New to forum--need replacement headlights

[HBart]

Hello everyone. After 3 Navigators, I've switched to the Expy -- it seems to have most of the taste but fewer calories (tired of fixing air suspensions).

My new to me 2014 Ltd is mint except for the headlight housing which are clouded, and full of condensation. In shopping for replacements, I happened on the Spyder, Anzo, etc. projector units at astoundingly reasonably prices. I like the look, and I'd like better light output. I understand these aren't a substitute for custom retrofit, but if they're at least a lateral over stock units I'm fine.


I've searched this forum and online reviews, and seen a few opinions that these are fine, a few more that they're junk.

Question:

• Is there any difference between the various brands? They appear similar, perhaps different versions of the same Chinese unit? I'd (obviously) like to purchase a quality unit, although at those prices I'd be fine with a couple years of service. Any experiences or thoughts appreciated.
• On my vehicle, the fog lights and a marker bulb in the headlight assembly stay lit when switched in even in daytime Automatic mode. Is this the Ford implementation of DRL? How would that work with DRL equipped headlamp units?
• Assuming I go with Spyder or Anzo, anything I should know?

Excited to have found this forum Thanks very much!

 

[11henrs]

I have found that the aftermarket or style with clear front lense is better than a aftermarket halogen projector. You would have better luck if you used an aftermarket projector with an HID kit. The cheap projector is your limiting factor there.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[chuck s]

Ford didn't implement DRLs ever to my knowledge other than in Canada and maybe some fleet vehicles. Dealers denied it was even possible after delivery. Forscan software allows activation of DRLs and I set my '17 LED foglights to function as DRLs so perhaps this was done on your truck as well. No other "markers" though.

-- Chuck

 

[mjp2]

Regarding your first question, based on RockAuto's catalog the aftermarket stock-style headlights are all the same.

"Various Manufacturer product is sourced from manufacturers such as TYC Genera, TYG, DEPO (MaxZone), Kool-Vue, and Eagle Eyes. Sometimes our warehouse's inventory may have the same part from two or more manufacturers, which is why we cannot guarantee which brand you'll receive."

 

[The Wiped Cam]

Get the cheapo OEM style units from Amazon, and put the Philips Xtremevision +100 h13 bulbs in there. Those bulbs have a long break-in period (5+ hours each filament), but when you do finally break them in, you get brighter lights and longer lasting performance than the Silverstar Ultra (albeit with a yellower color temp). OR you can wait for the Auxbeam 4300K 8000lm h13 LED bulbs to become available within the next 20 days, and enjoy even more brighter lights with minimal cutoff bleed.

Those are your options if you'd like to retain the OEM look, but with brighter lights. I used to have a projector retrofit setup on my previous Expedition (FX-R 2.1 w/ Osram CBI D2S tubes @ 55w), but I still went back to the OEM setup because OEM facia looked cuter.

 

[lbv150]

Ford OEM is what I recommend.

 

[CaptOchs]

It depends. If you're looking for a cool look or a cheap upgrade then go Spyder. At 5-7 years they will probably be due for replacement. They will eventually get cloudy like the OEM, but probably sooner. That being said, I am not afraid to use them as I think they are pretty cool and offer a unique look. You can probably buy 2-3 sets for the cost of OEM. You can go projector or reflector. Projectors work best with brighter bulbs like HID/LED. You will need to properly aim them so you don't blind other drivers. Most of the time the headlights come aimed high. I have had some issues with not getting a wide enough beam with Spyder projectors, but that was a long time ago. I had to always keep fogs on to scatter light side-to-side while projectors beam forward. I recommend you look at LED instead of HID. I messed with HID for a couple of years. The ballasts and bulbs don't seem to last long. It required so much troubleshooting I kept spare kits and wiring. I was lucky to get 6 months before there was a problem. I have had LED for over a year now.


If you're looking for something beyond the 5-7 year mark, you would probably be looking at OEM. I'd check the local junk yard for OEM if you go that route. I kept my OEM lights in a box in the garage.

 

[ChrisRCNY]

I have a decent set of fan cooled LED h13 units in my own assemblies, but I'm looking at changing them out for projectors as one has a leak from the old police strobes.

 

[chuck s]

Which lights use H13 bulbs?

-- Chuck

 

[TobyU]

Get the cheapo OEM style units from Amazon, and put the Philips Xtremevision +100 h13 bulbs in there. Those bulbs have a long break-in period (5+ hours each filament), but when you do finally break them in, you get brighter lights and longer lasting performance than the Silverstar Ultra (albeit with a yellower color temp). OR you can wait for the Auxbeam 4300K 8000lm h13 LED bulbs to become available within the next 20 days, and enjoy even more brighter lights with minimal cutoff bleed.

Those are your options if you'd like to retain the OEM look, but with brighter lights. I used to have a projector retrofit setup on my previous Expedition (FX-R 2.1 w/ Osram CBI D2S tubes @ 55w), but I still went back to the OEM setup because OEM facia looked cuter.

Agreed! Factory are WAY too expensive. Get ebay or amazon and then figure out what bulbs you like best and aim them properly and you will have great light adn they will look GREAT for at least 1.5-2 years.
This is the minimum I have had any cheapies start to discolor or leak and draw moisture or get dark inside.
Most cars are really easy to replace so just pop new ones in when they get bad or put a new set in when you are ready to sell it.

I have gotten complete sets for under $100 before on some cars.

