BajaRunner

Searched, didn't find the info Im looking for...

I have a chiltons manual and it doesn't show the right diagram for my truck.

I see two ajusting screws for both headlights. One on top, and one on the bottom.

Which controls which? Do I turn the plastic nut?

I screwed around for a while and I didnt see any change in headlamp alignment.

I counted my turns and just put them back to where they were.....square iin the eyes of oncomming traffic. I feel like a jerk, someone help m ebefore I cause an accident... hah

calrockx

yeah, you turn the plastic nut. i've found a screwdriver gets the job done. i forget which nut adjusts what.
what i did was back up a bit out of the garage, mark where the lights hit the wall and then adjust.

BajaRunner

Yeah, I tried that... hmm..

I had to use a 10mm socket to loosten the nut, whats the screwdriver do?

FilthyRich

I am thinking SC's lights are different from calrockx. Old light vs. new lights might have different adjustments.

BajaRunner

Yes.. most likely.. .anyone else have ideas?

bamachem

each light has two adjusting nuts and a ball joint that works as a pivot in the upper-outermost corner of each light.

1. make sure that ball joint pivot is intact and is working properly. if it's broken or the ball has popped out of the socket, then the upper-outermost corner of the light will not be aligned w/ the sidemarker light - it will stick out farther. you can just push on the light and pop it back into place. if it's broken, then it won't stay, and you will need to remove the entire headlamp/bucket assembly and find out what's wrong.

2. tighten the upper nut to move the beam in and up. loosen it to move it out and down

3. tighten the lower nut to move the beam out and down. loosen it to move it up and in.

the reason there's the same adjustment parameters on both adjustment knobs is so the light can be aimed and can also be adjusted to match up w/ the body lines and grill. it's not just one variable, but two that you have to adjust.

calrockx has the same style in his. what he was saying is that since it's hard to get to the adjustment nuts, he uses a screwdriver from the top and slips it down to wedge against the nut to turn it. you can also use the correct sized wrench to turn the nut. it's either a 10mm or a 12mm, and i'm pretty sure it's 10mm, if i recall correctly.

Jonathan

Use a 10 mm wrench to adjust the plastic nut on the back or the bracket. The older 96-98 headlights adjust the exact same way as the newer 99-02 headlights (believe me I just did the swap and they adjust exactly the same) You'll probably have to remove and replace the headlight a few times to adjust it correctly as it is hard to adjust while still on the truck. What I did was measure the thread showing inside of the mounting bracket on one of the headlights after I got it aimed correctly and then just took that measurement and used it for the other headlight and now they look perfect. Just make sure you put the actual bulb in right because you will get a really screwed up beam pattern if you don't.

BajaRunner

OKay, thanks guys, that makes more sense.

I'll try doing it again tomorrow.