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Headlight Adjustment

Headlight Adjustment

(1) Verify headlamps are operational in all modes and illuminated in the low beam setting.
(2) Correct defective components that could hinder proper headlamp alignment.
(3) Verify proper tire inflation.
(4) Clean headlamp lenses.
(5) Verify that luggage area is not heavily loaded.
(6) Fuel tank should be FULL. Add 2.94 kg (6.5 lbs.) of weight over the fuel tank for each estimated gallon of missing fuel.

ALIGNMENT SCREEN PREPARATION
(1) Position vehicle on a level surface perpendicular to a flat wall 7.62 meters (25 ft.), export vehicles use 10 meters (32.8 ft.), away from front of headlamp lens (Fig. 2).

Headlamp alignment screen - typical

(2) If necessary, tape a line on the floor 7.62 meters (25 ft.), export vehicles use 10 meters (32.8 ft.), away from and parallel to the wall.
(3) Measure from the floor up 1.27 meters (5 ft.) and tape a vertical line on the wall at the centerline of the vehicle. Sight along the centerline of the vehicle (from rear of vehicle forward) to verify accuracy of the line placement.
(4) Rock vehicle side-to-side three times to allow suspension to stabilize.
(5) Jounce front suspension three times by pushing downward on front bumper and releasing.
(6) Measure the distance from the center of headlamp lens to the floor. Transfer measurement to the alignment screen (with tape). Use this horizontal line for up/down adjustment reference.
(7) Place a tape line 130 mm (5.12 in.) below parallel to center of headlamp line.
(8) Measure distance from the centerline of the vehicle to the center of each headlamp being aligned. Transfer measurements to screen (with tape) to each side of vehicle centerline. Use these lines for left/ right adjustment reference.

HEADLAMP ADJUSTMENT
(1) Place headlamps on LOW beam.
(2) Cover front of the headlamp that is not being adjusted.
(3) Turn the upper, outboard (up/down) adjustment screw (Fig. 3)until the headlamp beam pattern on screen/wall is similar to the pattern depicted in (Fig. 2)
(4) Rotate the lower, inboard (left/right) adjustment screw (Fig. 3) until the headlamp beam pattern on the aiming screen/wall similar to the pattern in (Fig. 2).
(5) Cover front of the headlamp that has been adjusted and adjust the other headlamp beam as instructed above.

Headlamp adjustment screws

This page last updated: 16-Apr-2008

Content and Design © 2002-present WanderingTrail,  Ronald Seegert
Common Sense and Safety should always be observed when working on your vehicle or doing modifications. Jackstands, wheel blocks, disconnecting the battery are a few of the basic safety precautions that should be used and may not be mentioned in the write ups on this site. You are responsible for your own installation, these write ups are a helpful guideline and should not be taken as an official installation instruction. My write up may be different from the kits currently out there, so alwasy double check the manufacturers installation instructions when installing anything. I try to keep the site up to date with changes that have occured as I discover them, but may not have the latest unless someone lets me know. If you feel that an install is above your capabilities after reading my write ups, I recommend getting together with a club and getting some help. Only a few times have I needed to employe some actual help from a shop to get something done. Usually welding or A/C work. While I have spent many years working on mechanical systems, I am not an expert, nor do I pretend to be one. I hope these write ups have been useful to you.
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