I finally swapped out my stock lights for vland f150 headlights , and truthfully, the difference is night and day. If you're still driving close to with those factory halogens, you understand specifically what I'm speaking about. They're fine to get a grocery run with 5: 00 EVENING, but the 2nd you hit the backroad in the particular rain, seems such as you're holding two weak flashlights away the window. Right after months of debating whether to drop the cash on an upgrade, I pulled the trigger on a set from Vland, and I actually possess some thoughts.
Let's be true to get a second: the particular F150 is the great truck, but Ford's lighting sport on the base and mid-tier trims continues to be lagging regarding years. When you see a high-trim Raptor or even a Limited rolling down the street with those sleek LED signatures, your standard reflectors start looking ancient. That's where the auto aftermarket comes in, and Vland is becoming one of the biggest titles in this space for a reason.
The First Impact: Aesthetic Overhaul
The first factor you notice regarding vland f150 headlights isn't really the light output—it's how much they alter the "face" of the truck. Most of these units come along with a blacked-out housing and those distinctive Y-shaped or C-clamp DRLs (Daytime Running Lights). It takes the truck from resembling a regular work vehicle to something that actually looks modern plus aggressive.
I opted for the smoked lens edition because I desired that stealthy look on my dark F150. I was a bit worried they could look "cheap" or like those ugly lights you notice on 20-year-old civics, however they actually feel quite premium. The particular plastics are thick, the seals appear solid right out there of the package, as well as the internal projectors look sharp.
Among my favorite features—and it's a bit of the party trick, I'll admit—is the start-up animation. If you open the truck or even turn the key, the LEDs try this little scanning sequence prior to settling in to the DRL mode. Does it make the truck quicker? No. Does it make me smile every time I stroll up to it in a parking lot? Absolutely.
Just how do They Actually Perform at Night time?
Alright, looks are great, however the main reason anyone should buy vland f150 headlights is usually to actually notice where they're heading. The jump from halogen to DIRECTED projectors is enormous. The beam pattern on these is much wider and it has a much crisper "cutoff" line compared to the factory lamps. This is huge because it means you aren't blinding everyone in the particular oncoming lane, yet you're still obtaining way more light on the shoulder blades from the road.
I've noticed that will the color temperature is a sharp white—usually around 6000K—which makes road indicators and lane markers pop way even more than the dingy yellow of the old bulbs. If you do a wide range of rural driving where deer are the constant threat, having that extra thickness within the beam may literally be the lifesaver. You catch those glowing eye in the ditch a split following earlier, and occasionally that's all the particular time you require.
That mentioned, you do need to spend some time aiming them correctly. Out of the particular box, mine were pointed a small too low, which is a common complaint. It's an easy repair using a screwdriver, yet it's something a person definitely need to do before you take your first long night trip.
The particular Installation: DIY or Pro?
I'm far from a master mechanic, but We can turn a wrench once i require to. Installing vland f150 headlights is marketed as being a "plug and play" process, and for the most part, this is. If you've got a 2015-2020 model, you're essentially just pulling the grille, unscrewing the housings, and cutting in the brand-new ones.
The wiring harness that Vland provides is normally pretty simple. You don't have got to bypass splicing wires or carrying out anything sketchy that will might void your warranty. However, "plug and play" doesn't always mean "five minutes and you're done. " Getting at the bottom bolts on an F150 headlamp requires pulling several of the fender trim and the front grille. This took me about 2 hours from start to finish, including the time We spent looking regarding the 10mm socket I inevitably decreased in to the engine gulf.
If you aren't comfortable using the front of your truck apart, any nearby shop could most likely knock it out in an hr. But honestly, if you have a basic tool set and also a Saturday morning, it's a rewarding task to do yourself.
Common Issues: Moisture and Durability
If you spend at any time upon F150 forums, you've probably seen people complaining about humidity inside aftermarket headlights. It's the Achilles' heel of budget-friendly lighting. With vland f150 headlights , it seems to be a bit of the hit-or-miss situation, yet it is possible to manage this.
Before I actually installed mine, I took a tube of clear silicon sealant and leaped an extra bead about the edge exactly where the clear zoom lens meets the black housing. It's a well used trick, but it works. So significantly, through several vehicle washes and some large thunderstorms, mine have got stayed bone dry. If you perform visit a little fogging, it's usually just condensation from temperatures changes, which frequently clears on the own through the particular built-in vents.
In terms of longevity, the particular LEDs themselves are usually rated for thousands of hours. The real question is usually the internal components like the particular sequential turn indicator boards. Vland has become much better over the years with their high quality control, but it's always a good idea to buy from an established vendor who offers a decent warranty in case a row of LEDs decides to quit on you.
Looking at Vland to the particular "Big Guys"
When you're searching at vland f150 headlights , you're unavoidably going to observe brands like Morimoto or AlphaRex. All those brands are fantastic, but they also cost twice—sometimes 3 times—as much because Vland.
Are Morimotos much better? Probably. They generally have better ULTRAVIOLET coating within the lenses and maybe a slightly more enhanced projector. But intended for the average vehicle owner who simply wants a better-looking rig and better visibility without investing $1, 500, Vland occupies an actually sweet spot in the market. A person get about 90% of the overall performance and style for any fraction of the price.
For me, the value proposition was what won me over. I couldn't warrant spending a month's rent on headlights, but the Vland price felt reasonable for the upgrade We were getting.
The Bottom Collection
So, are usually vland f150 headlights worth the particular hype? If you're sick and tired of your pickup truck looking like a bottom model and you're sick of squinting at the road each time the sun goes down, then yeah, they totally are.
They bring the particular F150 into the particular modern era with a look that matches the more recent models, and the particular functional upgrade in light output is definitely something you'll enjoy every single time you drive in night. Just be sure you take your time using the installation, close off them up in case you want in order to be extra secure, and spend these twenty minutes aiming them properly therefore you don't become "that guy" on the highway.
All in all, it's 1 of the almost all impactful mods a person can do for your truck. It changes the entire character from the vehicle through the front, plus unlike a new exhaust or a lift kit, it's a change that actually can make the driving encounter safer and much more comfortable. If you've been sitting within the fencing, I'd say proceed for it—your eyes will thank a person.