So I ordered and received a 23 F350 drw couple weeks ago. I knew about the different headlights and taillights and still took possession of the new truck. Well now I’m in the process of spending a stupid amount of money to change the headlights and taillights. I already switched out the taillights and it wasn’t to bad but I’m looking to see if anyone has done anything with the headlights yet?

Side note for anyone that has a 23 check underneath your truck you might find some loose items.

2020 factory LED taillights and 2023 factory taillights


thanks,

 

Sure don't understand Ford's lighting logic.

 

it’s entirely understandable, they want you to spend as much as possible to just to get LED lights. It’s all about the margin.

 

probably is the reason why, but…..

im okay with that because I won’t upgrade to a trim level I don’t want for them

i have a 23 lariat and here’s my feelings about the lighting (coming from a 21 with full led lighting) after a few months with the new truck:


HEADLIGHTS
i think the 23s look just as nice as the 21with the led daytime running lights etc.

and the output is equal to the 21 projectors. In fact I think I prefer the 23 because it seems to give a better array on dark roads in my use

so for headlights I wouldn’t switch back to the 21. The biggest bonus is they have equally good output but if there’s ever an issue I can replace bulbs versus spending big bucks for a whole new sealed housing like the older trucks. This is a very big underrated positive in my book that no one’s considering.




TAILLIGHTS
i tried to keep them stock but they’re flat out too dim. There is zero comparison to my 21 led tails in any way

pathetic what they put on the 23s

but my solution was to spend $180 on a full set of rearward facing led bulbs including tag lights.

havent put them in yet but they should do the trick to give it a nicer look from behind as well as improve safety when I’m off on the side of a road for work. The stock halogens were entirely too dim and look like something from the 90s with how dim they are. Good led replacement bulbs solve that though.

the only positive I can think of for the tails is that once again I can replace bulbs when the time inevitably comes that one goes out whereas the sealed LEDs on my old truck would be an expensive full-housing replacement

 

I've yet to come up on a super duty with brake lights that are too dim. My own Halogen headlights and incandescent taillights are plenty bright to see when I've followed my wife. People will just throw money away on anything nowadays. I can buy a nice used commuter car for the price of adding factory LED headlight and taillights.

 

your 23 lariat has halogen headlights? If so that is quite an indictment against ford LED headlamps. I have heard on lighting forums that earlier ford trucks LED headlamps can be underwhelming, at least as late as 2017

https://www.candlepowerforums.com/th...k-leds.435829/

I would actually not mind having 7 inch or 4x6 inch sealed lamp format again. There are some out standing American made LED high+low modules from JW speaker and TruckLite that are great beams at ~300 dollars per light.

 

no the headlights are led bulbs but they’re not in sealed projector housings like the previous led trucks. Still led just not projector. And I have no problem with them on the 23 they do great.

as I said in my post the only complaint I had was the tails which I hope I’ve solved with the purchase of some led bulbs for them.

 

Whoa... I didn't realize the reflector LEDs on the 23s were individually replaceable. If that's the case, bravo zulu to Ford (for a change).

 

Sorry it took me a bit, another thread today got me to think about this.

Do you have any photos of what the back of the 23 reflector LED lights looks like, does it still use an H13 type base? My brain is calculating what is possible....

 

Can you share what parts and steps were taken to change the tail lights and if you completed the head lights, what steps and parts were required? Thanks