You love your Ford F-150. Of course, you do. Everyone does. That’s why the Ford F-150 is the best-selling truck in America. And on this best-selling car, there is a best-selling trim. The XLT.
It’s spiffy, right? Here’s the thing about the XLT: its turn signal trim looks something out of the fifties. Cosmetically, it’s fine, but its signally is weak.
It’s an ineffective spec in a dangerous era. In this article, we take a look at how you can upgrade your Ford F-150 lighting so you can hit the roads safely.
Why it matters?
Oh, a cosmetic issue? You know how to make the best-selling trim in the best-selling truck better do you? Ford better hire you on the spot.
Ok, point made. Who are we to try and fix something that isn’t broken? Here’s the deal: turn signals are about a lot more than just how your car looks. This is how you state your intention to other drivers on the road.
You need it to stand out. Late-model Ford F-150 trim kits use dingy halogen bulbs. Not very prominent, especially in a world where you aren’t just stating your intentions on the road, you’re trying to make sure that Becky in the Prius can see what you are doing even as she sends her text message.
Turn signals are about safety. So, let’s upgrade, shall we?
The Lariat Model
The Lariat Model is a popular, and much more functional turn signal option available on the Ford F-150. It’s prominent in Europe, and with good reason. The lights stand out. They tell Becky on her phone in no uncertain terms what you intend to do.
So, let’s do it. You can’t put a price on safety, right?
Actually, you can. A quick online search for the Lariat Model turns signal gives you a price range of something to the tune of $900. Now, actual prices will depend on the day, but you see where we are coming from, right?
Outfitting the XLT trim with Lariat lights isn’t peanuts. But wait. We are shipping from Europe here. That can easily add $50-100 in shipping charges. Plus, a wiring kit, installation costs, and so on.
Things aren’t getting any cheaper. All totaled, the Lariat model hits you with a final price tag of something like $2000.
That’s a lot to spend on an F-150 that wasn’t cheap, to begin with. There has to be a better way! Ah, but there is!
Go LED
If you can’t drop $2000 on a turn signal for your Ford F-150, go LED. It’s easy. Take a look at your lightbulb specs, Google the LED alternative, and hit the purchase button.
You’ll find plenty of options, ranging in cost between $10-60. Change compared to what we were looking at with the Lariat but there we are.
Buy your preferred bulb, install it into your Ford F-150, and thank us when you have the time. But wait!
Avoid Hyper flashing
Hyper flashing means that your turn signal flashes faster than it is supposed to, signaling that the light needs to be changed. LED lights can trigger this error code accidentally when your F-150 incorrectly interprets that it doesn’t have enough juice for the bulb.
This happens because LED bulbs don’t draw as much power as their halogen alternative, which then upsets the timing.
Fortunately, there’s an easy fix.
Say it with us: load resistors. That’s the key to your LED light problem. It’s called a “balance resistor system.” You wire it in, and it replicates the behavior of your halogen bulb. Error message solved.
Alternatively, if you want to avoid the trouble of the installation, you can head to Undergroundlighting.com where they sell lights with balance resisters already installed. The installation is easy—take your old lights out and the new ones pop right in.
And there you have it. Your turn signal problem is solved, and it cost a heck of a lot less than $2000.