Halogen Tail Lights -> Third-Party Tail Lights

[murrman]

I'm looking to upgrade from my base halogen tail lights to one of the third-party options. From my research, it seems like the Form Lighting ones are the only ones that don't have potential issues when used with a Bronco that didn't have the Signature LED tail lights. What I'm trying to figure out, though, is why exactly that is. I've also read that it's possible to upgrade from the halogen tail lights to the Ford Signature LED ones, but a modification in ForScan is required. Does this mean that doing the same modification in ForScan would eliminate the issues that owners of Oracle and/or Morimoto tail lights have reported, or is there a separate issues that occurs?

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[Brian_B]

There are two distinct differences between the signature and non-signature lights

The first, the halogens get a standard 12V on/off to the lamps. LED lights, though, get a PWM-driven signal to control the brightness. That is one of the Forscan changes - changing that output from 12V to PWM.

The issue with aftermarket lights, the factory PWM driver is tuned to the factory LED lamps. If you use a different LED, it probably needs a different PWM setting. And, so far, I don't think we really know how to adjust the PWM setting. Form gets around this by including their own PWM driver inside the housing. I don't know what Oracle and Morimoto do.

The second difference is the turn signal. The Halogen light does not have a separate amber turn signal, it just flashes the brake light. You can enable that setting in Forscan as well, but non-signature Broncos don't have the wiring to support the amber turn signal. It can be added, there are posts here on how to do it, but it's not trivial.

Again, Form gets around this by having a harness go up to the Third Brake Light -- if the tail lamp gets a brake signal and the CHMSL is on, then the taillight knows it's the brake. If the tail lamp gets a brake signal and the CHMSL is ~not~ on, then it's for the turn signal and it activates the amber light (or the animation if you enable it). I don't know if other aftermarket options do anything similar or not.

So - to answer your question about Oracle and Morimotos - the answer is probably not. But in theory, if you make the Forscan changes ~and~ run the additional wire, it's just like you had the Signature LED lamps anyway...

 

[murrman]

There are two distinct differences between the signature and non-signature lights

The first, the halogens get a standard 12V on/off to the lamps. LED lights, though, get a PWM-driven signal to control the brightness. That is one of the Forscan changes - changing that output from 12V to PWM.

The issue with aftermarket lights, the factory PWM driver is tuned to the factory LED lamps. If you use a different LED, it probably needs a different PWM setting. And, so far, I don't think we really know how to adjust the PWM setting. Form gets around this by including their own PWM driver inside the housing. I don't know what Oracle and Morimoto do.

The second difference is the turn signal. The Halogen light does not have a separate amber turn signal, it just flashes the brake light. You can enable that setting in Forscan as well, but non-signature Broncos don't have the wiring to support the amber turn signal. It can be added, there are posts here on how to do it, but it's not trivial.

Again, Form gets around this by having a harness go up to the Third Brake Light -- if the tail lamp gets a brake signal and the CHMSL is on, then the taillight knows it's the brake. If the tail lamp gets a brake signal and the CHMSL is ~not~ on, then it's for the turn signal and it activates the amber light (or the animation if you enable it). I don't know if other aftermarket options do anything similar or not.

So - to answer your question about Oracle and Morimotos - the answer is probably not. But in theory, if you make the Forscan changes ~and~ run the additional wire, it's just like you had the Signature LED lamps anyway...

Thank you very much for the detailed reply!

 

[OracleLights]

OEM Halogen lights that are replaced by Oracle Tail Light should use the included resistor and not require FORSCAN adaptation.

 

[redone17]

…and I’ve had to replace those resistors half a dozen times in 3 years. I suggest mounting it up high like the Morimoto instructions and heat wrap all connections. But, it’s inevitable that the resistor will corrode and need to be replaced. It’s a PITA honestly. They continue to work fine - but, the interior blinker on the cluster & sound/clicker is double speed.

Too bad the Form lights are hideous.

