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How its done... installing new headlights on an OBS

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61K views 27 replies 20 participants last post by  MadMax'97PSD  
#1 ·
Recently i became bored with the look of the headlights i had on my dually.Tired of having a stock look on my pickup i deceided it was time for a change. I found a complete set of very nice smoked headlights/parking lamps/ sidemarkers for around 100 dollars on ebay, and decided to purchase them. When i recieved them to my dismay i discovered that the installation instructions were missing. Although i found a writeup article on installing lights ( ) to me it just didnt go into detail enough. So i am writing this to help anyone who decides to install headlights on there obs whether it be for necessity or for the sake of change. Be forewarned, this is not an easy task to undertake. You will have to be prepared to spend around 3-5 hours to complete, and have at least some knowledge of how to use basic hand tools.

*Mods if you can please make this a sticky for future reference for others.....

ok firstoff- Tools required to complete the task:

-needle nose pliars
- socket set ( SAE and Metric)
- screwdriver set ( if a set is not available you will may subsitute 2 flathead, and one phillips head screwdrivers)
-1 pair pliars
- brass hammer from a punch and hammer set
* although not a necessity a 12 pack beer of you choice does help the process along.


First step is to remove the grille:
this is a realtively simple task to accomplish, simply remove the top 4 screws and the one screw located in the middle of the grille twoards the bottom of the grille.

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Second step is to remove the headlight bezels:
this to is simple, but make sure you know where all the bolts are;
First it does help if you remove one battery before you attempt to take off the bezel.Next remove the top 2 screws, and with the battery out of the way, find the two bolts holding in the parklights/bezels in place, there are only two of these, they are located on both sides of the backside of the parking light, below the headlight. You cannot see these bolts you simply have to feel for them. One is located where the blinker light bulb and wiring is- through the radiator core support, the other is located on the opposite side of the parking light bulb hole. There are hole big enough in the radiator core support that allows you to use a socket and wrench to loosen the nut holding onto these bolts. Once the nuts are broke free, unscrew and remove by hand. Now that the nuts are removed you may remove the parking lights/ sidemarkers/ and bezel in one piece, on both sides.

* take note that the headlight is attached to the grille reinforcement panel and cannot be removed until the grillle reinforcement panel is.


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The third step is to remove the grillle reinforcement panel:
this is extremely simple. Simply remove the bolts with your socket set:

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not pictured are the two bolts that are covered up by the bezel, they are located on the farthest side away from the truck, over by where the sidemarker light is.
* this is just one side, dont forget the other.:D


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The fourth step is to swap out the headlights:
Now that the grille reinforcement panel is removed you can finally get to the headlight. Removal of the Headlight is simple, using two flathead screwdrivers and a pair of needlenose pliars remove the 3 brackets holding the headlight in place on the backside of the grille reinforcement panel, be sure to adjust the headlights so that is will fit evenly/ flush and project the light where you want to go. then simply reinstall the holding brackets onto the back of the headlights and panel.
* sorry didnt take pics of this

The Fifth step:
basically the same as the third step, only backwards. mount up the grille reinforcement panel, and reinstall all 11 of the bolts

The Sixth step - installing the parklights/ sidemarkers lenses onto bezel;
first remove the three screws holding the bezel and parklight lenses, once these are removed, remove the 2 self tapping bolts on the sidemarker, and remove the support bracket that holds the sidemarker and parklights together. Once this is done simply place your new parklights and sidemarker lenses, and install the bracket, screws and bolts.

The Seventh step- reinstalling the bezels:
basically the same as the second step, only backwards. Just remember to handtighten the nuts on the back of the parking lights and then use a socket to tighten up ( be sure you dont overtighten). once this is done simply change out the appropriate bulbs ( some of them may not fit - mostly the parking light bulbs-, if this is the case simply go to napa and pick up the correct bulbs in amber color, they DO carry these, but i cannot remember the part number off hand), and reconnect the battery if you have removed it.

the Eighth step, reinstalling the grille:
Exactly the opposite of step one, just replace the screws and tighten them.

and that is it, that is how you change out headlights on an OBS.

Before:

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And After:

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#4 ·
that included me running back and forth to NAPA twice to pickup what was left out of the kit ( nearest autoparts store is 30 minutes away from me.)

thanks for the compliment PS rumors.
 
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#3 ·
I'd like to do this but every set of aftermarket lights I have ever used ended up with condensation on the inside.

Looks great!
 
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#5 ·
GO ON EBAY. I GOT THESE ON MY TRUCK FOR 180.00 HAS A PROJECTOR AND HIGH BEAM WITH LED'S. THEY WERE EASY TO PUT ON ABOUT A HOUR AND THATS WITH DRINKIN A COUPLE BEERS. BEEN RUNNING THEM FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THEM AND NO CONDENSATION ON THE INSIDE.
 
#12 ·
Appreciate the write up, it will make things easier when I go to do this :)
 
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#14 ·
Nah, Thanks anyway, but the thought of me having to drill more holes into the roof of my dually makes me cringe. I'm going to go w/ some obs clear cab lights that will be slightly smoked, and then all the clear marker lights i'm getting are going to be getting the smoke treatment. It will go well with the clear/ smoked taillights that i'm fixing to get. When i get done it will be exactly what i want.
 
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#17 ·
found the headlights off of ebay, they were 115 bucks shipped to my door.
 
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#16 ·
awesome write up. thanks! this is my next project.
 
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#18 ·
if your still in tx stroke freak i'd be more than happy to lend you a hand if need be.
 
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#21 ·
type in 1992-1996 ford bronco headlights. thats how i found mine
 
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#27 ·
Even if it says that it fits 1992-1996 Bronco it will still fit a 97 F-250?
 
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#22 ·
I barely removed anything to install my 4pc headlights. I removed the grill and maybe the headlight bezels but honestly don't even remember removing them. I did this 2-3yrs ago. After I adjusted them I had a gap between the headlight and the bezel. If I reinstall them and do it this way will this remove my gap?
 

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#26 ·
I barely removed anything to install my 4pc headlights. I removed the grill and maybe the headlight bezels but honestly don't even remember removing them.
I replaced the headlights a couple of years ago in my OBS F150 without removing the grill. When I first read this post I thought "pffft! I can do this without removing the grill!" Well I bought some clear headlights and I'll be damned if I didn't have to remove the grill to get the lower headlight clip off.

BTW - if you hold off on the beer 'til your finished, you can do this in about an hour. I can sometimes work on my truck for an hour straight before needing a cold one. Cheers
 
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#23 ·
no, wont change a thing, once you adjust them, unless you adjust them back to fit the bezel, only thing is the lights may be be all out of wack if you do.


if you go with the 6 piece set, it will be easier to solve this problem
 
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#25 ·
Did mine yesterday thanks to your post. Went flawlessly.
 
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#28 ·
yes, they will fit.
 
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