LED Headlights
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 341
Likes: 2
Not necessarily. When the headlights are in DRL mode there is a resister switched inline to reduce the voltage a little bit to the headlights. Considering that I go for years ata time for a $15 or $20 part, I'm not going to lose sleep about longevity.
BTW - I think the halogens on our XLT are fantastic. Maybe it's just that I set a low bar?
BTW - I think the halogens on our XLT are fantastic. Maybe it's just that I set a low bar?
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 360
From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
LOL! We live in the country (but still on the peninsula). It is dark, dark, dark out here. No lights of any kind. Plus we're in the mountains, so we get the the low clouds that are basically fog when they are laying on the ground at altitude. I have the fog lights on more than off. It's not unusual to have less than 100' visibility.
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Junior User
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
If there are low clouds there is always a sky glow. The SF Bay area is really large with pockets of dark sky and pitch black unlighted roads. I can still notice the difference in the LEDs vs halogens. If they had been a $1500 option I wouldn't have ordered them but I didn't even realize I was getting them. Happy I did though. They really light up the road.
Moderator
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,235
Likes: 1,248
From: San Antonio, TX
It’s the HID bulbs that should not be placed in a housing designed for halogen lights. Although, from research I have done, HID bulbs perform surprisingly well in 2015-2017 F150 halogen housings.
I have been pleased enough with mine since properly aiming them that I haven’t thought much about lighting alternatives. I do like the idea of changing to brighter halogens. The bulb placement shouldn’t be an issue in a housing already designed for them. Cut offs, beam patterns and widths should all be the same. When those things change, that’s what blinds other drivers rather than light output that’s within reason. Since those bulbs are all OE specified in other vehicles, they shouldn’t be a problem.
There are so many cheap junk HID and LED bulbs/kits on the market that I would rather try more powerful halogen bulbs that I know are from reputable manufacturers. I looked at PIAA led bulbs, but to outfit highs, lows and fogs is $900.
I have been pleased enough with mine since properly aiming them that I haven’t thought much about lighting alternatives. I do like the idea of changing to brighter halogens. The bulb placement shouldn’t be an issue in a housing already designed for them. Cut offs, beam patterns and widths should all be the same. When those things change, that’s what blinds other drivers rather than light output that’s within reason. Since those bulbs are all OE specified in other vehicles, they shouldn’t be a problem.
There are so many cheap junk HID and LED bulbs/kits on the market that I would rather try more powerful halogen bulbs that I know are from reputable manufacturers. I looked at PIAA led bulbs, but to outfit highs, lows and fogs is $900.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
I always change my bulbs out to better Halogens. We live in the country and it's dark out here. As for longivity in Ontario DTRL are mandatory, I have a Honda CRV which uses a reduced headlight beam as a DTRL. I replaced the bulbs with higher output 4 years ago and they still are fine.
I have found the best source of bulbs are from Europe I buy mine from Power Bulbs in England mostly Philips or Oshram.
I don't know about the whole bulb matching the housing thing but the output is much better then stock.
I have found the best source of bulbs are from Europe I buy mine from Power Bulbs in England mostly Philips or Oshram.
I don't know about the whole bulb matching the housing thing but the output is much better then stock.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 336
Likes: 2
Kingofwylietx,Thank You very much for the Info on the H11 toH9 and the 9005 to 9011
The price on Amazon is not bad about 50 bucks to do both they have a higher wattage
and higher Lumens,Looking on here LED are out of my price range this is a Great alternative.
P/S Google did a great how to Video with a slight modification.
The price on Amazon is not bad about 50 bucks to do both they have a higher wattage
and higher Lumens,Looking on here LED are out of my price range this is a Great alternative.
P/S Google did a great how to Video with a slight modification.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 336
Likes: 2
It’s the HID bulbs that should not be placed in a housing designed for halogen lights. Although, from research I have done, HID bulbs perform surprisingly well in 2015-2017 F150 halogen housings.
I have been pleased enough with mine since properly aiming them that I haven’t thought much about lighting alternatives. I do like the idea of changing to brighter halogens. The bulb placement shouldn’t be an issue in a housing already designed for them. Cut offs, beam patterns and widths should all be the same. When those things change, that’s what blinds other drivers rather than light output that’s within reason. Since those bulbs are all OE specified in other vehicles, they shouldn’t be a problem.
There are so many cheap junk HID and LED bulbs/kits on the market that I would rather try more powerful halogen bulbs that I know are from reputable manufacturers. I looked at PIAA led bulbs, but to outfit highs, lows and fogs is $900.
I have been pleased enough with mine since properly aiming them that I haven’t thought much about lighting alternatives. I do like the idea of changing to brighter halogens. The bulb placement shouldn’t be an issue in a housing already designed for them. Cut offs, beam patterns and widths should all be the same. When those things change, that’s what blinds other drivers rather than light output that’s within reason. Since those bulbs are all OE specified in other vehicles, they shouldn’t be a problem.
There are so many cheap junk HID and LED bulbs/kits on the market that I would rather try more powerful halogen bulbs that I know are from reputable manufacturers. I looked at PIAA led bulbs, but to outfit highs, lows and fogs is $900.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 528
Likes: 3
From: Rochester,NY
Halogen Bulbs
Yea i thought of that they go from 55watts to 65 watts,Its the Lumens that are increased by 1/3 approx.
I don't think for now the Hi Beam going into the Fog Lamp is a good idea,I know Heat is a Issue.
I don't think for now the Hi Beam going into the Fog Lamp is a good idea,I know Heat is a Issue.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 72
Bulb quality these days varies greatly, from crummy Chinese stuff to the few good ones still on the market.
Here are a couple of good choices.
The best H11 bulb is ( ). It will make a moderate improvement, not a transformative one.
I don't know what the better/best H9 is today.
If you want to improve the high beams, get ( ) (despite Amazon's advisory that they won't fit) and trim one of the base tabs on these new bulbs as shown (HIR bulb base modification) . They produce a great deal more light than the original high beam bulbs, but are the same wattage, so there's no risk of damage to the truck or its warranty.
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