2015 F-150 LED Headlight Solution
02-25-2016, 07:11 AM
#21
Anyone know what headlights are better led or hid? I am stuck between the two and have not read great things about led allot of ppl are still saying stick with hid anyone have a opinion on this?
02-25-2016, 09:03 AM
#23
Fred those lights have poor lumen output... only 2,500 lumen. Better than Halogens, but not as bright as you could get. I've seen those all over and although they seem easy to install because of the small ballast... the lumen output is not that great.
Bull... that's personal preference in all honesty. Some guys are HID fans, some are LED fans. I'm an LED fan personally because
1) They last longer
2) They take more abuse since it's an LED
3) They run cooler
4) They don't require a wiring harness for extra power (low power)
I hear HID's may have a SLIGHTLY better output, but that all depends on what kit you buy. I also like how LED's can have high/low on one bulb whereas HID's do not (from what I know... any HI/LOW i've seen just MOVES the bulb forward/back to fake the high beam look)
Bull... that's personal preference in all honesty. Some guys are HID fans, some are LED fans. I'm an LED fan personally because
1) They last longer
2) They take more abuse since it's an LED
3) They run cooler
4) They don't require a wiring harness for extra power (low power)
I hear HID's may have a SLIGHTLY better output, but that all depends on what kit you buy. I also like how LED's can have high/low on one bulb whereas HID's do not (from what I know... any HI/LOW i've seen just MOVES the bulb forward/back to fake the high beam look)
02-25-2016, 09:17 AM
#24
I recently traded in a 2009 Nissan Frontier for a new 2015 F-150. I had a HID system in the frontier. Been so long since I installed it that I never heard of LED when I put the HIDs in. I am looking to put new lights in my F-150 and from my current research I fine that LED might be better because its a smaller "package" and seems to be able to fit in the housing. When I installed the HIDs in the frontier I drilled a hole in the dust cover, installed a grommet and had no problem mounting the ballast. Every vehicle is different and it seems the F-150 might have a slightly harder time accessing the lights, from the wheel well. I am following closely what Vycor does because he seems to have a good solution. I am also really interested with the DRL. Vycor says its all is good for now, I will keep following.
02-25-2016, 09:24 AM
#25
Hey Raptor... we're in the same boat 
I had a 2008 NISMO i traded in for my 2015. I didn't do lights on my 2008 but on my 2002 frontier i had/tried lots of various HID kits.
The last month I had my frontier I tried a CHEAP $80 LED kit (no ballasts)... they sucked.
When I got the 2015, like you I realized we had an issue hiding ballasts.
On my 2002 I did HID's in my fogs, had to drill holes/etc... through the boots and silicon everything up.
The F-150 IS more difficult but with the right kit it IS possible. My DRL work fine, LED's come on. I don't think they are DIMMER, I have to check that, but they def. come on, no flickering/etc...
So far so good. Today the boot arrives and if that fits/works than we're golden. The solution I did now WORKS but it's fabricated and not as elegant as just a single/larger boot.
I had a 2008 NISMO i traded in for my 2015. I didn't do lights on my 2008 but on my 2002 frontier i had/tried lots of various HID kits.The last month I had my frontier I tried a CHEAP $80 LED kit (no ballasts)... they sucked.
When I got the 2015, like you I realized we had an issue hiding ballasts.
On my 2002 I did HID's in my fogs, had to drill holes/etc... through the boots and silicon everything up.
The F-150 IS more difficult but with the right kit it IS possible. My DRL work fine, LED's come on. I don't think they are DIMMER, I have to check that, but they def. come on, no flickering/etc...
So far so good. Today the boot arrives and if that fits/works than we're golden. The solution I did now WORKS but it's fabricated and not as elegant as just a single/larger boot.
02-25-2016, 09:27 AM
#26
Thanks guys for the info I am still researching to see what I like better they both look good on a truck either way from what I have seen but I am leaning a little more with the led because of there durability and life span.
