Sponsored

Amber DRLs?

fxxkintallguy

Well-known member
First Name
Kyle
Joined
Mar 16, 2021
Threads
14
Messages
47
Reaction score
32
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Website
www.instagram.com
Vehicles
2021 F-150 XLT FX4 5.0L 302A 5.5 SB
Does anyone know if its possible to change the DRLs from white to amber? If so, is there a tutorial online somewhere about it? Would it probably require me to switch out the actual LEDs to amber or RGB ones?
Sponsored

 

KBKEITH

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 9, 2020
Threads
5
Messages
962
Reaction score
942
Location
Michigan
Vehicles
2022 F-150 XLT SCREW 5.5, BAP, 3.5EB
Does anyone know if its possible to change the DRLs from white to amber? If so, is there a tutorial online somewhere about it? Would it probably require me to switch out the actual LEDs to amber or RGB ones?
I work for a semiconductor company and I personally work in the unit that deals in LEDs for the auto industry.

I just opened up a 2021 F-150 lamp here at work. The DRL consists of two light pipes that couple light from a small PCB with what appears to have two LEDs (or two small multiple LED clusters) mounted to it. I’ll have to find the PCB because it was removed a while back for some benchmarking.

Let me try and find this PCB and report back.
 
Last edited:

KBKEITH

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 9, 2020
Threads
5
Messages
962
Reaction score
942
Location
Michigan
Vehicles
2022 F-150 XLT SCREW 5.5, BAP, 3.5EB
I was able to find the board. I was close, there’s a two LED array for one light pipe and a 4 LED array for the second pipe.

Ford F-150 Amber DRLs? 4150CF41-18CE-4B43-AA6F-098CE91CB786


This photo shows the PCB in the headlamp housing:

Ford F-150 Amber DRLs? F9CC3D64-4A4A-4B01-AC49-79BEB479074C


This photo shows the two separate light pipes that couple the light from the LED arrays:

Ford F-150 Amber DRLs? 53E506F8-26FD-4CA6-8BE3-3915F9F2D3F2


This photo shows the assembled position of the light guides to the PCB:

Ford F-150 Amber DRLs? 94E5C81A-3407-4F8B-96CD-EDC3E6ABFE2A


Closer view:

Ford F-150 Amber DRLs? 5CFCF614-7137-454D-AA4E-EEB260573141


And finally the middle section of the headlamp that incorporates the two DRL light guides:

Ford F-150 Amber DRLs? 7987B566-838D-4B98-B498-D5A11DB6857C


You could remove and replace these white LEDs with amber. These are Nichia brand LEDs, so you’d have to get the same Nichia device only in amber. White is more efficient than amber, so the amber devices will not be as bright as the white.

Also, this PCB is a copper core board which is used to help with the thermal management. You’d have to have access to the right equipment to be able to remove and replace LEDs from this type of substrate. Takes a lot of heat.
 
Last edited:

Sponsored

OP
OP
fxxkintallguy

fxxkintallguy

Well-known member
First Name
Kyle
Joined
Mar 16, 2021
Threads
14
Messages
47
Reaction score
32
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Website
www.instagram.com
Vehicles
2021 F-150 XLT FX4 5.0L 302A 5.5 SB
Wow that was SUPER informative @KBKEITH! Thank you for all of that information, that helps way more than you know haha.

So with all that being said, I don't think I want to go in and mess with removing the LEDs. My normal hobbyist soldering iron probably can't handle that kind of heat output.

Are those LEDs just white? Or are they RGB?

Do you think putting an amber film on the ends of the light tubes might work?
 

KBKEITH

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 9, 2020
Threads
5
Messages
962
Reaction score
942
Location
Michigan
Vehicles
2022 F-150 XLT SCREW 5.5, BAP, 3.5EB
Wow that was SUPER informative @KBKEITH! Thank you for all of that information, that helps way more than you know haha.

So with all that being said, I don't think I want to go in and mess with removing the LEDs. My normal hobbyist soldering iron probably can't handle that kind of heat output.

Are those LEDs just white? Or are they RGB?

Do you think putting an amber film on the ends of the light tubes might work?
You’re welcome! It’s what I do for a living so I am more than happy to share. ??

The LEDs are white. No RGB for this application.

Yeah, a soldering iron unfortunately would not work here. The solder pads are completely on the bottom of the device. You would need at minimum a really good hot plate and ideally a good reflow oven.

The idea of an amber film could perhaps work. It would be worth a shot if you decide to take out a lamp and disassemble it.
 

Pinero

Well-known member
First Name
Jordan
Joined
Feb 2, 2021
Threads
4
Messages
52
Reaction score
46
Location
Down the bayou.
Vehicles
2021 Lariat Sport 5.0 SCREW FX4
Occupation
High Voltage Technician
I’m sure diode dynamics will come up with an RGB board for these. I had them do some amber c-clamps for my 2013. This should be even easier for them.
 

PungoteagueDave

Well-known member
First Name
Dave
Joined
Feb 20, 2021
Threads
6
Messages
593
Reaction score
791
Location
33435
Vehicles
Tesla MX, Porsche C4S, Ford F-350 KR, Ford F-150 K
Occupation
retired
May I ask why? Aren’t there regs?
 

Sponsored


CommoSGT

Well-known member
First Name
Ken
Joined
Mar 26, 2021
Threads
2
Messages
197
Reaction score
147
Location
Kentucky
Vehicles
2016 F150 Lariat SCrew, 2021 F150 Lariat SCrew
Occupation
Engineer
@KBKEITH Dude, if you aren't an engineer and haven't written an RCA (root cause analysis), you should be. Awesome write up!
 

John_C

Well-known member
First Name
John
Joined
Nov 24, 2020
Threads
5
Messages
158
Reaction score
144
Location
Illinois
Vehicles
2021 F150 XLT 302A PowerBoost
Ford F-150 Amber DRLs? 20210412_155639
I also love the look of amber DRLs.. I enabled the turn signals and fogs as DRLs in forscan, and I think it looks a lot better already. Now I just need morimoto to make a headlight for the new f150s.. Lol
Ford F-150 Amber DRLs? 20210412_155523
 

Stefanolimotta

Well-known member
First Name
stefano
Joined
Apr 14, 2022
Threads
3
Messages
61
Reaction score
7
Location
Canada
Vehicles
21 f150
Occupation
Construction
Wow that was SUPER informative @KBKEITH! Thank you for all of that information, that helps way more than you know haha.

So with all that being said, I don't think I want to go in and mess with removing the LEDs. My normal hobbyist soldering iron probably can't handle that kind of heat output.

Are those LEDs just white? Or are they RGB?

Do you think putting an amber film on the ends of the light tubes might work?
I think if you have the led head lights you should be able to swap them for the raptor head lights they have the amber led weather you have a the xlt 302 head lights or the lariat 502 either head light from the raptor should work
 

Porpoise Hork

Well-known member
First Name
Bret
Joined
Aug 27, 2022
Threads
9
Messages
1,002
Reaction score
1,039
Location
Houston
Vehicles
22 F150 XLT Powerboost FX4 302A Oxford White
Occupation
IT
An easier option than reflowing the board with different diodes may be to use theater lighting gel and adapt a LED lens housing to hold the gel film against the light pipes. Might even be able to design and 3D print something from ABS or polycarbonate to do the job. Still requires taking the headlight assemblies apart, but a lot less risky than reflowing the board.
Sponsored

 
 




Top