Halogen Headlamp Replacement
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,129
Likes: 1,649
Depends on the year of your truck, and you have given us zero information to work with. You can purchase LED bulbs that go right where your Halogens are and the only thing you change is the bulb (though I have heard some will 'flash' a bit if settings aren't changed). Or you can buy aftermarket/factory LED housings, I am pretty sure the factory ones need programming, not sure about the aftermarkets.
Which is 'best?' Probably factory, but again, I'm pretty sure you need programming to run them. Which is the most cost-effective? Probably just bulbs.
Which is 'best?' Probably factory, but again, I'm pretty sure you need programming to run them. Which is the most cost-effective? Probably just bulbs.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,588
Likes: 1,669
From: NW Wyoming USA
The only correct and legal way to do it is to replace the halogen headlight fixtures with LED headlight fixtures, expensive! Putting LED bulbs in halogen headlight fixtures is illegal because they blind oncoming drivers.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 41
Likes: 13
Depends on the year of your truck, and you have given us zero information to work with. You can purchase LED bulbs that go right where your Halogens are and the only thing you change is the bulb (though I have heard some will 'flash' a bit if settings aren't changed). Or you can buy aftermarket/factory LED housings, I am pretty sure the factory ones need programming, not sure about the aftermarkets.
Which is 'best?' Probably factory, but again, I'm pretty sure you need programming to run them. Which is the most cost-effective? Probably just bulbs.
Which is 'best?' Probably factory, but again, I'm pretty sure you need programming to run them. Which is the most cost-effective? Probably just bulbs.
I put just the bulbs in my 18 xlt. Low beam works great compared to stock, but high beams do absolutely nothing to help beyond the low beams. In fact, it’s almost worse. I don’t drive my truck much at night, so it works for me. That’s the trade off for using LEDs in an assembly designed for halogen bulbs.
I’d like to get a set of led housings, but there’s no way I’m paying what they want for them. Either factory or aftermarket. Rather buy another gun or some more ammo!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,129
Likes: 1,649
I put just the bulbs in my 18 xlt. Low beam works great compared to stock, but high beams do absolutely nothing to help beyond the low beams. In fact, it’s almost worse. I don’t drive my truck much at night, so it works for me. That’s the trade off for using LEDs in an assembly designed for halogen bulbs.
I’d like to get a set of led housings, but there’s no way I’m paying what they want for them. Either factory or aftermarket. Rather buy another gun or some more ammo!
I’d like to get a set of led housings, but there’s no way I’m paying what they want for them. Either factory or aftermarket. Rather buy another gun or some more ammo!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,129
Likes: 1,649
This depends on their output, yes, most commonly available ones are intended for off-road use only because of their lumens. Lower-lumen outputs are somewhat available and should be legal.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,588
Likes: 1,669
From: NW Wyoming USA
Every single one I’ve looked at states they are only legal for use as fog lights or for headlights off road.
There’s a lot of federal and state laws regarding headlights for good reasons.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 27
Likes: 27
From: NC, USA
I've got LED bulbs in my halogen headlights, same output cutoff line as halogen bulbs. Light output is better, whiter, doesn't blind oncoming drivers, tested with my wifes car. Haven't been flashed once, infact I used to get flashed all the time in my F-150 with the stock HIDs lol. The trick is to getting LED bulbs that have the diode/cell thing in the same spot as the halogen filament, and making sure they are turned the right way. Works great.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,129
Likes: 1,649
Please post a link to the one or ones that you say are legal for use in halogen headlight fixtures.
Every single one I’ve looked at states they are only legal for use as fog lights or for headlights off road.
There’s a lot of federal and state laws regarding headlights for good reasons.
Every single one I’ve looked at states they are only legal for use as fog lights or for headlights off road.
There’s a lot of federal and state laws regarding headlights for good reasons.
If I ever look it up again, and if I remember this post, I'll let you know.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Itinerant
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post21434995
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