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Well I have purchased both an original Ford headlight ($144) and TYC ($26) headlight in the Aero style with the 2002+ lens design that has a smooth lens vs the earlier model years fluted lens.

I was fully expecting to see a bit lesser quality in the TYC which would be completely understandable given the price difference of $118.

I am surprised to say that even with my trusty magnifying glass I cannot find anything superior in the quality or build of the Motorcraft. In fact, the TYC actually weighs slightly more. The molds are nearly identical. Inside the lens, the designs are identical. The seams where the clear lens meets the grey housing appears equally sealed for water tightness.

The only visual difference are the adjuster screws on the Ford are metal while the TYC are plastic.

The only test remaining is to see how the plastic lens on the aftermarket TYC holds up to UV light over a few years but up here at 8,300' I always treat my plastic with the Meguiars Plast-X Clear Plastic Protector or similar wax so I can't really do that UV test.

Bottom line, RT just saved me about $236 by suggesting the TYC brand from Rock Auto.

Thanks RT.
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Still happy with them? Got any pics of them installed? Any issues with adjustment?
 
Yes, still happy.
Just installed a pair on the 2nd truck since it makes the trucks look so well taken of.

Equal to factory originals in all regards...i.e adjustments and light dispersement.

installation is simple except removing the old ones is a bit of a PIA. Much easier to remove batteries to gain access but driver side is still a bit tricky. Its the bottom attachment that is tough but the two upper attachments just require removal of 2 clips. This would be the case for any Aero style light.
 
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I'm sorry to report that the Dorman ones I bought back when from Summit Racing both had the little chrome piece inside of the light that covers the actual bulb both popped loose after about 6 months of use and have been rattling around inside of the lenses for a couple of years now. To tell you th e truth I can't see a difference in the light output so I've just left them for now...kind of tacky, I know...but they work. I just wouldn't ever recommend the Dorman brand of lights to anyone after my experience with them.
 
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@losfinch

Thats the kind of feedback that helps.
 
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I'm sorry to report that the Dorman ones I bought back when from Summit Racing both had the little chrome piece inside of the light that covers the actual bulb both popped loose after about 6 months of use and have been rattling around inside of the lenses for a couple of years now. To tell you th e truth I can't see a difference in the light output so I've just left them for now...kind of tacky, I know...but they work. I just wouldn't ever recommend the Dorman brand of lights to anyone after my experience with them.
Sorry about your issue with the headlights. On my AKKORN lights, there seems to be access to the inside via retainer clips holding the lens. Do you not have that on the Dorman? See the silver clips on mine. There are three more clips at the bottom of each light.
 

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I have had the TYC brand for 10 years or more. The lens is still clear. I just ordered a new TYC passenger headlight because I hit a deep pothole and broke the headlight where it adjusts.
 
IIRC Visteon is a ford company and has been for years. I used to work at Ford Microelectonics/visteon over 20yrs ago.

I recently replaced my headlights on my 03 with factory ford/visteon lights as i will not use aftermarket parts. I bought them from a ford dealer on ebay, paid $226 shipped for the pr. also bought better quality bulbs (not the high dollar ones either)which made a huge difference. I can actually see the road at night now.

just in case, I also bought the headlight harness from dfuser because i didn't feel like sourcing my own parts this time around. I think it helped but not as much as many claim. the quality is good but could still be better.

biggest improvement was headlight housings and bulbs. they came with sylvania bulbs but I took those out.
 
INFRNL,
The UV clouds up headlight housings very bad here.
I replaced my first trucks headlights using genuine Ford from White Bear Lake. I replaced my current trucks housings with aftermarket (TYC ?) and I think the light pattern is slightly worse. The moldings might be slightly different than genuine Ford.

I do pay the extra for Sylvania SilverStar Ultra Halogen. They last about 18-24 months for $25/each.
 
I don't believe Ford has any interest in Visteon now. Ford and GM both shed almost all parts manufacturing companies they owned. Motorcraft is mostly a brand sticking parts made by the OE supplier in their bags and boxes.
 
I don't believe Ford has any interest in Visteon now. Ford and GM both shed almost all parts manufacturing companies they owned.
Ford spun off Visteon back in 2000.
Motorcraft is mostly a brand sticking parts made by the OE supplier in their bags and boxes.
You forgot the part about Motorcraft jacking up the price. Things like the International supplied GPR in a Motorcraft box for twice the price.
 
Motorcraft is mostly a brand sticking parts made by the OE supplier in their bags and boxes.
I don’t see anything inherently wrong with this practice as long as Ford/IH continues to demand the same high quality specs in materials & workmanship.

Having used both genuine Motorcraft and aftermarket TYC headlights in the same application in recent years, I don’t think they are entirely identical. Whether that difference warrants a 300% markup on the Ford oval is another story.

For myself, I will buy Motorcraft housings if I can find them for $110/each but not $150.

