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Old Feb 10, 2021 | 06:59 PM
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LED Headlight Bulbs

So I've been on the search for a good set of LED Headlight bulbs for my '15 with factory halogens. I'm no stranger to led headlights, but the brand I've been using for the last 5 years doesn' t seem to offer a good pair that will fit in these housings.

What do you guys run? I'd like to see beam pattern and I'm also curious on the brightness of your different bulbs too!
 
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Old Feb 11, 2021 | 06:58 AM
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The halogen housing never plays nicely with LEDs, You are better off simply putting better halogen bulbs in, OR replacing the housings. If it were me, I'd simply put better bulbs in, I have LEDs in my 2020, like them, but not a must. (all fairness, I have never been in a non-led truck at night either)
 
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Old Feb 11, 2021 | 08:15 AM
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I got the Morimoto Sealights headlights and fog light Led bulbs, whiter and brighter. Others will tell you more expensive options See related topics below, or maybe Moderators could combine threads. Check out Amazon.
 
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Old Feb 11, 2021 | 03:24 PM
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The bulbs we used used to be called PerfectFit, and they are almost exactly the same size as regular H11 and H10 halogen bulbs. They fit inside the dust cover without a problem, and burn 1/3 the power (halogens = 45 watts, LEDs are 16 watts). They are much, much whiter than the OEM bulbs, and also have a much, much cleaner "cut-off" line, so they don't glare.

If you go to HeadlightRevolution, they are sold as a different brnad/model, but they are physically the same. You can get them as H11 and H10
 
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Old Feb 11, 2021 | 04:51 PM
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The headlights on the generation of truck work well with LED bulbs that are designed to replace the halogen bulbs. The new 2021 XLT and base Lariats come with LED bulbs in reflector housings. The Explorer has had LEDs in reflector housings for several years now.
 
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Old Feb 11, 2021 | 06:35 PM
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Originally Posted by mitchr97
So I've been on the search for a good set of LED Headlight bulbs for my '15 with factory halogens. I'm no stranger to led headlights, but the brand I've been using for the last 5 years doesn' t seem to offer a good pair that will fit in these housings.

What do you guys run? I'd like to see beam pattern and I'm also curious on the brightness of your different bulbs too!
Are you wanting to replace because one is out or because you believe the headlights , well, you know....bite... Have you adjusted them? Mine and JKBrad's, and I'm sure many others, were not adjusted well from the factory. Mine were way high. After adjustment, the halogens aren't that bad. It's an easy job and the instructions are in the OM. Granted, when I have to replace, it will be with LED bulbs.
 
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Old Feb 11, 2021 | 08:24 PM
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Good point. The first thing I did was a good adjustment and it made a big difference. So much so that I have no plans of switching to LED until replacement time comes. Should ‘t be long now as it’s been over 5 years and I drive a lot at night.
 
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Old Feb 12, 2021 | 06:36 AM
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I am very (very) new here and embarrassed to ask but how do I tell if I have halogen or LED bulbs? I have a 2018 5.0 XLT Sport.
 
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Old Feb 12, 2021 | 07:39 AM
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Originally Posted by CR172
Are you wanting to replace because one is out or because you believe the headlights , well, you know....bite... Have you adjusted them? Mine and JKBrad's, and I'm sure many others, were not adjusted well from the factory. Mine were way high. After adjustment, the halogens aren't that bad. It's an easy job and the instructions are in the OM. Granted, when I have to replace, it will be with LED bulbs.
They're adjusted fine, they're just so dim I can barely tell they're on. It is a 15 so it could have been adjusted before I got it, the cut off seems like it's at a good angle. On top of being rediculously dim, I've had LED headlights in 4 out of 5 of my previous vehicles, so I like the look. I want to get a set of the morimoto o-e style led housings but I don't want to spend $800 on that yet. I'd rather get line-x and a tonneau cover haha.
 
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Old Feb 12, 2021 | 10:53 AM
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Originally Posted by Pmen10
I am very (very) new here and embarrassed to ask but how do I tell if I have halogen or LED bulbs? I have a 2018 5.0 XLT Sport.
Welcome Pmen 10. Your XLT doesn’t have factory LED headlights. The only trucks that come with them from the factory are 502a Lariats and up. The factory LEDs have an orange outline around the edge of the light. LED lights are also much more white, while halogen bulbs appear slightly yellow in comparison.
 
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Old Feb 12, 2021 | 04:07 PM
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Originally Posted by mitchr97
They're adjusted fine, they're just so dim I can barely tell they're on. It is a 15 so it could have been adjusted before I got it......
I have a hard time with your statement above. I have the same truck and so do several people here. Did YOU adjust them? If not, how can you say they are adjusted fine? And as JKBrad said, I will replace them with LED bulbs when I finally have to. My truck is 5 1/2 years old with 103K+ miles and I have yet had to replace a single bulb.

I suggest you do the adjustment yourself at the recommended 25 ft on a level surface.
 
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Old Feb 12, 2021 | 04:14 PM
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Originally Posted by CR172
I have a hard time with your statement above. I have the same truck and so do several people here. Did YOU adjust them? If not, how can you say they are adjusted fine? And as JKBrad said, I will replace them with LED bulbs when I finally have to. My truck is 5 1/2 years old with 103K+ miles and I have yet had to replace a single bulb.

I suggest you do the adjustment yourself at the recommended 25 ft on a level surface.
I checked the adjustments in the shop I work at, they're fine. They're just much more dim than I'm used to.
 
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Old Feb 12, 2021 | 04:23 PM
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I have to agree with SpencerPJ, too many people put in LEDs without checking the light pattern they put out. Been blinded many times by trucks that don't have the headlights adjusted correctly. Projector housings seem to work better.
 
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Old Feb 12, 2021 | 04:29 PM
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Originally Posted by GreyF150
I have to agree with SpencerPJ, too many people put in LEDs without checking the light pattern they put out. Been blinded many times by trucks that don't have the headlights adjusted correctly. Projector housings seem to work better.
All it takes is a quick adjustment to get the beam where it's supposed to be. Like I've said before, all 4 of my previous vehicles I've put LED's in have been awesome, hardly ever get flashed because I aim them. There are some styles of bulbs out there that don't work well due to poor design, which is why I stuck with the same brand and similar designs. Also, that was the reason I was asking for others who have put LED's in their F-150s for photos of their beam pattern. I wasn't asking if I should do it or not, I was asking for pointers from other owners who have already installed them.
 
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Old Feb 12, 2021 | 05:32 PM
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Not everyone has the same eyesight or expectations. I have no affiliation with Headlight Revolution and have yet to buy LEDs. On their website you can see their beem pattern tests using our headlights. They have taken the time to test and select the bulbs that fit and function the best. The cutoff with our reflector housings are nice. I doubt that using the proper LED bulb will blind anyone when the headlights are properly adjusted.

An incorrect halogen bulb or poorly adjusted headlights have just as much potential to blind. Some reflector housing just cN’t use an LED at all and even halogens in those are poor performers. My ‘08 Super Duty comes to mind. It had the most poorly designed and functioning headlights of any vehicle I have ever owned. Candles in a Mason jar duct taped to front bumper would have worked better. Hell, an old free Radio Shack 2 D cell flash light with one half dead battery and a wad of foil in it would have worked better.
 
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