Spotty headlights
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4wd Low
Joined: Oct 2019
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Spotty headlights
I find the stock halogen headlights (at least I think they are halogen) in my 2019 SD 6.2 don’t really light up my life enough especially around midnight during the whitetail rut. I’ve looked a bit into upgrades and found everything from complete fixtures for $1,000 a pop to individual LED bulbs for $25 each. I also read that a lot of aftermarket “brighter” bulbs may not be street legal. Has anyone have success in jacking up the lumen output of their headlights with some good quality LED bulbs?
New User
Joined: Jul 2020
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I installed beamtech bulbs in my stock headlights and they still suck. Brighter but still suck. I’m in the same boat as you. My Chevy lights were ten times better than these. This is the first ford I’ve owned and I miss some things but do love the truck other wise. I have a 19 6.2 xlt.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,650
Likes: 243
From: GA
I find the stock halogen headlights (at least I think they are halogen) in my 2019 SD 6.2 don’t really light up my life enough especially around midnight during the whitetail rut. I’ve looked a bit into upgrades and found everything from complete fixtures for $1,000 a pop to individual LED bulbs for $25 each. I also read that a lot of aftermarket “brighter” bulbs may not be street legal. Has anyone have success in jacking up the lumen output of their headlights with some good quality LED bulbs?
Hear are your options.
Upgraded aftermarket halogen bulbs such as PIAA. Various prices and different brands but generally very reasonable.
LED bulbs in the factory halogen housings.......Too many brands to list here. Various prices but generally very reasonable.
Aftermarket fixtures..... Morimoto seems to be the most popular but there are others. $1000.00-$1700.00
OEM LED assemblies, which are by far the most expensive route. $2500.00-$3500.00
I hope this info helps you out.
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4wd Low
Joined: Oct 2019
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GABAR I think your point is probably key—installing LED bulbs, expensive or otherwise, in a halogen housing may end up with marginal results. It looks like Mitch7c installed the Beamtech LEDs (highly recommended on other threads here) & is less than satisfied (ie they “suck”). And a fixture swap from a decent co like Morimoto will be around $2k minimum which is about $1,500 more than I had in mind. I did not mention I’v got an XL with the STX package and no fog lights. Lin19687 mentioned a light bar which I’d not rule out except I’d be using it mostly on 2 lane highways & switching it on & off (at a moment’s notice) might not be practical. So that leaves the question about halogen bulb upgrades. Are the OEM halogen bulbs so bad that I’d see a noticeable improvement by going with PIAA or another high-quality bulb?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 146
Likes: 23
From: Mineral, VA
I installed the Beamtech led bulbs in my 2019 F350. They are much improved over stock halogen, but not as good as I want really. I thinking about Morimoto XB’s
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,245
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From: Kaysville Utah
I swapped out Halogen bulbs back on 2000, 2003 and 2006 trucks. The bright bulbs draw amps and melted my connectors at the back of the bulb.
If you swap out to a higher out put Halogen. be aware you might have to change out some wires. Seems like on my 2006, I had learned that lesson and bought a wire harness for the bulbs, that plugged into the factory harness and then into the bulbs and provided that higher heat resistence. Been 14 years so I don't remember exactly
If you swap out to a higher out put Halogen. be aware you might have to change out some wires. Seems like on my 2006, I had learned that lesson and bought a wire harness for the bulbs, that plugged into the factory harness and then into the bulbs and provided that higher heat resistence. Been 14 years so I don't remember exactly
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2018
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I got one of the first 2017s. Job 1. I test drive it during the day and honestly didn’t think to try a night time test drive. I ASSUMED the lights would be somewhere between decent and awesome, considering they used twice the bulbs and wattage of any other truck I’d owned. I was horrified when I first used them at night. I’ve never owned a vehicle with lights this bad. Well, my old 78 Chevy with sealed beams was close. Anyway, I was desperate and tried Beamtechs after reading the posts by Poncho. Overall, I’m pleased. The lights aren’t excellent but they are better. It takes some fuss, because the beam can be altered by 1) rotation of the bulb, 2) depth of the bulb, and 3) alignment of the housing. After working on it for probably 2 hours, I was able to get a pattern that was a little more even, pointed in the right direction, and overall brighter. Worth the $80 it cost.
Side note: there are a handful of people on this board that ignore the testimony of people who have done this successfully and these people will claim it is impossible to replace a halogen bulb with an LED bulb and not blind oncoming drivers. They don’t understand what I’ve tried to describe for you and they haven’t attempted it themselves. Ignore the naysayers. Good luck.
Side note: there are a handful of people on this board that ignore the testimony of people who have done this successfully and these people will claim it is impossible to replace a halogen bulb with an LED bulb and not blind oncoming drivers. They don’t understand what I’ve tried to describe for you and they haven’t attempted it themselves. Ignore the naysayers. Good luck.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,957
Likes: 1,362
From: NY/Canada border
I was first in with the Beamtech and really have no complaint with them. But I really like the looks of those hybrids and the "C" outline better than OEM LED.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,650
Likes: 243
From: GA
GABAR I think your point is probably key—installing LED bulbs, expensive or otherwise, in a halogen housing may end up with marginal results. It looks like Mitch7c installed the Beamtech LEDs (highly recommended on other threads here) & is less than satisfied (ie they “suck”). And a fixture swap from a decent co like Morimoto will be around $2k minimum which is about $1,500 more than I had in mind. I did not mention I’v got an XL with the STX package and no fog lights. Lin19687 mentioned a light bar which I’d not rule out except I’d be using it mostly on 2 lane highways & switching it on & off (at a moment’s notice) might not be practical. So that leaves the question about halogen bulb upgrades. Are the OEM halogen bulbs so bad that I’d see a noticeable improvement by going with PIAA or another high-quality bulb?
Also, some owners have posted on here that the aiming of the headlights was off from the factory so make sure you check that as well.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,650
Likes: 243
From: GA
If one can find a set off of a wrecked truck, they’ll still have a premium asking price close to $2K or more.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,957
Likes: 1,362
From: NY/Canada border
As you know, it's not a simple plug & play.