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Black Magic
Dodge Dakota
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4/17/2002
11:26:37
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 Subject: Head Lamps
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Message:
How the hell do I get my Head-Lights off to replace the bulbs?
I already stripped out two of the aiming screws trying to get at this thing off! Now my right lamp shines down too far!!!!!
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SinCity R/T
Dodge Dakota
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4/17/2002
11:43:15
|  RE: Head Lamps
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Message:
If you have a 1997-2002 Dakota, you replace the bulbs from behind, the lens stays put. It's a tough reach to get to them if you've got large hands but it's doable. There's a plastic bracket which helps lock the socket in place just get a good grip and give it a 1/4 turn.
SinCity R/T
http://www.dakota-durango.com
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Halo3
GenIII
4/17/2002
20:42:05
|  RE: Head Lamps
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Message:
I second SinCity's motion. They are a )*#$&)#(@$ to get at if you have good-sized hands...especially the driver's side. All I can say is patience and LOTS of perseverance!!
By the time I got my stockers out, I felt like I'd drove down the street dragging my fingertips on the ground.
Semper Fi,
Halo3
'00 Lt. Driftwood 4x4 SLT DQC w/5.9L
http://home.attbi.com/~quadcab
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eddie_orlando
Dodge Dakota
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4/17/2002
20:48:49
| RE: Head Lamps
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Message:
I second(third) the motion, if you would of read your owner's manual to begin with you would of seen the proper method of changing bulbs (sorry, just had to point out the obvious)
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DragonHawk
GenIII
4/18/2002
03:01:55
| RE: Head Lamps
IP: Logged
Message:
Just upgraded my bulbs a couple of weeks ago. Wasn't too bad after I figured out I was doing it wrong. :>
( note: applies to 2001 )
No need to touch the aiming screws ... instead there are 2 bolts (i believe) that hold each housing in place. Remove these bolts and you can easily replace the bulbs. Just pull the housing out about 3 inches and you can pull-out the bulbs.
If you have the owners manual it has a diagram in there ... just remember to look for the bolts and NOT the aiming screws. (If I remember correctly, one is near the radiator and the other is between the lower light structure and the top of the bumper ... for each housing)
DragonHawk
==========
2001 Dak SLT Quad, AWD/4x4, 4.7L, Auto, LSD, 3.55
Full Info At: http://www.AMystickalGrove.com/ProjectCars/Dak.html
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Daddy-D
*GenIII*
4/18/2002
10:14:52
|  RE: Head Lamps - Adjustment Tips
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Message:
I can't tell you how many times I have seen attempts at headlight removal that involved the adjustment screws! Of course, the offender then tries to put it back together, further damaging the screws; headlight adjustment is hosed in the whole process. What excasorbates this scenario is it's probably dark, too :-d .
Improper headlight adjustment is at fault for many complaints of inadequate headlight light.
The easiest way to set your headlights (I keep a Torx tool handy in the glove box):
1. park your vehicle on LEVEL GROUND, facing a block wall (the grid facilitates adjustment). Distance should be about 10'-20'. Vehicle must be perpendicluar to wall.
2. Carefully observe the beam pattern displayed on the wall for both high- and low-beam (high-beams will point straight ahead, lows - down and a little to the right. This goes for US-configured roads.
3. Set you headlights to HIGH-BEAM.
4. Even up the top edges or other easily-distinguished light spot.
5. Test drive - this is the tedious part - at low-beam, the top "edge" of the light from your headlights should be just discernable on a level road surface. If it's too easy to see, you headlights are too low - if you can't tell where the light ends, they're too high. Sorry I don't have a precise spec for this part, if possible, I'll have a friend (or my wife, if she's friendly) drive the truck behind me on various roads while I lead with the day/night mirror in "day" mode to see if the truck's headlights are too high.
One disadvantage to driving tall vehicles (the taller, the worse): headlights have to be aimed lower than usual because they are higher to begin with.
Hope this helps...
'98 DakSport C/C 3.9 2WD A/T
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Black Magic
Dodge Dakota
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4/18/2002
11:00:53
| RE: Head Lamps
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Message:
Thanks guys....
Yep, reading the owners manual would have helped.
Now that I have two stripped aiming screws, and the passenger side light is set too low, how can I fix or replace these screws?
I know stainless bolts cost more money, but why the hell don't Automobile manufacturers use stainless fasteners in applications where they are exposed to the elements??
What a pain in my ass!
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SuperGewl
Dodge Dakota
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4/18/2002
15:29:42
| RE: Head Lamps
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Message:
Use a little bit of common sense and read the danm owers manual, that is if you can read and if you can't then just look at the pictures in it and they will show how to properly remove them.
2001 QC SLT PLUS
4.7ltr LSD 3.92
TT HD FT4x4
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Dave Mitchell
Dodge Dakota
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4/18/2002
16:30:24
|  RE: Head Lamps
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Message:
Give the guy a break!
The owners manual sucks! Illstrations are the worst I have ever seen for this.
Even the service manual sucks on this.
Poor quality of illustration has more to do with it than a person's ability to read.
Dave
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Black Magic
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
4/19/2002
11:20:43
| RE: Head Lamps
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Message:
Well I can obviously ready your bull-@$%# response Gewl.
Thanks for your in-depth and thoughtfull advice.
I'll deffinetely let others know how helpfull you have been. I'm not sure if this Forum could go on without your awsome input!!!
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Daddy-D
*GenIII*
4/19/2002
11:51:21
| RE: Head Lamps
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Message:
rrrraaOOWWrrr...
'98 DakSport C/C 3.9 2WD A/T
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SuperGewl
Dodge Dakota
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4/19/2002
21:16:09
| RE: Head Lamps
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Message:
Well, I don't know what year you have, but the 2001 owers manual does one hell of a job of telling you how to properly remove the headlamps. Even Blackmagic admits if he had read the book first he won't have stripped the frippin screws. DOH!!!!
2001 QC SLT PLUS
4.7lt 3.93 LSD
TT HD FT4x4
PIAA Headlamps
PIAA Fogs on Brush Bar
Access Rollup Cover
Pop & Lock Electric Tailgate Lock
Better Built Nerf Bars
LINE-X Over-the-Rail Bed Liner
AMSOIL thruout
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