Headlight HID upgrade
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 166
Likes: 1
Headlight HID upgrade
Wasn't sleepy so I went for a night drive. The headlights in my F350 just don't compare to the lights I had in the 2013 F150. They were the HID option on the King Ranch. If anyone upgrade their stock lights to a projector HID package I'd like to hear your thoughts.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
From what I've read, the problem is that if you go with hid then you need to buy a custom made housing so that the light is thrown forward properly. Buying the hid kit and two new headlight housings made for hid is costly.
Much cheaper to buy a 20" LED light bar or a pair of your favorite driving lights to mount up front, and turn them on when needed. No different than driving with the brights on, just need to turn them off for oncoming traffic.
Much cheaper to buy a 20" LED light bar or a pair of your favorite driving lights to mount up front, and turn them on when needed. No different than driving with the brights on, just need to turn them off for oncoming traffic.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,247
Likes: 4,267
From: Kaysville Utah
I went the 20" LED light bar much cheaper solution and a very easy install Mine are hooked up to one of my Upfitter switches
They do a great job of lighting up BLM and Forest Service when I'm off the beaten path
They do a great job of lighting up BLM and Forest Service when I'm off the beaten path
Senior User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: Frisco, TX
I got the 30 inch, in grill from Rough Country, and also just added the two row 20 inch that fits perfect. I know it's overkill but I'm not at all regretful other than buying from Recon. Rough Country is a great company to deal with and very helpful on the phone. Both lights are on the uplifters.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 13
From: Mid Atlantic
Timely question.
I just purchased a Baja Design 30" light bar that fits perfectly into the upper grill.
The problem is I cannot, for the life of me, figure out how to access my upfitter switches...
Anyone offer any help? Pictures would be great!
Thanks.
I just purchased a Baja Design 30" light bar that fits perfectly into the upper grill.
The problem is I cannot, for the life of me, figure out how to access my upfitter switches...
Anyone offer any help? Pictures would be great!
Thanks.
Senior User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: Frisco, TX
I'm no mechanic so treat my solution with caution. Behind the drivers side and underneath the fuse box, well behind it but lower, is the wiring harness that connects to the uplifter switches. It's a pain in **** I tell you. My second light will be installed by a professional since he only wants $125 to do so. In case you're wondering Car Toys, if they have them in your area, is who will be doing mine while I wait.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 13
From: Mid Atlantic
I decided to look in the Bible at the top of this section and found this...
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ss-them-6.html
I'll take a look at it this week and see if I can make any sense of it....
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ss-them-6.html
I'll take a look at it this week and see if I can make any sense of it....
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 481
Likes: 0
I have had HID's in previous vehicles and they are nice, I have not decided to do it in my current '15 SD but I have been exploring the LED bulb a bit. From what I have gathered there are bulbs that are simple plug and play and produce much more light and no worries about heat!
I have also changed my housing's so I have projector style light right now which I think an LED would benefit even more. I am also contemplating a light bar that fits in the grill....very nice and sleek.
I have also changed my housing's so I have projector style light right now which I think an LED would benefit even more. I am also contemplating a light bar that fits in the grill....very nice and sleek.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 13
From: Mid Atlantic
I picked up a 30" combination light bar from Baja Designs and it fits right into the grill like is shown here..
https://www.bajadesigns.com/products...hting-Kits.asp
I am waiting to have a friend help me with the wiring but I went to a demo for this light a few weeks ago and was blown away with how far it projects light. According to the rep (?) it is designed to run in the desert at 80 MPH and be able to see far enough out front to deal with what comes up. I will never be doing that but it is nice to know...
Prolocutor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 13,618
Likes: 1,247
From: Western MA
Carl, I love the results I got from my 20" Rigid bar mounted right in my grill. Here's my thread on it. I've got it's relay fed by an upfitter and it's triggered to come on with my high beams. This way I can always shut it off if I don't want it on with the brights like at annual inspection time.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...installed.html
The projector retrofit was a lot more involved and a lot more expensive...
Oh, and I second staying away from Recon. They are a hideous company to deal with.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...installed.html
The projector retrofit was a lot more involved and a lot more expensive...
Oh, and I second staying away from Recon. They are a hideous company to deal with.
Freshman User
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 39
Likes: 1
2011-2016 Ford Superduty Complete HID Projector Headlight Retrofit Package | BlackFlameCustoms.com
It can be done by yourself. I would get a cheap set of lights from Ebay and mod those with projectors. I have read several write-ups on other boards about retrofitting a projector into the halogen housing.
The https://www.theretrofitsource.com/ should have all the hardware needed.
Prolocutor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 13,618
Likes: 1,247
From: Western MA
Google Black Flame Customs. They have tons of horrible reviews. I tried to strike a deal with them before I went the light bar option. They were extremely arrogant and difficult to deal with. Then I found the reviews and went a different route. The Retrofit Source is a great source of parts if you have the ability to do the job yourself though. That's actually where Black Flame gets their parts from.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,275
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
I've done my own retrofits before, but if I am trusting someone else to do it it is this company only. Blackflame customs is the way to go for sure. It is't cheap, but it is well worth the cost.
I used Nissan Murano 3" projectors with clear lens upgrade. These lights are insanely bright and the cutoff is razor sharp.
Low Beam
High Beam
I used Nissan Murano 3" projectors with clear lens upgrade. These lights are insanely bright and the cutoff is razor sharp.
Low Beam
High Beam
2011-2016 Ford Superduty Complete HID Projector Headlight Retrofit Package | BlackFlameCustoms.com
It can be done by yourself. I would get a cheap set of lights from Ebay and mod those with projectors. I have read several write-ups on other boards about retrofitting a projector into the halogen housing.
The https://www.theretrofitsource.com/ should have all the hardware needed.
It can be done by yourself. I would get a cheap set of lights from Ebay and mod those with projectors. I have read several write-ups on other boards about retrofitting a projector into the halogen housing.
The https://www.theretrofitsource.com/ should have all the hardware needed.
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