Do any of you guys happen to know a good site to get lift kits on and tires&rims ?
Do any of you guys happen to know a good site to get lift kits on and tires&rims ?
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Sasquatch77 (02-25-2016)
02-25-2016, 10:15 AM
#27
Quality... I had the same issues with the F150leds kit... my passenger side would flicker sometimes. They did send me the load resistor but at that point I had water in the housing, and sent it all back. NICE guy though, stands by his customers so he does get 2 thumbs up from me. Customer Service is always why I shop at places. I tried helping him design a new setup but in the end I started my own thing. He does have a new kit coming out he indicated to me. (sure hope its not the same one I'm selling lol, although friendly competition is always welcome)
I didn't have issues either,like you mentioned. They worked fine. But I had very limited light output. They did match the headlights perfect but I did miss my the light output from my fogs. The reason the fogs did not flicker I believe is they MAY have had a built in CANbus... I could be wrong. In my research overseas I found the style light he sells to have built in CANbus... but that makes sense as that's just a BULB.
I'm in NY so we get the same weather. I've had my lights in about 2 weeks now honestly. And we had some COLD weather the other week, what was it about 10 degrees or so. I didn't have any issues.
I'd believe the newer F150's have a lot more going on. Look at the way they designed it, they have that "central" master plug, and then all the wiring for the lights is internal, inside the housing.
LOL at the harness That might work for some vehicles, some vehicles it may not. Whats odd is the manufacturer (i'm talking the guys overseas in china who make all this stuff) list the harnesses on all the previous models they've put out. The kit i'm using, they don't mention any requirement for the harness. They DO offer them, but they don't list it side by side.
As I get more of these kits installed in various vehicles, I'll let you know how I make out.
Tonight I had a guy install a kit on his Jeep Grand Cherokee. Night and day difference he said. I don't believe he had any flickering. I guess the manufacturer was spot on when they told me "these are the highest quality kits" - Naturally at first I didn't believe their marketing hype, but after trying the system out having NO ISSUES I gotta say, I am impressed.
Hell... it even works with our DRL system, no flickering (although if you watch my surveillance cameras, the leds appear to flicker which led me to believe i had faulty eqipment when i first played back footage, then i realized, that's just the nature of LEDs + IP surveillance cameras + refresh rates)
Glad i wasnt the only one who had issues. Sucks we had issues, I wish the guy best of luck in getting his newer kits out... but glad we had the same issues because it wasn't just My truck.
I didn't have issues either,like you mentioned. They worked fine. But I had very limited light output. They did match the headlights perfect but I did miss my the light output from my fogs. The reason the fogs did not flicker I believe is they MAY have had a built in CANbus... I could be wrong. In my research overseas I found the style light he sells to have built in CANbus... but that makes sense as that's just a BULB.
I'm in NY so we get the same weather. I've had my lights in about 2 weeks now honestly. And we had some COLD weather the other week, what was it about 10 degrees or so. I didn't have any issues.
I'd believe the newer F150's have a lot more going on. Look at the way they designed it, they have that "central" master plug, and then all the wiring for the lights is internal, inside the housing.
LOL at the harness
That might work for some vehicles, some vehicles it may not. Whats odd is the manufacturer (i'm talking the guys overseas in china who make all this stuff) list the harnesses on all the previous models they've put out. The kit i'm using, they don't mention any requirement for the harness. They DO offer them, but they don't list it side by side.As I get more of these kits installed in various vehicles, I'll let you know how I make out.
Tonight I had a guy install a kit on his Jeep Grand Cherokee. Night and day difference he said. I don't believe he had any flickering. I guess the manufacturer was spot on when they told me "these are the highest quality kits" - Naturally at first I didn't believe their marketing hype, but after trying the system out having NO ISSUES I gotta say, I am impressed.