If I were flipping trucks then I would go for TYC because crisp (not UV degraded) headlights definitely increase the value of the truck and the TYC is still a great product.
 
Well I have purchased both an original Ford headlight ($144) and TYC ($26) headlight in the Aero style with the 2002+ lens design that has a smooth lens vs the earlier model years fluted lens.

I was fully expecting to see a bit lesser quality in the TYC which would be completely understandable given the price difference of $118.

I am surprised to say that even with my trusty magnifying glass I cannot find anything superior in the quality or build of the Motorcraft. In fact, the TYC actually weighs slightly more. The molds are nearly identical. Inside the lens, the designs are identical. The seams where the clear lens meets the grey housing appears equally sealed for water tightness.

The only visual difference are the adjuster screws on the Ford are metal while the TYC are plastic.

The only test remaining is to see how the plastic lens on the aftermarket TYC holds up to UV light over a few years

Bottom line, RT just saved me about $236 by suggesting the TYC brand from Rock Auto.
.
Yes, still happy.(Rock Auto's TYC headlights are..) Equal to factory originals in all regards...i.e adjustments and light disbursement.
I replaced my first trucks headlights using genuine Ford from White Bear Lake. I replaced my current trucks housings with aftermarket (TYC ?) and I think the light pattern is slightly worse. The moldings might be slightly different than genuine Ford.
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Having used both genuine Motorcraft and aftermarket TYC headlights in the same application in recent years, I don’t think they are entirely identical. Whether that difference warrants a 300% markup on the Ford oval is another story.

For myself, I will buy Motorcraft housings if I can find them for $110/each but not $150.

If I were flipping trucks then I would go for TYC because crisp (not UV degraded) headlights definitely increase the value of the truck and the TYC is still a great product.

ArcticDriver.... It appears that your opinion regarding the "identicalness" of TYC headlight housings has changed over time. At first blush, during the honeymoon of money savings, and under the scrutiny of your magnifying glass, the TYC's were, in your words, identical inside the lens, identical in design, and equal to factory originals in all regards...ie adjustments and light disbursement.

Fast forward to today, and with time and experience, you now don't think they are entirely identical, and for myself, I will buy Motorcraft housings.


Thank you for this long term feedback. I would have considered TYC headlight housings based on your earlier comments, but would not consider them based on your latter comments.


If you have any further thoughts that explain how and why you changed your mind, I'm sure that would be useful to others reading like myself.


The power of specific subject matter search compresses time, so one really must pay attention to posting dates to resolve the evolutionary nature of opinion change when it comes to assessing product reviews. This is a relatively rare instance where we can witness that evolutionary change with the same subscriber.
 
INFRNL,
The UV clouds up headlight housings very bad here.
I replaced my first trucks headlights using genuine Ford from White Bear Lake. I replaced my current trucks housings with aftermarket (TYC ?) and I think the light pattern is slightly worse. The moldings might be slightly different than genuine Ford.

I do pay the extra for Sylvania SilverStar Ultra Halogen. They last about 18-24 months for $25/each.
Everything here at altitude is tougher on us. I have already replaced my headlights, so we will see how they hold up this time around. If/when they get messed up enough to make me replace them again; I will see how yours did. Definitely can't beat the price you paid. If they look like the factory 03 lights; I might be in.

Thanks for all your input
 
I'm at 5000 feet also and polished my headlights to clear a few years back followed by a layer of very light blue tinted film. They still look clear but the film lost any trace of blue, so I'm happy with that effort.
 
NYB,

Thanks for the memories...Lol

Its true my experience has changed over time. I have the TYC on both remaining trucks now (sold the truck with the Motorcraft) and have been fiddling around with the pattern and range this past week since I have been doing more night driving in the mountains. I primarily notice the difference in the mountains when I need to rely more on the peripheral pattern. The TYC seem to lack the “shoulder” light and also have shadows or dark spots in the overall disbursement pattern which I have been unable to “adjust” out.

I still have my Motorcraft housings and I can’t see any difference between them and the TYC but I might re-install them just to confirm my memory is accurate.

True the TYC honeymoon is over but I still think they are a good product & bargain at $26 compared to $126+. If I didn’t drive in the mountains then I might not care.
 
BTW, one of my headlight clips broke and required replacement.

They are $17/each at local Ford but can be found for $10 if you search.

P/N: 4C3Z-13N020-AA
 
I'm at 5000 feet also and polished my headlights to clear a few years back followed by a layer of very light blue tinted film. They still look clear but the film lost any trace of blue, so I'm happy with that effort.
I have had luck with this product applied about every 4 months.
Meguiars “Headlight Protectant”.
 

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Maybe this needs a new thread but looking for opinions on foglights using the factory foglight housings.

Have been considering replacing my standard Sylvania white bulbs with LED Amber color from Amazon for $20.
 

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