Why the 2021-2023 F-150 Fog Pocket Deserves a Serious Upgrade
Ford redesigned the F-150 completely for the 2021 model year, and part of that redesign was a sleek, integrated fog light pocket built into the front bumper. The factory fog lights are functional, but the pocket itself is engineered to accept much more powerful lighting. The challenge is fitment. Most aftermarket pod light adapter kits on the market for this generation F-150 use brackets that stick out past the bumper line and look awkward. They were designed for larger pods, and the size mismatch is obvious from ten feet away.
The Morimoto 4Banger fog light kit solves this by pairing the compact 4Banger pods with precision-machined bezels that sit flush with the bumper. The kit replaces the factory fog light assemblies entirely (OEM part numbers ML3415A254B, ML3415A255B, ML3Z15200B, ML3Z15200C, ML3Z15201B, and ML3Z15201C) and delivers a true OEM appearance paired with performance that far exceeds anything Ford put in that pocket at the factory.
What Is in the Morimoto 4Banger F-150 Fog Light Kit
The BAF071 kit is a complete system. Everything you need for the 2021-2023 Ford F-150 fog light upgrade is in the box. Here is what you get:
- Fog Light Brackets: 2x precision-fit front bezels and 2x pod brackets, powdercoated stainless steel
- 4Banger Pods: 4x Morimoto 4Banger LED pods (your choice of NCS or HXB, white or amber)
- U-Brackets: 4x BAF047 top-down brackets for pod mounting
- Wiring: 2x Deutsch DT splitters, 2x LED signal harnesses, relay harnesses (quantity depends on whether your truck has factory LED or halogen fogs)
- Hardware: M10 spacers, stainless steel screws and lock nuts, M5 mounting screws
The fit is exact. Two 4Banger pods mount side-by-side in each fog pocket, giving you four total pods across the front of the truck. The stainless steel brackets include integrated ductwork that actively channels air across the pod heat sinks while you drive, eliminating heat-soak and maintaining lumen output over long-duration use. That is a feature you will not find on any competing fog light pod kit on this truck.
NCS vs HXB: Choosing Your Performance Level
The 4Banger NCS pods and the HXB pods use different LED chips, and the performance difference is significant. Here is how they compare, per pod:
| Spec | 4Banger NCS | 4Banger HXB |
|---|---|---|
| LED Chip | Nichia NCSY131F | Osram HX Boost |
| Raw Lumens (each) | 1,300 lm | 3,000 lm |
| Peak Intensity (white) | 14,400 Cd | 22,400 Cd |
| Power Draw | 15.6w | 42w |
| SAE Compliant | Yes (J583 F3) | Yes (J583 F3) |
Both tiers are street-legal. SAE compliance for both NCS and HXB pods is third-party verified by Calcoast ITL, an independent photometric testing lab. The NCS tier is the right call for most F-150 drivers who want a clean, substantial jump in brightness over stock without pushing into off-road territory. The HXB tier is for the driver who wants as much photon output as the law allows in a fog light position. Either way, both versions replace a stock fog light that puts out a fraction of either option.
With four pods total on your truck, the math looks like this: four NCS white pods deliver a combined 5,200 raw lumens through the fog pocket. Four HXB white pods push 12,000 raw lumens. Compare that to a pair of factory halogen fog lights producing roughly 800 to 1,000 lumens combined, and the upgrade potential becomes obvious.
White or Amber: Which Color Should You Choose?
Both white and amber output options are available for every 4Banger configuration, and a dual-color version is also offered if you want the flexibility to switch between the two.
White output is the better all-around visibility choice for normal driving conditions. The 5600K to 5700K color temperature gives the beam a clean, modern look that pairs well with the factory F-150 LED headlights and DRL signature. For most F-150 owners driving in mixed conditions, white is the practical pick.
Amber at 2700K is the better choice for drivers who regularly encounter heavy rain, snow, or dense fog. The physics here are real: yellow-spectrum light scatters less in suspended water droplets than blue-white light does, and the result is a subjectively clearer image of the road ahead in those conditions. Amber absolutely performs better in true adverse weather, and drivers who regularly deal with heavy precipitation tend to prefer it.
The dual-color option gives you both. You select your output color by swapping a filter, and you get the best of both scenarios in a single kit.
2021-2023 Ford F-150 Fog Light Upgrade: Full Installation Walkthrough
The install on this truck requires bumper removal, but the process is straightforward. Here is what you need and how it goes from start to finish.
Tools Required
Before you start, gather: T-25 Torx, T-20 Torx, T-30 Torx, 10mm socket, 7mm socket, 8mm socket, 13mm socket, 17mm socket, 21mm socket, ratchet with extension, plastic trim tool or panel clip remover, and a padded work surface for the bumper.
Bracket and Pod Assembly
Start by assembling the fog light brackets on the bench before the truck is involved. Secure the fog light bracket to the bezel using the three provided T-25 screws. Then attach the U-brackets to the 4Banger pods using the T-20 Torx screws. Finally, secure those U-brackets to the fog light bracket using the provided carriage bolts, washers, and 17mm lock nuts. Repeat this for both sides and set the assemblies aside.
Front End Disassembly
Raise the hood and remove the 14 plastic push clips securing the radiator cover. Remove the radiator cover. Then remove the four 10mm bolts and two push clips securing the top of the grille assembly. If your truck has a camera or front grille harness, disconnect those and pry loose the harness clip. Move to each front wheel well and remove the two 7mm screws holding the bumper trim. Pry the trim out from the fender on both sides, then pull the bumper trim forward away from the grille to release it. Remove the two 8mm screws from the lower corners of the grille, then pull the grille straight out and set it aside.