Hell... it even works with our DRL system, no flickering (although if you watch my surveillance cameras, the leds appear to flicker which led me to believe i had faulty eqipment when i first played back footage, then i realized, that's just the nature of LEDs + IP surveillance cameras + refresh rates)
Glad i wasnt the only one who had issues. Sucks we had issues, I wish the guy best of luck in getting his newer kits out... but glad we had the same issues because it wasn't just My truck.
One thing I would like to mention to anyone who does any type of LED conversion-either replacement bulbs, like the switchback front turn/running lights that you see available or even the headlight LEDs-when you install them and then test them before putting everything back together, make sure you test them with the truck running. The switchback turn/running bulbs I tried AND the F150LEDs headlight kits worked fine on just battery power with the ignition off. But it was a whole different story once the truck was running and the alternator was putting out 14 volts AND the vehicle's computer was engaged.
I can't speak about the HID kits as I never went that route but if anyone who tries that has any of the issues that have been mentioned regarding the LEDs, at least they have a starting point on trying to figure out just what the hell is going on, LOL!
Good luck with your business venture!!
02-25-2016, 07:32 PM
#28
bulldog you can check out Stage 3 Motorsports... I bought my audio system/speakers from them. I know they sell lift kits, not sure about rims/tires they may as well. Good site with lots of stuff to choose from.
Splinterman: I guess I was lucky in that I've had years of experience in the lighting world (this is Vycor btw, just using my new Vendor account) so I knew right away I may have problems and when they happened I didn't even waste time TRYING to make their kit work. I just installed my 2nd kit.
I actually had the kit in my current truck (the same one I sell) sitting on my desk WHILE I installed the F150Leds kit. I was sent the kit as a sample to test out. I had already ordered the F150Leds one at the time, but yeah knew with that boot cut-out I'd have issues. Swapped in the kit I have now (with some modifications I knew I'd have to make) and so far, so good. We even had a TERRIBLE wind/rain storm last night, dry as a bone. The new boot covers I'm getting outta solve all issues as well, so now it's a complete kit/solution.
Yes I agree with you on the testing, especially the headlights. Test everything BEFORE putting them back in as they take a little bit of time to put back. Also I always recommend you block the tires, put your emergency brake on, put the truck in gear and look at your lights. Make sure if it's daytime that your DRL work properly as well.
HIDS are a bit more finicky. I honesty had more issues with HIDS then LED I have to say. I had bulbs go out on me all the time because they just did NOT like the elements. Granted that was on a Nissan Frontier. The 2015+ F-150s are all enclosed, but not sure they make small drivers/ballasts for the HID systems.
Splinterman: I guess I was lucky in that I've had years of experience in the lighting world (this is Vycor btw, just using my new Vendor account) so I knew right away I may have problems and when they happened I didn't even waste time TRYING to make their kit work. I just installed my 2nd kit.
I actually had the kit in my current truck (the same one I sell) sitting on my desk WHILE I installed the F150Leds kit. I was sent the kit as a sample to test out. I had already ordered the F150Leds one at the time, but yeah knew with that boot cut-out I'd have issues. Swapped in the kit I have now (with some modifications I knew I'd have to make) and so far, so good. We even had a TERRIBLE wind/rain storm last night, dry as a bone. The new boot covers I'm getting outta solve all issues as well, so now it's a complete kit/solution.
Yes I agree with you on the testing, especially the headlights. Test everything BEFORE putting them back in as they take a little bit of time to put back. Also I always recommend you block the tires, put your emergency brake on, put the truck in gear and look at your lights. Make sure if it's daytime that your DRL work properly as well.
HIDS are a bit more finicky. I honesty had more issues with HIDS then LED I have to say. I had bulbs go out on me all the time because they just did NOT like the elements. Granted that was on a Nissan Frontier. The 2015+ F-150s are all enclosed, but not sure they make small drivers/ballasts for the HID systems.
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Sasquatch77 (02-25-2016)
02-26-2016, 12:30 AM
#29
bulldog you can check out Stage 3 Motorsports... I bought my audio system/speakers from them. I know they sell lift kits, not sure about rims/tires they may as well. Good site with lots of stuff to choose from.
