I'm toying with the idea of replacing the headlights and (not factory installed but OEM) fog lights in my 2006 F250. While the headlights are in very good shape overall, I noticed some condensation inside the passenger side headlight, in the lower half. I should also note that my fog lights are full of water/condensation as well (ebay "OEM" kit, they were a gift. Obvious low quality). This is the first time I've had an issue with either lights, and it is almost definitely in direct correlation with the fact that we had hurricane force rain and wind the other day and I was out in floodwaters up to +/- 18" while working. So obviously that's going to cause problems. I do plan on replacing my fog lights and I'm considering doing the headlights at the same time. So here comes my question.

I'm looking at two aftermarket companies for headlights/fog lights. I don't want to go Ford for obvious cost reasons. I don't want to cheap out, either. 1AAuto has a fog light set for around 70 dollars and a headlight set for around 125. LMC asks 40 a piece for the fogs and 150 a piece for the headlights. I know 1AAuto is the authority on quality aftermarket mirrors, but who's used them for other parts, especially lights? I did some basic searches but mostly saw guys using their parts on older trucks, not the sealed beam 05-07 style. LMC obviously would be a good quality part, but is it THAT much better than 1AAuto at almost triple the cost for headlights?

Any input here would be appreciated, and if you think I'm crazy and I should just let my headlight with minor condensation dry out instead of replacing them both, feel free to tell me so! If there's another manufacturer I'm missing, tell me about your thoughts there too. If anyone wants direct links to the items I'm considering, I'll post em. Thanks guys! Cheers!

 

I have the 1aauto headlights on my Super Duty and they are pretty decent. My truck is a 99 and upgraded to the 02-04 style headlights. I do reccomend some type of sealant for the lights as well. Headlights have been on since February and seem to work pretty good. Noticeable improvement in light as well. Permatex I used

My question is though since you already have the OEM headlights why not remove and seperate the lenses, dry them out and reseal? Could also get projectors installed or use the LED headlight kits as some on here have done.

Headlights installed. I do believe they are an Eagle brand.

 

Thank you for the input there, regardless of brand I will be using a sealant especially on the lower down fog lights. I'm glad to hear of your success with the 1AAuto lights, and I actually saw your before/after pictures when I did my initial FTE research, it's such a huge difference!

I have no interest in going with projectors, HIDs, or LED kits in my headlights. Call me old fashioned but the regular, standard, joe-schmo lights on the truck now are what I like. So with that out, the option of removing, separating, drying them out, and resealing them is afoot. It's absolutely a logical thought and wouldn't be hard to do, but the problem is my truck rarely sits out of commission for more than 8, maybe 10 hours at a time. While I could take a whole day to do this job with most of the time being letting the lenses dry and the new sealant dry, I believe it to be more time and cost efficient for me to get replacement units and spend less than an hour total installing them.

P.S. Bentley_coop, from what I see in the background of that picture it looks like you've got a pretty great shop going on…friends/ford trucks/tools/beer all in an enclosed area. Right on!

 

Don't take this the wrong way, (20 years driving truck OTR here) but you would rather NOT be able to see better at night (when the most **** can jump out and get you) and would rather run the "crappy" factory style fog (because they look fogged all the time LOL) lights?

I have always run the best available lights I could find (lots of nighttime driving) matter of fact I always ran 4 of these lights with these and when set correctly I could see road signs over 1 mile down the road. I am currently running a set of these on my '06 F250

 

That was a FTE meeting back in February at Woodnthings place. It was a good time.

As far as the OE lights I believe they will be superior but understand the timing constraints needed. Look at user Mecdac's thread in the Excursion section, he has some headlights that he used from an aftermarket company youo may be interested in.

Have you entertained a LED light bar for the front bumper to replace the Fog's? Could either mount to the push bar or bumper brackets.

 

I'm not planning on running lights that are all fogged up, that's the reason I'm going to replace them. My lights have always been crystal clear and with the proper bulbs, I've never felt that I wanted more light.