 

[4x4TruckLEDs.com]

I'm looking to upgrade from my base halogen tail lights to one of the third-party options. From my research, it seems like the Form Lighting ones are the only ones that don't have potential issues when used with a Bronco that didn't have the Signature LED tail lights. What I'm trying to figure out, though, is why exactly that is. I've also read that it's possible to upgrade from the halogen tail lights to the Ford Signature LED ones, but a modification in ForScan is required. Does this mean that doing the same modification in ForScan would eliminate the issues that owners of Oracle and/or Morimoto tail lights have reported, or is there a separate issues that occurs?

The Reason the Form Lighting don't have an issue is because they are pulling the brake circuit from your actual 3rd brake light instead of the tails. That's why. This removes any resistance issues that may be present (or not) by pulling the circuit from the brake.

See halogens are looking for extra resistance. Since the Form/Morimoto are LED tails, they pull less resistance. That's why Morimoto includes a resistor pack HOWEVER the Bronco computer is so FINICKY that the resistance sometimes does not play well with what it's looking for.

Form fixes this issue by getting a brake/running light circuit from the actual 3rd brake light in your spare tire.

Nothing gets cut btw. It's a plug and play installation. They provide an in-line connector that plugs in-line with it. So it does require running an extra wire but it's not difficult at all.

I'd go with the Form if you don't have the LED factory tails.

Use coupon code LABOR and you'll save 10% off today (sale ends today btw)

https://www.4x4truckleds.com/form-lighting-led-tail-lights-for-2021-ford-bronco/

 

[indio22]

…and I’ve had to replace those resistors half a dozen times in 3 years. I suggest mounting it up high like the Morimoto instructions and heat wrap all connections. But, it’s inevitable that the resistor will corrode and need to be replaced. It’s a PITA honestly. They continue to work fine - but, the interior blinker on the cluster & sound/clicker is double speed.

Too bad the Form lights are hideous.

I installed the Oracle LED flush fit tail lights in place of the OEM halogens. Instead of using the resistors I made a change via Forscan. So far so good the lights work fine.

 

[Headsong]

I went with the Oracles as well, from halogen to LED, what a freakin' difference backing into a dark garage!!! Didn't change a thing, installed as told and all is well.

That said, big fan of @Diode Dynamics @Form Lighting , so I'd likely look at the Form ones now.

 

[redone17]

What exactly did you change? Then just plugged in directly to the factory harness? I wonder why the hell they didn't offer that solution this whole time...

@ORACLE Lighting @ORACLE Jeff @ORACLE Terry @OracleLights

 

[Brian_B]

Form fixes this issue by getting a brake/running light circuit from the actual 3rd brake light in your spare tire.

This isn’t true.

Form brake lights work fine if you do not install the CHMSL pigtail. The pigtail is optional for halogen lights, and entirely not required for LED lights.

It’s used on Halogen lights ~if and only if~ you want amber or animated turn signals

 

[ORACLE Lighting]

What exactly did you change? Then just plugged in directly to the factory harness? I wonder why the hell they didn't offer that solution this whole time...

@ORACLE Lighting @ORACLE Jeff @ORACLE Terry @OracleLights

Just change the rear turn outage to Disabled.

Here is how you do it:

 

[redone17]

@ORACLE Lighting - wow, you’ve literally sent me 8 resistors in 3 years and that’s all that needed to be done…

 

[ORACLE Lighting]

@ORACLE Lighting - wow, you’ve literally sent me 8 resistors in 3 years and that’s all that needed to be done…

Not everyone wants to make Forscan changes, if you have Forscan already then this is a great option for you.

 

[redone17]

Not everyone wants to make Forscan changes, if you have Forscan already then this is a great option for you.

Just wish it was suggested. I didn't realize the correlation. I thought the Forscan changes were just for those with factory LEDs.

 

[Brian_B]

I mean it’s great the Forscan option exists…. But I would be addressing the 8 replacement parts that were needed. Sounds like a redesign or rethink is in order

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