Quad beam upgrade
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,340
Likes: 4,363
From: SW VA
I’ve always been an XLT guy and been happy with that trim level but I have to say the headlights on my 18 are much worse than the previous XLT I had. They don’t light the ditches like previous trucks did and they don’t cast light as far down the highway. At this point I’ve decided it’s Ford’s way of steering buyers into higher trim levels/expensive headlight packages!
It's like the manufacturers are not even trying anymore...
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 247
Likes: 2
From: Northern California
It's not just Ford. My Ram's factory quad-beam headlights were some of the worst I have ever driven behind. I had to upgrade to the Laramie trim level projector lenses for an improvement. Then I added HID's. Now, they are the best headlights I have ever driven behind...
It's like the manufacturers are not even trying anymore...
It's like the manufacturers are not even trying anymore...
For that reason, I made sure the factory LED lights were on my F350 build. The difference is night and day better. The Factory LED's are really a nice upgrade over halogen.
I've installed cheap LED replacement bulbs on my wifes car, & they do a really good job. It was a big improvement over the factory Halogens. I think I paid $50 bucks off amazon for them.
I'm partial to the factory LED's - they're simply the best headlights i've ever had on a vehicle.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 1,355
From: NY/Canada border
I've run LED headlights in the factory halogen housings since Christmas 2017. In my opinion a huge improvement. I've been flashed maybe twice in all that time. I also like the look of the DRL the way I have it set up with lower headlights and fogs (Alla LED in those). I liked the Beamtech enough to buy a set for my 2007 Mustang GT. Also a big improvement there.
When it's all said and done, guys should spend their money as they see fit. It's OK to get opinions from users here, just don't take it all as gospel. Sometimes we just have to make our own mistakes.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 4,334
Likes: 306
From: Mills River
Regards,
Jim / crewzer
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 1,355
From: NY/Canada border
I really wonder if that’s an “aftermarket LED issue”. We had our 2017 F350 with OEM halogen headlamps for ~14 months, and I was flashed perhaps 20x before I tweaked the vertical aim. “Flashes” dropped markedly after the tweak, but not to zero. I also wonder if other drivers are still getting used to Ford’s four-headlamp low-beam configuration.
Regards,
Jim / crewzer
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,650
Likes: 243
From: GA
Also, I was just giving the OP some info that he or she might not be aware of so that they can make their own decision on which route they`d like to take.
Have a great day.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 1,355
From: NY/Canada border
Very true and i`m not disputing that but, you can`t deny the facts about LED bulbs being put in a non LED housing.
Also, I was just giving the OP some info that he or she might not be aware of so that they can make their own decision on which route they`d like to take.
Have a great day.
Also, I was just giving the OP some info that he or she might not be aware of so that they can make their own decision on which route they`d like to take.
Have a great day.
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Go with the factory LED if you can swing it. I purchased my 2018 Lariat ultimate and the factory quad beam LED lights were about the only option I didn't get that i really wanted. I swapped all exterior lighting over to LED within the first week of owning the truck and while it was a massive improvement in looks and function I still wanted to go with the factory. After a few months I pulled the trigger on a set, the cost is absurd to do aftermarket but if you want them it is what it is. I can say, I did not have any issues being flashed while running LED bulbs in my stock halogen housings, adjust them accordingly and your good. With that said IMO there is no comparison between the two, the factory LED is by far the best headlights I have ever seen! Zero dark spots and extremely bright (not to mention the C- bars)..
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
I think I'm going to do it. May give my bank account a couple of months to recover. Do the normal factory headlights have any resale value? I haven't looked, but it may be a chance to recoup some money. Thanks again.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,529
Likes: 390
From: SEVA
Absolutely ... people are always wrecking their trucks. When I upgraded head- and tail-lights on my 2010 F150 FX$, I sold the originals very quickly on Craigslist.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,650
Likes: 243
From: GA
The resale value on stock halogen housings is not that great because most people want the stock LED housings and associated parts.
Look at used prices on eBay and go from there....otherwise, just hold onto them until someone needs a pair and offer to sell them at a great price.
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