I'm trying to decide on which options I want on a new F-150 and have had no experience with some of the options Ford offers. The HID lights sound impressive but how well do they work in fog, snowstorms or heavy rain. Even regular headlights bounce a lot of light back at you and do not cut through the crap. In really bad conditions with my F-350 I would turn my headlights off and run (slowly) with the twin Lightforce 170's fog lights I had mounted on the front. Wonderful lights. I've read that the HID's cast a stronger more intense and whiter light then the regular headlights but this is not what I want in bad weather. Could someone who has these lights pass on some real world experience with them. TIA.

Bill

 

In the past 2 years, I've gotten my wife a Chrysler 200 with halogen projector headlights, and now my '13 FX4 with projector HIDs, and I will probably never again buy a car without projectors of some sort. The light distribution is so much better than normal reflector headlights in both clear and acclimate weather. I haven't driven through what I would call a real blizzard yet with my truck, but following behind a semi kicking up fresh powder on the road, I would say that my FX4 does better than my '03 Focus, a few random mid '90s chevy cars I've driven, and my '95 F250 have ever done in the snow.

It's only a small gripe (mainly, I just have to get used to it), but while the cutoff is great in the snow and fog since it doesn't throw as much light into the snow/fog directly in front of your windshield, I constantly find myself wishing the headlights spread just a bit higher. On overcast nights, or nights with no moon, it feels EXTREMELY dark because there is NO light above the cutoff line; I'm still used to my '95 with HIDs in the reflector headlights that bleed quite a bit of light in all directions.

 

thank you for the info it's a big help. What is the light dispersion like to the side? The reason I ask is that I often am driving in northern Ontario and the Northwest Territories at night and moose do like to step in front of you at the last minute. In the Territories it's moose and Buffalo. On logging roads or secondary roads the willows grow right to the edge of the travelled portion so if you have a bit of dispersion to the side sometimes you can see your lights reflected in their eyes and have time to hit the brakes. This is another reason I have the big fog lights on my F-350. If the HID only broadcast in a straight line would I have to get some big fog lights again? They do not broadcast ahead as much but more to the side.

 

I would say that they have a good to great side dispersion. I know there are better OEM and retrofit projectors that have more even side dispersion, but I think they're all better than almost all halogen headlights. It's a little hard to compare because road signs are a little dark with the cutoff being shaped the way it is compared to how bright the signs would like up in my '03 Focus and my '95 F250, but I think the actual ditches are just as good or better than my other vehicles.

 

I have read the newer HID lights don't produce enough heat to melt snow/ice from the lens. Not popular up north for that reason. I've never had a set myself.

 

I would never have thought of that and it's a very good reason to reconsider. Especially after this winter - it's been brutal. I think I'm going to stay with the regular lights and invest in some good quality fog lights again. The new truck is being ordered on Tuesday so I'm trying to cherry pick from the Ford Canada options sheet. The new one will be a F-150 XLT, Screw, 5 1/2' box, EB 3.5L, 4X4, 3.55 Elect. rear axle, #302A, TT package, XLT convenience package, XTR package and a bunch of other stuff. Thanks guys you've been a great help.

 

They produce enough heat to melt the snow. Just remember to turn your headlights on to the high beams when you're letting your truck warm up or else it'll melt only under the cutoff line for the low beams.

 

Just wipe your lights off, my halogens in my Expedition never produced enough heat to stay melted either

 

I love my HID's. They are huge upgrade over Halogen's. They are great in any weather really.

 

For me, halogen< projector< HID. Every car or truck I've driven with HID was excellent.

 

I have the HID on my 2013 and I would not go back to the halogens either. I haven't had any problem in the snow. Also they do light up to the sides way better. we have lots of deer and they do help.
Bill

 

HID's are great! I love mine!

 

I just purchased a new 2014 F150 FX4 and am considering the HID dealer installed upgraded lights. Any idea how much that will cost? From what I have read it is worth while to consider.

 

You're looking at close to $2k if you get all of the parts from FoMoCo.

There are several people selling them on ebay, some new and some used. I would get new from this seller. He works for the company that supplies Ford with the lights and is much cheaper than Ford. You will still need the adapter harness which is around $100.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Black-2009-To-2014-Ford-F-150-OEM-HID-Headlights-/281377163813?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item418362ca25&vxp=mtr

 

Those are LEDs not HIDs. HIDs put out some heat, more than enough to melt what snow accumulates on the covers.