If you own a 2017-2019 Ford Super Duty, you already know it is one of the most capable trucks on the road. Whether you are hauling equipment to the job site or pulling an RV across the country at night, your truck needs to perform. Unfortunately, the factory headlights on these trucks leave a lot to be desired. The stock halogen reflectors produce a dim, narrow beam pattern that makes nighttime driving uncomfortable, and even the OEM LED option is surprisingly unrefined. Fortunately, Morimoto has released three headlight options specifically designed for your Super Duty that completely transform your nighttime visibility. In this article, we break down the features, performance scores, and real-world driving experience of the Morimoto XB Evo headlights for the 2017-2019 Ford Super Duty.
Three Morimoto Headlight Options for Your Super Duty
Morimoto offers three distinct headlight models for the 2017-2019 Super Duty, and each one shares the same outstanding Bi-LED projector setup. As a result, you get identical light output performance regardless of which model you choose. The difference comes down to features and price point.
Morimoto XB Evo Hybrid
The XB Evo Hybrid is the most affordable option in the lineup. It delivers the same Bi-LED projector performance as the more expensive models, but with a few features stripped out. For instance, the daytime running light only operates in white, and the turn signal uses a standard fade-off effect rather than a sequential animation. In addition, the Hybrid does not include the frost-free heating system, and the internal shrouds are completely black instead of featuring the titanium accents found on the higher-end models. If you want the best light output at the most accessible price, the Hybrid is an excellent choice.
Morimoto XB Evo
The Morimoto XB Evo is the sweet spot of the lineup. This headlight includes the frost-free heating system, which activates when you flash your high beams four times at temperatures below 41 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, the lens surface stays clear during snowy and wet winter conditions, ensuring consistent performance when you need it most. Moreover, the XB Evo features signal swap keys that allow you to toggle between a standard fade-off turn signal and a sequential scrolling effect. Titanium accents inside the housing give these headlights a premium look that complements the aggressive styling of the Super Duty.
Morimoto XRGB Evo
For enthusiasts who want the ultimate in customization, the Morimoto XRGB Evo adds an RGBWA daytime running light to the XB Evo package. You can control the DRL color through the Morimoto Bluetooth app on your phone, cycling through any color you like. However, the RGB DRL is not DOT compliant for on-road use in the United States, so most owners use the app to set a solid white or amber tone for daily driving. The side markers on this model are smoked instead of amber, which gives the headlight a cleaner aesthetic. Beyond the DRL, the XRGB Evo shares all the same features and performance as the standard XB Evo.
Bi-LED Projector Performance: Why These Headlights Dominate
What truly sets the Morimoto XB Evo apart from the competition is its Bi-LED projector system. All three Super Duty headlight models use four Bi-LED projectors per headlight, meaning each projector handles both the low beam and high beam functions. This dual-function design eliminates the need for separate high beam optics and creates a remarkably wide, powerful beam pattern.
The projectors are stacked vertically within the housing, which means they may look slightly separated when you are standing close to a wall. However, the projectors are engineered to converge at approximately 30 meters, which is the distance that matters most when you are driving down the road at night. At that range, all four projectors merge into a single, incredibly bright and crisp beam pattern with a clean cutoff line that prevents blinding oncoming traffic.
Each projector is driven at approximately 25 percent potency to remain within DOT compliance intensity limits. Even at this conservative power level, the light output significantly outperforms both the stock halogen and OEM LED options. For off-road enthusiasts, Morimoto also offers an optional Supercharged Driver that boosts brightness by an additional 30 percent, making these the single brightest headlights available for the Super Duty platform. Keep in mind that the Supercharged Driver pushes intensity beyond DOT compliance levels, so it is intended for off-road use only.
Light Output Test Results: Stock vs. Morimoto XB Evo
At Headlight Revolution, we use the Morimoto Multi-Point Testing System to objectively compare headlights. This system measures eight specific points on a test wall to evaluate low beam distance, high beam intensity, and beam width. Here is how the stock headlights stack up against the XB Evo.
Stock Halogen Reflector Headlights
The factory halogen setup uses two H13 bulbs in a dual-reflector design. The upper reflector handles the focused hotspot, while the lower reflector provides wider flood coverage. Although the low beam offers reasonable center-road coverage, it lacks distance and high beam performance is severely underwhelming. The test scores tell the story clearly:
- Low Beam Distance: 6.5
- High Beam: 3.2
- Width: 5.1
- Overall Rating: 3.3
OEM LED Headlights
Surprisingly, the factory LED headlights performed even worse than the halogen option in our testing. The low beam produces a large, bloblike hotspot with a weak gradient that is heavily foreground-weighted. While the separate high beam adds some intensity, the overall beam pattern is unrefined. For factory optics on a premium truck, this is disappointing:
- Low Beam Distance: 1.3
- High Beam: 5.6
- Width: 2.2
- Overall Rating: 3.1
Morimoto XB Evo Headlights
The XB Evo delivers a dramatically better driving experience. The dual Bi-LED projectors create a well-balanced beam with excellent distance range visibility and advanced optics. The upper and lower projector pairs achieve their convergence at the 30-meter target, producing a wide and powerful beam pattern that makes long-distance nighttime driving genuinely comfortable:
- Low Beam Distance: 6.5
- High Beam: 6.9
- Width: 4.8
- Overall Rating: 6.9
Morimoto XB Evo with Supercharged Driver
When you install the optional Supercharged Driver, the results are even more impressive. Although this configuration exceeds DOT compliance limits and is intended only for off-road use, it demonstrates the full potential of these projectors:
- Low Beam Distance: 7.8
- High Beam: 10.1
- Width: 6.7
- Overall Rating: 8.8
The Frost-Free System: Cold Weather Performance
One of the most practical features of the Morimoto XB Evo and XRGB Evo is the frost-free heating system. During winter months, headlight lenses can accumulate frost and condensation that significantly reduces light output. The frost-free system uses an internal heater that warms the lens surface to prevent this buildup.
