Ford Ranger headlights

[saDgit]

I'm contemplating taking on French bureaucracy and re-registering my pickup here. First step would be to swap headlight units.

Does anybody know if it's possible to remove and replace the units on a Mk3 Ranger (2007 XLT) by just removing the grill? Or is it necessary to remove the whole front bumper as well?

[zildjian]

re-register in France?

[zildjian]

good luck with that

[Big Jim]

I registered a French van in the UK . It was good enough for a UK MOT to fit deflectors to the headlamps . Not ideal , but a lot easier .

[saDgit]

I registered a French van in the UK . It was good enough for a UK MOT to fit deflectors to the headlamps . Not ideal , but a lot easier .

Not acceptable for the Controle Technique (French MOT) apparently but thanks anyway Jim.

[Gary W]

I registered a French van in the UK . It was good enough for a UK MOT to fit deflectors to the headlamps . Not ideal , but a lot easier .

Not acceptable for the Controle Technique (French MOT) apparently but thanks anyway Jim.

Hi Martin

I'm not sure if it will pass for registration but as we do more miles on the continent than in UK (mostly with UK registered RHD vehicles) we run LED headlamp bulbs fitted with an adjustable base. You can set the bulbs to dip any way you like, left or right. We set ours to dip in the middle (like some modern motorcycles do standard) to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic in UK or on the continent. We've covered well over 20,000 miles with them fitted and yet to have anybody flash us either side of the channel. I would think if the beam cuts off where it should the authorities will let her through. It wasn't that long ago that many French cars had adjustable bulb mountings for LHD/RHD as standard so they ought to be ok with the concept.

If you want to give it a go I can seriously recommend the Philips LUXEON ZES. These things are amazing, they are rated at 4000 lumens but seem much more. They are massively brighter and crisper than the standard bulbs and worth every penny.



Best wishes

Gary

[saDgit]

Hi Martin

I'm not sure if it will pass for registration but as we do more miles on the continent than in UK (mostly with UK registered RHD vehicles) we run LED headlamp bulbs fitted with an adjustable base. You can set the bulbs to dip any way you like, left or right. We set ours to dip in the middle (like some modern motorcycles do standard) to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic in UK or on the continent. We've covered well over 20,000 miles with them fitted and yet to have anybody flash us either side of the channel. I would think if the beam cuts off where it should the authorities will let her through. It wasn't that long ago that many French cars had adjustable bulb mountings for LHD/RHD as standard so they ought to be ok with the concept.

If you want to give it a go I can seriously recommend the Philips LUXEON ZES. These things are amazing, they are rated at 4000 lumens but seem much more. They are massively brighter and crisper than the standard bulbs and worth every penny.

Best wishes

Gary

That's brilliant, thanks Gary. I didn't even know such things were available! I'm sure as long as the beam dips the right way the Controle Technique will pass it.

[zildjian]

I mailed you earlier Martin but had it bounced back just now, wasn't massively relevant though

[zildjian]

Actually Gary on those LED's I've been following a thread on their use in cold climates where they don't produce the side effect heat to disperse snow and ice on lens
out of interest have you heard anything about that
(and given some of our lot are planning Scandinavian trips)

[Gary W]

Actually Gary on those LED's I've been following a thread on their use in cold climates where they don't produce the side effect heat to disperse snow and ice on lens
out of interest have you heard anything about that
(and given some of our lot are planning Scandinavian trips)

I wouldn't let that put you off. It takes all of 30 seconds to change back to a standard bulb if you have any issues. They do generate a fair bit of heat as it happens though, much more so than the early attempts at LED headlights (witness the ruddy great finned heat sink on the back).

Best wishes

Gary