FYI - I just installed relays and 100/85 watt bulbs in my headlights and they are putting out over twice the light. Plus, I installed two 100watt Driving Lights. Now I have approx. three times the light (400watts of pure white bright light) on the road.

I did some research on this subject and I have found that there are several things you can do to improve the OEM Ford lighting.

1. I purchased the 01 Lightning Heads and Corners. These Headlights are the new "Complex Reflector" style of headlamp you see on the 01 Lightnings. And, I might add that, with the perfectly clear lens, they definately put more light on the road.

2. You can (and should) install two relays directly from your battery to the headlights. One relay for your brights and one for your dims. First, because your OEM wiring is only 18 gauge wire
which is barely adaquate for 65/55watt bulbs. And second, because then the only load your OEM light switch and bright/dim switch will carry is a few "millivolts" to switch the relays on and off. This way, if you choose to install bulbs that draw a lot more juice (like 100/85 9007 Bulbs), the relays are designed to take all the load .... and your OEM wiring harness will last longer in that it doesn't have to carry the load.

Also, HELLA Lighting of Germany proved that less than a half-volt drop in power to your headlamps will reduce brightness of your lights to just 92%. A full volt drop, through the light switch and bright/dim switch, will reduce your lights to 83% of their optimum brilliance. This is on a brand new truck. Older rigs will notice a lot more loss and yellow lights.

3. It's difficult for Police officers to tell whether a new vehicle has bright factory lighting or bright after-market lighting. What they don't like is "blue" or other color lighting. If your lights are properly adjusted "down and to the right" side of the road in the dim configuration, you won't have any problem with the police if you are using 100/85watt bright white bulbs. I have replaced the original 65/55 bulbs with 100/85 pure white off-road bulbs from JCWhitney.com. You can definately see the difference in lighting on the road, but looking at the lights, it's hard to tell they aren't the OEM lighting. Just make sure they are properly adjusted. That is very important.

4. It is legal to use Fog Lights with your Dims. It is also legal to use a pair of powerful Driving Lights if they are only on when your bright lights are on. So, if you install a pair of 100 watt Road Lights that really light up the road, you can install them on a third relay that is also triggered to come on only when your brights are on. Mine are on a switch so I can turn them off.

So, adding up all the watts of lighting on the road; I have two 100 watt bright lights and two 100 watt Driving Lights that come on at the same time. That's 400 Watts of pure white, bright, light on the road. Or about three times your original equipment lighting. Your OEM rig (on brights) only has two 65 watt bulbs for a total of 130 watts of light. You'll really see the difference!! WOW! Will you ever!

Resources for more information and products:

www.danielsternlighting.com (Great articles by Daniel Stern) And: Competition Limited, Box 337 Pinckney, MI 48169
Proprietor: Gene Henderson (734) 878-5553
(Quick delivery of everything you'll need)


Good Luck and Safer Night Driving