LED Projector with Dynamic bending Headlamps

[FirstFord]

Please school me - I'm a little unsure of some details regarding the headlights. I have a Lariat 502A equipped truck with "LED Projector with Dynamic bending Headlamps". I had always thought that the "dynamic bending" referred to the headlights having the ability to slightly turn the aim of the headlights in the direction of the way that you are steering (like the old Tucker cars). But from what I am reading on other posts, it is inferred/implied that these are "auto-leveling" as well. I don't see "auto-leveling" anywhere on my order-build sheet or window sticker. Can someone connect the dots for me and walk me through this? Thanks.

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[SumGuy]

Yes, they auto level.

watch them run through their startup checks and you’ll see the lights move up and down.

 

[dolsen]

Yes they do auto level. It’s much more subtle and hard to notice though. Is there a specific question you have about it? Or are you strictly asking if they auto level?

 

[FirstFord]

Yes, they auto level.

watch them run through their startup checks and you’ll see the lights move up and down.

Good call! I never thought of that! I guess I'm easily entertained because I thought it was kind of cool to watch them go side to side and up and down.

So I presume the sensors on the rear axle are the input source for determining where the height of the headlights should be?

If so, then one could remove the rear axle block (on 4x4s) or add lowering shackles without having to manually readjust the headlights (within limits)? Anyone know what those limits are?

 

[FirstFord]

Yes they do auto level. It’s much more subtle and hard to notice though. Is there a specific question you have about it? Or are you strictly asking if they auto level?

I'm slowly inching my way to see if I can lower the back of the truck without having to readjust the headlights. But I was taking it one step at a time so that I could follow the mechanical/electronic logic.

 

[FirstTimeFord]

Hope you never have to replace them, Ford wants $1,600 each. Can get new OEM from online dealer sites for about $400 less but dang! That being said, I love these headlights!

ML3Z13008AG

Same goes for the rear tail lights on my Platty with scales, $1,600 from Ford direct

NL3Z-13404-J

 

[STM]

While they are rather expensive, they are not exactly our grandfather's headlights either.. The brightness, precision and the ability to focus where you are going.. All adds up..

That's why I have the 8 years extended warranty with headlights and rental included! Peace of mind!

 

[BarryT82]

Hope you never have to replace them, Ford wants $1,600 each. Can get new OEM from online dealer sites for about $400 less but dang! That being said, I love these headlights!

ML3Z13008AG

Same goes for the rear tail lights on my Platty with scales, $1,600 from Ford direct

NL3Z-13404-J

You can buy the OBS Phantom tail lights on eBay. They’re the BAP tail lights with scales.

 

[fordtruckman2003]

Good call! I never thought of that! I guess I'm easily entertained because I thought it was kind of cool to watch them go side to side and up and down.

So I presume the sensors on the rear axle are the input source for determining where the height of the headlights should be?

If so, then one could remove the rear axle block (on 4x4s) or add lowering shackles without having to manually readjust the headlights (within limits)? Anyone know what those limits are?

Many have issues with truck not being calibrated for lifts. I haven't seen headlights mentioned but 360 cameras and the lane centering features may have to be recalibrated. It can be done yourself with Forscan.

Having a 502a I have never seen the lights move up or down other than the startup "dance." They do have height adjustment screw like any other headlight. White screw a couple inches from the top of light on center of rear. I assume this sets the middle of range the lights return to after the dance.

 

[FirstFord]

Many have issues with truck not being calibrated for lifts. I haven't seen headlights mentioned but 360 cameras and the lane centering features may have to be recalibrated. It can be done yourself with Forscan.

Having a 502a I have never seen the lights move up or down other than the startup "dance." They do have height adjustment screw like any other headlight. White screw a couple inches from the top of light on center of rear. I assume this sets the middle of range the lights return to after the dance.

Some of the lift kits that I have seen raise the truck several inches, so I can certainly see where these kinds of lift kits could exceed the capacity of the light's ability to make adjustments. However, I'm taking about lowering the back of my truck by removing the blocks used in the 4x4 trucks. This should lower the back-end somewhere in the neighborhood of 1-1/4". I'm hoping (guessing???) that this is well within the limits of the self-leveling feature of the headlights. My logic is based on what happens when you place a heavy load in the bed, or hook up a loaded trailer - the bed sinks down, and depending upon the load, more than 1-1/4". I'm guessing that the self-leveling lights can accomodate that. The more modest lowering shackles are in the same range of drop.

I have the 360 cameras which I use, but I have the lane centering feature turned off (I have no plans to turn it on), so on that basis, perhaps no re-calibration(?).

The "headlight dance" - literally laughed out loud - great description! When driving the truck at night, I have tried to watch for the horizontal movement when I'm turning, but can't really actually identify it out either. I'm guessing that it's pretty subtle. I will look for that white screw - that could be the whole answer.

 

[fordtruckman2003]

Some of the lift kits that I have seen raise the truck several inches, so I can certainly see where these kinds of lift kits could exceed the capacity of the light's ability to make adjustments. However, I'm taking about lowering the back of my truck by removing the blocks used in the 4x4 trucks. This should lower the back-end somewhere in the neighborhood of 1-1/4". I'm hoping (guessing???) that this is well within the limits of the self-leveling feature of the headlights. My logic is based on what happens when you place a heavy load in the bed, or hook up a loaded trailer - the bed sinks down, and depending upon the load, more than 1-1/4". I'm guessing that the self-leveling lights can accomodate that. The more modest lowering shackles are in the same range of drop.

I have the 360 cameras which I use, but I have the lane centering feature turned off (I have no plans to turn it on), so on that basis, perhaps no re-calibration(?).

The "headlight dance" - literally laughed out loud - great description! When driving the truck at night, I have tried to watch for the horizontal movement when I'm turning, but can't really actually identify it out either. I'm guessing that it's pretty subtle. I will look for that white screw - that could be the whole answer.

Not subtle at all. Drive maybe 20 MPH in dark and start swinging wheel left and right. It looks like you are moving a flashlight left to right. Very obvious and so useful when you really need it.

If you drop the rear expect the lights to need adjustment. As mentioned white screw and I think left turn was raising when I did mine couple weeks ago.
Check against a wall the light upper cutoff then check it again after you modify height.

 

[FirstTimeFord]

Maybe this will help ?

 

[FirstFord]

Maybe this will help ?

WOW - That really demonstrates it! Cool. I like the idea of it a lot, and like Tucker, can see where it would be a benefit. I've just never noticed it when I was driving at night, even when I was somewhat looking for it. But now I have a better sense of what to look for.

As mentioned white screw and I think left turn was raising when I did mine couple weeks ago.
Check against a wall the light upper cutoff then check it again after you modify height.

I raised the hood and looked for the "little white screw", and didn't find anything for the longest time. Then, I think I may have found what you (and others) were referring to. Is this the screw? (for reference, driver's side.)

 

[travisN000]

these headlights also support adaptive dimming if turned on through forscan... they can dim only the part of the high-beam light that is aimed at oncoming traffic, without dimming the part that is not.

As far as aiming them, a few resources:


https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/how-to-fix-your-headlight-and-fog-light-aim.9126/

 

[FirstFord]

As far as aiming them, a few resources:

Outstanding! Thank you! Great info!

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