EASY way to change headlight bulbs?

[SBexplorer28]

Sorry if this is something that has been thoroughly discussed before, but is there any EASY way to change out the headlight bulbs on a 1997 Explorer - meaning, without removing the grill?

If this is in the wrong section, let me know, but direct me to the right spot if you could too...thanks.

 

[j602]

Well, if it's anything like my '92, you just take off the lock ring, pop off the harness and pull them out. Takes about 1 minute per side.

 

[crazycow425]

According to Haynes Repair Manual it says for 1997 models to remove the Headlight housing assembly.

That sound like a pain to me.

 

[celly]

On my 2000 (sb the same for '96), you reach in behind, twist the lockring and the bulb pops out. You're screwed if you have large hands because there's not a lot of room to move in there.

Good luck.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

It took me awhile to change my bulbs on my '00. I was very shocked to find how hard it was. It's very tight spots! Especially the driver side.

-Drew

 

[SBexplorer28]

Well, I did manage to change them out without removing the grill - I am just very lucky that I have really long hands, because I had about half my arm down inside that gap in front of the engine compartment with my wrists bent in a really uncomfortable position. So, it is doable, but it definetely isn't easy. If you need to do it, get someone really tall and skinny to pop them in and out of the casing.

 

[RanSit]

aint it nice in the 1st gens yuo can just unhook the bulb and install a new one...5 mins flat

 

[Bill Kemp]

Changing bulbs is so much easier if the battery & air cleaner are removed. With those out of the way you can easily get to the bulbs. Time wise, I think it's about the same either way because it takes a lot of time to finagle the bulbs in & out with nothing removed.