Brighter XLT Headlight Bulb Replacement?

[JasonTremor]

Once installed, did the dust cover behind the bulb fit/close?

Yes, very very close fit though.

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[GitRDone]

I have Auxitos in my lows, highs and fogs on my XLT and absolutely love them. Night and day difference (literally) and I don't get flashed.

 

[yamahaSHO]

I've not tried them in the Ranger, but I have several sets of Morimoto LED drop-in 'bulbs' in different vehicles and I've been happy with them. The color is good, they are brighter, and the pattern is the same. I have a set in my RZR 900's halogen housings and they are significantly better than the factory LED's on my RZR XP Turbo.

The only set of Morimoto LED's that I didn't like is when I put them in a dual filimant location. The pattern wasn't great (high or low), but after putting OEM bulbs back in, I don't think the pattern is all that great with them either (2003 Honda CR-V).

 

[Wes Siler]

And here's a good explanation around color temps written by my friend Jonathon Klein: https://www.thedrive.com/guides-and-gear/how-do-yellow-off-road-lights-work

He's focussed on yellow vs white there, but similar stuff will be true going from a warm ~4500k halogen to a very blue Chineseum LED con artist bulb. They may appear brighter because they hurt your eyes (and those of other drivers), but they are unable to provide additional effective illumination. That wrong color temp is then worsened by the splotchy mess created by trying to make LED's reflect out of mirrors designed for halogens.

I think the reason so many people are under the mistaken impression that LED bulbs do work in reflector housings is simply because most drivers aren't aware that halogen bulbs grow dimmer over time. So they switch from a worn out bulb to an LED, not a brand new bulb to an LED. Run a quality halogen bulb, replace them once a year, and that's the best performance you're going to get from the normal headlights. If you want to see further down the road at night, you'll need a quality aftermarket driving light (which are illegal for on-road use, but that's a story for another time).

 

[subquark]

I stick my arm out the window of my XL with an Olight flashlight.

I think I'll upgrade to some auxiliary lights ... no light bar required.

 

[BiilyJones]

And here's a good explanation around color temps written by my friend Jonathon Klein: https://www.thedrive.com/guides-and-gear/how-do-yellow-off-road-lights-work

He's focussed on yellow vs white there, but similar stuff will be true going from a warm ~4500k halogen to a very blue Chineseum LED con artist bulb. They may appear brighter because they hurt your eyes (and those of other drivers), but they are unable to provide additional effective illumination. That wrong color temp is then worsened by the splotchy mess created by trying to make LED's reflect out of mirrors designed for halogens.

I think the reason so many people are under the mistaken impression that LED bulbs do work in reflector housings is simply because most drivers aren't aware that halogen bulbs grow dimmer over time. So they switch from a worn out bulb to an LED, not a brand new bulb to an LED. Run a quality halogen bulb, replace them once a year, and that's the best performance you're going to get from the normal headlights. If you want to see further down the road at night, you'll need a quality aftermarket driving light (which are illegal for on-road use, but that's a story for another time).

So ford put used bulbs in my new 2020 escape and new 2021 ranger?

 

[Wes Siler]

So ford put used bulbs in my new 2020 escape and new 2021 ranger?

I'm staying blue light appears brighter, but can't effectively increase useable illumination.

I know all this seems a little obtuse, but I spend and awful lot of time driving through remote areas at night. Lights are a safety item. Putting in the minimal effort it takes to get them right will make every second of every nighttime drive safer for both you and everyone around you.

 

[D Fresh]

Rather than futzting around with the stupid, blinding to others, unhelpful, drop in LEDs, why not just replace your fogs with good LEDs?

Aimed properly a set of led pods with the proper pattern can supplement halogen lows quite effectively.

And other drivers won't think you're a dick.

 

[JohnnyO]

Those are the bulbs that caused me to write this article: https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/cars-trucks/halogen-led-headlights/

The TL;DR there is that the human eye perceives cooler color temperatures as brighter, but those temps actually reduce your ability to see at night. Anyone trying to sell you an LED bulb to put in a halogen housing is a con artist.

I was gonna say, Sylvania Silverstars, Silverstar Ultras, or GE Nighthawks. Had Silverstars in my old truck and liked them.
Replacement cost of the LED's is absurd. There are lots of deer around here so I'd never consider them.
It's also possible to download the free version of Forscan, get a cable to connect your laptop to the truck (or better yet, have a friend who already has it ) and enable what we call "Bambi Mode" which lets the hi beams, low beams, and fogs all stay on at the same time. Normally if you turn on the hi beams it turns off the low beams and fog lights.

 

[ppfd]

Rather than futzting around with the stupid, blinding to others, unhelpful, drop in LEDs, why not just replace your fogs with good LEDs?

Aimed properly a set of led pods with the proper pattern can supplement halogen lows quite effectively.

And other drivers won't think you're a dick.

D,
any recommendations?
I put a set of LED fog bulbs in my f150 and it made a difference. I might pick up a set of the PIAA brand as well. About the price of most LED bulbs I've seen

 

[D Fresh]

D,
any recommendations?
I put a set of LED fog bulbs in my f150 and it made a difference. I might pick up a set of the PIAA brand as well. About the price of most LED bulbs I've seen

Both Baja Designs and Diode Dynamics make mounting kits to drop their 4 led pods into our fog pockets. They are available in all colors, powers, and lense patterns.

I currently run the BD Squadron Pros in a wide pattern in amber. But I also have LED headlights and don't often run my fogs on the street.

If I had halogen headlights in my Ranger I'd look at the Baja Designs Squadron Sport in white with the driving/combo lense. This should supplement your headlights perfectly while not being too powerful. I'm sure Diode Dynamics makes a comparable light as well.

I would avoid drop in led bulbs altogether.

 

[WolfgangVTS]

Normally if you turn on the hi beams it turns off the low beams and fog lights.

Just the fogs switch off when you turn on your highs…the lows stay on. But like you said “Bambi mode” will enable the fogs to stay on with the highs.

 

[gtyates]

I have a Lariat with the very good LED's. My son-in-law has an XLT. One of the reasons the light is so bad with the factory halogens is that they use "Long Life" bulbs in them. Yes, they last longer but light output is terrible. I upgraded the bulbs in his XLT with halogens made by Vosla. I put the +100% bulbs. No, they don't double light output, but the difference is truly amazing for a halogen. The light color is in the 3500k range, so while it is still a typical yellow color like halogens, it is much better than the factory "long life" that are only around 3200k. He is not a "car person", but even he immediately noticed the great improvement in light output. I use Vosla bulbs in my Sport Trac as well that my son drives now and he is very pleased with the light output, and he travels a lot of interstate miles for a college kid because it is 500 miles round trip any time he comes home for a weekend. lol!

 

[Dereku]

Just the fogs switch off when you turn on your highs…the lows stay on. But like you said “Bambi mode” will enable the fogs to stay on with the highs.

Lows turn off if you lock your high beams on. If you pull back to flash they both stay on.

 

[Frenchy]

Lows turn off if you lock your high beams on. If you pull back to flash they both stay on.

If that is the case, how come the lowes stayed on when I turned on the brights before and after I started messing with Forscan?

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