Retrofit headlight and tail lights - DIY (OE Platinum LED version to XLT)

[emil_greus]

As mentioned in the title, the thread is meant to share our experience while trying to replace the entire headlight or taillight of our XLTs using OE Platinum donors (not only the bulbs replacement).

As reading the forum I see around a lot of posts related to replacement of the existing halogen bulbs (on XLT) with aftermarket LEDs. The solution is there, even are few good manufacturers identified.

I found a post where one of you guys mentioned that he purchase the Platinum ones but was not possible to be just installed plug-and-play and most likely some additional wiring are needed.

So, has somebody manage to do the replacement? Beside wiring, resistors some other modules are needed?

For me a great interest is for the tail lamps since I will need the yellow turn lights in case i will use the car in Europe.

Thank you all in advance!

 

[Cornbuzzard]

To achieve this you would need to make a jumper harness, and would need correct mating connectors that plug into the higher grade lamps.

 

[Lukewang01]

https://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/xlt-tail-lamp-led-upgrade.40409

I probably need to change that title.

I am curioused as well to know how can a yellow turn signal be installed. You better off with after market modules because platinum tail module only have red led in US I don’t know about Canada. I have tried with retrofit but because of the module I purchased was broken, I couldn’t finish the retrofit. I would like to continue the tests if I can get another one.

 

[emil_greus]

These are really good news - congratulations for your effort and knowledge. Lets hope you will manage to sort the things using XLT comfort module (computer).

Anyhow, really strange that in 2020 and at this price level Ford is still offering full halogen on his cars (I guess XLT is the most popular trim) and with no possibility to select the LED lights at least as optional...

 

[3tonsoffun]

@gixer2000 any insight? I know you’re the retrofit guru for 3rd gens

 

[Deadman]

The factory LED's aren't that impressive in my opinion, I personally wouldn't waste the money on that upgrade. Theres better ways to fix the lighting.....

 

[emil_greus]

Theres better ways to fix the lighting.....

As mentioned in the first post i am interested in the yellow turn light in the back.
I am sure in one-two years we will be able to find aftermarket tail lights with these characteristics, but today, the OEM seems the only way.
Please share with us the other better ways.

 

[3tonsoffun]

As mentioned in the first post i am interested in the yellow turn light in the back.
I am sure in one-two years we will be able to find aftermarket tail lights with these characteristics, but today, the OEM seems the only way.
Please share with us the other better ways.

Diode dynamics SL1 LEDs in projector housing is a way

 

[Deadman]

As mentioned in the first post i am interested in the yellow turn light in the back.
I am sure in one-two years we will be able to find aftermarket tail lights with these characteristics, but today, the OEM seems the only way.
Please share with us the other better ways.

Light bars, bulbs, etc. I look at headlights as light output, not appearance.

 

[Dz4193]

Diode dynamics SL1 LEDs in projector housing is a way

I tried those and they didn’t work unfortunately.

 

[sanman28]

I tried those and they didn’t work unfortunately.

View attachment 37261

Could you explain what happened here?

 

[Sunflowergirl]

Could you explain what happened here?

Yup he had the diodes pointing the wrong direction in the housing. Simple fix if he had read the instructions

 

[Ryan Cranford]

Yup he had the diodes pointing the wrong direction in the housing. Simple fix if he had read the instructions

I just installed the DD SL1 and have this same issue. What do I need to do? I read the instructions. Do I need to make sure the diode is adjusted to completely vertical? I didn't check that before install. Why would they be angled by default?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Sunflowergirl]

I just installed the DD SL1 and have this same issue. What do I need to do? I read the instructions. Do I need to make sure the diode is adjusted to completely vertical? I didn't check that before install. Why would they be angled by default?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes they should be at the 3 and 9 o clock position. I’m trying to find a video DD put out about adjust them

 

[Sunflowergirl]

I just installed the DD SL1 and have this same issue. What do I need to do? I read the instructions. Do I need to make sure the diode is adjusted to completely vertical? I didn't check that before install. Why would they be angled by default?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sanman28]

I just installed the DD SL1 and have this same issue. What do I need to do? I read the instructions. Do I need to make sure the diode is adjusted to completely vertical? I didn't check that before install. Why would they be angled by default?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Everything should be good to go out of the box, but yes they should orientate just like the factory bulbs....plug is down and diodes are left and right. My guess is that you dont have them fully seated in the housing. I know mine were a complete pita to get in.