There’s a certain pride that comes with keeping a classic truck on the road. My old Ford F-150 has been a reliable workhorse for years, but time has not been kind to its face. The original headlights, once clear and bright, had succumbed to two decades of sun, road debris, and oxidation. They were a cataract-like yellow, casting a dim, scattered glow that made nighttime driving a game of guesswork. Not only did it make the truck look its age, but it was a genuine safety concern. The faint beams struggled to cut through rain or fog, and spotting deer on a dark country road became a heart-pounding exercise in anxiety. It was clear that a simple bulb change wouldn’t suffice; the entire housing was compromised. This is a story familiar to many owners of older F-150s and Expeditions—the search for an upgrade that restores safety and adds a touch of modern style without breaking the bank.
- Fitment - Compatible with 1997-2002 Ford Expedition Models Only, Compatible with 1998-2003 Ford F150 Models Only/ Fit 2004 F150 Heritage Models Only/ Fit 1997 F150 Truck (Built After 07/01/1996...
- OE Standard - Meets the Original Equipment (OE) standards. Interchange part number: FO2502182 ，FO2503182， FO2520170 ，FO2521170，3L3Z 13008 EA，3L3Z 13008 FA
Before You Upgrade: What to Know About Aftermarket Headlight Assemblies
A headlight assembly is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for safety, performance, and aesthetics. For vehicles with aged, oxidized, or damaged original lights, a new assembly can dramatically improve visibility, providing a brighter, more focused beam of light that illuminates the road more effectively. This enhancement is crucial for identifying hazards, reading road signs, and reducing driver fatigue during night drives. Beyond the functional benefits, aftermarket assemblies like the PIT66 LED DRL Headlight Assemblies Black Housing offer a powerful cosmetic upgrade, allowing owners to modernize their vehicle’s appearance with features like blacked-out housings, projector lenses, or integrated LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs).
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the dual problem of poor light output from old, hazy OEM units and a desire for a fresh, aggressive look for their truck. They are typically hands-on individuals, comfortable with basic automotive work, and are looking for a cost-effective way to achieve a custom aesthetic. However, this product might not be suitable for those who expect a flawless, 10-minute, plug-and-play installation identical to an OEM part. If your primary goal is pure, unadulterated light output without any aesthetic flair, or if you’re unwilling to potentially modify parts or transfer old hardware, a simpler, clear-lens OEM-style replacement might be a better, albeit less stylish, alternative.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Fitment: Aftermarket parts, especially for older vehicles, can sometimes have minor fitment discrepancies compared to factory components. It’s essential to confirm the exact year, make, and model compatibility. Be prepared for the possibility of small gaps or the need for minor adjustments to get the alignment perfect. For multi-piece designs like this one, aligning all components can require extra patience.
- Capacity/Performance: Light output is paramount. Understand the difference between the housing and the bulbs. A smoky lens, while stylish, will inherently transmit less light than a clear one. The performance of the entire system will be heavily dependent on the quality of the bulbs (Halogen, LED, or HID) you install. Always look for assemblies that are SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) and DOT (Department of Transportation) compliant, which ensures they meet federal standards for safety and street legality.
- Materials & Durability: The lens is typically made from polycarbonate for its impact resistance, while the housing is made of ABS plastic. Quality can vary significantly in the aftermarket world. Look for robust sealing to prevent moisture intrusion and fogging, a common failure point in cheaper units. Pay close attention to the mounting tabs and adjustment screws, as user feedback often points to these as weak points compared to the over-engineered OEM parts.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: Installation is the biggest variable. Does the assembly require you to reuse factory clips, sockets, or hardware? Are new features like LED DRLs “plug-and-play,” or will they require splicing into your vehicle’s wiring? Long-term care involves regular cleaning and potentially applying a UV protectant to the polycarbonate lens to prevent future yellowing.
Keeping these factors in mind, the PIT66 LED DRL Headlight Assemblies Black Housing stands out in several areas, particularly its bold aesthetics and modern features. You can explore its detailed specifications here.
