to a fire, or have bail money handy.

 

I don't have a care about using them. My concern was why they would be there in the first place. My main concern was that the lights are very poor compared to my 2000 ranger i had. How do you "raise" the beam on the headlights anyway? They are aimed about 30 feet in front of the truck. Another question is what are the best bulbs for the money? Should i change out the headlight case since it has these red strobes in them? Would it be brighter?

 

Nothing wrong with having them...you just can't have them on while the vehicle is in motion/moving. Blinking in a parking lot as you're chilling with your friends in the bed is totally legal...(maybe annoying but still legal) Heck look at all of the cars with ground effects.

 

I've owned Rangers and you may find that no matter what you do, your F-150 headlights just aren't as bright, but let's try a few things first. Number one is aim. Your F-150 uses an aiming system on the back of the headlight bucket. There's a couple of ways of using it, but without a special tool, the easiest way is to remove the headlight assembly (see Owner's Manual - it's easy) and you'll see the threaded mounting legs with "x" shaped plastic nuts on them. You want to either crank the bottom one out or the top one in. I'd try about 3 complete turns at a time until you get it right.

Next, there's bulbs. For the money, Sylvania Silverstars are about the best bet - and they're available at Wal-Mart or your local parts strore. For Around $37.00 a pair, they're well worth it.

Now for your last point - putting new headlight assemblies in. I don't think you're going to gain much here. The strobe bulbs don't negatively impact efficiency significantly - unless they cause a leak.

 

As a volunteer firefighter, let me just say that you have to be carefull and check local laws. Here in Virginia, all lights that are not stock, other than up to two fog lights, not only have to be unlit, but covered as well. Additionally, emergency lights are expressly forbidden unless authorized: "Nothing in this section shall permit any vehicle, not otherwise authorized, to be equipped with colored emergency lights, whether blinking or steady-burning."

Ground effect is a lot different from a truck sitting there that looks like it might be an official fire/police/rescue vehicle.

 

maybe someone installed led lights.


http://www.fordf150.net/howto/headlightaccents.php

 

That's what I though...

 

lees99F150,

OK, I give up. What are the "reds" for? I thought red lights on the front of any vehicle were a no-no because they are strictly reserved for emergency vehicles. Yes, they look "interesting", but up here in New York State I think you'd get to use them about once before somebody (with a badge) told you to loose them.

 

If you want the best lighting you can get...The Sylvania Xenarc x2010 always gets good reviews. They are a true HID upgrade kit and are DOT approved. I personally haven't tried them…yet but I do have a pair sitting on the dinning room table (I had a little warrantee SNAFU with the kit I purchased and am waiting the a replacement light assembly.)

They list for $500 and can be had for $439 + shipping.

If all you want are replacement light bulbs you might like the Sylvania SilverStar. I put a pair in my wife’s car and like them.

PS. I’ve been looking at buying a pair Xenarc lights quite some time and what really made me bite-the-bullet and buy them is that the Sylvania online store says, "Supplies are limited and once they're gone, they're gone." So I figured the kits are being discontinued and it was now or never.

 

It does sound like your headlight are way out of alignment. I think the owners manual covers adjusting the lights.

There are three threaded studs/posts behind the lights.

So, to raise the beam you would turn the outside/top stud counter-clockwise.

 

no tbh999, the manual does not cover this, It says they were "adjusted at the factory and should not need adjusting, but if so bring it to the dealership". HA i don't think so. Anyway, I'll try to adjust them tonight before i leave from work.

I think black UV LED's would look cool on my truck in place of the red as lees99f150 picture shows. Only while the truck is parked for sure. So lets not get on the you can, can't do this trip again. lol

I think maybe i've seen the Sylvania SilverStar bulbs at Wally-World. I guess for now all i can afford is them. I'm assuming for all the HID systems you have to have a transformer. They are quite expensive.

Thanks for the info on this everyone. you guys (and girls) rock!

 

This thread has some info on getting to the alignment studs.