New headlights

[TWeatherford]

Last night I installed all new headlights on my 97. Figured I'd post it here since its the same as 92-94 IDIs. I replaced the grille, the chrome headlight surround pieces, and all three lenses on both sides. I got the parts on ebay from two different sellers.

First problem is adjusting the headlights themselves. I wasn't able to get them to aim very far in front, especially on high beams, just because I ran out of travel on the adjusters. The light pattern is really spotty as well.

Then when I went to assemble the headlight surround, turn and parking lamp assembly. I had to break out the dremel to take off some high spots that may have been there for molding or something. None of the screw holes really lined up, but I was able to force them. Then, after installing the assembly, the whole thing doesn't line up properly.

I'm hoping the sellers will let me return them, or do a refund. We'll see.

Where have you all gotten replacement headlights? How was the fit and finish? I won't go to Ford, because that would be over $500 for both sides. Parts yards around here never have them. If they did I would just buy some OEM used ones and recondition them as necessary.

Here's some pictures.

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[icanfixall]

Are those lense glass or plastic. they sure look like glass. My 89 plastic lens have turned yellow and no matter what I do they wont clean up. done plenty of the restore polishing but its just not right..

 

[NO_SPRK]

Looks great! Did they ever make brick nose glass lights?

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[TWeatherford]

I think they look like crap. The big gap between the headlight and the grille on the passenger side, and the side marker light hanging out - bad enough to catch your shirt on as you walk by.

Anyway, unfortunately they are plastic and not glass. I would love some glass ones.

 

[reklund]

I've been down this road, and ended up shelling out for dealer replacement parts. The aftermarket stuff just doesn't fit properly and looks like hell. I know thats not much help, but the dealer parts are much higher quality, and the first ones lasted 20 or so years, so I didn't feel too bad about trying to get another 20 out of my replacement set.

 

[icanfixall]

Well you guys have convinced me to buy only the oem replacement lites. no import crap for my rig. nothing worse than ill fitting cheap chit... Makes a nice rig look ghetto...

 

[Can30Diesel]

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I got my headlights from my Dad who found them at a garage sale. Glass ones with replaceable bulbs. The low beam pattern is nice but the high beam pattern look kinda funny. I haven't bothered to aim them yet. The grill came from another truck a buddy was parting out. It included the clear signal lights etc. Not bad for free.

 

[79jasper]

^ I think lmc has those.

One advantage of my 79 Chevy, halogen headlights. I put in the extra visions. Bright as hell, never had to worry about hazing either.

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[Defrocked]

Where did u get these from??Lmc looks like decent stuff. ($300 pair)
Just called my nearest Ford dealer and for my body style they are just under $500 each:0,grand total of $1,000 for headlights....Bl@w me while ur at it Ford!!

 

[reklund]

I just found the invoice from when I purchased mine- back in 2006. They headlamp part numbers are listed below, and were $81.71 each. (headlamps only, not side marker or turn signal lenses or grille surround)

F2TZ-13008-BCP
F2TZ-13008-ACP

 

[Zaggnutt]

I've been checking them out at a U-Pull-It that has a bunch of 86-94 Fords, but I can't figure out an effective way to remove them with limited tools. It is a pain in the ass to get to the bolts that hold everything and they are all rusty. Is there a trick I'm missing that doesn't involve removing battery/engine parts to get to them?

 

[ksingltn]

I bought mine from rockauto. They were cheap <18 a side, and fit perfectly. I only did the headlights, not the markers and grille

 

[TWeatherford]

I've been checking them out at a U-Pull-It that has a bunch of 86-94 Fords, but I can't figure out an effective way to remove them with limited tools. It is a pain in the ass to get to the bolts that hold everything and they are all rusty. Is there a trick I'm missing that doesn't involve removing battery/engine parts to get to them?

There are two bolts that hold the turn signal/marker assembly to the big plastic piece. You can get at them with the batteries still in with an 8mm deep well socket, but I'm sure it would be a little hard. After you get that assembly off, remove the whole plastic piece, its about 8 bolts, then its easy to get the headlights off.

 

[racin460]

I noticed on this ebay cheap chit if you spent two days cleaning, spacing, grinding, drilling holes bigger. you can get a good fit just takes a lot of time cussing, throwing tools, yelling, if your willing to devote it for being cheap. it took me a whole Saturday to put a set of tail lights in, they stuck out 3/8" away from body and hit the tailgate when closed. they fit like factory now. I didn't get to head lights yet but thanks for the heads up on the four day adventure ahead of me

 

[HS108]

ive noticed on rockauto you have 2 choices for head lamps, the regular inventory and ones that are inspected and certified by the CAPA, but you pay about 12 bucks more for the certified ones