If you own a 2020 and up Ford Super Duty with those weak stock halogen headlights, you already know how frustrating night driving can be. We spent time testing and installing the Morimoto XB LED headlights in the white DRL version on an F-250, and the difference is honestly night and day. In this guide we will walk through every feature these headlights offer, show you the real lux numbers, and take you through the full install so you know exactly what you are getting into before you tackle your own Ford Super Duty aftermarket headlights upgrade.
Why We Upgraded from Stock Halogen
The stock halogen setup on the Super Duty leaves a lot to be desired. The low beams throw a typical reflector-style beam pattern that just does not put light where you need it, and once the sun goes down you feel that lack of output. When we swapped in the Morimoto XB headlights, the crisp cutoff and the dramatically higher lux numbers made the whole truck feel safer to drive after dark. These are the Morimoto XB Hybrid LED headlights for the 2020+ Super Duty, and they fit the F-250, F-350, and F-450 Super Duty models from 2020 and up.
Quad Projectors and the Bi-LED High Beam
The standout feature here is the projector setup. Each headlight uses quad projectors for the low beams, so when you flip on your low beams you have eight LED projectors total illuminating the road. When you switch over to the high beams, the two lower projectors open up, turning the system into a bi-LED setup. That means you are getting maximum light throw exactly when you need it, whether you are cruising city streets on low beam or lighting up a dark back road on high.
That crisp beam pattern is one of the first things we noticed when we powered these on. Compared to the muddy, uneven halogen output, the XB projectors lay down a clean, defined pattern that keeps the light on the road where it belongs.
A Modern Piano Black Look
Looks matter, and the XB headlights deliver on that front too. The stock chrome housing gets replaced with a beautiful piano black finish that gives the Super Duty a much more modern, aggressive look. It is a simple change on paper, but it transforms the entire face of the truck.
Every time you start the truck, you also get a unique Morimoto startup sequence. It is a small animation that plays on each startup, and it adds a nice touch of personality that lets everyone know these are not your factory headlights. If you want to compare styling and options across other trucks, take a look at the full lineup of Morimoto XB LED headlight assemblies.
Parking Light, Turn Signal, and the White DRL
The parking light has a built-in LED system, and the turn signal gives you options. You can run either a sequential turn signal or a standard turn signal depending on whether you plug in that connector during the install. With the white version, once the turn signal is done blinking, it turns back to the white DRL.
Around the perimeter of each headlight is a fully functional DRL system. When your headlights are off, the DRL stays on throughout the day showing that clean white glow. Once you turn on your low or high beams, the DRL dims down by 50 percent so it does not wash out the projector output. It is a simple, well thought out system that keeps you looking good during the day and functional at night.
The Numbers That Matter: Lux Output
At the end of the day, the most important thing about new headlights is that they need to be brighter than what you are replacing. In our testing, the Morimoto XB headlights blow the stock halogens out of the water. The stock halogen low beams come in at just 340 maximum lux, which is not a lot of light. Flip on the XB low beams with those four LED projectors and you hit 1070 max lux, making them 214 percent brighter than stock.
The high beams tell a similar story. Stock halogen high beams come in at a measly 510 maximum lux, while the XB high beams reach 1270 maximum lux, which is 149 percent brighter than stock. If you want to dig deeper into the data, there is a great lux comparison of the OEM LED headlights versus Morimoto’s XB LEDs that breaks the numbers down even further.
Tools You Will Need
Before you start, gather your tools. For this install we used a flashlight, a ratchet of your choice, an 18 millimeter, 15 millimeter, 13 millimeter, and 10 millimeter socket, extensions of your choice, wedge tools, some form of a pick, and needle nose pliers. Having everything laid out ahead of time makes the whole job go a lot smoother.
How to Install the Morimoto XB Headlights
Step 1: Remove the Grille and Covers
First things first, pop your hood open. With the hood up, remove the 14 push clips on top of your grille cover, then lift up on the grille cover and radiator cover to remove it up and out of the way. Next, remove the six 10 millimeter bolts on the very top of your grille using a 10 millimeter socket.
Then remove the plastic trim piece using a plastic wedge tool, prying up behind it and lifting up and off. Do the same on the passenger side. That cover coming off exposes two 10 millimeter bolts beside your headlight and underneath your grille area, so get those out. Depending on your year and model, you may also have a 10 millimeter bolt on the side of your headlight connecting to the grille, so remove that if present.
