Harley#356

Harley#356’s How-To’s


Aiming Headlights


Purpose behind the Mod:
This one is quite obvious, but is more of a sort of regular maintence than some realize. Anytime you change headlights, bulbs, suspension setups on the front or rear, or rim/tire sizes, or hauling a big load or trailer, it's going to throw your headlight alignment out. One of my big pet peeves is not being able to see extremely well at night, so the headlight adjustment tool is a handy one to have! You can do it with needle nose or a really tiny open end, but its a PITA, the specialized tool below is what you want! And rather than just cranking your lights up blinding other drivers, there is a little method behind it that will get you in a pretty good ballpark, then minor adjustments (few cranks up/down for pulling a trailer, etc) takes all of 30 seconds to make.



Need:
-25 feet of space between the truck & a flat object
-Level ground


Tools Needed:
-25' Tape Measure
-Towel to cover headlight so you can adjust 1 at a time
-Lisle Headlight Adjustment Tool (http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/lis14540.html)


Process:

-On level ground, park 25 feet away from a flat wall or object (I didn't have a wall or garage door, so I had my pops hold a creeper lol)
-Measure on the truck the distance from the ground to the center of the bulb in the headlight
-Subtract 6 inches from that measurement
-Measure up on the wall to that new measurement. This is your target zone for the beams main focus. On my creeper that happened to be the "R" printed on it lol
-Cover one headlight with a towel to cover the light so you can adjust one at a time
-At the top rear of the headlight assembly there's a threaded stud sticking out. Crank one way and it raises the beam, crank the other and it lowers it.
-Adjust it until the beams main focus is on that line you marked on the wall.
-Repeat for other side.
-Test Drive! You may want to take it up or down a few more cranks, but this will at least get you a MUCH better estimate than just cranking away with no idea, and less likely to blind other oncoming drivers, or be blinding the person in front of you in their mirror.

PHOTO # 1: Headlight Adjustment Tool:


PHOTO # 2: Adjustment Stud Behind Headlight:


PHOTO # 3: As you can see, my Xenarcs are pointed into the DIRT before adjustment and with the shorter 26" tall skinnies up front:


PHOTO # 4: After Adjustment, MUCH better. Can still go a little higher because as you can see 25' away the lights arent up blinding in the window of my car, but once I put the 30" tall street rims/tires back on up front, it will lift the beam angle and I'll double check alignment and make any tweaks:

__________________

M.HYDE: 2000 HD F-150 #0356 of 8197, Built 05/18/00, Bought 07/03/00, 700/784, 10.32@131.45
*Worlds Fastest Street HD: 10.32@131.45 10/29/10****Worlds Fastest Eaton Powered HD: 12.19@112.48 11/17/07*
D.JEKL: 2000 HD F-150 #1552 of 8197, Built 06/20/00, Bought 06/25/09, 372/450, 13.75@099.46 (SOLD 10/15/11)
HASTIE: 2011 GT Mustang 5.0 6-Speed, Built 10/29/10, Bought 11/11/10, 392/352, 12.00@117.79
REPTAR: 2012 SVTF-150 #???? of ????, Built 01/19/12, Bought 08/26/11, ???/???, ??.??@???.??
GEN.0L: 1985 XL F-150 w/'94 Lightning Donor Engine Swap, Holley Projection EFI, 03 HD Paint

joedpl

do they sell that tool at any auto parts store or do you have to buy it through the link?

bgstew6

depends some parts stores carry them....others they have to order....

I have a Main Distro Napa right next to my place....not a lot they have to order LOL

joedpl

what about using a small socket, like 6-7mm, will that work?

Harley#356

gonna need smaller than that. I believe the size is only like 4 or 4.5 mm

most sockets wont fit though because if you look at Photo#2, that stud sticks pretty close to the radiator core support. looks like there's plenty of room, but really there's not, thats why most guys just spend the 10-20 bucks to get this tool since it fits in there perfectly. if you wanted to use a socket and ratchet, you're going to have to keep popping the headlight in and out to make adjustments on the stud...PITA! lol

01harleydude

i just got the tool a couple of days ago and aimed my headlights last night. the 4mm tool made it so much easier.

i can see so much better now. but i still want some xenarcs. working on that right now....

__________________
2007 Mustang GT Deluxe R.I.P.
Ext: Vista Blue Int: Black
Transmission: Manual 5 Speed
Options: 3.55s, Interior Upgrade Package

Mods:
Chrome Deep Dish Bullitts 18x9 inch up front w/ Nitto 255/45s, 18x10 inch out back w/ Nitto 285/40s
SLP Loudmouth Axleback Exhaust - GT500 Spoiler - SHR Louvers - Eleanor Grill - Shorty Antenna

joedpl

I just called o'reily's and they have the tool for 17.49, I will pick it up tomorrow.

kromdom

is that also a stud under the top one?? left vs. right adjustment??

Harley#356

I believe there is another one for left/right adjustment, not sure which stud though. There may be another stud for that under the radiator shroud. been so long since I had it off or a headlight out I dont remember

joedpl

I did this on my truck and my neighor's 04, it works alot better now, very useful tool to have