If you own a 2020 and up Ford Super Duty riding on those weak stock halogen headlights, we have something you are going to want to see. In this article we are breaking down the new Morimoto XB LED headlights in the amber version, covering everything from the quad projector low beams to the full DRL system, and then walking you through the complete install we did in the shop. These are some of the best Ford Super Duty aftermarket headlights we have gotten our hands on, and by the end of this you will know exactly what they do and how to put them on your truck.
What the Morimoto XB Headlights Bring to Your Super Duty
First things first, fitment. These headlights fit the F250, F350, and F450 Super Duty. If you have any of those trucks from the 2020 and up model years, you are in the right place. We tested these on a truck that came with the factory chrome housings and stock halogen bulbs, so we had a perfect baseline to compare against.
One of the standout features is the quad projector setup for your low beams. When you flip on your low beams, you have in total eight LED projectors illuminating the way (four per side). When you switch to your high beams, the two lower projectors open up, making it a bi-LED system as well. That is a serious amount of projector hardware compared to the single reflector bulb you get from the factory.
Looks and Lighting Details
The look is a very nice upgrade. You go from that dated chrome housing to a beautiful piano black finish, giving the front end a much more modern look. On top of that, these have a unique Morimoto startup sequence, so every time you start up your truck you get an awesome animation. It is a small touch, but it is the kind of thing that makes the Morimoto XB headlights feel like a premium upgrade rather than just a bulb swap.
The parking light has a built-in LED system as well, and you have the option of running a sequential turn signal or a standard turn signal. We will cover how you choose between those two during the install, because it comes down to a single connector you either plug in or leave unplugged.
The Full Perimeter DRL
Around the perimeter of the headlight is a fully functional DRL system. What that means is when your headlights are off, your DRL stays on throughout the day. Once you turn on your low or high beams, the DRL dims down by 50 percent. It is a clean, functional daytime look that also does the job of a running light without washing out your beams once you are actually driving at night.
How Much Brighter Are They? We Measured It
The most important feature of any new headlight is simple: it needs to be brighter than your old one. In our case, these blow the stock headlights out of the water with their light output. We pulled out the lux meter and measured everything so there is no guessing involved.
Starting with the low beams, the stock halogen came in at just 340 maximum lux, which is not a lot of light, and the beam pattern looked like your typical reflector halogen mess. Flip on the Morimoto XB low beams with those four LED projectors and you immediately see the difference with a crisp, defined beam pattern. The XB low beams came in at 1070 max lux, making them 214 percent brighter than stock.
The high beams tell a similar story. The stock halogen high beams only came in at a measly 510 maximum lux. With the Morimoto XB, the high beams measured 1270 maximum lux, which is 149 percent brighter than your stock halogen. Put simply, these headlights keep you looking good during the day and safer at night with the ability to actually see what is ahead of you. If you want to compare these against other options for your truck, it is worth browsing through the range of F250 F350 F450 headlights to see how the numbers stack up.
Tools You Will Need
Before we get into the step by step, gather your tools. For this install we used a flashlight, a ratchet of your choice, an 18 millimeter, a 15 millimeter, a 13 millimeter, and a 10 millimeter socket, extensions of your choice, wedge tools of your choice, some form of a pick, and a pair of needle nose pliers. Nothing exotic here, just standard hand tools.
How to Install the Morimoto XB Headlights
Step 1: Open the Hood and Remove the Grille Cover
Pop the hood open. With the hood up, remove the 14 push clips that sit on top of your grille cover. Once all those push tabs are out, lift up on the grille cover and radiator cover and remove it up and out of the way.
Step 2: Remove the Grille
With the grille exposed, remove the six 10 millimeter bolts along the very top of your grille using a 10 millimeter socket. Next, remove the plastic trim piece on the Super Duty. Depending on your model, this may be a longer trim piece or a smaller plastic piece, but either way you wedge a plastic tool up behind it and lift it off. Do the same on the passenger side. That cover coming off exposes two more 10 millimeter bolts beside your headlight underneath the grille area, so get those out too.
