GTR Lighting has just released another LED headlight housing for their ever-growing line of Carbide Series headlights; this time it is for the 2009-2014 Ford F-150. GTR Lighting’s Carbide Series has marked an affordable alternative to hot brands like Morimoto and AlphaRex while providing OEM+ performance.
These fully LED housings feature all the bells and whistles that you come to expect with premium aftermarket LED headlights. A while back we tested a number of aftermarket LED headlights for the F-150 against the stock reflector headlights, we found that the AlphaRex Nova and Morimoto XB or XB Hybrid LED headlights were the ones to buy, but maybe this one can take the crown?
Immediately upon seeing these, you see the tri-LED projectors that act as the low beam for the headlights. When you go to the high beam, the fourth LED projector turns on. You also have the dramatic Daytime Running Light (DRL) that dims to 50 percent brightness when you turn on your headlights.
Between the low beams and the high beams, you have an amber sequential turn signal that cuts across the center of the headlight housing. Much like the Morimoto XB LEDs, these lights use a UV-resistant coated polycarbonate lens to protect them from any wear from the Sun. The rear of the housing is also built with quality materials to protect it from the elements.
GTR Lighting has also gotten these compliant with all DOT, SAE, FMVSS108 Standards. They are also available with either a clear side marker or an amber side marker (required for DOT compliance). The design of these lights is incredibly modern and these are hard to beat with the style combined with their performance.
Speaking of performance, we put these lights to our usual test. First, we pull our truck into the garage and park it perpendicular to the wall at 25 feet. To gauge the brightness of the light, we run a digital Lux meter across the beam pattern in search of the brightest point. This is not 100 percent accurate to real-world performance, but it will give you a good idea of how bright these headlights are.
As the benchmark, we tested the OEM halogen headlights from the F-150/Raptor. We tested these at 210 max. Lux on the low beam and 390 max. Lux for the high beam. This is about average for OEM headlights and should be expected when testing new stock headlights.
For the GTR Carbide LED headlight, we tested it at 540 max. Lux, a 157 percent brightness. That is a huge increase in brightness and the expanded width of the beam pattern will do well for your visibility. You also cannot ignore the crisp beam pattern and stepped design, meant to prevent glare for oncoming drivers.
On high beams, these are 189 percent brighter (1130 max. Lux) than the stock high beams. You still get that incredible beam pattern shape and width, but this time with more height. That fourth projector comes on to give you tons of down-range visibility and extra perspective while you are driving.
As standard for GTR Lighting’s various LED headlight housing, the Carbide Series headlight for the ’09-’14 Ford F-150 comes with stock mounting points. This will make mounting the headlight incredibly easy. No need to cut up pieces or do any DIY maintenance to get these to fit your truck.
It is the same case for the wiring. GTR Lighting ensured their Carbide Series headlights are equipped with the same connectors as your OEM headlights. These headlights are fully plug-and-play; with the only wiring needed to be done being for the DRL harness.
Tools Needed for the Job:
Impact/Ratcheting Wrench
Phillips Head Screwdriver
10mm Socket
To begin, lift the hood and use a Phillips head screwdriver to undo the cover on the interior side of the headlight.
Grab your 10mm socket and remove the top two bolts. A third is on the front-facing side of the headlight.
Pry the headlight away from the truck by pulling toward you. Ours came off easy due to its age, but if you have never removed your headlights, the two pins on the outer edge of the headlight will give you a bit of a challenge.
Unplug the main headlight bulb, the side marker bulb, and the turn signal bulb.
Open your fuse box and pull the red T10 fuse (fuse number 77) and plug in the DRL harness. Run the wring off the right side of the fuse box, toward the driver’s side of the car. Your fuse box should be able to fully close this way.
Run the longest portion of the DRL harness to the driver’s side headlight, and the shortest wire to the passenger side headlight. Tuck the wire under the bracing of each headlight mount.
Connect your Carbide Series headlight connectors to the truck. Reapply the same screws to remount the headlight to the truck.
Repeat for both sides.
Be sure to test all functions of the light so you can know if they work as intended before finishing the job.
These Carbide Series LED headlights are a must-do when it comes to modifying your F-150’s headlights. If you are looking to touch up the rest of your truck’s lighting, check out our video here where we discuss side markers, turn signals, fog lights, reverse lights, and much more!
If you are more of a visual learner, check out our video where we take you step by step on installing these GTR Lighting Carbide Series LED headlights for the 2009-2014 Ford F-150. While you are there, make sure to like and subscribe to our channel for the latest lighting upgrades for your vehicle.
Have any questions about one of the products we mentioned? Contact us today, and our customer service team would be happy to help.