I am planning to change out my headlight bulbs to LED in my Ranger. In reading the reviews there are quite a few stating the LED bulbs don't last, some say they went out within days of installing.

Would like some inputs from folks who have converted to LED and any information. Are they brighter than original? Do they last?

 

It depends on the vehicle really
Rangers/Ford uses PWM(pulse width modulation) for DRL(Daytime running lights), i.e. headlights are on all the time, PWM gives them 30% less power in daytime use
Some car makers use resistors for DRL to lower the voltage to headlights during the daytime

So you would need to use LED lights that are rated for PWM

If the new lights are higher Lumen rating then they will be brighter
LEDs tend to be a whiter/bluish light so often appear brighter even with same Lumen rating
Older style were white/yellow light

Never used them myself so can't recommend a brand or model number

 

Thanks RonD for your information. I will write a follow up after I install the new lamps. I will also give the type, model and other information.

 

I promised I would update this thread-----The LED lights will not fit my 96 Ranger even though the advertisement said they would fit. The problem comes when you try to get the cooling fan to go through the locking ring. The tabs that are needed to hold the original bulb in place will not allow the cooling fan unit on the LED lamps to pass through. Photos attached. I have sent a message to seller to get this corrected or money back.

 

I got some LED's very similar to those in your pictures. I had the same problem with the locking ring tabs. I ended up grinding/cutting them down so it would fit over. It holds, but one side is a little loose and I'll occasionally notice a rattle/flicker of light. I can fix it with new rings or something.

Btw.. they are very f'ing bright. the Hi/Lo function is barely noticeable, and with a reflector housing, its scatters light all over the place and people think you have your brights on. Since I can't flash them my brights and it be noticeable.. I installed a light bar on the bumper and hooked it to the high beam switch so I can say.. "see.. my brights weren't on, but now they are", lol. It's not perfect, but the light output I have is amazing.

 

Finally figured out how to get the LED bulbs to work. I had to break off the tabs you see in the retainer ring photo. With this done the cooling fan will pass through and allow the three tabs on the new bulb to pass the locking tabs. Once I got the new LED lamp inserted into the headlight housing I just slipped the locking ring over the LED cooling unit and locked the new light into place. Will have to go out after dark to see how they really work.

 

Good work

 

RonD--Thanks for the comment! Now I have to install high and low beam bulbs in my 2014 Sonata. It's not going to be as simple as the Ranger. It's got so much crap in the engine compartment I may have to use a cutting torch to get to the lamps!
I have to say this is one great forum Every question I have asked has been answered and the response time is fantastic. Other forums you have to wait 2-4 days before you get an answer.

 

I have Stark LED headlights in my 99 Ranger. I got them almost 4 years ago and I love them! Along with tinting my windows, it was the best dollar for dollar upgrades I have done. They are direct plug and play, no bulky heatsinks-cooling fan is so quiet that you can't hear it in the cab. The beam pattern provides even coverage with minimal hot/cold spots. I'd estimate that I can see about an extra 50-70 yards down the road, by that I mean actually see things (animals, trash cans, pot holes, etc) not just the reflection of my lights on road markers. They fill out the headlight housing nicely, however when just the low beams are on there is a some hot and cold spots. As long as you have them adjusted properly you will hardly ever have anyone high beaming you. My only complaint is the lack of a readily identifiable difference between high beam and low beam.

My recommendation is to get the newest generation of the Cougar brand LEDs. They can be found on Amazon. They are direct plug and play; no adapters, error cancelors, or other BS. I have them on another truck of mine and absolutely love them! They are worth every bit of the ~$40. I plan on switching my Ranger to the Cougar gen 4 LEDs with my next pay check.

Hope this helped.

 

DR--Thanks for the response and information. I got the LED lights installed in the 96 ranger, I just have not taken it out at night to see how they work. I will do so shortly. I now have to install them in my 2014 Sonata but we have had rain just about every day for the past two weeks and are supposed to get it for another week or so. And they say it never rains in southern california!!!!!

 

I did the replacement two months ago. Installed 9005 high beam and H11 low beam led bulbs for my 19 ranger. Let me tell you that it is a big upgrade in lightning performance. The lights are brighter, whiter and have the correct beam pattern. It's quite easy to install them, just pop the hood and you are able to swap the bulbs without any issues. It has been two months, so far the bulbs work way good, no issues at all and they are bright.
FYI:
9005 High beam: https://auxito.com/products/2019-ford-ranger?variant=36042684498072
H11 low beam: https://auxito.com/products/2019-ford-ranger?variant=41147945746584

 

I have had the same experience with those bulbs in my 2020 XLT Ranger. Excellent Upgrade. I still find turning corners in the dark less than comfortable. Fogs help a lot.

I have not had the same experience with the Auxito 9007 bulbs in my 2005 Ranger. Not happy with them. Still experimenting to see if it is fixable. The 2020 upgrade experience has spoiled me.