To activate the system, simply flash your high beams four times when the outside temperature drops below 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Once activated, the heater keeps the lens clear throughout your drive. This feature is particularly valuable for Super Duty owners in northern climates who use their trucks for early morning commutes, job site work, or long-haul towing during winter months. It is worth noting that the XB Evo Hybrid does not include this feature, so if you regularly drive in cold weather, the standard XB Evo or XRGB Evo is the better choice.
Installation and Compatibility
All three Morimoto headlight models for the 2017-2019 Super Duty are designed as a plug-and-play replacement. They use factory mounting points and multi-pin connectors, so there is no cutting, splicing, or modifying your truck’s wiring harness. The headlights are compatible with both the OE halogen and OE LED truck configurations.
If you currently have the factory halogen headlights, you might also want to consider the Super Duty OEM LED Conversion Harness, which upgrades your truck’s wiring to support LED headlights without any permanent modifications. Additionally, every Morimoto headlight in this lineup comes with a 5-year warranty backed by the team in Atlanta, so you can install with confidence.
Complete Your Super Duty Lighting Upgrade
While upgrading your headlights makes the biggest impact on nighttime visibility, the 2017-2019 Super Duty has several other lighting positions that benefit from LED upgrades. Headlight Revolution offers HR Tested kits for every bulb position on your truck, ensuring guaranteed fitment and performance.
Consider pairing your new Morimoto headlights with these complementary upgrades:
- LED Front Turn Signal Bulbs: GTR Lighting Armor Series bulbs with included load equalizing resistors to eliminate hyperflash.
- LED Tail Light Upgrade: A 4-bulb kit that delivers instant-on brake lights with up to 100 percent more intensity than stock.
- LED Reverse Light Upgrade: GTR Ultra Reverse Bulbs that project light from all sides for maximum rearward visibility.
- Morimoto LED Third Brake Light: A direct replacement that adds modern LED styling to the rear of your truck.
You can browse the full selection of Ford Super Duty lighting upgrades at Headlight Revolution to build out your complete lighting package.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Morimoto XB Evo headlights DOT compliant for 2017-2019 Ford Super Duty?
Yes, the Morimoto XB Evo and XB Evo Hybrid headlights are fully DOT compliant and follow all FMVSS 108 standards for on-road use in the United States and Canada. The XRGB Evo model with the RGB DRL is not compliant for on-road use due to the color-changing feature, although setting the DRL to white or amber through the Morimoto app makes it functionally similar to the standard models. The optional Supercharged Driver also exceeds compliance limits and is intended for off-road use only.
Will the Morimoto XB Evo headlights fit my Super Duty if it came with factory LED headlights?
Yes, all three Morimoto headlight models for the 2017-2019 Super Duty are compatible with both the factory halogen and factory LED configurations. They use a plug-and-play design with factory multi-pin connectors, so installation does not require any cutting or splicing of your truck’s wiring harness.
How do the Morimoto XB Evo headlights compare to the stock halogen headlights on the Super Duty?
The Morimoto XB Evo headlights scored an overall rating of 6.9 in our Multi-Point Testing, compared to just 3.3 for the stock halogen reflectors. That represents more than double the overall performance, with significant improvements in low beam distance, high beam intensity, and beam width. The driving experience at night is dramatically more comfortable and safer with the XB Evo headlights installed.
What is the difference between the Morimoto XB Evo and the XB Evo Hybrid for the Super Duty?
Both models use the exact same Bi-LED projectors and produce identical light output. The main differences are in the extra features. The XB Evo includes a frost-free heating system, signal swap keys for choosing between fade-off and sequential turn signals, and titanium interior accents. The Hybrid has a white-only DRL, fade-off-only turn signal, no frost-free system, and all-black internal shrouds. If you live in a cold climate, the frost-free system on the XB Evo makes it worth the upgrade.
Do the Morimoto XB Evo headlights come with a warranty?
Yes, all three Morimoto headlight models for the 2017-2019 Super Duty come with a 5-year warranty supported by the Morimoto team in Atlanta, Georgia. This covers manufacturing defects and ensures you can upgrade with confidence knowing your investment is protected for years to come.
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.
