HIDs or LED?
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
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From: New York
HIDs or LED?
hi guys i was hoping for some help with figuring out what headlights and taillights to get for my truck, i have a 2013 f150 xlt and im looking to change the stock lights(halogen bulbs) im looking at halo projector headlights (all over ebay) and it says they are leds so my question is if i get these headlights is it a plug and play type of deal or am i gonna have to get ballasts and the whole 9 yards ( dont want to spend that kind of money) my other question is for the taillights im looking at trying to get the fx4 taillights ( my truck is black and i have a chrome surrounds around my taillights i want the black fx4 surround) is there any modifications i would have to do for that? or is that just plug and play also? thanks for the feedback in advance i just wanna make sure everythings compatible and i dont have to spend extra money to do so
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Joined: May 2013
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From: Innisfail, Alberta
LEDs are pretty much better in every way but cost. They run a cooler bulb, last longer and don't require ballasts. But if you live in a snowy climate, LEDs suck in the snow, your headlight lens doesn't get warm enough to melt any ice off themselves so that's a pain. If cost is a huge factor hids aren't bad but I would go with LEDs every time.
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LEDs are pretty much better in every way but cost. They run a cooler bulb, last longer and don't require ballasts. But if you live in a snowy climate, LEDs suck in the snow, your headlight lens doesn't get warm enough to melt any ice off themselves so that's a pain. If cost is a huge factor hids aren't bad but I would go with LEDs every time.
Not to mention any LEDs with that much power would require a huge heatsink. We are barely getting into the technology that allows us to have full led headlights (ie. 2015 F-150), but for the time being even an HID projector could outshine that.
OP, there are better halogen bulbs that put out more lumens, there are the crappy eBay projectors that won't do you any good at night, and there is the option to retrofit your headlights with quality projectors. Plug n play hid or led bulbs to the stock housings are not options to be considered.
Problem Solver
Joined: Feb 2011
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^ what he said
There are NO led replacements that are worth a **** regardless of what you've read, the bulbs can't even compare to halogen, let alone HID.
its that simple, go HID and that's the only option.
There are NO led replacements that are worth a **** regardless of what you've read, the bulbs can't even compare to halogen, let alone HID.
its that simple, go HID and that's the only option.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 377
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From: Innisfail, Alberta
I'm not talking about a retrofit, but the bulbs themselves are much better then hids. I'm not sure about if there's kits for a f150 but we installed LEDs into all our trucks at work and they are far superior to hids.
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Then you've never seen HIDs at full capacity. I hope I never have to drive towards you or any of your led buddies at night.
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Sorry "Wisdom," but that's not helpful information. There are NO drop in or plug n play LEDs for the headlamps that will produce enough useable light to even compare with stock.
Not to mention any LEDs with that much power would require a huge heatsink. We are barely getting into the technology that allows us to have full led headlights (ie. 2015 F-150), but for the time being even an HID projector could outshine that.
OP, there are better halogen bulbs that put out more lumens, there are the crappy eBay projectors that won't do you any good at night, and there is the option to retrofit your headlights with quality projectors. Plug n play hid or led bulbs to the stock housings are not options to be considered.
Not to mention any LEDs with that much power would require a huge heatsink. We are barely getting into the technology that allows us to have full led headlights (ie. 2015 F-150), but for the time being even an HID projector could outshine that.
OP, there are better halogen bulbs that put out more lumens, there are the crappy eBay projectors that won't do you any good at night, and there is the option to retrofit your headlights with quality projectors. Plug n play hid or led bulbs to the stock housings are not options to be considered.
There are better halogens if you want low cost. HID retrofit is the only other option.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Calgary AB
There actually is a plug and play LED's and it's actually quite impressive how bright they are. And I think I only paid $150 Canadian for everything
Sorry "Wisdom," but that's not helpful information. There are NO drop in or plug n play LEDs for the headlamps that will produce enough useable light to even compare with stock. Not to mention any LEDs with that much power would require a huge heatsink. We are barely getting into the technology that allows us to have full led headlights (ie. 2015 F-150), but for the time being even an HID projector could outshine that. OP, there are better halogen bulbs that put out more lumens, there are the crappy eBay projectors that won't do you any good at night, and there is the option to retrofit your headlights with quality projectors. Plug n play hid or led bulbs to the stock housings are not options to be considered.