Splinterman: I guess I was lucky in that I've had years of experience in the lighting world (this is Vycor btw, just using my new Vendor account) so I knew right away I may have problems and when they happened I didn't even waste time TRYING to make their kit work. I just installed my 2nd kit.
I actually had the kit in my current truck (the same one I sell) sitting on my desk WHILE I installed the F150Leds kit. I was sent the kit as a sample to test out. I had already ordered the F150Leds one at the time, but yeah knew with that boot cut-out I'd have issues. Swapped in the kit I have now (with some modifications I knew I'd have to make) and so far, so good. We even had a TERRIBLE wind/rain storm last night, dry as a bone. The new boot covers I'm getting outta solve all issues as well, so now it's a complete kit/solution.
Yes I agree with you on the testing, especially the headlights. Test everything BEFORE putting them back in as they take a little bit of time to put back. Also I always recommend you block the tires, put your emergency brake on, put the truck in gear and look at your lights. Make sure if it's daytime that your DRL work properly as well.
HIDS are a bit more finicky. I honesty had more issues with HIDS then LED I have to say. I had bulbs go out on me all the time because they just did NOT like the elements. Granted that was on a Nissan Frontier. The 2015+ F-150s are all enclosed, but not sure they make small drivers/ballasts for the HID systems.
Splinterman: I guess I was lucky in that I've had years of experience in the lighting world (this is Vycor btw, just using my new Vendor account) so I knew right away I may have problems and when they happened I didn't even waste time TRYING to make their kit work. I just installed my 2nd kit.
I actually had the kit in my current truck (the same one I sell) sitting on my desk WHILE I installed the F150Leds kit. I was sent the kit as a sample to test out. I had already ordered the F150Leds one at the time, but yeah knew with that boot cut-out I'd have issues. Swapped in the kit I have now (with some modifications I knew I'd have to make) and so far, so good. We even had a TERRIBLE wind/rain storm last night, dry as a bone. The new boot covers I'm getting outta solve all issues as well, so now it's a complete kit/solution.
Yes I agree with you on the testing, especially the headlights. Test everything BEFORE putting them back in as they take a little bit of time to put back. Also I always recommend you block the tires, put your emergency brake on, put the truck in gear and look at your lights. Make sure if it's daytime that your DRL work properly as well.
HIDS are a bit more finicky. I honesty had more issues with HIDS then LED I have to say. I had bulbs go out on me all the time because they just did NOT like the elements. Granted that was on a Nissan Frontier. The 2015+ F-150s are all enclosed, but not sure they make small drivers/ballasts for the HID systems.
The bad thing is that you sometimes get bashed out of the blue by members of the 'penile population' for asking questions, LOL!
Learning from this post, today I ordered a set of the the 90mm boots for both the low and high beam LEDs in my wife's Escape but they must have had a run on them-they're on backorder right now
02-26-2016, 06:31 PM
#30
The new boots arrived today, great fit. Ever so slightly smaller than the stock but they stretch and make a nice solid seal around the bulb. They don't fall off either which is good.
So the kits are a GO. The kits come with the high/low bulbs and the boot's necessary for the low beams. The low beam only kits come with the bulbs and boot's as well. $300 for a kit ($270 for forum members using discount code F150FORUM). They are available now. Orders ship within 2 weeks (inventory is on it's way in). Order yours now to secure a kit.
http://www.4x4truckleds.com/ford/2015-f-150/
So the kits are a GO. The kits come with the high/low bulbs and the boot's necessary for the low beams. The low beam only kits come with the bulbs and boot's as well. $300 for a kit ($270 for forum members using discount code F150FORUM). They are available now. Orders ship within 2 weeks (inventory is on it's way in). Order yours now to secure a kit.
http://www.4x4truckleds.com/ford/2015-f-150/