With the grille out, disconnect the front bumper harness by pressing the black clip and flipping back the gray latch. Reaching behind the bumper, remove the three 21mm nuts on each side (six total) that secure the bumper to the frame rails. Pull the bumper straight forward off the truck and set it down on your padded work surface to avoid scratching the front face.
Fog Light Removal and New Assembly Installation
On the back of the bumper, disconnect the factory fog light connector and release the two harness clips on each side. If your truck has the active front air dam, remove the three 13mm bolts on each side securing it to the bumper and lean it out of the way. Remove the four T-30 Torx bolts and the one 13mm bolt per side holding the factory fog light assembly to the bumper. Remove both factory fog lights.
Seat the new 4Banger fog light assemblies into the fog pocket openings and secure them using the two factory bolts you just removed. If your truck has the active air dam, reinstall the upper factory bolt through the lower arm of the new bracket to secure both. Repeat on the other side.
Wiring
With the bumper still off the truck, lay your relay harnesses in the engine bay near the battery. Find a mounting location where the relay can sit upright with the wiring exiting downward, with the power and ground ring terminals within reach of the battery posts. Connect positive to the positive terminal and ground to negative. Route the harness inputs and outputs behind the passenger side headlight and out in front of the frame.
If your F-150 came with factory LED fog lights, you will use two relay harnesses (one per side). Keep the inputs and outputs from each harness bundled separately. Connect the two harness outputs to the two passenger side pods, then connect the OE input adapter to the harness input and plug it into the passenger side factory fog light connector. For the driver side harness, connect output extensions to the two outputs, then reinstall the bumper and route those extensions to the driver side pods. Connect the input adapter to the driver side factory fog connector.
For trucks with halogen fog lights, the process is simpler: only one relay harness is needed, and the turn-signal retention wiring is not used.
Reassembly
Reinstall the front bumper using the six factory 21mm nuts. Reconnect all harness connectors and resecure the push clip on the bumper connector. Reconnect and reinstall the grille, bumper trim, radiator cover, and all clips in reverse order of removal.
Aiming the Morimoto 4Banger Fog Lights on Your F-150
Every 4Banger bracket in this kit has plus or minus 6 degrees of vertical adjustment. That range is enough to accommodate a stock-height, lifted, or lowered F-150. Before you button everything back up, take a moment to aim properly.
Park the truck on level ground 25 feet from a flat wall. Measure the height from the ground to the center of the fog light assembly on the truck, then measure the height of the top of the beam pattern on the wall. The beam should be 4 inches lower on the wall than the center of the fog light on the truck. Adjust the vertical aim on each pod bracket until that measurement is correct. This keeps the beam pattern down and wide in front of the truck where it belongs, without sending light into the eyes of oncoming drivers.
You can also wire the 4Bangers to your factory auxiliary switches if your truck has them, allowing you to independently control which pods are on and at what time. Out of the box, they activate with your normal factory fog light switch.
Complete F-150 Lighting Upgrade Options from Morimoto
The 4Banger fog light upgrade pairs well with the 21-23 F-150 XB LED headlights for a complete front lighting overhaul. If you want the full package, the F-150 XB headlight and tail light combo is an efficient way to address every OEM lighting position on the truck at once.
For drivers who also want additional lighting on the A-pillars, the 4Banger ditch light system for the 2021+ F-150 uses the same pods and mounts to the A-pillar with no drilling. Pairing the fog pocket kit and the ditch light system gives you six total 4Banger pods illuminating a wide arc in front of the truck.
Browse the full Morimoto 4Banger fog light catalog or the complete off-road pod light lineup to see every application and beam pattern option currently available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the Morimoto 4Banger fog lights work on the F-150 Raptor?
No. The BAF071 kit is designed for 2021-2023 Ford F-150 models equipped with the standard factory fog light housing. The Raptor uses a different bumper and fog light configuration and is not compatible with this kit.
Do I need to modify my F-150’s wiring to install the 4Banger fog kit?
No modifications to your truck’s wiring are required. The kit is plug-and-play with your factory fog light connectors. If your F-150 has factory LED fog lights with active turning functionality, the included relay harnesses retain that feature so the fog pocket still lights up when you turn the steering wheel.
What is the difference between the NCS and HXB pod options?
NCS pods use Nichia NCSY131F LEDs and produce 1,300 raw lumens per pod (1,300 Cd white). HXB pods use Osram HX Boost LEDs and produce 3,000 raw lumens per pod (22,400 Cd white). Both are SAE J583 F3 compliant and street-legal. HXB pods draw more current (42w each vs 15.6w) but deliver substantially more output. For most street-driving applications, NCS provides a major upgrade over stock. HXB is the option for drivers who want maximum output within legal limits.
Do the 4Banger pods work with the factory auxiliary switches on the F-150?
Yes. The 4Banger pods can be wired to the factory auxiliary switches on equipped trucks, which allows independent control of each pair of pods. Out of the box with the standard installation, they function like your factory fog lights and activate through the normal fog light switch.
What warranty does the Morimoto 4Banger F-150 fog light kit carry?
The 4Banger fog light kit for the 2021-2023 F-150 comes with Morimoto’s lifetime limited warranty. If anything fails under normal use, Morimoto’s team in Atlanta handles service and support directly.
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 Assurance 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.
