How to change headlights
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Arlington, Texas
How to change headlights
I got my new headlights in today and gonna put them in tonight... i havent really looked yet... but just curious... how easy is to change them out? where are they bolted in at?? i gotta pop the hood and take alot out or what?
thanks.... sorry, just bored here at work and thought i would look around... wish i could just do it now.. lol
thanks.... sorry, just bored here at work and thought i would look around... wish i could just do it now.. lol
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Mt. Holly, NJ
Scott, From my memory you pull these tabs up, and might need to pop out the fog light to pull out the headlights? Not exactly sure, I know I just figured it out on my own and it only took about 15min. Cake job!
BTW...did you get the 01+ syle? Good Luck!
BTW...did you get the 01+ syle? Good Luck!
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From: Ann Arbor, Michigan
There are two black sliding 'L' shaped clips on the back of each headlight. The top part is flush with the top plastic radiator tray. A little WD-40 down where they grab the pins on the back of the headlight helps. Pull them up about 3/4" then push the headlight straight foreward from behind. Disconnect the bulb holder and they're free.
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From: Arlington, Texas
i went a little different look than others... flame if yall like, but im happy...
https://www.f150online.com/galleries...w.cfm?num=4883
https://www.f150online.com/galleries...w.cfm?num=4883
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From: Upstate NY
L headlight install instr.
Headlights:
Find the black tabs (2) above each headlight. Push them slightly back towards the cab of the truck, then pull up. They should move up about 3/4".
Place masking tape on painted surface below each headlight so you do not scratch the paint when you pull the headlight out and push it back in.. THE TAPE IS A MUST!!!
Gently slide the headlight forward out of the truck. You may need to push it out from behind a little.
When the headlight is fully out, disconnect the plug from the bulb. The headlight should now be completely free of the truck.
There is a large plastic ring surrounding the lamp. Rotate it counter-clockwise to remove it. It takes very little effort so be careful.
Once the ring is removed, remove the bulb from the headlight housing by pulling it directly out. It will give you some "rubbery" resistance - wiggling it slightly helps. BE CAREFUL NOT TO TOUCH THE GLASS OF THE BULB!
Insert the new bulb into the headlight housing. There are grooves and tabs that need to line up. Again, DO NOT TOUCH THE GLASS OF THE BULB.
Replace the plastic ring and reattach the plug.
Carefully replace the headlight assembly back into the truck. You may need to move the alignment bolts around a bit to get them back into the holes. (This will be apparent once you're doing it.)
Make sure the rubber grommets are all the way inside their mounting holes, then slide the two black levers down into place.
Check headlight aim when done.....
Find the black tabs (2) above each headlight. Push them slightly back towards the cab of the truck, then pull up. They should move up about 3/4".
Place masking tape on painted surface below each headlight so you do not scratch the paint when you pull the headlight out and push it back in.. THE TAPE IS A MUST!!!
Gently slide the headlight forward out of the truck. You may need to push it out from behind a little.
When the headlight is fully out, disconnect the plug from the bulb. The headlight should now be completely free of the truck.
There is a large plastic ring surrounding the lamp. Rotate it counter-clockwise to remove it. It takes very little effort so be careful.
Once the ring is removed, remove the bulb from the headlight housing by pulling it directly out. It will give you some "rubbery" resistance - wiggling it slightly helps. BE CAREFUL NOT TO TOUCH THE GLASS OF THE BULB!
Insert the new bulb into the headlight housing. There are grooves and tabs that need to line up. Again, DO NOT TOUCH THE GLASS OF THE BULB.
Replace the plastic ring and reattach the plug.
Carefully replace the headlight assembly back into the truck. You may need to move the alignment bolts around a bit to get them back into the holes. (This will be apparent once you're doing it.)
Make sure the rubber grommets are all the way inside their mounting holes, then slide the two black levers down into place.
Check headlight aim when done.....
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From: Arlington, Texas
i found the 2 "L" shaped levers... i pulled them up all the way and even sprayed some wd40 down there.... and there has to be something holding them... they wont BUDGE....!!!!
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From: Upstate NY
Originally posted by scott015
i found the 2 "L" shaped levers... i pulled them up all the way and even sprayed some wd40 down there.... and there has to be something holding them... they wont BUDGE....!!!!
i found the 2 "L" shaped levers... i pulled them up all the way and even sprayed some wd40 down there.... and there has to be something holding them... they wont BUDGE....!!!!
The tape is a must or I'd bet you do damage to the paint either when removing the light or installing the new one...
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Mt. Holly, NJ
I just went and checked on mine for you and what you gotta do when you pull up the 2 tabs, pull up about 3/4 of the way. You need to let the bolts go through the holes in the tabs! Take pics of the new ones!
BTW...you got mail!
BTW...you got mail!
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Fort Valley, Ga
Take it to the dealer. You will need to have them pointed when you get them on the truck. They want charge you but about $25 dollars to put the new lights in and point them. You pull on the two tabs pretty hard. They will click when they are high enough to allow the light to go free. Slide the light out. The lamps don't come pointed so you have to play with them to get them pointed right. The dealer has a tool that will cost you about $12 bucks if you wanna do it yourself. I'd say let them do it. It is much easier and be warned you can scratch you paint pretty bad trying to put the lamps in if you don't use tape. Good luck and post pictures.
