Elite LED Headlights for the 2021-2023 Ford F-150 were designed to deliver ultimate performance. With the latest technology and features, they add modern style and functionality to your F-150! Each headlight features Bi-LED projectors for maximum output and intensity, a switchback sequential turn signal, a welcome sequence, and a premium DRL bar with selectable color. Elite Max headlights offer additional show mode and off-road lighting features. Elite Headlights redefine what's possible for aftermarket Ford F-150 headlights!
This installation guide will provide you with detailed instructions on how to install Elite LED Headlights for the 2021-2023 Ford F-150 on vehicles equipped with factory halogen, LED reflector, or LED projector headlights. Continue reading for step-by-step instructions below!
Note: You will need to aim the headlights during this installation. Before beginning, position your F-150 on a level surface 25 feet away from a wall, measured from the wall to the outer lens of the headlight.
Table of Contents
- Installation Tools
- What's Included
- Mounting Instructions
- Programming Instructions
- Questions About the Installation?
- Where Can I Buy Elite LED Headlights for the 2021-2023 Ford F-150?
Installation Tools
- Ratchet
- 4mm Socket
- 7mm Socket
- 8mm Socket
- 10mm Socket
- 13mm Socket
- 21mm Socket
- T30 Torx Driver
- Pliers
- Plastic Trim Removal Tools
- Tape
What's Included
Note: The included components vary based on whether you selected headlights for a factory projector or non-projector application and whether you selected Elite or Elite Max headlights.
- Elite or Elite Max LED Headlights
- Vehicle-specific adapter harnesses for the selected factory headlight configuration
- Amp connector harness for factory halogen applications
- Heavy-duty dual-output off-road wiring harness for Elite Max applications
- Sealing plugs for unused connectors
- Headlight aiming tool
Mounting Instructions
Step 1 — Remove the fender liner bolts
Beginning on the passenger side, use a 7mm socket to remove the two 7mm bolts securing the fender liner to the fender wall. Repeat this step on the driver's side of the vehicle.
Step 2 — Remove the mid-bumper trim panel
Starting at the front wheel wells and working your way inward, carefully pull the mid-bumper trim panel away from the truck until each retaining clip releases.
Step 3 — Remove the radiator core support panel
Open the hood and locate the black radiator core support panel.
Using a plastic trim removal tool, remove the 13 plastic clips holding the panel in place. Then, lift the panel upward to remove it.
Step 4 — Disconnect the grille harnesses
Disconnect the harness connectors near the hood latch, circled in red, and remove the harness retaining clip, circled in blue.
Step 5 — Remove the upper grille bolts
Using a 10mm socket, remove the four 10mm bolts securing the grille to the top of the radiator core support.
Step 6 — Remove the lower grille bolts
Using an 8mm socket, remove the two 8mm bolts securing the lower corners of the grille near the headlights.
Step 7 — Remove the grille
Carefully pull the grille away from the vehicle to release it, and set it aside.
Step 8 — Remove the factory headlight fasteners
Beginning on the driver's side, use a plastic trim removal tool to remove the clip, circled in blue, from the top of the headlight. Then, use a 10mm socket to remove the two 10mm bolts, circled in red, from the top of the headlight.
Using an 8mm socket, remove the 8mm bolt on the lower-outside corner of the factory headlight, circled in red. Then, use a 10mm socket to remove the 10mm nut on the lower-inside corner, circled in blue.
Step 9 — Disconnect the factory headlight
With the fasteners removed, pull the headlight firmly toward you to release the remaining ball-pin retainer. Lean the headlight forward and disconnect the factory wiring connectors from the back of the assembly. The number and style of connectors will vary depending on the truck's factory headlight configuration. Once disconnected, remove the factory headlight from the F-150.
Step 10 — Remove the passenger-side headlight
Repeat Steps 8 and 9 on the passenger side of the vehicle to remove the remaining factory headlight.
Step 11 — Route the amp connector harness
Note: This step applies only to trucks equipped with factory halogen headlights. If your F-150 has factory LED reflector or LED projector headlights, proceed to Step 12.
Factory halogen applications require the included amp connector harness to provide constant power to the new headlights. Route the harness across the engine bay by following the factory wiring loom.
Connect the ring terminal on the amp connector harness to the positive battery terminal. Then, route one amp connector to each headlight opening. These connectors will be connected to connector 6 on the applicable headlight adapter harnesses during Step 13.
Step 12 — Route the Elite Max off-road wiring harness
Note: This step applies only to Elite Max headlights. If you are installing Elite headlights, proceed to Step 13.
Route the heavy-duty dual-output off-road wiring harness by following the factory wiring loom across the engine bay.
Connect the positive and negative ring terminals to the corresponding battery terminals. Then, route one DT output connector to each headlight opening.
For trucks equipped with factory LED projector headlights, each DT output will connect to the DT input on the applicable projector adapter harness during Step 13. For factory halogen or LED reflector applications, each DT output will connect to connector 2 on the non-projector adapter harness.
Next, route the auxiliary switch wire through the firewall and into the cabin. We recommend using the grommet located next to the brake booster, as shown below. Connect the included toggle switch or an appropriate factory auxiliary switch connection.
Step 13 — Connect the vehicle-specific adapter harnesses
The required connections depend on whether your F-150 was originally equipped with factory halogen, LED reflector, or LED projector headlights. Confirm that the headlight version selected when ordering matches your truck's factory headlight configuration before continuing.
Factory LED projector applications — DD5178 and DD5177:
At each headlight opening, connect the projector adapter harness to the factory 16-pin headlight connector that was disconnected in Step 9. Repeat this process on the opposite side of the vehicle.
