Headlight Upgrade
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,282
Likes: 6,046
It has been my intent to compare the halogen beam pattern splatter of the '21 with the '19 (both 4x2, but both F-550's, so both monobeam solid front axles equating the headlamp height of non Tremor 4x4s) at the same mark, on the same wall.... but other priorities have thus far taken precedence.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 141
Likes: 62
From: Kaysville Utah
Fogs go off when High Beams on. Been that way for years and years. Bambi Mode in ForScan can fix it. There are step by steps in other threads.
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,282
Likes: 6,046
eyemgh,
Just so that it is clear, in the images I presented above, I did not have fog lights on. The truck doesn't even have fog lights.
If I were to install fog lights, I'd have them as wide as possible (to pickup all lane markers), as low as legally permissible (focused low in the warm clear layer close to the road surface that is heated by earth from below and traffic from above, beneath the fog blanket), and I'd never turn them on with high beams (defeats the purpose of having fog lamps, which are low so as to avoid the white fog reflecting light glare back into the eyes such as high beams are known to do).
Just so that it is clear, in the images I presented above, I did not have fog lights on. The truck doesn't even have fog lights.
If I were to install fog lights, I'd have them as wide as possible (to pickup all lane markers), as low as legally permissible (focused low in the warm clear layer close to the road surface that is heated by earth from below and traffic from above, beneath the fog blanket), and I'd never turn them on with high beams (defeats the purpose of having fog lamps, which are low so as to avoid the white fog reflecting light glare back into the eyes such as high beams are known to do).
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,421
Likes: 696
From: Minnesota
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 102
Likes: 19
I turn them on when they help me see better. I understand why they decouple fog and bright, but I'd rather have the ability to make that choice myself. Is that possible with reprogramming?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 1,221
From: Southern Crescent
It is also my experience the fogs on my truck, with the SeaLight amber LEDs, lights up the ditches so I can see deer way better.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 102
Likes: 19
Took delivery today BTW! Nice truck!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 1,221
From: Southern Crescent
Most guys on here get all the FORscan stuff and do it themselves. When I go for my first oil change I'll ask the dealer if they'll make the change, I don't know if they will or not. I'd drive an hour and buy somebody a BBQ lunch if I could find a knowledgeable guy to make that one change. I am reluctant to fool with it, and Bambi mode is really the only change I want.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,938
Likes: 1,355
From: NY/Canada border
FORScan is a free app and you can get free licenses that are good for 2 months at a time. I've always been able to renew the freebies after they expired. The only expense is buying an OBD II adapter to communicate with a laptop that has FORScan on it.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,421
Likes: 696
From: Minnesota
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 154
Likes: 77
From: Alberta
https://www.obdlink.com/products/obdlink-mxp/
this one works well
this one works well
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 418
Likes: 145
From: Back home in MT
I debated halogen vs LED for my 2022 order. After talking with a few owners of SDs with LED in our area, I decided to stay with halogen. Why?
Multiple complaints of snow/ice buildup in winter due to LEDs not generating enough heat.
My 2019 F250 has halogen and we awoke to -20F with the front of my truck covered in snow/ice. Had to hook up the trailer for a water run. Thankfully plugged in the block heater last night so starting was fine and warmed up nicely. BY the time I got over to the trailer and hooked it up, headlights were almost clear, just needed a bit of nudging with the brush for final clearing.
Heat wave came and 2 hours later when I finished errands, we were up to -4F, but headlights were nice and clear.
I'll stick with halogen, maybe upgrade the lamps.
Multiple complaints of snow/ice buildup in winter due to LEDs not generating enough heat.
My 2019 F250 has halogen and we awoke to -20F with the front of my truck covered in snow/ice. Had to hook up the trailer for a water run. Thankfully plugged in the block heater last night so starting was fine and warmed up nicely. BY the time I got over to the trailer and hooked it up, headlights were almost clear, just needed a bit of nudging with the brush for final clearing.
Heat wave came and 2 hours later when I finished errands, we were up to -4F, but headlights were nice and clear.
I'll stick with halogen, maybe upgrade the lamps.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,938
Likes: 1,355
From: NY/Canada border
@Y2KW57 , I've heard that the lights up to '19 wer OK, but '20 and newer are bad.