Having quite a hard time with this and can find nothing to help me as of yet. I am in the process of changing the headlight bulb in my 1997 F150. The problem is that my headlights seem to be different than all headlights I've seen online. There seems to be a black casing on the back of my headlight, preventing me from removing the bulb. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

Are you talking about the reinforcement behind the headlamp that is part of the truck ?
- trying to recall from memory, this is the driver's side ??

If this is what you are talking about, you are to be removing the headlamp unit from the truck to replace the bulb.

From the owners manual

 

No he has a 1997 model without the updated header panel, so he has the old style housings with the black casing on the back. As for removing the bulb, I am in the air for that one. Unless another 1997 guy can chime in I would just keep examining it or find your owners manual (they are online).

 

That is from the 1997 OM.

1997 & 2003 OM read almost the same step for step.