The factory headlights on the 2019+ Ford Ranger come up short at night, on the road and on the trail. The halogen units are dim and yellow, and even the higher-end factory LED headlights, which put out a clean pattern, just are not very bright. If you have ever squinted down a dark back road or struggled to pick out the edge of a trail, you already know the problem. We installed the Morimoto XB LED headlights on one of the wildest Rangers we have ever had in the shop, and the jump in light output, width and style was obvious the moment we hit the switch. This guide covers what we saw, what to avoid, fitment, and how the install goes, so you can decide if these 2019 Ford Ranger LED headlights belong on your build.
What Makes the Morimoto XB Ranger Headlight Different
Three projectors per side. That is the headline.
These are the first and only set of headlights in the entire Morimoto XB lineup to use three Bi-LED projectors in each housing. That means three low beams and three high beams on each side of the truck, all working together to put as much usable light on the road as possible. Each projector fires up as a low beam, and when you click on the high beams, an internal shutter drops to let more light pass through the lens. You get a sharp, controlled low beam and a big step up in reach on high, without swapping between separate bulbs.
The housings use blacked out internals, which gives the front of the Ranger a more aggressive, modern look even with the lights switched off. On a white truck like the one we had in the studio, the contrast between the dark housing and the three chrome-ringed lenses really pops.
Real-World Testing Notes
We do not judge headlights on looks alone. Bottom line, a new headlight has to see better than what came on the truck, and the XB clears that bar against both factory options.
Light Output Compared to Stock
The XB is much brighter and wider than both the stock halogen and the stock LED headlights. The factory LED version is the tougher comparison, so that is the one we measured against. The OEM Ranger LED headlight puts out 560 max lux on low beam and 930 max lux on high beam. Its beam pattern is reasonably clean, but the light simply is not very bright.
The Morimoto XB measured 760 max lux on low beam, which is a 35 percent increase, and 1050 max lux on high beam, a 12 percent increase. That low beam gain is the number that matters most, because the low beam is what you drive on the vast majority of the time. More light on the road, spread wider across the shoulders, gives you more time to react to whatever is waiting past the reach of the factory pattern.
If your Ranger came with halogens, the difference is even bigger, since you are moving from a single halogen bulb setup to three Bi-LED projectors per side.
The Startup Sequence
Then there is the part everyone asks about. When the daytime running lights kick on, the projectors illuminate in a two-stage sequence before turning back off. Worth noting: this does absolutely nothing for performance. It is purely cosmetic. But you cannot deny the cool factor, and every person who walked past the truck in our shop stopped to watch it cycle.
Daytime Running Light
The LED DRL is powered by Osram 5K LEDs, and it is insanely bright. We found it easily visible even in direct daylight, which is exactly what you want from a running light. It outlines the headlight and gives the Ranger a crisp, white signature that looks nothing like the factory lamp.
Sequential Turn Signal
The turn signal uses the same optics as the DRL, paired with amber LEDs, to produce a full sequential signal. It looks as good as the startup sequence. If you prefer a more traditional look, the signal can also be set up to run as a solid on/off style signal. We like having that choice, since not every owner wants a sweeping signal on a work truck.
If you want the lower half of the front end to match, I would pair these with the matching Morimoto XB LED fog lights for the Ranger, which keep the whole fascia looking like one cohesive package.
Mistakes to Avoid
Most of the trouble we see with headlight upgrades has nothing to do with the product. It comes down to a few avoidable slips during or after the install.
Skipping the Aim
This is the big one. The triple projector optics meet and exceed SAE, DOT and FMVSS 108 regulations, but only when they are aimed properly. A headlight pointed too high will blind oncoming drivers, and one pointed too low wastes all that extra output on the pavement right in front of your bumper. The XB has integrated adjusters that make aiming easy, so there is no excuse to skip it. Here is the catch: a lifted truck like the one we had changes the geometry, so if you have changed your ride height, aim after the lift, not before.
Cutting or Splicing the Harness
These headlights are designed to work on your Ranger without any modifications. They plug into the factory headlight connectors, and each assembly includes all of the necessary connectors, seals and pigtails. You do not need to cut into the truck’s wiring. Splicing where it is not required just creates a weak point for corrosion and future electrical gremlins.
Forgetting the Seals
The included seals are there for a reason. Make sure every connection is fully seated and sealed before you put the truck back together. A loose connector can cause a function to drop out, and a missing seal invites moisture.
Mismatched Fog Lights
It sounds cosmetic, but a crisp white headlight paired with yellowed factory fogs can make the front end look unfinished. If you are going all in on the lighting, plan the fog light upgrade at the same time.
How to Choose the Right Ranger Headlight Upgrade
Not every Ranger owner has the same goals, so it helps to be honest about what you want out of the upgrade before you buy.
If your priority is seeing better at night, the XB makes a strong case. Three Bi-LED projectors per side, a measured 35 percent gain in low beam output over the factory LED unit, and a wider pattern than stock all point in the same direction. If you also want a big style change, the blacked out housing, Osram-powered DRL and sequential signal deliver that without any extra modules or wiring.