While the PIT66 LED DRL Headlight Assemblies Black Housing is an excellent choice for a specific type of truck owner, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- Compatible With: 03-06 Avalanche 1500 / 03-06 Avalanche 2500 / 03-06 SIlverado 1500 / 03-06 SIlverado 1500 HD / 03-06 SIlverado 2500 HD / 03-06 SIlverado 3500 / 03-04 Silverado 2500 / 07 SIlverado...
- 【Compatible With】2007-2013 Silverado 1500 / 2007-2014 Silverado 2500 HD, 3500; Does NOT Fit 2007 (Old Body) Classic Models; Fits Models with Halogen Headlights Only
- 【VEHICLE COMPATIBILITY】Headlights Assembly Compatible with 07-13 Chevy Silverado 1500, 12-14 Chevy Silverado 2500, 07-14 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD, 2007 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD Classic, 12-13 Chevy...
Unboxing the PIT66: A First Look at Form and Function
Pulling the PIT66 LED DRL Headlight Assemblies Black Housing out of the box, the immediate impression is one of aggressive style. The combination of the deep black housing and the lightly smoky lens is striking, a far cry from the chrome-heavy look of the stock units. The centerpiece of the design is undoubtedly the C-shaped LED strip that serves as the Daytime Running Light. It’s clean, modern, and promises to give the front end of the truck a significant facelift. The polycarbonate lens feels solid and clear, and the amber side reflectors are properly integrated and vibrant.
However, upon closer inspection, we began to notice some of the nuances echoed in user feedback. The housing’s plastic, while looking good, feels noticeably lighter and more flexible than the thick, rigid material of the OEM parts we were replacing. The mounting points and plastic elbows for the retaining clips, in particular, seemed less substantial. This isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker at this price point, but it immediately signaled that the installation would require a delicate touch. The kit includes the main headlight and the corner/parking light as separate pieces for each side, which offers some installation flexibility but also adds a layer of complexity when it comes to achieving perfect alignment.
What We Like
- Drastic aesthetic improvement that modernizes the look of older Ford trucks.
- Integrated LED DRL strip adds a high-end, custom appearance.
- Fully sealed design helps prevent moisture and dust intrusion.
- SAE/DOT approved, ensuring compliance with on-road safety standards.
Potential Drawbacks
- Installation is challenging and often requires modification and reusing old hardware.
- Mounting hardware and plastic tabs are less robust than OEM parts.
- Smoky lens may reduce overall light output, requiring high-performance bulbs.
In the Garage and On the Road: A Deep Dive into the PIT66’s Performance
An aesthetic upgrade is one thing, but a headlight’s true test is in the installation process and its performance on a dark road. We put the PIT66 LED DRL Headlight Assemblies Black Housing through a comprehensive evaluation, from the workbench to the highway, to see if its real-world performance matches its striking looks.
The Installation Gauntlet: A Tale of Modification and Patience
Let’s be unequivocally clear: this is not a simple plug-and-play installation. If you’re expecting to unbolt the old lights and have these new ones snap perfectly into place in 30 minutes, you will be disappointed. Our experience, and that of many users, paints a picture of a project that requires patience, a bit of ingenuity, and the willingness to modify parts.
The first major hurdle we encountered was the hardware. As several users noted, the plastic bushings and metal clips provided with the PIT66 units are simply not up to par. The bushings were slightly too large for the mounting holes, and the clips felt flimsy. The immediate and correct course of action, which we highly recommend, is to carefully remove the hardware from your original OEM headlights and transfer it to the new assemblies. The factory parts are more robust and provide a much more secure fit. One user’s report of “inferior plastics on the mounts” failing miserably is a stark warning against relying on the included hardware.
Next came the physical fitment. On our test F-150, we ran into the exact issue another user described: the main plastic adjustment pin on the back was too large to slide into its corresponding slot on the truck’s frame. We had to carefully trim and shave down the plastic pin with a utility knife to get it to fit. Furthermore, aligning the separate headlight and corner light pieces to be perfectly flush with each other and the truck’s body lines was a painstaking process of trial and error. Expect minor panel gaps; as one user diplomatically put it, “from a short distance it’s hardly noticeable,” which is a fair assessment.
