I am just looking for a good set of aftermarket headlights that don't leak or fog for my 1997. I have read several of you have purchased sets that leak soon after installation and I would like to avoid this and learn from your mistakes.

If you have a set, and they are performing well, please post where you got them here.


Thanks!!

 

I own a 99 but, I'll throw in my two cents anyway. If the stock design continually has issues, you could try a set of aftermarket lenses from ebay. Perhaps a set like these, for example.

4pc Black 1993 1997 Ford Ranger Headlights Corner Turn Signal Lamps Left Right | eBay

Although I cannot say one way or the other, but a plausible theory to think about. OEM style headlights are manufactured within a close tolerance to original equipment specs and whatnot so they look identical to an original motorcraft part. In contrast, aftermarket parks that throw the oem look in the trash are built to fit the vehicle, not necessarily those same tolerances, and therefor the same faults that cause them to leak.

However, if this isn't what you want, here's an alternative. Find a set of oem lights like you want, then go to the hardware store and get some caulking or silicone of your desired color. Clear would be best. Run that around the crack between the lens and the body of the light, smushing it in good, and that should help to seal the lamp. Optionally, you could also caulk behind the gasket for the lightbulb as well without actually getting any on the glass to prevent leaks.

 

Wow, those look pretty nice. It has been a while since I posted this so my brother who used to work in the auto body repair industry said that Keystone auto usually had pretty good parts. Keystone sells headlights by a company called DEPOT. I don't know how good they are but I went and picked up these on Amazon.




They should be here tomorrow so I'll post back how the install goes.

 

Looking forward to seeing some pics. Depo is a good aftermarket headlight so I'm sure you won't have any problems.

 

Well, I got them installed and I have a few PRO tips for installing them. First, even though you are just installing headlights, it is very helpful to remove the corner marker lights because this will give you more room when installing them. Also, it is NOT A GOOD IDEA to hit the headlight to help it get in place. Take it from me, you WILL break off the small plastic anchor points that are used to hold the adjustor screws. DON'T DO THIS. You will end up having to buy another set of headlights. Removing the corner markers (on my second attempt) helped the headlights go in much easier.


Well, they look good and have a fairly tight beam. I think I will probably go for a more intense bulb or a HID kit to get some more lumens on the road.

 

I have had good luck with DEPO brand as well as TYC brand. Those two brands are the only ones i will purchase if looking for aftermarket light housings.

Wayne

 

Are they both HID?

 

None are, you never asked about HIDs. No one makes a aftermarket housing that is designed correctly for HIDs. The only way to do this is to have them made(Retrofitting projectors into a factory housing)

Depo & TYC are companys that make factory replacement light housings at a much cheaper price than OEM. Go to rockauto.com and type in 20197300 (For The Left Headlight) & 20197200 (For The Right Headlight)

Wayne

 

At the bottom of my post #5 after I got the housings in I said I wanted to put some more lumens on the road and was going to look at some HID kits. That was what I was referring to.

 

The only HID kit i use is Morimoto from theretrofitsource.com

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/hi...l#.V8cM6dJTG70


I will warn you though. Although plenty people do it, installing a HID kit into a headlight housing designed for halogen bulbs is not only illegal it causes glare to oncoming traffic!

Wayne