If you are building a full lighting package, think about the fog lights and auxiliary lighting at the same time. For a lot of builds, I like to steer owners toward the 4Banger LED fog lights when they want strong low-mounted light for trail use alongside the new headlights.
And if you are still comparing housing styles across different Ranger platforms, take a look at the AlphaRex Luxx headlights listing and confirm the fitment notes for your exact truck before you order. Matching the part to your truck’s year and factory headlight type is the single most important step.
Fitment and Compatibility
The Morimoto XB LED headlights are built for the 2019+ Ford Ranger. They work on both factory headlight configurations:
- Trucks that came stock with the basic halogen headlights
- Higher-end trucks that came with the factory projectors and LED DRL
That broad compatibility is a big deal. Many aftermarket headlights only fit one factory configuration and force halogen owners to buy adapters or extra harnesses. With the XB, the necessary connectors, seals and pigtails come in the box for a plug and play install on either version.
We always tell customers to start with what the truck came with from the factory, since that affects which other parts pair up cleanly. If your truck has the factory LED headlights, our page of lighting upgrades for the 2019 Ranger with LED headlights is the fastest way to see everything that fits. If yours is a base truck, browse the upgrades for trucks that came with halogen headlights instead.
On the electrical side, the XB is designed to run without error codes, flickering, hyper flashing or radio interference. US market lights are equipped with amber side markers. And because the install requires no modifications, the headlights can easily be removed and will not void your factory warranty.
Step-by-Step Install
Because the XB plugs into the factory connectors with no modifications, the install is straightforward for anyone comfortable with basic hand tools. Here is how we approach it in the shop.
Step 1: Prep the Truck
Park on a level surface, turn the truck off and remove the key. Give yourself room to work around the front end. If you plan to aim the lights afterward, a level spot facing a flat wall is ideal, so pick that spot now.
Step 2: Remove the Factory Headlights
Remove the factory headlight assemblies following the Ford service procedure for your truck. Unplug the factory headlight connectors and set the old assemblies aside somewhere safe. Keep them, since you can reinstall them later if you ever sell the truck.
Step 3: Connect the Included Pigtails
Lay out the connectors, seals and pigtails that come with each XB assembly. Use the ones that match your truck’s factory configuration (halogen or LED). Make sure each connection is fully seated and every seal is in place.
Step 4: Plug In and Test Every Function
Plug the XB headlights into the factory connectors before you fully mount them. Test the DRL (watch for the two-stage startup sequence), low beam, high beam, turn signals and side markers. Catching a loose connection now saves you from pulling the headlight back out later.
Step 5: Mount the Headlights
Once everything checks out, mount the new assemblies using the factory mounting points and reassemble anything you removed to get access.
Step 6: Aim the Headlights
Use the integrated adjusters to aim the low beam properly. This is what keeps the optics within SAE, DOT and FMVSS 108 regulations and keeps you from blinding oncoming traffic. Short job. Do not skip it.
After that, take the truck out after dark and see the difference for yourself. Ours looked fantastic sitting in the studio, and even better with the lights on.
Our Take
Whether you are building a wild trail rig or you simply want to see better on your nightly commute, the Morimoto XB LED headlights deserve a spot on your list of Ranger mods. You get three Bi-LED projectors per side, measured gains over the factory LED headlights, an Osram-powered DRL that holds its own in daylight, a sequential signal you can switch to solid, and a true plug and play install that will not void your warranty. Bottom line, it fixes the biggest weakness of the stock Ranger front end. You can find them, along with the matching fog light options, at theretrofitsource.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Ford Ranger years do the Morimoto XB LED headlights fit?
They are built for the 2019+ Ford Ranger. They work on trucks that came with the basic halogen headlights and on the higher-end trucks with projectors and the LED DRL.
How many projectors do the Morimoto XB headlights for the Ranger use?
Each headlight uses three Bi-LED projectors, which gives you three low beams and three high beams per side. It is the first and only set in the Morimoto XB lineup to use three Bi-LED projectors.
Is the install plug and play?
Yes. The headlights are designed to work on the Ranger without modifications and plug into the factory headlight connectors. Each assembly includes the necessary connectors, seals and pigtails. There should be no error codes, flickering, hyper flashing or radio interference.
Are the Morimoto XB headlights for the Ranger street legal?
The triple projector optics meet and exceed SAE, DOT and FMVSS 108 regulations when aimed properly, and integrated adjusters make aiming easy. US market lights come with amber side markers.
How do the daytime running light and turn signal work?
The LED DRL is powered by Osram 5K LEDs and is easy to see even on the brightest days. The turn signal uses the same optics with amber LEDs for a full sequential setup, and it can also be set up as a solid on/off style signal.
Meet the Experts Behind The Retrofit Source
Tyler Jordan – Technical Writer
Tyler works directly with the TRS product R&D team, bringing over a decade of automotive aftermarket lighting experience to every article. An avid enthusiast with hundreds of personal installations under his belt, his content is built on hands-on knowledge from the workbench, not spec sheets.
Caleb Morgan – Marketing Manager
Caleb brings over a decade of automotive lighting industry experience and works with TRS customers daily on the front lines. With hundreds of personal lighting installations and a direct feedback loop from real buyers, his content addresses the questions and problems that actually matter.
