Headlight aiming

[Sw00per]

All, Post lift, I want to correctly aim my headlights. I read one article that said, per DOT standards, measure to the center of your headlight and mark that on a wall. Shine headlights at the wall from 25 feet away and the top of the beam should be 2.5 inches below. In a video by Northridge 4x4 it says the top of the bean should be 36 inches at 25 ft.

So lots of variation... my goal is not to blind anyone and also ensure that the lights are correctly aimed.

Does anyone know the best practice for a lifted Jeep?

Thanks in advance.

Sponsored

 

[Badunit]

The DOT standard is the correct one. The Northridge one must be assuming your headlight height is 38.5". Different models are different heights, even when stock. Different lifts are different heights. You might be pointing them into the dirt or into the sky by that procedure.

I find it easiest to eyeball it in a long flat parking lot or long flat driveway. It doesn't have to be flat in every direction, it could be pointed up a slight hill as long as it is smooth and even in that direction. I kneel down in front of my Jeep until the lights get bright. I might mark this eyeballed height on a stick or board. I then walk 50 ft or more away (if I can) and kneel down to the same height. I adjust the headlights to be just under what they were right in front of the Jeep (5" lower at 50 ft would be DOT). I'll walk further away to make sure they are both pointed exactly the same. I figure this is more of a real-world adjustment than looking at a light pattern on a wall.

 

[Escape.idiocracy]

Level surface, drive as close to a wall as you can- mark the top of the light cut off line with 2” painters tape. Back up 25’ and the top edge of the cut off line should now be at the Bottom of the painters tape.

I did the same with my fog lights but 1” and ~10’

 

[Bully4]

If I'm not mistaken, PA inspection basically says 4" deviation from center at 25'. So the methods listed above would get you in the ballpark. I always adjusted the right side to hint a little right to possibly see a pedestrian walking along the road. The left side would hint right as well to keep from blinding oncoming cars. Both would also be basically level. When backing up 25', you should also keep your vehicle square to the wall.

 

[Badunit]

I don't think we have right/left adjustment on US versions, just up/down.

 

[Vtur]

Call me lazy but i be adjusting mine just by turning it ccw 1/4 turn at a time then go for a drive a night. As long the cutoff beam isn't pointing at a standard car rearview mirror and little to the side mirrors at normal distance, i'd called it good. Ended up at 3/4 turn with 3.5" lift and 37s.

 

[Bully4]

I never messed with mine. I just kinda' wrote the headlights off as semi-useful. I'll check it out to see if there are left/right adjustments.

 

[Sandman 4x4]

There are no side to side adjustments, other than perhaps placing a washer under the housing mounting screw in the proper place. Maybe

 

[darkhorse13]

I personally like the video from Diode Dynamics and have been using the DOT recommended 2" below center of headlight height @ 25ft from wall. I lean towards 2.5" below optical center as the load in the bed of my JT fluctuates. I too have watched the Northridge 4x4 video and think something is slightly amiss with the info. I feel like NR4X4 confused the 36" optical center note from the DOT as the actual aiming measurement... in the case of my lifted JT this would be entirely too low.

Anyway, I've been following the 25ft distance and ~2" below optical center for years with no issues or flashes from other drivers.

Might as well include the FOG aiming video:

Sponsored