Topic Sponsor
Lighting Come discuss all Ford F150 Lighting questions here!

Which LED is better?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-21-2017, 11:02 AM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
v8_STX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 232
Received 28 Likes on 23 Posts
Default Which LED is better?

Hi everyone,

I had bought some small LEDs intended to replace the side markers in my last vehicle. The mechanic, though, said that those LEDs weren't compatible with that car, and didn't put them in. I had completely forgotten about them, but when I sold that car to buy this truck, I found them in the glove box. It's way past the return date (bought at Pep Boys), but they seem to be pretty standard.

The question right now is: which pair is better for the rear license plate lights?

The second question is are there any other lights in my '17 STX that I could replace with the other pair?

I'm attaching photos of them but in case those don't work - one pair is from "Pilot" (a 194 style that fits 2825 and 168.. and seems to have a resistive adapter included) and has 5 LEDs per bulb. The other is Sylvania (a 2825 style that fits 194 - but no resistor, unless one's built in). They're both white lights. The Sylvania says 6000K, the Pilot just says "white".

But, which is better?
Attached Images   
Old 06-21-2017, 11:07 AM
  #2  
Mark
iTrader: (1)
 
techrep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Va. Beach, VA.
Posts: 36,868
Received 2,416 Likes on 2,117 Posts

Default

Either should work.. I would try the shortest ones first .. and those will work with the side markers too. The top ones are in my plate lights now.. work awesome.
Old 06-21-2017, 12:52 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
v8_STX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 232
Received 28 Likes on 23 Posts
Default

Ok, thank you. I'll probably put those in tonight or tomorrow, then.

Is it a good idea to have really bright side markers?
Old 06-21-2017, 01:11 PM
  #4  
Banned
 
230748's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,638
Likes: 0
Received 515 Likes on 451 Posts
Default

We don't have side markers on our trucks... the "side markers" listed on sites like Sylvania are actually the top corner markers in your headlights.

Both of those bulbs are just cheap 194 bulbs but I'd stick with the shorter ones for your licene plate as the 2015+ trucks have a very tiny license plate area... the bulbs we sell you sometimes have to sand slightly to make fit.

As for other bulbs on your '17 well do you have BLIS/LED Headlights?

If so You can't replace your rear brake/signal or reverse. You MAY be able to replace your 3rd cargo lights but you have to see if they used the LED housing or not there (some trucks have them, some don't).

IF you don't have BLIS then you can upgrade the rear turns/brakes and reverse which are big improvements over stock.

We list all of the available options for your truck under the VEHICLE SPECIFIC section on our site if you ever get confused on what bulb you need.
The following users liked this post:
v8_STX (06-21-2017)
Old 06-21-2017, 01:17 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
v8_STX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 232
Received 28 Likes on 23 Posts
Default

Thanks for a thorough answer! My truck doesn't have BLIS or LED headlights - so I've been looking at aftermarket for replacement lighting up front.

Replacing the "I'm backing up and will hit you" lights is a good idea! :-) Sounds like I have a project this weekend. I hope these aren't much more than a few screwdriver turns...
Old 06-21-2017, 03:23 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
2008__XL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Vermont
Posts: 5,785
Received 3,053 Likes on 1,684 Posts

Default

The pilot ones are junk. Sylvania Zevo are great leds. However, I wouldn't use a 6000k color temp for an amber side marker. That'll look pale orange and terrible.

You want to use the the same color led as the lense.
The following users liked this post:
v8_STX (06-21-2017)
Old 06-21-2017, 03:38 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
v8_STX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 232
Received 28 Likes on 23 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by 2008__XL
The pilot ones are junk. Sylvania Zevo are great leds. However, I wouldn't use a 6000k color temp for an amber side marker. That'll look pale orange and terrible.

You want to use the the same color led as the lense.
Thank you!

I was looking for this exact feedback!
Old 06-21-2017, 04:09 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
2008__XL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Vermont
Posts: 5,785
Received 3,053 Likes on 1,684 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by v8_STX
Thank you!

I was looking for this exact feedback!
Stick those in your license plate lamps though, you'll be impressed. Sylvaina makes these 194 Zevo in an amber version. Pick some of them up for your side markers.

The Zevo 3157 are also awesome as tail lights (red ones) and reverse (6000k).

I've tested many leds and have yet to find any that I'm happier with.

Buy them on eBay, they're much cheaper there.
The following users liked this post:
v8_STX (06-21-2017)
Old 06-21-2017, 04:29 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
v8_STX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 232
Received 28 Likes on 23 Posts
Default

Would those Pilots be an improvement over stock for the license plate lights?

Or just put the Zevos in there and find the 3157s for the reverse lights?
Old 06-21-2017, 04:34 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
2008__XL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Vermont
Posts: 5,785
Received 3,053 Likes on 1,684 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by v8_STX
Would those Pilots be an improvement over stock for the license plate lights?

Or just put the Zevos in there and find the 3157s for the reverse lights?
I wouldn't bother with those pilot lights. I tried them when they came out a couple years ago. The color is white, but they're not brighter than the stock incandescent bulbs. The zevos will definitely be brighter though.

Get the 3157 6000k White for reverse.
The following users liked this post:
v8_STX (06-21-2017)



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:01 PM.