Finally, there’s the wiring for the LED DRL strip. The lights do not come with an adapter for this feature. You are provided with a positive and negative wire that you must connect to a power source. We chose to tap into an ignition-switched circuit in the under-hood fuse box, ensuring the DRLs turn on with the truck. This is a straightforward task for anyone familiar with basic 12-volt wiring, but it’s an extra step that potential buyers must be aware of.
Aesthetic Transformation: From Dated to Daring
Once the installation ordeal was over and we stepped back, the results were undeniably impressive. The PIT66 LED DRL Headlight Assemblies Black Housing completely transformed the front end of our aging Ford. The truck instantly looked a decade younger, shedding its tired, utilitarian appearance for something far more aggressive and modern. The black housing blends seamlessly with the grille, while the smoky lens adds a touch of custom stealth that turns heads.
The real star of the show is the LED DRL. During the day, the bright white C-shaped light provides a distinctive signature that mimics the look of many brand-new luxury trucks. It dramatically improves the vehicle’s visibility to other drivers, a significant safety benefit. At night, when the main headlights are on, the DRL dims slightly (depending on how you wire it), acting as a stylish accent. This single feature is perhaps the biggest selling point, and it delivers on its promise. As one owner succinctly stated, “Everything fit just as it should and made my truck look alot better!” The visual payoff for the installation effort is significant, and for many, this alone will make the purchase worthwhile. For those seeking this powerful visual upgrade, these PIT66 assemblies deliver a modern, aggressive statement.
Nighttime Illumination: A Mixed Bag of Brightness and Beam Pattern
This is the most critical and polarizing aspect of the PIT66 LED DRL Headlight Assemblies Black Housing. The ultimate purpose of a headlight is to illuminate the road, and here, the results are highly dependent on external factors. A handful of user reports express serious concern, with one stating, “I still can not see at night,” and calling them “very very not night driving approved.” Another found them to be less bright than their very old OEM lights. We found the truth to be more nuanced.
The primary factor influencing light output is the smoky lens. There’s no getting around physics; a tinted lens will reduce the amount of light that passes through it. The internal reflector housing is designed to be efficient, but it’s fighting an uphill battle. Consequently, your choice of bulb is absolutely critical. We tested with standard halogen bulbs first and found the output to be adequate but underwhelming—likely comparable to a clean OEM housing but not a significant improvement. When we switched to a high-quality set of aftermarket LED bulbs, the performance improved dramatically. The light was whiter and brighter, providing much better road coverage.
Therefore, our expert assessment is this: if you pair these housings with cheap or standard halogen bulbs, you will likely be disappointed and may even find the nighttime visibility to be unsafe. You must budget for a quality set of LED or high-output halogen bulbs to compensate for the smoky lens. Even then, the beam pattern, while having a decent cutoff, isn’t quite as sharp or uniformly distributed as a high-end OEM assembly. For someone coming from severely hazed, yellowed lights, this setup (with good bulbs) will almost certainly be an improvement. For someone expecting the piercing brightness of a brand new, clear-lensed truck, it may fall short.
What Other Users Are Saying
Sifting through feedback from other owners, a clear pattern emerges that aligns perfectly with our findings. The praise is almost entirely focused on aesthetics. Buyers consistently report being thrilled with the visual transformation, using phrases like “looks amazing” and “look way better than my old oem yellowed out ones.” The modern DRL feature is a highlight for many, successfully giving their older trucks a contemporary edge.
Conversely, the complaints are overwhelmingly centered on the installation process and build quality. The most common refrain is the need to salvage hardware from the original lights. One user noted, “I had to use the old hardware from my old lights to make these work,” while another had to use their old headlight bushings because the new ones were too big. The flimsy nature of the mounting clips is another recurring issue, with one person stating, “The clips that the screws go through are terrible.” A few of the most critical reviews raise the safety issue of poor light output, with one user noting they didn’t feel safe driving with their kids at night. This feedback provides a balanced, real-world perspective: buyers love the look but must be prepared for a challenging installation and the need to invest in powerful bulbs.
