Toddman38

iTrader: (5)

There yah go, thats a very fair priced if shippings included!

promtbr

Thanks all! So stoked that I can solve my headlight woes and keep my beloved 'Bruno'. Those videos look amazing. I definitely don't want to wait as I have ALOT of winter/night time driving ahead of me yet now.

One thing. I basically am a mechanical idiot. Can my local dealer instal OEM HIDs if I buy them from them?

If I get some online, do I just have a reputable repair shop install them. ( I have a good one locally that does great work on our other cars). Or do I have to go to a Custom Truck place. I have one about an hour drive away in another town.

THANKS!

discodave

The dealer can definitely do it for you, and they'll tell you its the only way to keep your warranty. Personally, I'd take it to a local car stereo shop and have them do it. All of the ones around here do stereos, alarms, headlights, etc., and they know what they're doing because they see it all. It would be a lot cheaper that way and as long as it's a reputable place they'll stand by their work. As far as the "warranty" issue goes, I could really give two craps about that when it comes to headlights as long as your local shop is covering it.

RES4CUE

Man, look up YouTube videos, they walk you step by step through install. If you buy at dealer you're looking at big money. Buy OEMs from someone else and take them to a audio shop as mentioned but I'd do it myself.

It's literally three Bolts per light then pull out towards the front as they are held with clips for each light. The harness is just as easy, the only thing is finding a ground but I just drilled my own behind light buckets. Then it's just plug them up and reverse the process. I would say no more than two hours going slow with basic hand tools.

Look on YouTube for aiming advice and then you're good to go.

jjferrante

If you have a brush guard why not add some some lighting. I'm sure the Rigid fans can weigh in with your best options or search for Rigid lights.

promtbr

Just got back from my Ford dealer. I explained that I wanted a quote for OEM HIDs and their parts guy quoted me $3300 just for parts. His info ONLY showed the option for purchasing the housing, the HIDs the balasts, and the harness separately. The service guy who ran HIDs on his later model truck questioned if they would give me better side dispersion than what I have.

I may re-think keeping the truck. If I am paying 2-4K to get the lights I want, I have to start thinking of the 65K miles I have on my 2 yr old F150. Maybe trade for a 2014 or so half ton with decent (safer) head lights . My families driver safety is more important than even brand loyalty.

The funny thing about the post 2012 F150s is their tall boxy body style. When I get into the boonies and brush where I go fishing and hiking, a taller rig is NOT an advantage! I like the way the 2012's sit lower. IMHO prolly better cornering at interstate speeds as well.

I will look into retro fits and call my area custom truck place. Thanks again all!

johndog82

iTrader: (3)

Dude... Forget the stealership. Theretrofitsource.com has everything you need to complete the install for around $1200. Thats with new OEM HID lamps, harness, and everything else needed for the install, which is not a hard install. That harness makes the whole thing plug and play and you can do it yourself in half a morning.

Www.theretrofitsource.com > navigate your way over to 'housings' to see their factory f150 lamps.

OR, if you want to go in the direction of a retrofit build to get much better side dispersion, that will be in the same $1200 price range.

Don't get needlessly raped by the dealership's bat**** insane pricing.

RES4CUE

You can get brand new factory HIDs with harness, bulbs, ballasts and housings for right around a grand, dealer will always be higher. There are many places to get them way cheaper than taking a bath on a new truck!

MCDavis

iTrader: (1)

Say what?
Body style and ride height was/is the same from 2009-2014. Boxes are all the same depth. I think you're just trying to talk yourself into a new truck.

The headlight install is easy...almost too easy...like others have said, getting a proper ground is the hardest part and luckily there is a large factory grounding lug right behind the rad support. One on each side. Perfect spot for your lights to be grounded:

Here's a pic for reference:



That lug is directly behind this:

promtbr

Yeah, I will look into the retro fit options. I was guilty of venting a bit. I will be patient but I do want the side dispersion. So it looks like the EVO R projecotors or similar. With those sites that offer custom install, does one remove their headlamp housings and send them to them? I am pretty naive about this obviously. I am not going to do my own stuff. I am OK at car audio, but anything under the hood I wouldnt trust myself. Thanks again!