I do not want to retrofit my headlights. I want to know if anyone has purchased an aftermarket HID headlight for a Ford Ranger. I tried installing HID with the existing housing and it was obvious that I need a good projector. Your input is appreciated.

 

I have a set off of ebay eagle eyes i believe is the brand name they are tinted slightly which i do not recommend mine are peeling a bit and they distort the light coming through. Also they do not have as good a light spread as properly retrofitted units but they are a huge improvement over stock. Just be careful don't go super cheap because you do get what you pay for with the aftermarket so keep that in mind a decent middle of the road set should do just fine. Mine have been zero trouble although the halos and led bars are pretty useless in most of them.

 

99% of the cheap projector housings are still only designed for halogen bulbs. And don't work great for HID's. They may advertise that they do, but they don't.

Retrofits aren't hard to do, however if you aren't up to it Theresa few folks in the ranger community that docs fantastic job retrofitting lights. Maybe you should look into that option?

 

you got the spelling wrong, they arent aftermarket pojector... its aftermarket POOjector.

There are no HID projectors available for our trucks - you have to make your own.

retrofitting a ranger/b-series is such a cheap and easy project its the perfect vehicle to learn on

our replacement lights are very cheap
all of the lamps come apart really easy
the lamps can be removed from the trucks so easy
the electrical systems of our trucks behave really well with aftermarket projector kits/harnesses

(the only downside is that 01+ ranger headlights are very shallow and you can't fit a good projector without extending the back)

what else can you ask for?

 

Thanks for the info. I looked into the process to retrofit and agree, it looks pretty straight forward. I have a Vette and an Audi that I am way too busy with mods right now and was just hoping for a quick replacement headlight, as I only use the Ranger for commuting to work. The headlights suck so bad and it won't be long I will be driving to and from work in the dark...so it's time to get something done. If there is anyone that is interested in doing this mod for me, just pm me. By the way, I am new to this forum..some great info.

 

I'll put it to you this way... I have a set of the EBay lights on my truck now with HIDs in them. Had them for a few years. I bought a set properly retrofitted housings with true HIDs from a member on here not long ago, but haven't installed them yet. When I do, I'm throwing away the old ones instead of trying to sell them because they suck and I don't want someone else to have to deal with them lol

 

So , who do I contact to have this done? Thanks.

 

hidplanet.com if you want to find a retrofitter

I am too busy right now to take on any projects

 

Mikerider might be able to help you out if he's not too busy. Worth a shot asking him

 

Definitely worth a shot to ask Mike. He made the set I have. Top notch work and a great guy to deal with.

 

Thanks for the props guys, I shot him a reply to his PM. I should just keep corners and projectors in stock at my house lol

 

I have a question. I have a 98 Ranger with terrible headlights. I want to replace them and put HID's in later, my son and I did a retro swap on his Jetta. My question is can I replace my headlights with 03 headlights, mostly cause I like the look of them. Then later I can modify them with projectors and HID's
Thanks for any help

 

You can, but it requires swapping the header panel and lights. Search "01 swap" and you should be able to find everything you need to know

 

^What he said^

 

Cool thanks, I have to replace the header panel anyway, I hit a turkey the other day.

 

You hit a turkey and have to replace your header panel? How big was this turkey?

 

Haha I was on a road with no room to stop, but I bet 20-25 pounds. It had just started to fly away, and I caught it with the corner of the hood, headlight, marker light situation. So just broke the corner where the headlight mounts. :/

 

perfect time to swap! It's about a 30 minute job to swap front ends. Really simple, I've done 3 of them lol.

 

Sweet, looked around behind the headlight hanging like a loose eyeball, didn't seem like too big a deal. Just have to assemble the parts and get to it.

 

Hey, since you have done several of these swaps, I have a question. Can I use the 98 grill and bumper with the 03 headlights or is that gonna get jammed up? Are the headlights themselve the same size? Just asking, I'm getting ready to order parts

Thanks
Jay

 

Yeah you can run the 98-00 bumper with the 03 front end but NOT the grille. At minimum, you need to order the header panel, headlights, corners, headlight retaining clips, and grille.
The headlights are the same size in respect to their bulb, which is a 9007. The only thing wiring wise that is different is the signal indicators. on your 98 you have 2 bulbs per side for the indicator and the new headlights will only require 1 per side. Remove one of the bulbs and wrap it tightly with electrical tape to prevent corrosion to the connector.

Aside that, you're good to go.


My old Truck with original front end (1999)


the 03 grille and lights and 99 bumper/valence/fogs.



I eventually swapped to 01-03 bumper valence

 

Thanks I'm gonna try to keep the 98 grill, I had a 03 at one time, but it was 2wd. No help here in Pa. and I like the 98 grill a bit better. I'll see how it goes.
Your truck looks good! I like the lift. How much is that? My son and I put projectors and HID's in his 02 Jetta, that is why I want these headlights, to retro fit them the same way.
Thanks for all the info

 

3" on that truck which is dead now but my current one has 5" total

 

Hey I have another question. I ordered parts for the front end swap and everything came and the header panel says its for a 03 but the lights don't fit. I looked a little more and I find two different looking header panels, I am puzzled. Is there more than one header panel?

 

2wd and 4wd models should have the same panel so there shouldn't be different panels.

did you order the headlight retaining tabs? without them, the headlights won't mount.

you need two of these
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-1L5Z13N...8879ab&vxp=mtr

and two of these
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-1L5Z13N...887ac9&vxp=mtr


Part numbers:
1L5Z13N020BA
1L5Z13N020CA