I'll check out his thread now, and I have considered an LED bar, but as I said at this time I'm not looking to get advice on how to upgrade my lighting, I'm just looking for thoughts and input on the quality of different aftermarket light manufacturers.

 

If anyone has questions about our headlights, you can always PM me too.

Tony

 

Why not remove the lights get a air compressor and blow the condensation out and reinstall? Seems like the only problem was the 18" of water you were driving through

galaxy S4 using IB AutoGroup

 

Thought about it, decided to ultimately get a brand new set of headlights and start fresh. Only one headlight had some condensation, which leads me to believe the seal isn't in the best of shape, since the other side is bone dry. A new set of lights will be nice, my current set look great from afar but there's a lot of pitting and now the condensation.

As far as the 18" of water, yeah, I'd say that and the hurricane force rain was definitely the problem, but that's not what my question pertained to.

 

Try polishing the lenses. Buy the specific compound, use a buffer on low. Worked great on my wife's '00 Windstar. Some of the deeper pits are still visible if you look for them, but the light output is like new.


You are going to seal the new ones right? Why not just reseal the old ones the same way. I don't think you can be sure new seals/housings will reliably stand up to the conditions you described.


I am going to do the same ('02-'04) headlight upgrade to my '01 SD, so haven't polished the old ones. I'm looking hard at the Vision X Optimus Square LED's to replace my Fogs.

 

The issue wasn't that the lenses were cloudy and needed polishing, it's that the seals weren't in great shape and some moisture got in.

Regardless, got a whole set from 1A and they're excellent. Great fit and finish and quality is top notch. Had an issue with one light that had minor damage from shipping but they already sent a new one out to me. Class acts. Paired the lights with some Silverstar Ultras in my headlights and fog lights and I can see like never before!

 

It sounds like you answered your original question for all of us--I was following this thread since I am doing the headlight upgrade and ordering 1A's 05 mirrors--matt finish with smoked lights lenses... and I too wondered about 1A's headlights. There are plenty of positive posts about their mirrors, but like you , I just wasn't as sure about the lights.


Now I can order both since I've found Ford makes the adapter harness for the newer mirrors.


So, thanks!


I only suggested polishing because I was impressed with the way it reduced the pitting--thought it might work for you, but I didn't express that too well!


Anyway, glad they were what you wanted!

 

Thank you for your order.

 

Quick post to update my experience...a week after I installed the first set (9/16) I noticed a small amount of moisture/condensation in the RH light one morning (9/19), but it was gone a few hours later, this was the light that was initially replaced under warranty. Now, approximately 3 weeks later after a 1hr+ drive in very mild mist with lights on, both my headlights are foggy on the bottom half, internally. Obviously not thrilled, called 1AA and was told "condensation is somewhat normal for a vented headlight when raining". He also asked me about the headlights and sockets I was using, as this could be a source of moisture. Kudos for being very thorough. I disagreed about the normalcy of it and stated that I used brand new sockets and bulbs when installing, and am now receiving another set under warranty. The guy on the phone, after seeing my shipping address being in MA said, "Now that I see you're from MA, we barely got any rain today, definitely shouldn't have caused that...", which we laughed about. I'm more just aggravated by the trouble of having them ship another set out and getting them in, not really too mad about the issue itself (***** happens, right?), but I'm really hoping this second set solves my problem and that it was just a fluke. As always, customer service has been very polite and helpful and did not hesitate to send a replacement set under warranty when I fully explained my situation. Fingers crossed.

Should be noted that my 1AAuto fog lights that I purchased and installed at the same time (9/16) are flawless. Very good quality, extremely pleased with these.

 

Usually when this happens the bulbs are typically the culprit. I did see that you have used new bulbs too.

We've had really good luck with the headlights that we carry; if you still have an issue, please contact our customer service dept. and we'll get you taken care of.

We're here to help you out too.

Best Regards,
Tony