 

[Wintros]

I have replaced my stock cloudy reflectors with Eagle Eyes Projector Headlights and am very happy with the performance - the difference is like day and night.

 

[The Wiped Cam]

Previously in this thread I had mentioned an Auxbeam 4300k 8000lm LED product that was about to be released, but since I already have them now--I felt obligated to come back here and warn off other members from buying that fkng unit. It's NOT 4300k as advertised (more like 6000k), it has a horrendous beam spread (even though the cutoff is true to OEM), the highbeam has a great reach (albeit with an extremely fkd up spread), and they fail to light up the top left corner of the driver side beam. In fact, they fail so bad in the driver's side housing that the deers in your area would love to jump in front of you from the left just to seek an insurance payout.

I'm going to go ahead and stick the Philips Xtremevision +100 bulbs back in, and attempt to return that ungodly Fauxbeam unit. I don't think anything can light up an OEM housing (or an aftermarket halogen housing) the way Philips can.

EDIT: as an FYI, the bulbs do come with Can Bus adapters, but will still hyperflash the right indicators if they're in DRL mode (if you have the DRLs turned on using ********)

 

[chuck s]

EDIT: as an FYI, the bulbs do come with Can Bus adapters, but will still hyperflash the right indicators if they're in DRL mode (if you have the DRLs turned on using ********)

That ******** app you used hardware or software?

-- Chuck

 

[TobyU]

Classic!..... just classic!

 

[JExpedition07]

That ******** app you used hardware or software?

-- Chuck

 

[chuck s]

Gotta love auto spelling correction.

-- Chuck

 

[lbv150]

haha

 

[Papaboo]

Hello everyone. After 3 Navigators, I've switched to the Expy -- it seems to have most of the taste but fewer calories (tired of fixing air suspensions).

My new to me 2014 Ltd is mint except for the headlight housing which are clouded, and full of condensation. In shopping for replacements, I happened on the Spyder, Anzo, etc. projector units at astoundingly reasonably prices. I like the look, and I'd like better light output. I understand these aren't a substitute for custom retrofit, but if they're at least a lateral over stock units I'm fine.


I've searched this forum and online reviews, and seen a few opinions that these are fine, a few more that they're junk.

Question:

• Is there any difference between the various brands? They appear similar, perhaps different versions of the same Chinese unit? I'd (obviously) like to purchase a quality unit, although at those prices I'd be fine with a couple years of service. Any experiences or thoughts appreciated.
• On my vehicle, the fog lights and a marker bulb in the headlight assembly stay lit when switched in even in daytime Automatic mode. Is this the Ford implementation of DRL? How would that work with DRL equipped headlamp units?
• Assuming I go with Spyder or Anzo, anything I should know?

Excited to have found this forum Thanks very much!

I went the same way as you are and I finally said I am going to do it right . Go to this website , https://www.theretrofitsource.com/ and speak with them as to your wishes. They can refer you to their installers that will do it right. They referred me to someome in Tarpon Springs , FL, his name no kidding is Thirteen. He changed out the headlights with new projector headlights, fog lights, made the DRL's work, changed all the OEM lightbulbs to leds. It cost a few bucks but its done correctly and looks fantastic. My 2014 Limited lighting is as good or better than my wife's new Lexus. I can finally see the road lit up and can drive and not out drive the headlight range/distance. It was worth every penny. I had a chance to select any shroud (collar of lighting that fits around the projector body to finish the interior of the big headlight space. See my pictures posted . My wife just loves the way they look, so do I!!!

 

[07navi]

Hello everyone. After 3 Navigators, I've switched to the Expy -- it seems to have most of the taste but fewer calories (tired of fixing air suspensions).

My new to me 2014 Ltd is mint except for the headlight housing which are clouded, and full of condensation. In shopping for replacements, I happened on the Spyder, Anzo, etc. projector units at astoundingly reasonably prices. I like the look, and I'd like better light output. I understand these aren't a substitute for custom retrofit, but if they're at least a lateral over stock units I'm fine.


I've searched this forum and online reviews, and seen a few opinions that these are fine, a few more that they're junk.

Question:

• Is there any difference between the various brands? They appear similar, perhaps different versions of the same Chinese unit? I'd (obviously) like to purchase a quality unit, although at those prices I'd be fine with a couple years of service. Any experiences or thoughts appreciated.
• On my vehicle, the fog lights and a marker bulb in the headlight assembly stay lit when switched in even in daytime Automatic mode. Is this the Ford implementation of DRL? How would that work with DRL equipped headlamp units?
• Assuming I go with Spyder or Anzo, anything I should know?

Excited to have found this forum Thanks very much!

Navi's are HID and many don't have air suspension plus you could have thrown some springs in it. I think the 07 and later Navi's have optional rear only air bags. Just wondering why you went to Expy unless you like less bling.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

If you're going to go with Spyder, Anzo, Eagle Eyes, etc. take them apart and reseal them before you even mount them. If you mount them as they come from the factory, there's a 95% chance you're going to end up with condensation in them right out of the gate. If you decide to go HID, then do a proper retrofit with real projectors. Don't be one of these f'n idiots that puts HID bulbs in a reflector housing with one of the fake "projectors" that comes with the lights. It doesn't matter how you aim them - you will blind other drivers. The light will bounce unpredictably, so you may not blind the guy in front of you, but you'll blind someone. The "F**k You Lights" rocker (that is generally connected to every off-road light on the vehicle as a mains power switch) was made for these people.