I just bought a 2019 F150 XLT with Halogen headlights. Boy do they suck in rural areas.

My other truck is a '19 F350 with Factory LED headlamps. That truck does an outstanding job of lighting up the areas in front and throwing light to the side when turning into dark dirt roads. The F150 is scary.

This evening I just missed hitting a 300 lb wild boar that was crossing from left to right. Fortunately I was only gong about 25 MPH on the rural road. Besides having low candle power the area that the headlamps illuminate sucks. I may have to get add on LED light bars for the rural roads. Any recommendations?

 

There are several things you can do. The best thing, in my opinion, would be to replace the headlights with something better. You're right, they do suck. I have Anzo headlights with Morimoto HIDs for now and they do much better, although I would probably go with LEDs if I did it again.

My second recommendation would be to get some LED driving lights, SAE certified preferably.

Putting LED/HID bulbs in your halogen headlights or getting a big light bar will help you see, but only at everyone else's expense.

 

I did the easy headlight mod found here for an increase in candlepower without much expense or risk to oncoming traffic:

https://www.f150forum.com/f118/easy-...ht-mod-313120/

I also enabled fogs and high beam at the same time with forscan. It’s great on rural roads.

I find myself using my fog lights often at night to illuminate the shoulder because of the inconsiderate morons who have blinding headlights.

 

You should check/adjust the aim of the headlights first, as that may help.

My 2011 F350 headlights were always not very good; after driving it for about six years I finally took the time to check the aim. They were up a bit too high, so I lowered them and there was a noticeable improvement in illuminating the road at night

 

We replaced our halogen bulbs with these (there is a slightly different part for the high beam). They use about 1/3 the power (16 watts versus 55 watts), and more than twice the light (2500 lumens versus 1000 lumens), and are pure white 6000K. They don't use any fans and fit inside the housing without any modifications whatever. Very easy to do, and make a stupendous difference.

 

Purchase outright or save up and purchase the OEM LED headlights.

The next best option would be the aftermarket headlight assemblies from Morimoto and other’s.

The third option, which is also the cheapest, would be replacement / higher quality halogen bulbs or LED bulbs.

Make sure the the alignment is set up properly with the stock or aftermarket halogen bulbs before going the LED bulb route.

 

Alignment looks good. The issue is lighting up the peripheral side areas in remote unlit roads. I had a 2017 F-350 with standard headlights and had the same issue. My 2019 F-350 was special ordered with factory LED headlights and taillights. Those, with the halo C leds in the headlights, do great job Lightning up the peripheral area, so I’m spoiled.

 

I’ve seen many F150 now with LED bulbs in them. They look and perform well. When you go online and look at cutoff patterns, the OEM housing performs well with them.

And once again, aim the headlights before you do anything. They are either pre set before assembly, or not adjusted at all. Made a huge difference in my truck, enough to keep the factory bulbs. I drive dark, hilly, deer infested roads. I even had a porcupine waddle out in front of me last week, that is one hard to see animal at night!

However, when the OEMs go (they’re beginning to dim now after 4 years) they will be replaced by LED.

 

Excellent points. Now that I think about it; if I only drove in town or on the freeways, the stock halogen headlights are probably fine. We live in a rural area with zero outdoor lighting. So driving down the highway (often with areas of fog) and those psycho deer jumping out from behind trees, you need all the help you can get.

 

I agree. Adjust your headlights first. Mine were way high also. After adjusting them they were 100% better. I also agree that when a bulb goes I will be looking into something along the lines of the Diode Dynamics LED replacements.

 

If you are interested in a simple bulb replacement, definitely take a look at our SL1 LED headlight bulbs! They were designed to mimic the halogen filament location, so they provide more light to the road where you need it, without causing glare and blinding other drivers. If you do decide you want to purchase, be sure to shoot us a PM and I can send you our free shipping code!

 

I have a 2018 XLT and hate the headlamps. Does anyone have a link for OEM LED headlights? Is it an easy swap?

 

I added JW Speaker LED lights to my truck. They are legal, which is different than 99% of the other options out there.
They also offer these with built-in heaters, if needed for our northern members.

