Halogen headlight upgrade
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 312
Likes: 12
From: Warsaw
Halogen headlight upgrade
My '17 XL came equipped with halogen headlights and they have dimmed with time. Is there a reasonably price plug and play upgrade? I live in a rural area and the deer are really starting to move so would like a brighter light.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,530
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I think a better quality halogen is the cheap way out. I started reading about LED conversions and it appears to be a minor project with IMO some questionable details.
For the cost, maybe worth a try:
https://www.autozone.com/collision-b...5596_1556_8549
For the cost, maybe worth a try:
https://www.autozone.com/collision-b...5596_1556_8549
Moderator
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,236
Likes: 1,248
From: San Antonio, TX
Headlight Revolution has done the research and hard work to find the right LED bulbs to fit our housings and have the proper cut off patterns.
https://www.headlightrevolution.com/...gen_Headlights
When I replace my bulbs, I will likely buy from them. I don’t want to do a bunch of pricey trial and error work.
https://www.headlightrevolution.com/...gen_Headlights
When I replace my bulbs, I will likely buy from them. I don’t want to do a bunch of pricey trial and error work.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,650
Likes: 243
From: GA
Take a look at PIAA or the Sylvania Silverstar Ultra.
Both of these brands as well as others offer upgraded and better halogen bulbs compared to the OEM bulbs which more than likely are based on doing a good job at the cheapest price.
Also, make sure your headlights are properly aimed.
Both of these brands as well as others offer upgraded and better halogen bulbs compared to the OEM bulbs which more than likely are based on doing a good job at the cheapest price.
Also, make sure your headlights are properly aimed.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 360
From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
Yah. The Sylvania higher-end bulbs are a pretty good alternative. They do burn hot, like any halogen. I got a set of perfect fit LEDs from Headlight Revolution. They went in about as easy as they could, and the beam pattern is close to perfect; maybe even slightly better than original. The ones I got only burn 15W; much cooler than halogen.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,650
Likes: 243
From: GA
When looking at replacement bulbs, brightness should not be the overall determining factor.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 83
From: N. Texas
Take a look at PIAA or the Sylvania Silverstar Ultra.
Both of these brands as well as others offer upgraded and better halogen bulbs compared to the OEM bulbs which more than likely are based on doing a good job at the cheapest price.
Also, make sure your headlights are properly aimed.
Both of these brands as well as others offer upgraded and better halogen bulbs compared to the OEM bulbs which more than likely are based on doing a good job at the cheapest price.
Also, make sure your headlights are properly aimed.
To the OP. The first thing one needs to do is to aim the headlights properly. They aren't adjusted very well from the factory. Mine were way high and the level made them even worse. Once adjusted they work great. With that being said, I, like JKBrad, will most likely be replacing them with some sort of LED replacement bulb. FWIW I have 99,600 miles on my 2015 and have not had to replace a single bulb.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,795
Likes: 47
replaced halogen bulbs with led bulbs in both my 2006 and 2011 F350 stock headlights (and reverse lights). Much better visibility. Even the reverse lights are much better (plowed with both, and can see much better backing up)
simple plug and play
simple plug and play
Moderator
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,236
Likes: 1,248
From: San Antonio, TX
I've not had good luck with the Silverstar's in the past. They burn out very quickly IMO.
To the OP. The first thing one needs to do is to aim the headlights properly. They aren't adjusted very well from the factory. Mine were way high and the level made them even worse. Once adjusted they work great. With that being said, I, like JKBrad, will most likely be replacing them with some sort of LED replacement bulb. FWIW I have 99,600 miles on my 2015 and have not had to replace a single bulb.
To the OP. The first thing one needs to do is to aim the headlights properly. They aren't adjusted very well from the factory. Mine were way high and the level made them even worse. Once adjusted they work great. With that being said, I, like JKBrad, will most likely be replacing them with some sort of LED replacement bulb. FWIW I have 99,600 miles on my 2015 and have not had to replace a single bulb.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 2
From: Freehold
Aiming was the first thing I did. These late model light assemblies have a very sharp cutoff, almost like they were initially designed to use LED bulbs. It took me about 3 attempts to get them right and they were much better. 5 years, 55k miles and the factory bulbs are still working.
Moderator
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,236
Likes: 1,248
From: San Antonio, TX
Up. The low beams were only lighting the road in right front of me And the high beams were too low to be effective on the road. Every truck is different and each one of my lights needed slightly different adjustment. In my opinion they are set a certain way, no matter how the truck is configured. Mine is a 157” WB with max tow, so the rear was 3 3/4” higher than the front when I got it. I adjusted them just below the point where I get flashed. Now there is a distinct difference between high and low. But the halogens are lacking. We now have 2 whicles with LED headlights and the F150 is really lacking right now.
I have seen quite a few on the road now with LED bulbs in the standard housing and it looks like a good combination. The advantage of using LED bulbs is that they are replaceable. The OEM LED headlights are not serviceable and need replaced entirely, housing and all, when there is a problem.
I have seen quite a few on the road now with LED bulbs in the standard housing and it looks like a good combination. The advantage of using LED bulbs is that they are replaceable. The OEM LED headlights are not serviceable and need replaced entirely, housing and all, when there is a problem.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,795
Likes: 47
Aiming was the first thing I did. These late model light assemblies have a very sharp cutoff, almost like they were initially designed to use LED bulbs. It took me about 3 attempts to get them right and they were much better. 5 years, 55k miles and the factory bulbs are still working.
I adjusted my 2011 F350 headlights a few years ago (bought it brand new in 2010); never thought of doing it before that.
Mine were too high; a little lowering resulted in a noticeable improvement.
I just turned my lights on in the garage shining against the wall to adjust them. Doesn’t take much movement of the adjustment screw to move them.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 2
From: Freehold
Up. The low beams were only lighting the road in right front of me And the high beams were too low to be effective on the road. Every truck is different and each one of my lights needed slightly different adjustment. In my opinion they are set a certain way, no matter how the truck is configured. Mine is a 157” WB with max tow, so the rear was 3 3/4” higher than the front when I got it. I adjusted them just below the point where I get flashed. Now there is a distinct difference between high and low. But the halogens are lacking. We now have 2 whicles with LED headlights and the F150 is really lacking right now.
I have seen quite a few on the road now with LED bulbs in the standard housing and it looks like a good combination. The advantage of using LED bulbs is that they are replaceable. The OEM LED headlights are not serviceable and need replaced entirely, housing and all, when there is a problem.
I have seen quite a few on the road now with LED bulbs in the standard housing and it looks like a good combination. The advantage of using LED bulbs is that they are replaceable. The OEM LED headlights are not serviceable and need replaced entirely, housing and all, when there is a problem.
I had a 12 GMC and it too was pretty bad when it came to the headlight adjustment. Put a 2.5" level and voila no more issues lol
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