LED Headlights - what happens with DRLs?

[ScottE22]

So, this may have been answered somewhere, but I can’t find it after quite a bit of searching... I have an XLT and am looking at swapping my headlight bulbs (eventually both high and low) with LEDs. What I can’t figure out is what happens to the DRLs when you do that...

I believe from what I‘ve read (and observed on my truck) that the DRLs are just the low beams on reduced power, but since LEDs already use less power does that mean that with LEDs the DRLs are the same as the low beams?

Thanks in advance!

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[GTGallop]

Following......

 

[Big Blue]

So, this may have been answered somewhere, but I can’t find it after quite a bit of searching... I have an XLT and am looking at swapping my headlight bulbs (eventually both high and low) with LEDs. What I can’t figure out is what happens to the DRLs when you do that...

I believe from what I‘ve read (and observed on my truck) that the DRLs are just the low beams on reduced power, but since LEDs already use less power does that mean that with LEDs the DRLs are the same as DRLs.

Thanks in advance!

Can't really tell you, because when I switched mine out I took my low beams off of the DRLs and use my fogs and parking light for the DRLs. I put switchbacks in my parking/turns so my DRLs are all white. Liked the look and didn't need to worry about the reduced voltage on the low beams.

Added bonus taillights now on with DRLs.

 

[ScottE22]

That’s super smart - and sounds like it would look awesome. Looks like I’ve got a bit more reading to do before doing anything to the lights. Can you point to a thread or post that tells how you make those changes?

 

[ch47dmechanic]

The DRLs actually run at a lower output? I've heard that many times but mine do not appear any different than the standard headlight output. I've never ran them anyway and just keep them turned off, but I'm curious now.

 

[Big Blue]

That’s super smart - and sounds like it would look awesome. Looks like I’ve got a bit more reading to do before doing anything to the lights. Can you point to a thread or post that tells how you make those changes?

I'll look up the Forscan changes and post them here.

 

[ScottE22]

The DRLs actually run at a lower output? I've heard that many times but mine do not appear any different than the standard headlight output. I've never ran them anyway and just keep them turned off, but I'm curious now.

A week or ago, I was behind a clean, black SUV where I could see the front of my Ranger reflected clearly. At a stoplight, I did a little experiment turning the headlights on and off and there is a definite difference in brightness betweenDRL mode and low-beam mode.

I’m also sure the other driver was like WTH is up with this guy, but I did it in the name of science, so...

 

[GTGallop]

Should be that your DRL's are actually your high beams on a lower power - shape of the lense and light at long distances for others to be able to see you better.

 

[ScottE22]

Should be that your DRL's are actually your high beams on a lower power - shape of the lense and light at long distances for others to be able to see you better.

That’s possible. Dang. Now I have to go creep up behind another black SUV to verify. ?‍

 

[Big Blue]

Should be that your DRL's are actually your high beams on a lower power - shape of the lense and light at long distances for others to be able to see you better.

The DRLs from the factory are actually your low beams on lower power. At least on XL and XLTs.
On Lariats I believe they are the LED strip around the headlights.

 

[Big Blue]

The Forscan changes to run Just the Fogs and parking lights as DRLs are as follows. All are in the BdyCM configuration.

Allowed DRL Options set to All Options (there are other options, this works)
DRL Configuration set to Fog Lamp (there are other options)
Daytime Running Lights set to Enable
Includes Parklamps

I know these work on XL and XLT not sure about Lariat.

 

[Sign1941]

So, this may have been answered somewhere, but I can’t find it after quite a bit of searching... I have an XLT and am looking at swapping my headlight bulbs (eventually both high and low) with LEDs. What I can’t figure out is what happens to the DRLs when you do that...

I believe from what I‘ve read (and observed on my truck) that the DRLs are just the low beams on reduced power, but since LEDs already use less power does that mean that with LEDs the DRLs are the same as the low beams?

Thanks in advance!

My LED replacement's still operate as the DRL, though they are just as bright during the DRL stage so because they use less power I think there is no difference between the DRL and Low Beam.

 

[ScottE22]

My LED replacement's still operate as the DRL, though they are just as bright during the DRL stage so because they use less power I think there is no difference between the DRL and Low Beam.

This is the answer I was looking for and what I guessed would happen. Thanks for replying!

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