Remember when getting RGB daytime running lights on a 2020 to 2022 Super Duty meant baking your headlights, opening the housings, and modifying everything by hand? Those custom builds were everywhere at SEMA, and they looked incredible. They also took a ton of work. Even worse, a trip through the car wash could ruin the setup. Thankfully, those days are over. Morimoto now offers all new headlights, including the XRGB with built in RGB daytime running lights. In this article, we’ll compare all three new options, stack them against the original Morimoto XB LED, and help you choose the best headlights for your truck. If you want to jump straight to the lineup, you can browse the Morimoto XB Evo Super Duty headlights right now.
Three New Headlights for the 2020-2022 Super Duty
Our goal is to make choosing the best aftermarket headlights for your Super Duty easy. Instead of comparing 10 or 15 different options, we’ve narrowed it down. The original Morimoto XB LED was one of the brightest and best headlights we ever tested. Compared to these new models, though, it feels outdated. The new lineup delivers the brightest headlights we’ve ever tested. They are still DOT compliant and backed by a 5 year warranty.
Morimoto did not release just one new headlight, they released three total. The entry-level option is the Morimoto XB Evo Hybrid. Then there is the Morimoto XB Evo, the top-of-the-line unit with a lot of cool features like a heater system. Finally there is the XRGB Evo, which has a daytime running light that can switch between all the different colors, controlled through a Bluetooth app. If you are shopping for other options first, take a look at the full range of Ford Super Duty aftermarket headlights we have tested.
The XRGB Evo and Its RGB Daytime Running Light
The daytime running light on the original headlights was very bright, but it does not look like the new headlights. That is because there is a new surface texture on the new daytime running lights that lets you look at it from any angle and it stays equally, consistently bright. On camera it actually looks way brighter than what you can see. That is a huge improvement over the original headlights.
The XRGB uses LED chips that are RGBWA, which means it does all of the colors, it is extremely bright, and it still has that beautiful amber or beautiful white daytime running light. That matters a lot. When you use the Bluetooth app and go to the scrolly icon on the right side, sliding it down illuminates the DRL to whatever key you plugged in on the back side. So if you had the green or the black key installed, sliding it down makes it illuminate amber, so you can drive down the road and not get pulled over.
Now for the honest part. You should not be driving around with the RGB effect cycling through colors. It is distracting, and it is no longer compliant. This is not a compliant headlight when you run the RGB colors. However, it is photometrically compliant, it does not produce any glare, and the output is the exact same as the other new headlights. It is simply the smoked side marker and the RGB daytime running light function that make it non-compliant. You can read more about the specific model on the manufacturer page for the Morimoto XRGB Evo Super Duty.
Swappable Turn Signal and DRL Keys
The turn signals operate differently on the new headlights. On the back side of the old Morimoto XB headlight, there was a little plug you either plugged in or unplugged to get a different turn signal, either standard blinking or sequential. With the XB Evo and the XRGB Evo, there are keys on the back side. There are four of them, and they just slap onto the back of the headlight. You do not have to remove the headlight to change them, and they are really easy to reach.
Unplug the old key, plug in a new one, and each color lets you customize the behavior. You can have a standard blinking turn signal, a sequential turn signal, a white daytime running light, or an amber daytime running light. The only one that will not let you change these is the Morimoto XB Evo Hybrid headlight. That one only fades from a white daytime running light to an amber turn signal, and it is only that fade off effect. You cannot choose a sequential turn signal on the Hybrid. That might be the deciding factor for you if that flexibility is something you want. You can compare the entry-level model directly by looking at the Morimoto XB Evo Hybrid headlights.
Light Output and the New Nichia Projectors
When the original XB Evo headlight came out for the Super Duty, it was one of the brightest headlights on the market. The projectors were impressive. But they are nothing compared to the new Nichia projectors inside these updated headlights.
Every model in the lineup uses the same projectors. Whether you choose the entry level option or the top of the line version, the light output is identical. You get the same width, the same low beam, and the same high beam.
We drove with these new Super Duty headlights last night, and the difference was obvious. We are not just blowing smoke. The beam is wider, brighter, and more comfortable to drive with.
Personally, we would rather have these on the front of a truck than the original XB Evo headlights, especially for long drives. We took our 2020 Super Duty to SEMA, which meant hours of late night driving. A comfortable headlight matters, and this new setup delivers.
New Headlights vs. Old Headlights: Beam Comparison
Side by side beam comparisons can look a little strange. There is a reason for that.
When you compare the old and new headlights on a wall, the projector output does not look dramatically different. The new headlights still use four vertically stacked projectors, just like the original XB Evo.
The difference comes from how those projectors are positioned and aimed. These headlights were designed to light up the road, not a wall from 20 feet away. Move the truck back about 100 feet, and the beam pattern tells a different story. On the road, you do not notice individual projector outputs. You notice better visibility, more width, and a more comfortable driving experience.
A Warmer Beam for Long Distance Driving
Color temperature also plays a big role in comfort. The original XB headlights have a slightly cooler, more blue hue. The new headlights produce a warmer beam with improved width.