If you are installing Elite Max headlights, connect the DT output from the heavy-duty dual-output off-road wiring harness to the DT input on each projector adapter harness.
Route the opposite end of each projector adapter harness toward the corresponding headlight opening. The large headlight connector will connect to the back of the new headlight during Step 15.
Factory halogen and LED reflector applications — DD5168 and DD5167:
Plug the connectors on each non-projector adapter harness into the corresponding factory connectors disconnected in Step 9. Each connector is uniquely keyed and will only fit its matching connection.
Refer to the image and table below to determine which connectors are required for your factory headlight configuration and whether you are installing Elite or Elite Max headlights.
For factory halogen applications, connect the amp connector harness routed in Step 11 to connector 6 on each adapter harness.
If you are installing Elite Max headlights, connect the DT output from the heavy-duty dual-output off-road wiring harness to connector 2 on each adapter harness.
Cap any unused connectors with the included sealing plugs.
Important: The resistor attached to connector 5 on the non-projector adapter harness will become hot during operation. Secure the resistor where it will not touch wiring, plastic components, or other heat-sensitive materials. Do not mount the resistor directly against any wiring harness.
Step 14 — Connect the Elite LED fog lights
Note: If you are installing the headlights without Elite LED Fog Lights, proceed to Step 15.
Connect one included communication wire to the communication port on the back of the passenger-side headlight. Remove the plastic cap covering the port before making the connection. Repeat this process with the second communication wire on the driver's side.
Route the opposite end of each communication wire down to the corresponding Elite LED Fog Light. Insert each connector into the communication port on the fog light.
Step 15 — Connect and mount the Elite LED Headlights
Beginning on the passenger side, plug the large connector from the vehicle-specific adapter harness into the back of the new Elite LED Headlight.
For projector adapter harnesses, push the positive retention clip forward to lock the connector in place.
Position the headlight on the vehicle and reinstall the factory fasteners removed in Step 8. Repeat this process on the driver's side.
Step 16 — Test the headlight functions
Test all functions of the new Elite LED Headlights before reinstalling the grille. Verify the low beams, high beams, daytime running lights, parking lights, turn signals, welcome sequence, and any applicable Elite Max functions.
Welcome Sequence Note: If the truck has been off long enough to enter sleep mode, pressing Unlock by itself may not activate the welcome sequence. Press Lock and then Unlock to trigger the sequence. Once the truck is awake, the welcome sequence will activate each time the Unlock button on the key fob is pressed.
Step 17 — Reinstall the grille
Position the grille on the vehicle and press it into place. Using an 8mm socket, reinstall the two 8mm bolts removed in Step 6 at the lower corners of the grille.
Step 18 — Reinstall the upper grille bolts
Using a 10mm socket, reinstall the four 10mm bolts removed in Step 5 along the top of the grille.
Step 19 — Reconnect the grille harnesses
Reconnect the harness connectors near the hood latch and reinstall the harness retaining clip removed in Step 4.
Step 20 — Reinstall the radiator core support panel
Reinstall the radiator core support panel removed in Step 3 and secure it using the 13 factory plastic clips.
Step 21 — Access the headlight adjusters
Beginning on the passenger side, reach through the wheel-well liner and unclip the wiring harness shown below. This provides additional access to the upper vertical aim adjuster. Repeat this process on the driver's side.
Step 22 — Aim the headlights
For additional aiming instructions, watch the video below and then continue reading.
With the F-150 positioned on a level surface 25 feet from a wall, use a tape measure to determine the height of the aiming dots on the exterior lenses of the installed headlights. Measure both the driver- and passenger-side headlights. The measurements should be the same.
Place one long horizontal piece of tape on the wall at the measured height. Then, place a second horizontal piece of tape exactly three inches below the first. Turn on the headlights after both tape lines have been positioned.
The upper headlight gradients should align with the upper tape marker. The lower gradients should be exactly three inches below the upper gradients and align with the lower tape marker.
Using the provided aiming tool or a 4mm socket, rotate the vertical adjustment screws, circled in green below, as needed. Rotate the adjuster counterclockwise to aim the light higher or clockwise to aim it lower.
Note: Do not adjust the horizontal aim adjusters, circled in red. The headlights are aimed horizontally before leaving the factory.
Step 23 — Reinstall the mid-bumper trim panel
After aiming the headlights, align the mid-bumper trim panel with its original mounting position. Beginning in the center and working outward, press the panel toward the vehicle until all retaining clips snap into place.
Step 24 — Reinstall the fender liner bolts
Using a 7mm socket, reinstall the 7mm bolts removed in Step 1. Be sure to secure the fender liner on both the passenger and driver's sides.
The installation is now complete. Enjoy your new Elite LED Headlights for the 2021-2023 Ford F-150!
Programming Instructions
To configure the selectable daytime running light and, for Elite Max headlights, show mode, follow our step-by-step Ford F-150 Elite LED Headlight programming guide.
Questions About the Installation?
If you have any questions about installing the Elite LED Headlights for the 2021-2023 Ford F-150, contact us via our support page.
Where Can I Buy Elite LED Headlights for the 2021-2023 Ford F-150?
If you're ready to upgrade your 2021-2023 Ford F-150 with Elite LED Headlights, visit DiodeDynamics.com or use our Dealer Locator to find a dealer near you.
Want to know more about Diode Dynamics products? Visit DiodeDynamics.com and subscribe to our newsletter for new product releases and more!
This Installation Guide is for the following SKUs: DD5178, DD5168, DD5177, DD5167
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