Yes, I know that there are many threads addressing LED headlights. I looked- no, really... I looked.
Many of them address later year models and I have not seen any answers to the questions I'm trying to find answers for.

We have a 2013 F-150 STX 4x4, 5.0 V-8, Trailer Towing Package. Currently have aftermarket composite headlight assemblies installed (both left and right) due to a deer deciding she just couldn't face another day. The nice glass lensed headlight assemblies were no longer available (according to Ford/Motorcraft) thus the composite replacements with halogen bulbs.

While the truck was being repaired, we rented a Jeep that had LED headlights, My wife really liked the way they lit up the road and said they made a huge difference on her drive to work. She frequently drives 40+ miles on 2 lane rural roads in the dark. I've already got two Auxbeam LED cube lights on the front of the truck but she would like to have LED headlights. Thus, I'm trying to convert to LED without replacing the headlight assemblies. Bulbs are $100 +/- but new assemblies are much more expensive. It's a $ issue. Our radio just went into the flashing time/displaying temperature failure thing and replacing that looks $$$.

Searched amazon for converting halogen headlight to LED bulbs and found quite a few that claim to be "plug-n-play" for our truck but have noticed some stuff.

1. VERY few actually state they are headlight replacement bulbs. Most say fog light. Even when their installation video shows them being installed into the headlamp assembly they are still being sold as "fog light" bulbs. The part code for the LED replacement bulbs is H13/9008 which is also the halogen headlight bulb part code. The OEM fog light bulb code is 9140. Obviously for the headlamp.

2. Amazon flashed a warning AFTER getting additional information about our truck to check fitment. Initially, when they knew 2013, F-150, 5.0, STX SCREW cab there was no warning. After I started selecting bulbs, a dialog window asked for additional information that shouldn't have changed anything including manufacturer body code and wheelbase. THEN they warned NOT to install LED bulbs in halogen assembly housings. No reason, just don't do it.

Is it a heat issue? Halogen bulbs get hot but the LED bulbs have heat sinks and cooling fans built in so they must get significantly hotter.

The few bulbs I've narrowed it down to state that the LEDs are positioned to rest in the exact same spot as the halogen filament did, thus avoiding blinding oncoming traffic and/or shadows. They also state they are Canbus ready, no flickering, no error messages, no radio interference but some "sensitive" models may need an additional decoder to be installed. No idea what that means.

Any constructive information or experience will be appreciated. Dunno what the forum rules are regarding listing specific companies/parts etc. but will provide the bulbs I'm looking at if needed.
Thanks y'all

 

Have you looked at this vendor here: https://www.diodedynamics.com/

 

They have an excellent page explaining why (most likely) I get the warning from amazon. I see one LED bulb pushing 1400 lumens that should fit. Am still looking though they are now definitely on the short list. Waiting to hear back from them.
Thank you for the suggestion!

 

Here's another vendor: https://www.f150forum.com/members/4x...ds-com-347690/

 

many will (most likely) chime in with their opinions but the general consensus is that you should not just stick hid or led bulbs in a halogen housing as they simply were not designed for that. if you do the odds are greater than not that you will blind oncoming traffic every night. led/hid bulbs need a projector housing to operate correctly, and just like other parts the cheap versions are pure garbage.

since money is the main factor my suggestion would be to browse the classifieds on here and find a set of used hid or led headlights. currently there is a set of xb hybrid (led and halogen) and a set of converted hid as well.

 

i ran sea light brand from amazon in multiple vehicles with no issues. I tested them out by having my did sit in his impala at the end of the road and drive past him, he said it was no different than the halogen.

 

They are labeled as Fog light bulbs because they are not DOT approved to be used as headlight bulb replacements.

 

The heat issue with LED bulbs is that the drivers/chips get hot. That's why many of them have fans and such. However if you live in the North and get ice/snow, the heat from the bulbs will not be enough to actually melt ice snow off the lenses. This is a big issue with OTR truck drivers. They have since installed heated glass options to help with this issue.

Personally I went with GTR lightings 2.0 bulb from any dealer you can find cheapest. Yes they do cost more than your typical amazon option but they do carry a lifetime warranty on them. They are also said to be manufactured for halogen reflector housings. It's my opinion that because these bulbs have chips in the 9 and 3 oclock position it prevents the light from being thrown directly up (6 and 12 oclock position) into the reflector housing, causing very little problem to oncoming traffic.