Ford Headlight

There are a variety of headlamps available for a vehicle, either mounted originally on your vehicle or sold on various aftermarket parts dealers. In North America, most headlights are of the sealed beam construction type. In this type of headlamp, the filament (or bulb), reflector and lens are fused together in a single, airtight unit. In European countries, sealed beam headlights are not allowed, and standard on most vehicles instead are the H4 halogen incandescent light bulbs. Other countries would also require daytime running headlights (DRLs) that provide low-bean headlights during the day and high-beam headlights at night.

Most new Ford vehicles come standard with automatic Ford headlights. This type of headlights automatically shifts light from low-beam to high-beam, depending on the lighting conditions at the moment you are driving your car. These headlights have integrated photo sensors that determine when to shift from low-beam to high-beam. The same specifications stand for most genuine replacement Ford headlamps, which are designed to function well with your vehicle and the electronic system it is equipped with.

• Parts that get easily damaged, such as Ford headlights, are easy to purchase and replace.
• Autolite was the official auto parts brand of Ford Motor Company until the early ‘70s. By 1972, Autolite became a separate entity, leaving Ford to create Motorcraft—it’s current parts manufacturing arm.
• Hella is an example of an OEM that supplies Ford with its headlights.
• There are three main differences between OEM and OE replacement headlights that you should know about. These are accessibility, variety, and cost.
• OEM and OE replacement parts are made functionally equivalent. At the same time, aftermarket parts companies have the capability to fix any issues or flaws that have been discovered in genuine parts
• Headlight designs and prices will vary depending on your vehicle’s year model. In general, an aftermarket headlight assembly replacement costs anywhere between $14 to 1,350. These are sold individually, in sets of two, or as part of a kit.

 
When you think of all-American trucks, the first automaker that comes to mind is Ford. From the highly successful F-series trucks to the iconic Mustang, it’s almost impossible to go on a drive without spotting another vehicle carrying the Blue Oval.

It’s such a trusted automaker that many people have a hard time parting with their beloved Ford vehicles. It’s a good thing that parts that get easily damaged, such as Ford headlights, are easy to purchase and replace.

Autolite was the official auto parts brand of Ford Motor Company until the early ‘70s. By 1972, Autolite became a separate entity, leaving Ford to create Motorcraft—it’s current parts manufacturing arm. Like other automakers, Ford also has a network of OEMs that supply them with parts and accessories that they don’t manufacture in-house. Hella, a German company that specializes in automotive lighting systems, is an example of an OEM that supplies Ford with its headlights.

There are three main differences between OEM and OE replacement headlights that you should know about. These are accessibility, variety, and cost.

Accessibility

An Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) supplies Ford with parts that they install on vehicles before rolling off the factory. Most of the time, these parts are only available through Ford dealerships and official parts retailers. The downside of choosing OEM parts is that if your part is not on-hand, you may be left waiting for days or weeks without being able to drive your vehicle.

An Original Equipment (OE) replacement part, on the other hand, is manufactured by any company that is not included in Ford’s official network of parts suppliers. As such, they can be purchased from any auto parts store. These parts are more readily available which means you can get back on the road faster if you choose an aftermarket headlight.

Variety

While OEM and aftermarket parts are functionally the same, the latter provides vehicle owners with more options in terms of style and functionality. Instead of sticking to stock parts, you can express your personality through your vehicle by choosing from a wider variety of OE replacement headlights. You may choose an aftermarket headlight with a different style of lens, upgrade to LED or HID lights, or select a chrome finish for an upscale look.

Cost

OE replacement parts are more cost-effective than their OEM counterparts. The sheer amount of aftermarket parts companies allows car owners to enjoy high-quality parts at competitive prices.

Absolutely! OEM and OE replacement parts are made functionally equivalent. This means OE replacement parts must at least fit and function at the same level as OEM. At the same time, aftermarket parts companies have the capability to fix any issues or flaws that have been discovered in genuine parts, so you won’t need to go through the trouble of having them replaced for the same problem later on.

Headlight designs and prices will vary depending on your vehicle’s year model. In general, an aftermarket headlight assembly replacement costs anywhere between $14 and $1,350. These are sold individually, in sets of two, or as part of a kit. To find the right one for your vehicle, just simply plug in your correct vehicle information in our built-in search tool. This will narrow down the results to all compatible parts.

Checking the condition of your Ford headlight from to time to time is a good practice, giving you the chance to find a problem before it finds you on a dark road at night. Your Ford headlight can dim over time, the lens contaminated by moisture or scuffed and scratched from wear. The Ford headlight often becomes dimmer when the bulb is growing weak, on the verge of failure. A dim Ford headlight may not pose too much of a problem on a city street, with an abundance of streetlights to illuminate your path, but venturing out to the dark rural roads with a weak Ford headlight beam can present quite a challenge. Driving in poor weather conditions with a Ford headlight that is not up to par can be quite hazardous. In a heavy downpour of rain or wind driven snow, you need all the visibility you can get, allowing you plenty of reaction time on the wet or slippery roads to avoid hazards. Finding a failed or dim Ford headlight is much safer in your driveway than discovering it the hard way in these types of conditions, struggling to see the road ahead. If you find that your Ford headlight requires replacement, changing it is quite simple for even the least mechanically inclined. In most late model vehicles, it is just the simple change of a bulb. In vehicles that use the sealed beam Ford headlight the process is slightly more difficult, requiring the replacement of the entire unit. We carry a selection of Ford headlight replacements in our online catalog, all at great low prices. Our secure site makes ordering your Ford headlight fast and easy or our toll-free phone line is just as convenient with our expert customer service to help you with your order.