Here are low beam only aux headlights...
Rectangular style: https://www.jwspeaker.com/products/l...801-evolution/

Here is what I installed, they have low beam and high beams. Mine are actuated by my headlights, though I have a masker kill switch for the auxiliary lights.
In my state and the states where I travel, it is legal to have up to 4 beams (2 lows + 2 aux, or 2 lows + 2 fogs, etc) in use together. So, I know this setup is legal in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas.
My lights: https://www.jwspeaker.com/products/l...632-evolution/

 

I was stopped not too many years ago for having my low beams and fogs on. Was told that you are allowed only two beams..... Guess things have changed.

 

I believe it. Just remember that you can be stopped and cited for anything, but that doesn't mean it will hold up in court. Police are pretty good at knowing the laws, but they are not lawyers.
Knowing the law can keep you from paying a ticket, if you choose to fight it.

So, Texas transportation code, related to fog lights:
Sec. 547.328. FOG LAMPS PERMITTED. (a) A motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two fog lamps.

(b) A fog lamp shall be:

(1) mounted on the front of the vehicle at a height from 12 to 30 inches; and

(2) aimed so that no part of the high-intensity portion of the beam from a lamp mounted to the left of center on a vehicle projects a beam of light at a distance of 25 feet that is higher than four inches below the level of the center of the lamp.

(c) Lighted fog lamps may be used with lower headlamp beams as specified by Section 547.333.


Other lamps, such as passing and driving lamps:


Sec. 547.329. AUXILIARY PASSING LAMPS PERMITTED. (a) A motor vehicle may be equipped with no more than two auxiliary passing lamps.

(b) An auxiliary passing lamp shall be mounted on the front of the vehicle at a height from 24 to 42 inches.

(c) An auxiliary passing lamp may be used with headlamps as specified by Section 547.333.



Sec. 547.330. AUXILIARY DRIVING LAMPS PERMITTED. (a) A motor vehicle may be equipped with no more than two auxiliary driving lamps.

(b) An auxiliary driving lamp shall be mounted on the front of the vehicle at a height from 16 to 42 inches.

(c) Auxiliary driving lamps may be used with headlamps as specified by Section 547.333.

Since those codes all reference to 547.33, here is 547.33:
Sec. 547.333. MULTIPLE-BEAM LIGHTING EQUIPMENT REQUIRED. (a) Unless provided otherwise, a headlamp, auxiliary driving lamp, auxiliary passing lamp, or combination of those lamps mounted on a motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or moped:

(1) shall be arranged so that the operator can select at will between distributions of light projected at different elevations; and

(2) may be arranged so that the operator can select the distribution automatically.

(b) A lamp identified by Subsection (a) shall produce:

(1) an uppermost distribution of light or composite beam that is aimed and emits light sufficient to reveal a person or vehicle at a distance of at least 450 feet ahead during all conditions of loading; and

(2) a lowermost distribution of light or composite beam that:

(A) is aimed and emits light sufficient to reveal a person or vehicle at a distance of at least 150 feet ahead; and

(B) is aimed so that no part of the high-intensity portion of the beam on a vehicle that is operated on a straight, level road under any condition of loading projects into the eyes of an approaching vehicle operator.

(c) A person who operates a vehicle on a roadway or shoulder shall select a distribution of light or composite beam that is aimed and emits light sufficient to reveal a person or vehicle at a safe distance ahead of the vehicle, except that:

(1) an operator approaching an oncoming vehicle within 500 feet shall select:

(A) the lowermost distribution of light or composite beam, regardless of road contour or condition of loading; or

(B) a distribution aimed so that no part of the high-intensity portion of the lamp projects into the eyes of an approaching vehicle operator; and

(2) an operator approaching a vehicle from the rear within 300 feet may not select the uppermost distribution of light.

(d) A motor vehicle of a model year of 1948 or later, other than a motorcycle or moped, that has multiple-beam lighting equipment shall be equipped with a beam indicator that is:

(1) designed and located so that the lighted indicator is visible without glare to the vehicle operator; and

(2) lighted only when the uppermost distribution of light is in use.