1997 - 2003 F-150

Looking for a How to on adding Automatic headlights on my 97 F150

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Old 08-09-2012, 10:50 PM
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Looking for a How to on adding Automatic headlights on my 97 F150

Hi I want to add the automatic headlight feature on my 97 f150.

What parts do I need and is there a how to for this?

Please reply back thanks.
 
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Old 08-10-2012, 12:49 AM
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My 03 has a switch with the auto lites.
 
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Old 08-10-2012, 07:21 AM
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1) Find a donor truck at the junkyard that has auto lamps. Rip out all the needed parts and install them in your truck. Good luck.

or

2) Find a truck for sale that has autolamps. Buy it.
 
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Old 08-10-2012, 08:24 AM
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Why do you want them if you don't mind me asking? My '08 has them, but I still always run them in manual mode. Just never seen the need or want for it I guess. overcast days they go on and off on there own, I like to be in control myself personally. Its even annoying that simply unlocking it with the fob even in manual mode all the lights still turn on.
 
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Old 08-10-2012, 08:42 AM
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He might have some cool angle eye headlights and wants to run them all day
 
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Old 08-10-2012, 09:11 AM
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Originally Posted by projectSHO89
1) Find a donor truck at the junkyard that has auto lamps. Rip out all the needed parts and install them in your truck. Good luck.

or

2) Find a truck for sale that has autolamps. Buy it.
oK DO YA KNOW WHICH PARTS i NEED TO MAKE THIS WORK?
 
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Old 08-10-2012, 03:49 PM
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This is one of those projects where, if you don't know what you're doing when you start, it's probably over your knowledge level.

You're going to need the auto-lamp module, the light sensor, the light switch, the relay block, and the correct wiring harness at a minimum.

Buy a truck with it already installed...
 
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Old 08-11-2012, 07:14 PM
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Originally Posted by lilfflippy
Hi I want to add the automatic headlight feature on my 97 f150.

What parts do I need and is there a how to for this?

Please reply back thanks.
Are you talking about the Daytime Running Lights or the automatic on and off lights?

Ron
 
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Old 08-11-2012, 07:26 PM
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Originally Posted by RShad
Are you talking about the Daytime Running Lights or the automatic on and off lights?

Ron
Im talking about the automatic on and off lights.
 
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Old 08-12-2012, 10:49 PM
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Just do it the way I did it with the spaghetti kit. Just search for daytime running lights. It should be in the electrical subforum a few pages in...four or fives wires splice in under the dash and bundle the rest away wire tie wraps and call it an evening.

Either way, because I bought the resistor that goes under the left fender a few years back, I get DRL function (reduced output, but still bright on their own) and they run all the time, to boot. I hear the sensor used for true autolamps is finicky and I doubt my XL is wired for that, anyway...
 
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Old 08-19-2012, 08:37 PM
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Update I was able to install the auto headlight feature on my 97 F150

Parts I got from the boneyard was a auto headlight switch, oval surfboard on top of dash with the slits for the light sensor. The light sensor was already mounted on the surfboard.

Its all plug and play took off my old oval surfboard plugged light sensor in.
And switch out the headlight switch with the auto headlight

Thats it all done and working.
 
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Old 08-19-2012, 09:09 PM
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Sweeeet That's good to know
 
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Old 05-18-2013, 02:22 AM
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Originally Posted by lilfflippy
Update I was able to install the auto headlight feature on my 97 F150

Parts I got from the boneyard was a auto headlight switch, oval surfboard on top of dash with the slits for the light sensor. The light sensor was already mounted on the surfboard.

Its all plug and play took off my old oval surfboard plugged light sensor in.
And switch out the headlight switch with the auto headlight

Thats it all done and working.

I got the parts you said from the local pick and pull and cannot find the wire harness on my truck...was yours burried in the dash somewhere or just sitting right on top
 
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Old 11-11-2016, 06:55 PM
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Originally Posted by lilfflippy
Update I was able to install the auto headlight feature on my 97 F150

Parts I got from the boneyard was a auto headlight switch, oval surfboard on top of dash with the slits for the light sensor. The light sensor was already mounted on the surfboard.

Its all plug and play took off my old oval surfboard plugged light sensor in.
And switch out the headlight switch with the auto headlight

Thats it all done and working.



What trim package is your '97? Thinking about doing it to my '01 XLT
 
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Old 03-23-2021, 06:48 AM
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Did you find wire harness?

Thank you this will save my battery when I forget to turn off my head lights
 


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