This is gonna be the only accepted solution by us headlight Nazis:

1998-2000 Bit the Projector Bullet / Still Chewing

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Automotive Electronics Engineer
2000 XLT 2.5L A/T
Mods:
Explorer OHC
Explorer Autodim Mirrors w/ Autolamps
Explorer Sport White Face Gauges

There is also another member here that's (correctly) doing HID headlights on an 04; I'm sure he'll start his own thread soon with all the details. I will say that my understanding is that the projectors in his buckets were from TRS and mounted nicely inside right to the hole the current incandescent bulb is mounted in. Nice, the preferred install solution and one that addresses the concern about the depth of the projectors themselves VS the available space on the vehicle itself in which to build, an issue I came across a few years back while scoping out the project.

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2004 Ranger FX4 Level II, 5R55E, Sonic Blue Pearl

Proudly JAP/RICE free since March 2000

Will the direct replacement LED headlights work and are they legal? I drive a 2011 at night a lot and was trying to have more light.

"Work?" Yes. But the light output will be worse than if you kept halogen bulbs in the halogen reflector because *spoiler alert* the reflectors were designed for halogen bulbs and not some cheap crapy plug in LEDs

Legal? No. Anything other than the bulb that is marked on the headlight lens is not legal.

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Baby Girl: 2006 White Ranger XL with many memories. R.I.P. 1/26/15

Thanks Kealel, I appreciate the info. I went back and reread the how-to on the fog light conversion. I think that will help a lot.

Nobody wants CHINK HIDs.

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2001 Ranger Edge 4x4 (sold)
2006 F150 Lariat 4x4 (sold)
2007 Explorer XLT (Destroyed by Deer on highway)
2014 Explorer XLT (inherited from parents)

Fixed it for ya.

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2004 Ranger FX4 Level II, 5R55E, Sonic Blue Pearl

Proudly JAP/RICE free since March 2000

LMAO, I wonder how many OEM projectors are made in China, or, how few are made in the USA. Just sayin'.

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Nobody wants Chinese HID's. There, fixed it for you.

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2005 Ranger FX/4 4.0 Auto. 160K.

Ceramic Pads, Energy Suspension Polyurethane Sway links and bushings. OHC. Third Brake Light Directionals. KYB Shocks. Dipped and Blacked Out.

Acme Projectors with Morimoto XB35 Ballast and Morimoto XB35 5500K Bulbs.

Retrofit source house brand (morimoto) ballasts, bulbs, and projectors are Chinese.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Automotive Electronics Engineer
2000 XLT 2.5L A/T
Mods:
Explorer OHC
Explorer Autodim Mirrors w/ Autolamps
Explorer Sport White Face Gauges

Well, there you go. As Gomer Pyle used to say, surprise, surprise, surprise. Morimoto, sounds Japanese, so I guess they outsource as well. LOL.

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2005 Ranger FX/4 4.0 Auto. 160K.

Ceramic Pads, Energy Suspension Polyurethane Sway links and bushings. OHC. Third Brake Light Directionals. KYB Shocks. Dipped and Blacked Out.

Acme Projectors with Morimoto XB35 Ballast and Morimoto XB35 5500K Bulbs.

I'm not surprised the morimotos are CHINKANESE, buyers are so concerned with bottom line cost before premium quality that the industry has responded accordingly.....and in many cases, too much.

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2004 Ranger FX4 Level II, 5R55E, Sonic Blue Pearl

Proudly JAP/RICE free since March 2000

Consumers drive the market. We want cheaper, they make cheaper. China has the capacity to make better products but it's the customer driving cost reductions that is keeping quality down.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Automotive Electronics Engineer
2000 XLT 2.5L A/T
Mods:
Explorer OHC
Explorer Autodim Mirrors w/ Autolamps
Explorer Sport White Face Gauges

Headlight relay harness will make the most of your stock headlights. You find out if you alternator or battery is weak.

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Ranger 2wd XLT std cab LWB, 3.0 auto 78,000 miles

This is exactly what I plan on doing with mine. A well built headlight relay harness and a good set of halogen bulbs should make them work much better.

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2003 Ranger XL | 2.3L | 2wd | 5spd manual | standard cab | short bed | 112" wheel base | 3.73 rear (open diff) | no power windows or locks but at least it's got A/C!

I know it's a bit late, I bought a kit of led conversion off ebay for 50euro and they where straight fit even given me adaptors to convert to H4 so i don't mess with stock wiring.