DRL reassignment
Thread Starter
F150 Newbie
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 72
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, BC
DRL reassignment
Hey all...
I have a Canadian 2006 F150 Lariat with the automatic DRL and HID headlights. What I'd like to do is change the DRL to let's say a fog halo light or even the amber markers etc.
I was wondering if there was anyone out there who has any experience with this sort of mod and if there is a guide or anything to change this without having to go to the dealer.
I have a set of halo fog lights I am looking at on eBay and would like to get the halo ring hooked up as my DRL.
HELP! Please!
I have a Canadian 2006 F150 Lariat with the automatic DRL and HID headlights. What I'd like to do is change the DRL to let's say a fog halo light or even the amber markers etc.
I was wondering if there was anyone out there who has any experience with this sort of mod and if there is a guide or anything to change this without having to go to the dealer.
I have a set of halo fog lights I am looking at on eBay and would like to get the halo ring hooked up as my DRL.
HELP! Please!
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 736
Likes: 65
From: Edmonton, AB
Hi Chris, sorry I've just seen this.
Yes, I have... I have three switches I've added to my cab (a bit more complex):
- DRL off/on
- DRL Headlights/Fog lights
- Fog lights on while in highbeam (I wanted independent control, I have no use for the fogs in low-beam usually)
For my setup, I'm using a series of relays but again, mine's fairly complex. The issue you run into using the fogs is that I wanted mine to turn the DRL's OFF (fog lights off) when I turn my headlights on but still be able to manually turn my fogs on in either low beam (factory), or high beam mode. You need to get fancy with relays to do that (or, I might be doing a Microcontroller setup in the future - but that's getting crazy).
The DRL Resistor is in the front of the truck. I tied into my fog light wiring with the switch using a relay. The difference however is that I'm HID's on my headlights and fog lights. If it's factory fog lights, you're backfeeding the circuit (although I don't believe it'll light anything else up). If you hook the park lights up, the problem you'll face is the signal light is shared and you'll backfeed the circuit likely turning your dash lights on (I have to confirm this).
If you want to do it with halo rings that are separately powered, this is not difficult at all. In fact, I think some of the kits may include the connections to already do it for you.
In your under-hood fuse box, you'll have a DRL relay + Diode, in the front of the truck you'll have the resistor. The resistor limits to around 80% voltage to dim the lights down slightly. With the HID's in the headlights, this does nothing but turn the controller on or off at full. WIth halo's, you'll likely want to bypass the resistor and pull the direct 12v line in. It's a simple, 12v in, roughly 10v out (I know, 14.5-13.5 running - I'm keeping this simple
haha).
btw, I miss Vancouver (I worked for UBC and lived there for 5 years)! haha
Yes, I have... I have three switches I've added to my cab (a bit more complex):
- DRL off/on
- DRL Headlights/Fog lights
- Fog lights on while in highbeam (I wanted independent control, I have no use for the fogs in low-beam usually)
For my setup, I'm using a series of relays but again, mine's fairly complex. The issue you run into using the fogs is that I wanted mine to turn the DRL's OFF (fog lights off) when I turn my headlights on but still be able to manually turn my fogs on in either low beam (factory), or high beam mode. You need to get fancy with relays to do that (or, I might be doing a Microcontroller setup in the future - but that's getting crazy).
The DRL Resistor is in the front of the truck. I tied into my fog light wiring with the switch using a relay. The difference however is that I'm HID's on my headlights and fog lights. If it's factory fog lights, you're backfeeding the circuit (although I don't believe it'll light anything else up). If you hook the park lights up, the problem you'll face is the signal light is shared and you'll backfeed the circuit likely turning your dash lights on (I have to confirm this).
If you want to do it with halo rings that are separately powered, this is not difficult at all. In fact, I think some of the kits may include the connections to already do it for you.
In your under-hood fuse box, you'll have a DRL relay + Diode, in the front of the truck you'll have the resistor. The resistor limits to around 80% voltage to dim the lights down slightly. With the HID's in the headlights, this does nothing but turn the controller on or off at full. WIth halo's, you'll likely want to bypass the resistor and pull the direct 12v line in. It's a simple, 12v in, roughly 10v out (I know, 14.5-13.5 running - I'm keeping this simple
haha).btw, I miss Vancouver (I worked for UBC and lived there for 5 years)! haha
Last edited by homer; Nov 25, 2014 at 12:42 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 736
Likes: 65
From: Edmonton, AB
Yes but I believe you need:
Under hood Fuse Box (should already be labeled but components missing):
- DRL Relay
- DRL Diode
Front:
- DRL Resistor
Personally I'm not a huge fan of the 04-08 F150 DRL system. Most DRL's can be disabled by engaging the e-brake (not ours) and some enable DRL's ONLY when the engine is running (not ours). Basically it's almost the same as hard-wiring to ignition on other than there's a resistor to dim the lights a bit.