Switching to Composite Headlights - Diesel Forum

ModernMuscle · 01-06-2009, 01:32 PM

Hello All,
Are there any extra parts I would need to purchase to switch my sealed beam headlights to composite other than buying the clear lights from ebay? Do they bolt up the same way? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Paul
Modern Muscle Motorsports

whjco · 01-06-2009, 05:09 PM

I'm not sure if your grill will accommodate them and I'm also not sure about the mountings themselves. I've got the composites on my Excursion and the sealed beams on my E350. The light output is better on the van than the Excursion and I've never wanted to change out the lights.

ModernMuscle · 01-06-2009, 06:35 PM

I know my grille will work because I already upgraded to a '03 chrome grille from a club wagon. It popped right in even with the sealed beam headlights and bezels. I'm going for the look mainly, but my stock sealed beams are horrible. Anything got to be an upgrade from them. I think with the right bulbs I'll get better lighting. Im also half way done my upgrade to add power windows and locks. Install is done, just have to finish the wiring.

Paul
Modern Muscle Motorsports

whjco · 01-06-2009, 06:58 PM

I added the electric door locks to a '95 E250 that I used to have and tied it into a keyless entry alarm system that I also installed. It worked great.

I'm using the Silverstars in my Excursion and really like them.

van_350sd · 01-06-2009, 10:27 PM

Paul,
I installed a new Complete Wiring Harness with 12 Ga. wire and two relays, they plug into the stock plug to work with the controls, and they also connect two Hot leads and two Ground leads to the battery. This will give the lights more power n-matter what you use.
The BriteBox is great to use, Bob at Dieselsite sells them for 80, best price. I run the 9007 bulbs with the Piaa off road light bulbs. The BriteBox safely runs the high beam and the low beam at the same time, giving you so much light. It's like running the low beam then pull the high beam bar back and holding it.

if you choose a wire harness (Or you can make your own.) , make sure you hook the power & grounds direct to the battery, do not use a chassis/frame ground.

ModernMuscle · 01-07-2009, 03:32 PM

Thanks Van,
I definately will look into upgrading my wiring. I'm still interested in doing the composite swap. If anybody has looked into this, please let me know what's needed other than buying the aftermarket lights.

Paul
Modern Muscle Motorsports

yaric008 · 01-07-2009, 04:16 PM

Unless they used the same part on composite and sealed beam vans you'll need to change at least one part out. There is a big black plastic piece that is behind the grille and headlights. On this black piece is where the mounting hardware is for the composite lights. This black piece may be the same on both types of vans but I imagine on the sealed beam one the adjusting screwes are absent. Unless of course the sealed and composite vans use the same adjusting screws to adjust the headlights. Anyways, only way to know is to pull the sealed beams out and take a look. I'll try to find a picture of what my composite ones look like behind the headlight.

**SuperVan7.3** · 01-08-2009, 01:16 AM

Eric is right. You will need to order the mounting hardware from Ford. I think I only paid $7-8 each (you need 4 of them, if I remember correctly).

ModernMuscle · 01-08-2009, 03:47 PM

Thanks Supervan,
You are 100% correct. I stopped by my local dealer and got a parts break down. Their are 2 sliders on each side behind headlights that have to be added. Total on parts for me was about $20 but I get a 25% discount threw my business. Know I just have to figure out the best way to change the plug over to the 9007 style from the sealed beam set up. Any Ideas to help with the wiring/plug change over?

Thanks,
Paul
Modern Muscle Motorsports

**SuperVan7.3** · 01-09-2009, 12:17 AM

Paul,

to be perfectly honest... I started this project and never got enough time to finish it! So i'm actually at the same point you are... trying to find the easiest way to switch the connectors.

yaric008 · 01-09-2009, 09:49 AM

Go find some in a junk yard? Maybe I can rummage mine up, I have the HID lights so I ended up chopping off my old connector.

van_350sd · 01-09-2009, 01:50 PM

Eric,
Do you have any photos of your lights?

Paul,
You can buy the male/female connects almost anywhere, I did a simple search on ebay and found the male & female plugs for 5.85 for the two, on ebay search "9007 plug" and they will all pull up. Can't beat those prices.

They also have the wiring harness kits in the same search.,

**SuperVan7.3** · 01-10-2009, 05:02 AM

...looked through the box of parts I have for this project... found that I did infact find the connectors that i needed. I bought them at O'Reily Auto Parts. Not sure how I forgot that I had them, or why I never finished this project since I have all the parts!?

too cold to be working on this now... come spring, the new lights are going in!

Alaskapsdvan · 01-10-2009, 04:01 PM

I changed from the standard composite to the diamond cut... or what ever they are calling the newer style and they are working great with the upgraded wire harness and the home done low/high beam tie in...