TITAN XD HEADLAMP HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT

The 2016 - 2017 TITAN XD has a high ride height. It is higher than a typical sedan. This high ride height may lead some customers to question whether or not the Titan XD headlamps are adjusted correctly.

For the Titan XD, there is no horizontal (side to side) adjustment; only a vertical (up/down) adjustment.

This article will focus on the vertical adjustment, allowing you to help enhance the correct height for halogen or LED headlamp beams.

NOTE: Although there is no horizontal adjustment, the ESM does provide specifications for the horizontal aim that must be checked if the vehicle has had any body or structural repair.

Preparation for Checking Headlamp Height Adjustment

Verify the following before starting:

Tire pressures are correct.
The vehicle is parked on a level surface in front of the adjustment screen.
The fuel tank is full.
The cooling system is full.
The engine oil level is at the ‘full’ mark.
The vehicle has its spare tire, jack, and tools, and they are correctly located.
The headlamps are clean.
The vehicle is unloaded (no ‘non-vehicle items in the bed or cabin.

NOTE: The vehicle should have its standard load which may include any outfitting (bed tool box or other equipment) that has been installed. Any load that is normally and usually carried in the vehicle should be in the vehicle when checking headlamp adjustment.

Headlamp Height Check and Adjustment

1. Park the vehicle on a level surface 25 feet away from the adjustment screen.

2. Make sure the adjustment screen is on the same level and flat surface as the vehicle.

3. Make sure the vehicle is facing straight at the adjustment screen (at a right angle to the adjustment screen).

4. Put a driver (or equivalent weight, about 150 pounds) in the driver seat.

5. Bounce the front and rear of the truck by hand to be sure the suspension is settled and has no static load.

6. Put the steering wheel in the straight ahead position.

7. Turn OFF the fog lamps.

Turn OFF fog lamps.

8. If equipped with a manual headlight adjustment switch, make sure it is set to “0”.

Set manual headlight adjustment to "0". (For vehicles equipped with LED headlamps)

Observe the Light Beam Pattern

9. Check that the adjustment screen is 25 feet away from the center of the headlamp.

10. Turn the headlamps ON, set to low beam, and then observe the light beam pattern on the adjustment screen.

You will notice that there is a distinctive line (cut off line) across the top of the light beam separating light and dark.
You will also notice that the light beam has a distinctive shape with the left part of the beam a few inches lower than the right part of the beam.

NOTE: There are two types of headlamp aiming for the 2016 Titan:

Halogen headlamps are Visually Optical aligned Right (VOR); meaning the top line (cut off line) on the right side of the beams will be used for height adjustment.
LED headlamps are Visually Optical aligned Left (VOL), meaning the lower line (cut off line) on the left side of the beams will be used for height adjustment.

11. Mark a location with tape on the adjustment screen, about center point above each beam.

NOTE:

Place the tape above the top line (cut off line) on the right side of the beams for halogen headlamp adjustment.
Place the tape above the top line (cut off line) on the left side of the beams for LED headlamp adjustment.

12. Turn the headlamps OFF.

Mark the Aiming Chart

NOTE: The dimensions (A, B, C and J) used in this article match the dimensions in the ESM headlamp adjustment instructions.

13. Determine the center of the headlamp.

14. Measure from the level surface to the center of the headlamp.

Write the measurement down.
This is dimension A.

NOTE: For our example, the measurement for dimension A is 43 inches.

Mark the Adjustment Screen

15. Make four marks on the adjustment screen at the same level of dimension A.

Measure up from the ground (the same surface the truck is sitting on), on the adjustment screen.
For our example, dimension A is 43 inches.
Make a mark at 43 inches, about 6 inches to the left, and one about 6 inches to the right of each of the headlamp beam center spots you marked with tape in step 11.

16. Make two horizontal lines on the adjustment screen (one for each headlamp) as follows:

Use a ruler to make horizontal lines between the marks you made in step 15. One line for each beam.
Make the lines about 12 inches long.
These horizontal lines will be dimension line J.

Make a horizontal line 12 inches long for each headlamp beam.

For LED headlamps:

Measure down from line J; 3.7 inches (93.1 mm) and make line B (minimum cut off line).
Measure down from line J; 0.5 inch (13.3 mm) and make line C (maximum cut off line).

NOTE:

Dimension B (line B) is the minimum cut off line height, the lowest point at which the headlamp may be adjusted.
Dimension C (line C) is the maximum cut off line height, the highest point at which the headlamp may be adjusted. Make a line B and C for each headlamp, as shown in our example.

For Halogen headlamps:

Measure down from line J; 2.1 inches (53.2 mm) and make line B (minimum cut off line).
Measure up from line J; 0.5 inch (13.3 mm) inches and make line C (maximum cut off line).

NOTE:

Dimension B (line B) is the minimum cut off line height, the lowest point at which the headlamp may be adjusted.
Dimension C (line C) is the maximum cut off line height, the highest point at which the headlamp may be adjusted. Make a line B and C for each headlamp, as shown in our example.

17. Start the engine and turn ON the headlamps.

18. Block the headlamp beam that you are NOT adjusting.

Each headlamp is aimed individually. Covering up or blocking the the other headlamp beam will help with the visibility of the headlamp beam being adjusted.
The adjustment screw is located on the back side of the headlamp as shown in the photo.

19. Adjust the headlamps.

Adjust the headlamp up or down so the upper edge of the light beam is no lower than line B and no higher than line C.
Perform adjustment of the other headlamp beam.

Halogen headlamp beam adjusted

NOTE: The left and right light head lamp beams should be adjusted to the same height.

Adjust the headlamp up or down so the upper edge of the light beam is no lower than line B and no higher than line C.
Perform adjustment of the other headlamp beam.

LED headlamp beam adjusted

NOTE: The left and right light head lamp beams should be adjusted to the same height.