mexicanjoe
Full Access Member
question: can I swap my 1989 f-250 grille and lights for say....a1985 model. My headlamps are useless!!! Sealed beams appear to be better. Thanks guys!
Headlight swap?
- Thread starter mexicanjoe
- Start date
You can, but the whole front clip would have to be replaced. So fenders, core support, hood, and cowl would need to be from a 81-86 truck. I would try polishing the headlights or replacing them, and going with a silver star ultra bulb. You can also look into the eadlight relay mod which will supply the proper amount of power these bulbs need. Bronco graveyard sells a great upgrade kit
79jasper
Chickenhawk
Or you could search about headlights..............
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genscripter
Full Access Member
You could run dedicated relays. Some guys do that and it shortens the wiring needed to run the bulbs, and allows for heavier gauge wiring, thus allowing more power to increase light. I'm sure there are some write-ups on this site or FTE.
pelky350
Full Access Member
Or 30$ plug and play led bulbs? Along with cleaning or replacing headlights.
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nelstomlinson
Full Access Member
I asked this question, and it looks as if there isn't a good drop in solution. https://www.oilburners.net/threads/ford-headlights-stink-what-to-do.83754/
It might be possible to bolt in the old sealed beam headlight buckets and get better lights that way, but I haven't had time to dig on that option.
Another option, as folks here have said already, is to put in relays and buy new headlight assemblies. That at least gets you back to slightly better than new. The relay mod is worth doing in any event, because it keeps your headlight switch/connector from melting down.
There is one set of semi-custom projector lights which are a drop in, but they cost nearly $800. See my thread for the link.
Right now, for quick and cheap, I think I'm going to put in the relay mod, new stock headlight assemblies and Phillips xtreme vision bulbs, and buy some ebay KC driving lights for the open road. That will see me through this winter, and hopefully I can come up with something better that doesn't involve driving lights for next winter.
I advise against the LED drop ins, because they have terrible glare and are ******* oncoming traffic, even on low beam. They are bright, but even on low beam you're going to have people flashing their high beams at you. I have a pair, and I'm not happy with them for that reason. I have a pair of HID drop ins, and I suspect that they are going to have the same glare problem. Now that it's getting dark again, I'll give them a try.
It might be possible to bolt in the old sealed beam headlight buckets and get better lights that way, but I haven't had time to dig on that option.
Another option, as folks here have said already, is to put in relays and buy new headlight assemblies. That at least gets you back to slightly better than new. The relay mod is worth doing in any event, because it keeps your headlight switch/connector from melting down.
There is one set of semi-custom projector lights which are a drop in, but they cost nearly $800. See my thread for the link.
Right now, for quick and cheap, I think I'm going to put in the relay mod, new stock headlight assemblies and Phillips xtreme vision bulbs, and buy some ebay KC driving lights for the open road. That will see me through this winter, and hopefully I can come up with something better that doesn't involve driving lights for next winter.
I advise against the LED drop ins, because they have terrible glare and are ******* oncoming traffic, even on low beam. They are bright, but even on low beam you're going to have people flashing their high beams at you. I have a pair, and I'm not happy with them for that reason. I have a pair of HID drop ins, and I suspect that they are going to have the same glare problem. Now that it's getting dark again, I'll give them a try.
do the relay mod, spend about 180$ and 1-2 hrs installing re-production buckets
it's probably cheaper, it's definitely faster and you'll get another 20 yrs of use from them
search for my thread and pics
unless you just really want the look of the older truck
it's probably cheaper, it's definitely faster and you'll get another 20 yrs of use from them
search for my thread and pics
unless you just really want the look of the older truck
And don't forget some SilverStar bulbs or another brand of quality high output bulbs. That's exactly what I did, new buckets, relay mod, good bulbs. While the lights aren't like projectors on a new Porsche, there plenty bright. Hey NJ m715, I sent you a private message, don't know if you saw it...
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