Retrofitting Headlights
FTE-Spread The Knowledge
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 240
Unless you have the proper housing that embraces the current LED technology by reflecting and focusing the light effectively, you will have a wall of light directly in front off the vehicle that can only serve as a major distraction and irritant to oncoming traffic. Headlights are a safety issue not only for you, but for people who share the road with you. Remember, LED’s put out more lumens, but if you do not manipulate that light with the correct housing, you put out less lux. Light responsively!
Banned
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 3,541
Likes: 458
The shortcoming of the ‘05-07 lenses is specifically the 9008/H13 bulbs they chose to use in them. These bulbs use TINY pins to transfer the power from the wiring to the bulb.
All things being equal, with a set of $65 ‘silverstar ultra premium supergood’ halogen bulbs in both the ‘02-04 and ‘05-07 housings - the newer OEM lenses are probably ‘better’. But, choosing expensive bulbs is as far as you can go with the newer stuff. The relay harness and higher wattage bulbs in ‘02-04 clear lenses puts out more light. (And the bulbs I use are $3.64 each)
All things being equal, with a set of $65 ‘silverstar ultra premium supergood’ halogen bulbs in both the ‘02-04 and ‘05-07 housings - the newer OEM lenses are probably ‘better’. But, choosing expensive bulbs is as far as you can go with the newer stuff. The relay harness and higher wattage bulbs in ‘02-04 clear lenses puts out more light. (And the bulbs I use are $3.64 each)
https://danielsternlighting.com/products/products.html
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,647
Likes: 891
From: north of Minneapolis, MN
Unless you have the proper housing that embraces the current LED technology by reflecting and focusing the light effectively, you will have a wall of light directly in front off the vehicle that can only serve as a major distraction and irritant to oncoming traffic. Headlights are a safety issue not only for you, but for people who share the road with you. Remember, LED’s put out more lumens, but if you do not manipulate that light with the correct housing, you put out less lux. Light responsively!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 266
From: Middle Georgia
Unless you have the proper housing that embraces the current LED technology by reflecting and focusing the light effectively, you will have a wall of light directly in front off the vehicle that can only serve as a major distraction and irritant to oncoming traffic. Headlights are a safety issue not only for you, but for people who share the road with you. Remember, LED’s put out more lumens, but if you do not manipulate that light with the correct housing, you put out less lux. Light responsively!
@Brandonpdx the '98-'04 use a 9007 bulb.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 266
From: Middle Georgia
I've plugged this guy before because he's been around forever and peddles some neat exotic stuff you'll never find on shelves anywhere locally.
https://danielsternlighting.com/products/products.html
https://danielsternlighting.com/products/products.html
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,085
Likes: 4,697
From: Henderson, NV
Speaking of 9007 bulbs, I have quite a collection of them left over from after I switched to LED sealed beams. Some are new, some are used, all are for free for the price of postage. They are of various levels of expensive ranging from free bulbs that came with replacement aero housings to "HID-Like" (gotta love marketing hype) bookoo bucks bulbs.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,345
Likes: 5,941
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
Speaking of 9007 bulbs, I have quite a collection of them left over from after I switched to LED sealed beams. Some are new, some are used, all are for free for the price of postage. They are of various levels of expensive ranging from free bulbs that came with replacement aero housings to "HID-Like" (gotta love marketing hype) bookoo bucks bulbs.
Link: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...le-thread.html
I have sone stuff I've been trying to gather to post in there too.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
FTE-Spread The Knowledge
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 240
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,085
Likes: 4,697
From: Henderson, NV
Post them in the FREE parts thread sir.
Link: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...le-thread.html
I have sone stuff I've been trying to gather to post in there too.
Link: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...le-thread.html
I have sone stuff I've been trying to gather to post in there too.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,096
Likes: 533
From: Rock Hill, SC
Does anyone have experience with, or could point me in the right direction, for retrofitting true LED or HID projectors into our headlight assembly?
I have looked at new chicom headlight assemblies with "projector" housings, but I know these are cheap and not correct. I know the general jist that you need to unseal the headlights and mount the projectors, but I would appreciate any guidance people may have.
I have looked at new chicom headlight assemblies with "projector" housings, but I know these are cheap and not correct. I know the general jist that you need to unseal the headlights and mount the projectors, but I would appreciate any guidance people may have.
I skimmed this thread, looks like you have made your choice by now. I tried the Morimoto LED personally, but failed. Ended up going with an HID conversion done by a company. So far almost 3 years later, I have been satisfied.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post18404783
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 266
From: Middle Georgia
Thanks, that does sound right now that I hear it. It's been too long since I learned (~17 years) and used (about the same) that stuff. I admit that it was touched on my physics class last semester, but I honestly paid just enough attention to pass the class with a good grade, but not remember it long term.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post