Step 2: Detach the Grille
Use a wedge tool underneath the headlight to pry up and out until you hear a slight pop. There are four clips at the base of the grille, so use your pick to pull the grille up and off and push those clips down to disconnect. Once the grille is loose, disconnect your camera and washer motor, then set the grille off to the side.
Step 3: Lower the Bumper if Needed
Depending on your Super Duty, you may need to lower the bumper to access a bolt underneath the headlight. Start by removing the plastic trim piece with a wedge tool. Then loosen (do not remove) the four 18 millimeter bolts, and loosen the two 15 millimeter bolts at the back inside the fender wheel. With the bumper lowered, remove the 13 millimeter bolt underneath the front fender using an extension and a 13 millimeter socket.
Step 4: Remove the Stock Headlight
Move up to the top two 10 millimeter bolts on the very top of your headlight and remove those. Now you can pull the headlight up and then toward you just a smidge. Keep in mind there is a small rubber piece at the base of the headlight that you need to lift up and over. Pull the headlight toward you, disconnect the rear harness, and set your OEM unit aside.
Step 5: Install the DRL Harness
Take the fuse tap end of your DRL harness and place it into the fuse box. Remove the fuse box lid, pull the fuse being replaced, and swap in the DRL fuse. Put the cover back on, then run your DRL harness starting with the passenger side (the shorter side) and then the longer side to the driver side. You can tidy the harness up now or at the very end.
Step 6: Install the New Headlights
Plug your OEM harness into the back side of the XB headlight and connect all the connectors. If you want the sequential turn signal, keep that connector plugged in. If you prefer a standard turn signal, leave it unplugged. In our case we kept it plugged in for that nice sequential effect. Slide the headlight into place, line everything up the way it was, and before buttoning everything up, run through all the headlight functions to confirm everything works.
And just like that, your Morimoto XB headlights are installed, upgrading your headlight game and letting you drive a little safer at night. If you have done a similar swap before, you might recognize the process. Our step-by-step Morimoto XB install guide for a Ram 1500 covers a comparable job on a different platform if you want more reference points.
Rounding Out Your Super Duty Lighting
Once you have the headlights handled, it makes sense to think about the rest of your lighting. Adding matching XB LED fog lights for your F-250 is a natural next step to complete the front-end look and improve visibility even further. And if you want to see everything available for your truck in one place, browse the complete shop-by-vehicle lighting selection for the Ford Super Duty.
Final Thoughts
After testing and installing these ourselves, we can say the Morimoto XB LED headlights are one of the most complete upgrades you can make to a 2020 and up Super Duty. You get the quad projector low beams, the bi-LED high beams, the piano black housing, the startup animation, a flexible turn signal setup, and a white perimeter DRL that dims when the beams come on. Combine all of that with the huge jump in lux output and it is easy to see why these are such a popular choice for anyone looking to leave those stock halogens behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What vehicles fit the Morimoto XB Super Duty headlights?
They fit the F-250, F-350, and F-450 Super Duty models, 2020 and up.
How much brighter are the Morimoto XB low beams than stock?
Stock halogen low beams measure 340 max lux while the Morimoto XB low beams reach 1070 max lux, making them 214 percent brighter.
Do the Morimoto XB headlights have a bi-LED high beam?
Yes, the two lower projectors open up when you switch to high beams, creating a bi-LED system that outputs 1270 max lux, 149 percent brighter than stock.
Can I choose between sequential and standard turn signals?
Yes, the harness lets you run either a sequential turn signal or a standard turn signal depending on whether that connector is plugged in.
What does the DRL do when the headlights are off?
The perimeter DRL stays on and shows white throughout the day, then dims by 50 percent once the low or high beams are turned on.
Meet the Experts Behind Morimoto
Jimmy Nguyen – Engineering Manager
Jimmy leads engineering at Morimoto, bringing experience across customer support, supplier management, design engineering, and validation testing. His work ensures Morimoto lighting systems are engineered for real-world reliability and long-term performance.
Mike Hicks – Quality Control Manager
Mike oversees quality assurance at Morimoto, with a background spanning returns testing, RMA analysis, vendor quality control, and manufacturer scorecards. His focus is continuous improvement and accountability across the product lifecycle.
