Headlights on my 02 are too dark
04-18-2018, 02:16 PM
#11
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,826
Got the aim all dialed in? Try aiming them upward just a little. You know you got it right when about 3/10 of oncoming cars flashes at you because they think you have your high beams on, then go back and re-aim them downward just a touch.
04-22-2018, 08:43 AM
#13
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Indiana
Posts: 5
In my 2003 GT, I still have the original Ford headlight plastic lens. I too was dealing with dim headlights that were horrible, especially on a rainy night.
So the first thing I did was use 3M headlight restorer kit. A lot of hard work, but definitely made a difference in cleaning up the lens. They are not perfect, but a helluva lot better.
The next thing I did was purchase Sylvania XtraVision 9007 headlights. They are a lot better than the standard 9007, but won’t wear out as fast as the super bright headlights.
Purchased at Walmart, the 3M headlight restoration kit was around $15, the Sylvania XtraVision 9007 headlights were around $20. Hope this helps people who still have their original Ford headlight lens.
So the first thing I did was use 3M headlight restorer kit. A lot of hard work, but definitely made a difference in cleaning up the lens. They are not perfect, but a helluva lot better.
The next thing I did was purchase Sylvania XtraVision 9007 headlights. They are a lot better than the standard 9007, but won’t wear out as fast as the super bright headlights.
Purchased at Walmart, the 3M headlight restoration kit was around $15, the Sylvania XtraVision 9007 headlights were around $20. Hope this helps people who still have their original Ford headlight lens.
04-27-2018, 12:22 PM
#14
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: ME
Posts: 7
The stock headlight setup on these cars is not very good. The best solution is to either buy or build a relay harness for your existing 9007 bulbs. With a relay harness the voltage supplied to the headlight bulb is directly from the battery. The downside is a proper harness is not cheap to buy or build. The Philips X-Treme Vision is probably one of the better 9007 bulbs out there. If this isn't enough for you, you can always consider an aftermarket HID kit or LED bulbs, but that has it's own set of issues.
As for the factory smoked headlights, not 100% sure if they are smoked or not but I have seen that the headlight housings come in two trim options (the trim that borders the reflector housing itself) which was chrome and black. A lot of people prefer the blacked out headlight trim over chrome.
As for the factory smoked headlights, not 100% sure if they are smoked or not but I have seen that the headlight housings come in two trim options (the trim that borders the reflector housing itself) which was chrome and black. A lot of people prefer the blacked out headlight trim over chrome.
04-27-2018, 01:38 PM
#15
Banned
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 2,327
Also, with running power right from the battery, the lights will get the full charge
voltage, so they can DIM at idle, and then dimmer when you switch the car off.
They have to be regulated so they last longer. Running to the battery will have your
lights running 12.X volts car off, 13.x to 14.x while running the car. You will see them
dim as you come to a stop, then brighten up when you go... You don't get that from
high power HIDs or LEDs, because they have built in regulation. Regular 35/55 watt
hids can go right to the factory harness. I run 75 and 100, they need connected to the
battery with a relay harness kit, ONLY because the factory harness wire is not thick
enough to handle the current demand of A/C ballasts.
The reason halogen lights are on a regulated supply is so they last longer. Running from the
battery will put them at 14.X volts max, and they will not last.
voltage, so they can DIM at idle, and then dimmer when you switch the car off.
They have to be regulated so they last longer. Running to the battery will have your
lights running 12.X volts car off, 13.x to 14.x while running the car. You will see them
dim as you come to a stop, then brighten up when you go... You don't get that from
high power HIDs or LEDs, because they have built in regulation. Regular 35/55 watt
hids can go right to the factory harness. I run 75 and 100, they need connected to the
battery with a relay harness kit, ONLY because the factory harness wire is not thick
enough to handle the current demand of A/C ballasts.
The reason halogen lights are on a regulated supply is so they last longer. Running from the
battery will put them at 14.X volts max, and they will not last.
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