Depending on your year and model, you may have an additional 10 millimeter on the very side of your headlight connecting to the grille. If it is there, remove it. Then use a wedge tool to pry the grille up and out, working the area right underneath the headlight until you hear a slight pop. There are four clips at the very base of the grille. Use your pick, pull the grille up and off, then push those clips down to release them. Finally, disconnect your camera and the washer motor connectors and set the grille off to the side.
Step 3: Lower the Bumper (If Needed)
Depending on your Super Duty, you may or may not need this step. In our case we did. Underneath the headlight on the very side there is a bolt you need to remove, but the bumper sat a touch too high, so we had to lower it. Start by removing the plastic piece right there with a wedge tool, prying up and pulling it out.
With that plastic trim out of the way, loosen the four 18 millimeter bolts. Do not take them out, just loosen them. Then go to the very back inside the fender wheel and loosen the two 15 millimeter bolts back there. With everything loosened, the bumper drops down enough to reach and remove the 13 millimeter bolt underneath the front fender. We used an extension with a 13 millimeter socket to reach it.
Step 4: Remove the Factory Headlight
Move up to the top two 10 millimeter bolts on the very top of the headlight and remove those as well. Now you can start pulling the headlight out. Pull up, then pull toward you just a smidge. Keep in mind there is a little rubber piece on the base of the headlight, so lift it up and over that before pulling the headlight toward you. Disconnect the rear harness, set your OEM headlight aside, and repeat the whole process on the other side.
Step 5: Install the DRL Harness
Next up is the DRL harness. Take the fuse tap end of the DRL harness and place it into your fuse box. Take the lid off the fuse box, pull the designated fuse, and replace it with the DRL fuse. With the fuse tap in place, put the fuse box cover back on. Then run the DRL harness, starting with the passenger side, which is the shorter side, and running the longer side over to the driver side. You can tidy the harness up however you like, but we saved that cleanup for the very end after the headlights were in.
Step 6: Install the Morimoto XB Headlights
Plug your OEM harness into the back of the XB headlight, then connect all the remaining connectors. Here is the turn signal choice we mentioned earlier: if you want the sequential turn signal, keep that connector plugged in. If you want a standard turn signal, leave it unplugged. We kept ours plugged in for the sequential effect. With everything connected, slide the headlight in and line it all back up the way it came out.
Step 7: Test Everything and Reassemble
Before you button everything up, run through all the functions of the headlights: low beams, high beams, DRL, parking light, and turn signals. Once you confirm everything works, tidy up the harness and reinstall the grille, trim, and bumper hardware in reverse order. That is it. Easy as that, your Morimoto XB headlights are installed in your Super Duty with a full LED system and four LED projectors per side lighting your way down the road.
Final Thoughts
We came away impressed. The piano black housings look sharp, the startup animation is a nice touch, and the measured output gains (214 percent on low beam, 149 percent on high beam) speak for themselves. If you are shopping around, you can also find the Morimoto XB line elsewhere, but the fit and function on this Super Duty were exactly what we hoped for. Once you have handled your headlights, it is worth looking into tail lights, interior lights, side markers, and more to finish off the truck.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Ford Super Duty trucks fit the Morimoto XB LED headlights?
According to the video, these headlights fit the F250, F350, and F450 Super Duty for the 2020 and up model years.
How much brighter are the Morimoto XB low beams compared to stock?
The stock halogen low beams measured 340 max lux, while the Morimoto XB low beams measured 1070 max lux, making them 214 percent brighter than stock.
How much brighter are the Morimoto XB high beams compared to stock?
Stock halogen high beams came in at 510 max lux, while the Morimoto XB high beams measured 1270 max lux, a 149 percent increase in brightness over stock.
How does the DRL function on these headlights work?
The DRL runs around the perimeter of the headlight and stays on throughout the day when the headlights are off. Once the low or high beams are turned on, the DRL dims down by 50 percent.
Can I get a sequential turn signal with these headlights?
Yes, the video explains that you have the option of a sequential turn signal or a standard turn signal, selectable by plugging or unplugging a specific connector during install.
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.
