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Worst Halogen Headlights Ever

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Old Dec 12, 2015 | 12:20 PM
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Question Worst Halogen Headlights Ever

I wish I could have purchased the LED headlights, but couldn't because I had the plow prep option. These halogen headlights are awful, it's so dark and I can't see at night. I just ordered the Morimoto LED fog light assemblies and hopefully that will help some. They were $200.

Has anyone upgraded their headlights to LED or HID? I saw a thread a while back, can't find it now - but was wondering if I need to spend the $1,600 to get the whole OEM upgrade LED housings? I saw some kits out there for a few hundred bucks - who has experience with them?

I have to do something because I'm concerned about safety and need proper headlights. Ideas?

Thanks,
Paul
 
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Old Dec 12, 2015 | 01:13 PM
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I don't get it. Every vehicle forum I've ever been a part of has people complaining about how awful the factory headlamps are. The only vehicles I've ever driven with what I thought were substandard headlamps were heavy trucks.

Have you thought about getting your vision checked? Not trying to be a smartass at all, but if the factory head lamps aren't bright enough there may be something wrong. As you upgrade to brighter, non-DOT-approved lights you may be creating a hazard for those around you.
 
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Old Dec 12, 2015 | 01:31 PM
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Tom, what do you think of the halogen lights? Or do you have led's? Yes, my eye sight is poor but I have passengers that agree that the headlights are simply awful. The fact that I'm willing to possibly spend $1,600 plus dollars should cement the fact that the lights suck.
 
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Old Dec 12, 2015 | 01:42 PM
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Try swapping the bulbs for Sylviania Nighthawks or something similar and see if that helps.

I would do a retrofit with HIDs, but haven't seen if that's possible in the new 2015 headlights yet.
 
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Old Dec 12, 2015 | 03:41 PM
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Mine has the stock halogens, and I think they are just fine.

I would prefer that the fog lamps were yellow/amber though. I think that style of fog lamp provides much better contrast.
 
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Old Dec 12, 2015 | 03:59 PM
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Mine has halogens, and I think they do a fine job.
 
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Old Dec 12, 2015 | 07:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Tom
I don't get it. Every vehicle forum I've ever been a part of has people complaining about how awful the factory headlamps are. The only vehicles I've ever driven with what I thought were substandard headlamps were heavy trucks.

Have you thought about getting your vision checked? Not trying to be a smartass at all, but if the factory head lamps aren't bright enough there may be something wrong. As you upgrade to brighter, non-DOT-approved lights you may be creating a hazard for those around you.
There has been complaints about the 05-07 Superduty headlights as well. I had a 2005 and also my current 2006 F250 and they think they are just fine.

My initial thought is to verify the headlights are adjusted correctly.

Josh
 
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Old Dec 12, 2015 | 08:47 PM
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I just installed the Philips Crystal Vision Ultra bulbs and they are so much better. They have a whiter light - 4,000 degrees Kelvin versus 3,200 stock. Pretty happy with that.
 
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Old Dec 12, 2015 | 08:48 PM
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What a hassle changing those bulbs out though, ugh.
 
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Old Dec 12, 2015 | 09:21 PM
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Glad to hear you found a solution Paul!
 
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Old Dec 12, 2015 | 10:05 PM
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Crazy, I was just going to do a search to see if anyone had changed bulbs and this was the top of the forum. I have the halogens as well, but I don't have a problem seeing with them. My concern is with the LED side mirror lights (which I LOVE), and the LED taillights, I don't like the contrast in lighting colors. The LED are all a bright white, which I prefer, and the headlights and fogs are the warm lights. I would like to get them all to match color as close as possible.

I have not used the amber fog lights GlueGuy speaks of, and since I don't have near the fog that I'm sure he drives in in the mountains, I just like the look of the heads and fogs in on-coming traffic so I run mine 100% of the time. I wish you could bypass the fogs turning off when you hit the brights.
 
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Old Dec 12, 2015 | 11:48 PM
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Might try checking the adjustment of your headlights. As a retired service adviser, I've had customers complain about poor headlight performance, and many times the problem was poorly adjusted headlights. If they are adjusted too low the beams will not project for enough forward, which gives the illusion of dim headlights.
 
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Old Dec 13, 2015 | 10:43 AM
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Originally Posted by F150'94
I have not used the amber fog lights GlueGuy speaks of, and since I don't have near the fog that I'm sure he drives in in the mountains, I just like the look of the heads and fogs in on-coming traffic so I run mine 100% of the time. I wish you could bypass the fogs turning off when you hit the brights.
I might be more sensitive to that issue. We often get the "pea soup" kind of fog (or low clouds as it were), and I get to exercise the fog lights quite a lot. Our Toyota trucks have the amber/yellow fog lights, and they make a huge difference. It's a big deal to me to be facing a "wall of white" versus the high contrast you get with the amber fogs.
 
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Old Dec 13, 2015 | 01:00 PM
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Why would they not offer LED with the plow prep?


I just got a kit from Raptor Retrofit and the morimoto LED fog lights. I don't think you will be amazed at the fog lights but I love the LED headlights.
 
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Old Dec 13, 2015 | 01:08 PM
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