That warmer output is easier on your eyes, especially during long drives. For a Super Duty owner hauling across the country, that extra comfort makes a big difference.
Startup Effects and the Supercharge Driver
The old headlight had one of the coolest startup features, chasing across the projectors. It does nothing for performance, but it is cool to let everybody know you have something awesome on the front of your vehicle. The higher-end new headlights from Morimoto also have a startup feature. The Hybrid version does not have a startup feature unless you install the Supercharge Driver.
The Supercharge Driver comes in its own box, and you can use basic hand tools to attach it on the back side of the headlights. It makes the headlight a lot brighter. However, because it is so bright, it is no longer DOT compliant, which is why it is for off-road use only. The coolest part is that if you bought it for the Hybrid headlight, it would unlock the scrolling effect, that startup feature, on that headlight. That is essentially where the Hybrid ends and where the new higher-end headlights have more features packed in.
The Built-in Heater System on the XB Evo
The top-of-the-line Morimoto XB Evo has a built-in heater system. The LEDs inside aftermarket headlights are so efficient that they do not get very hot. Remember, these housings were originally built for halogen bulbs, which get extremely hot, hot enough to melt snow and ice that builds up on the front of your headlights. LED aftermarket headlights do not get that hot, so if you live far north you need something like a heater system. We lived in Minnesota, and this was a real issue with ice and snow buildup.
To engage the heater, you flash your headlights four times, and it responds with either two flashes, which means yes, it is on, or one flash, which means it is probably not cold enough outside. You do not want to heat up the inside of the headlight housing in the middle of summer, or it would just burn up. These carry a 5-year warranty, just like the old ones did, because we want them to last a very long time. You can also find the flagship model at the manufacturer under the Morimoto XB Evo listing.
Durability, Hard Coating, and Visual Details
Speaking of lasting a long time, if you installed the original headlights back in 2020, six years ago, and you have left them outside through all those shows, you might notice they are getting a little weathered. The sun does ruin the front face of headlights. But not with the new headlights, because there is a new hard coating on them. Toyota holds the standard for this coating, and Morimoto surpassed that standard with a newly formulated hard coating on the front. These are going to last a very long time without sun damage or fading.
When the new headlights are off, you will notice the XRGB and the Hybrid look really similar because they are both blacked out on the inside. To tell the heater-equipped XB Evo apart, it has titanium shrouds, which in our opinion look a lot more premium than the plain black internals.
One more detail we noticed just standing there talking, look at the side marker. Both are LED, but the new one is so much bigger. It is much more obvious than the original Morimoto XB side marker.
Which One Should You Buy?
Long story short, these three headlights are the best on the market for the 2020-2022 Super Duty. They are the most refined, the safest, and the highest quality, they are going to last the longest, and they are a well-worth-it upgrade over the original Morimoto XB. Want the RGB show with app control? Go XRGB Evo. Prefer the heater system, titanium shrouds, and top tier features? XB Evo is the way to go. Looking for a clean entry point into the new lineup? Start with the XB Evo Hybrid. Whatever you choose, remember these are products we have truly tested for your Super Duty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What three new Morimoto headlights are available for the 2020-2022 Super Duty?
Morimoto released the XB Evo Hybrid (entry level), the XB Evo (top of the line with a heater system), and the XRGB Evo, which has RGB daytime running lights controlled through a Bluetooth app.
Do all three new Morimoto headlights have the same light output?
Yes, according to the video, all three headlights use the same new Nichia projectors and share the same light output, width, low beam, and high beam.
Can the turn signal and DRL colors be changed on the new Morimoto headlights?
On the XB Evo and XRGB Evo, four swappable keys on the back let you choose a standard blinking turn signal, sequential turn signal, white DRL, or amber DRL without removing the headlight. The XB Evo Hybrid only has a fixed white-to-amber fade and cannot use these interchangeable keys.
Is the XRGB Evo headlight DOT compliant when using RGB colors?
The video explains that while the XRGB Evo is photometrically compliant and produces no glare with output matching the other new headlights, using the RGB colors instead of the standard amber or white DRL makes it non-compliant due to the smoked side marker and RGB function.
What is the Morimoto Supercharge Driver and what does it do?
The Supercharged Driver is an add on module that mounts to the back of the headlight using basic hand tools. It significantly increases light output. Because of the added brightness, it is intended for off road use only. On the XB Evo Hybrid, it also unlocks the scrolling startup sequence.
Meet the Experts Behind Headlight Revolution
Chris Nelson – Founder
Before founding Headlight Revolution in 2011, Chris worked as an automotive install technician specializing in lighting, sound systems, and engine performance parts. He has personally tested thousands of lighting products and works directly with lighting engineers to evaluate the technical performance behind every recommendation.
Josh Beberg – Content Production Manager
Josh leads hands-on testing and content production at Headlight Revolution. From beam pattern comparisons to real-world installations, he works directly with lighting engineers to ensure every review is grounded in measured results, not marketing specs.