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From: Upstate NY
Headlight aim
You might want to read this old post of mine as you may have to adjust / aim those headlights!
Just switched to the SilverStars on my '03 L. For the fog lights and headlights. 9005's in the fogs and 9007's in the headlights.
Will start by say YES, it is very easy to scratch the surrounding plastic/paint when going in and out with the headlight. I got a tiny scratch (compounded out easily) and then stopped and used some wide masking tape over the plastic to keep it from scratching during the procedure. Anyway, be sure when you reinsert the headlights that you have the 3 adjuster threaded rods that stick out the back of the headlight assembly back into the holes they belong in on your L. They stick through the headlight housing so you can make headlight adjustments. Knowing they are in the holes be sure to latch properly BOTH the black bracket retainers that you pulled up to remove the headlight bulb. They kinda double click as you push them down. Would be easy not to get them to latch properly. Be sure after you think you have ghem in right to take a close look and see if the headlights seem to be sitting right from the front and in right.
You could have them in crooked, etc.. Once you are 100% sure they are in right, park your L on level ground and about 15 ft. from a wall, garage door, etc.. To adjust the headlights up or down you find the adjuster rod on the top back of the headlight housing and you turn just that adjuster only. Adjust each headlight so the beam on the wall a head of you is equal. I found that adjustment was necessary with the SilverStars. Not sure if it was because of the SilverStars or adjustment just went a bit a muck with the headlight in and out procedure. I fine tuned my adjustment of the headlights once night fall came and after I drove the truck. Carried a small ignition plier to make the adjustments. I could not get a socket in there on to the adjuster rod as the socket was to long to fit in there. I had no wrench that small. Ford has a special headlight adjuster tool you can buy for $10+. I found the small plier did the job if you go easy so as not to bugger up the adjuster. Oh, you want to adjust the headlights so that when you are driving your low beams hit just below the oncoming vehicles windshield. If you are facing the side of a car going by you, you want the low beam light to hit just a tad below their side windows. The adjustment will be different with everybodys L as alot depends on the height of your L front and rear, etc..
Just switched to the SilverStars on my '03 L. For the fog lights and headlights. 9005's in the fogs and 9007's in the headlights.
Will start by say YES, it is very easy to scratch the surrounding plastic/paint when going in and out with the headlight. I got a tiny scratch (compounded out easily) and then stopped and used some wide masking tape over the plastic to keep it from scratching during the procedure. Anyway, be sure when you reinsert the headlights that you have the 3 adjuster threaded rods that stick out the back of the headlight assembly back into the holes they belong in on your L. They stick through the headlight housing so you can make headlight adjustments. Knowing they are in the holes be sure to latch properly BOTH the black bracket retainers that you pulled up to remove the headlight bulb. They kinda double click as you push them down. Would be easy not to get them to latch properly. Be sure after you think you have ghem in right to take a close look and see if the headlights seem to be sitting right from the front and in right.
You could have them in crooked, etc.. Once you are 100% sure they are in right, park your L on level ground and about 15 ft. from a wall, garage door, etc.. To adjust the headlights up or down you find the adjuster rod on the top back of the headlight housing and you turn just that adjuster only. Adjust each headlight so the beam on the wall a head of you is equal. I found that adjustment was necessary with the SilverStars. Not sure if it was because of the SilverStars or adjustment just went a bit a muck with the headlight in and out procedure. I fine tuned my adjustment of the headlights once night fall came and after I drove the truck. Carried a small ignition plier to make the adjustments. I could not get a socket in there on to the adjuster rod as the socket was to long to fit in there. I had no wrench that small. Ford has a special headlight adjuster tool you can buy for $10+. I found the small plier did the job if you go easy so as not to bugger up the adjuster. Oh, you want to adjust the headlights so that when you are driving your low beams hit just below the oncoming vehicles windshield. If you are facing the side of a car going by you, you want the low beam light to hit just a tad below their side windows. The adjustment will be different with everybodys L as alot depends on the height of your L front and rear, etc..
Last edited by billarf; Feb 2, 2004 at 04:02 PM.
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Joined: May 2003
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From: Upstate NY
Originally posted by Invalid_access
Take it to the dealer. You will need to have them pointed when you get them on the truck. They want charge you but about $25 dollars to put the new lights in and point them. You pull on the two tabs pretty hard. They will click when they are high enough to allow the light to go free. Slide the light out. The lamps don't come pointed so you have to play with them to get them pointed right. The dealer has a tool that will cost you about $12 bucks if you wanna do it yourself. I'd say let them do it. It is much easier and be warned you can scratch you paint pretty bad trying to put the lamps in if you don't use tape. Good luck and post pictures.
Take it to the dealer. You will need to have them pointed when you get them on the truck. They want charge you but about $25 dollars to put the new lights in and point them. You pull on the two tabs pretty hard. They will click when they are high enough to allow the light to go free. Slide the light out. The lamps don't come pointed so you have to play with them to get them pointed right. The dealer has a tool that will cost you about $12 bucks if you wanna do it yourself. I'd say let them do it. It is much easier and be warned you can scratch you paint pretty bad trying to put the lamps in if you don't use tape. Good luck and post pictures.
