So I’ve searched some on this topic and often get confused when people discuss headlight replacement. Any advice is appreciated.

I have stock 2015 XLT headlights. They are terrible (brightness). They also don’t look as cool as the higher model (LED?) lights, IMO.

I’d like to upgrade something, but want to balance cost vs desire.

The thing that frequently confuses me on headlight posts is whether ppl are talking about the lightbulb itself or the whole headlight assembly.

Any advice on how much I would spend just to upgrade the lightbulbs, and what are the best quality lightbulb types? I like the bright white look.

Similarly, how much extra would I be looking at for the entire headlight assembly replacement? I saw a post with $1,350 Morimoto headlight replacement that looked fantastic, but I’m not looking to drop that much $$$.

 

You can buy LED bulbs for around $100 or so that will give the look and performance you are looking for without buying new housings.

 

check out headlight revolution website. I use their low,high,fogs and switchbacks. I agree the stock ones suck. I just drove home the other night and I lit up the road. A little bit of money but I think they are worth it and look bright and white. Good luck

 

Morimoto just came out with the XB Hybrid LED headlight assembly. Basically the less expensive little brother to the original XB's. All LED except for the turn signal bulb but you have the option to upgrade it. $800 vs $1300 and still get a 5 year warranty. Have mine in the box waiting to be installed. Hopefully get mine put in tomorrow and get some pictures up.

 

On my 2015 the headlights were dim. So I got the Phillips Bright White or Xtra Bright somehting like that. THEN when you remove the High Beam bulbs. set them aside. Remove your driving light bulbs and replace them with the High Beam bulbs you set aside.
A cheap fix. Maybe $40-$50 bucks for the four new bulbs.
Sylvania bulbs burn out quick. Phillips Do Not.

 

Look for used OEM LED headlight assemblies on eBay, Craigslist, or from parts recyclers (salvage yards). That's how I upgraded from halogen to LED with harness from @Ryan B and help on this forum from the Forscan gurus. Even if a few of the mounting tabs are cracked or broken, there are 7 or 8 attachment points on each assembly and they will still hold tight. Had one headlight shipped from Texas and one from Tennessee all the way to Canada (via a shipping point just across the border in Upstate New York). You can get the widely available chrome ones or the dark housings, just watch if they're from a Raptor (black lamp bezels) or from a Special Edition (gray lamp bezels).

 

Hmm, might need to look into this. So it is an LED headlight assembly that replaces the Halogen assembly. Is it plug and play without splicing or tapping into another wire?

 

So if I am reading this correct, you purchased new "High Beam 9005 bulbs". Installed the new 9005 high beam bulbs and then replaced the H11 low beam bulbs with the original factory high beam 9005 bulbs. In essence you are running high beam bulbs in place of the low beam...correct?

 

Are you more concerned about looks or performance? I have the same headlights in my '19 XL. I changed the high beam bulbs to Silverstar Ultra and adjusted my high beams up a bit to get maximum performance, complete adequate. My other ride is a '16 Corvette with HID. The XL headlights are not quite as good. LED replacement bulbs usually don't give very good performance because the LEDs can all be on the focal point.

 

I think the term "driving lights" should have been "fog lights". I've read about others doing that as the sockets seem to be compatible between high beam and fog lights.