How the PIT66 Compares to Other Lighting Upgrades
When considering an upgrade, it’s helpful to understand the different paths you can take. The PIT66 LED DRL Headlight Assemblies Black Housing represents a specific choice—an aesthetic-focused, custom-style modification. Here’s how it compares to other types of lighting components.
1. Yikesai HID Xenon Headlight Ballast Control Unit
- 【HID HEADLIGHT BALLAST REPLACEMENT】Headlight Control Unit, a crucial part of HID lighting system, provides the voltage needed to start the lamp and regulates the electrical current of the light...
- 【REPLACE PART NUMBER & EASY INSTALLATION】5DV 009 000-00 headlight ballast is a direct replacement ballast for 5DV 009 000-00,00900001, 12767670, 15782392, 63 12 6 937 223 .Fits either the left or...
This product is in a completely different category. It’s not a headlight assembly but a replacement ballast, a critical component for factory-installed High-Intensity Discharge (HID) systems found on vehicles like a Cadillac Escalade or BMW E60. Someone would buy this to *repair* their existing premium lighting system, not to change the look of their vehicle. This is for the owner who wants to restore their vehicle to its original factory condition and performance. It stands in contrast to the PIT66, which is about fundamentally altering and modernizing the vehicle’s appearance and technology from halogen to a custom LED DRL look.
2. Auto Dynasty 2008-2012 Honda Accord Sedan Headlights Chrome
- Vehicle Compatibility - These headlights are compatible with Honda Accord Sedan 2008-2012, fits 4-door models Only.
- Best Replacement - Come with set of [2] brand new headlights with turn signal(Driver and Passenger), can replace the old or damaged one for upgrading the appearance of vehicle.
While designed for a different vehicle, the Auto Dynasty assembly represents a different philosophy of replacement. With its chrome housing and amber corner, it’s designed to be an OEM-style replacement that restores a “like-new” factory look. This is the perfect choice for a vehicle owner who wants to fix their foggy or damaged headlights and restore peak visibility without venturing into custom styling. Compared to the PIT66’s aggressive blacked-out design, this is a conservative, clean, and functional choice that prioritizes a stock appearance.
3. DWVO Headlight Assembly Chrome Housing
- Compatibility: the headlight assemblies are compatible with 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Tacoma; high/low beam bulb type: H4; bulbs are not included
- Improved illumination: the integrated metalized reflectors of this headlight assembly increase light distance for better visibility & driving safety in any dusky conditions
Similar to the Auto Dynasty lights, this DWVO assembly for the Toyota Tacoma is another excellent example of a high-quality, OE-style replacement. It aims to meet or exceed the original factory specifications for fit, finish, and light output with its clear lens and chrome housing. This is the go-to option for a Tacoma owner whose primary goals are safety, reliability, and maintaining the vehicle’s original aesthetic. The choice between this and something like the PIT66 is purely about personal preference: do you want to restore or do you want to customize?
The Final Verdict: Is the PIT66 Headlight Assembly the Right Choice for Your Ford?
After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the PIT66 LED DRL Headlight Assemblies Black Housing is that it is a highly specialized product for a very specific customer. It’s a home run in the aesthetics department, offering one of the most dramatic visual upgrades you can make to an older Ford F-150 or Expedition for a relatively modest investment. The modern LED DRLs and stealthy black housings are genuinely transformative.
However, this transformation comes at the cost of installation difficulty and potential compromises in light output. This is not a project for the impatient or the mechanically inexperienced. You must be willing to troubleshoot fitment issues, transfer parts from your old lights, and perform basic wiring. More importantly, to ensure safe nighttime visibility, you must pair these housings with a set of high-quality, high-output LED or halogen bulbs; factoring in that additional cost is essential.
We recommend this product to the hands-on enthusiast who prioritizes custom style, understands the compromises of aftermarket parts, and is prepared to put in the effort to make them work correctly. If that describes you, you will likely be thrilled with the end result. If you seek a simple, OEM-quality replacement focused solely on maximum brightness and ease of installation, you should look elsewhere.
If you’ve decided the PIT66 LED DRL Headlight Assemblies Black Housing is the right fit for your project truck, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API