How To Adjust Stock Headlight Beam Height

[foxfire235]

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[astrand1]

So why are we adjusting auto leveling headlights?

 

[foxfire235]

If you put a 2" level on the beam is way too high.

 

[Firn]

So why are we adjusting auto leveling headlights?

I don't believe they are a perfect "auto level", they still need a setpoint and then SOME of the trucks adapt from there.

 

[astrand1]

If you put a 2" level on the beam is way too high.

Yeah I don’t level trucks. I really dislike the look. If a guy does a level wouldn’t that require a longer or different arm for the sensor for the lights on the front or is there not a sensor in the front?

 

[Firn]

Yeah I don’t level trucks. I really dislike the look. If a guy does a level wouldn’t that require a longer or different arm for the sensor for the lights on the front or is there not a sensor in the front?

I think that only the 22s had sensors. Parts shortages took that system off all the other trucks.

You dislike the look? Seriously? The factory rake on these trucks is ridiculous.

 

[astrand1]

I think that only the 22s had sensors. Parts shortages took that system off all the other trucks.

You dislike the look? Seriously? The factory rake on these trucks is ridiculous.

I’ve always liked the rake. And then when you have a load or a trailer it levels out nicely. I guess I figure the engineers put the rake there for a reason. For the most part I’m a stock kinda guy. Aside from tinting and stuff I buy a truck based on how it looks stock and then make a few tasteful changes. I’m going to have to look at my 23 lariat. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen a sensor in the rear but I’ve not looked in the front for one.

 

[Heliian]

factory rake

engineers put the rake there for a reason.

You'll never stop people from wrecking the engineering over perceived looks.

As long as you don't drive around blinding people afterwards.

 

[Firn]

You'll never stop people from wrecking the engineering over perceived looks.

As long as you don't drive around blinding people afterwards.

What do you mean "wrecking the engineering"? Are you trying to say that the rake, and the absurd amount of it, is perfectly engineered and any reduction of it will "wreck" the engineering of the truck?

Ford themselves has even offered a "lift" kit for their trucks, much like GMC (AT4) and Toyota do.
https://gearjunkie.com/motors/ford-factory-lift-kit-ranger-f-150-truck

Heck, the F150 Tremor is little more than an F150 with a leveling kit. Hard to call it "wrecking" the engineering when you are essentially doing the same as the factory does.

 

[Firn]

I’ve always liked the rake. And then when you have a load or a trailer it levels out nicely. I guess I figure the engineers put the rake there for a reason. For the most part I’m a stock kinda guy. Aside from tinting and stuff I buy a truck based on how it looks stock and then make a few tasteful changes. I’m going to have to look at my 23 lariat. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen a sensor in the rear but I’ve not looked in the front for one.

I like A rake, but man, the amount on my Pro is absurd.

 

[foxfire235]

I like A rake, but man, the amount on my Pro is absurd.

I felt the same.

 

[Heliian]

What do you mean "wrecking the engineering"?

I use my truck as a truck and prefer to have the rake to account for loads in the box or trailering.

Ideally we'd just have airbags to set the ride height.

Leveling and lift kits are mostly vanity items and of course the manufacturers are going to get in on the sales. Personally I just think it's a waste of money.

 

[Firn]

I use my truck as a truck and prefer to have the rake to account for loads in the box or trailering.

Ideally we'd just have airbags to set the ride height.

Leveling and lift kits are mostly vanity items and of course the manufacturers are going to get in on the sales. Personally I just think it's a waste of money.

You do what you want with your truck. But stow the "wrecking" the engineering, because that is using rhetoric to push what you like, or think should be done, on others. There is zero reason to use those terms other than bias, or to bias others.

I will be putting bilstein 5100s on my truck, one to fix the bouncy front end, and two because I like a more level look. The 4" it is now is too much, I prefer around 2" or so. I like it, MY preference, but not for others or to impress others. So don't think everybody does it for vanity. I wouldn't have picked the work truck version if this truck was to impress others.

 

[Tractionlimit]

I will be putting bilstein 5100s on my truck

Hey, question for you: I understand the Bilsteins are adjustable. Do you know if they go both up and down, and by how much? Is a leveling puck still used?

I'm trying to achieve about a 1.25 to 1.5 lift on the front, which combined with the 1.25" lowered rear from the Rough Country rear mounts, should be level.

2" up and 1.25" down is a little too much, but the Rough Country 3/4" is not quite enough.

And YES to the other guy.. this is all vanity and maybe a little not wanting my new tires to rub.

 

[Firn]

Hey, question for you: I understand the Bilsteins are adjustable. Do you know if they go both up and down, and by how much? Is a leveling puck still used?

I'm trying to achieve about a 1.25 to 1.5 lift on the front, which combined with the 1.25" lowered rear from the Rough Country rear mounts, should be level.

2" up and 1.25" down is a little too much, but the Rough Country 3/4" is not quite enough.

And YES to the other guy.. this is all vanity and maybe a little not wanting my new tires to rub.

No leveling puck is needed.
You can adjust the amount of lift, or lowering, you get. There is a series of groves on the shock body and you put clip in the groove you want. Which one you choose determines the final ride height. Iirc there are 6 grooves.

I believe Bilstein states maybe 2.5" or 3" of maximum lift however I want to say that on the Lightning the most lift you get is 2" on the highest clip height.

If you use the bottom clip you would probably lose some height in the front, although that is just a guess on my part.

Know that the Bilsteins will have a very different ride. I had 6112s on my tacoma and they were AMAZING, I'm hoping the 5100s do the same for the lightning. Know though that it will be much more firm, and some don't like that. (Firm =/= Harsh)

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