PIT66 Headlight Assembly Ford F150 2009-2014 Clear Lens Chrome Housing Review: A Tale of Style Over Substance?

There’s a certain pride that comes with owning a 12th generation Ford F-150. These trucks, built from 2009 to 2014, are the definition of workhorses. They’ve hauled, towed, and commuted for over a decade, and their rugged dependability is legendary. But time, as they say, is undefeated. After years of braving sun, rain, and road grime, the original factory headlights inevitably begin to show their age. The once-crystal-clear polycarbonate lenses turn a hazy, yellowed shade, and the light output diminishes to a disappointing, unsafe glow. My own 2013 F-150 was a prime example; it looked tired, and driving at night felt like peering through a murky fog. This degradation isn’t just a cosmetic issue; it’s a critical safety concern. Replacing these worn-out assemblies is essential, not just to restore the truck’s sharp looks, but to ensure you can see and be seen on the road. The search for a replacement led me to the PIT66 Headlight Assembly Ford F150 2009-2014 Clear Lens Chrome Housing, a solution that promises a modern aesthetic and improved performance at an attractive price point.

What to Consider Before Buying Aftermarket Headlight Assemblies

An automotive headlight assembly is more than just a bulb in a housing; it’s a key solution for safety, visibility, and vehicle aesthetics. It’s a precision-engineered component designed to project a specific beam pattern that illuminates the road ahead without blinding oncoming drivers. The main benefits of upgrading are threefold: restoring original brightness lost to age, enhancing safety with modern lighting technology, and dramatically improving the visual appeal of your vehicle. A fresh, clear set of headlights can make an old truck look years younger, instantly boosting its curb appeal and your pride in ownership.

The ideal customer for this type of product is a hands-on vehicle owner facing the common issue of faded, damaged, or underperforming factory headlights. They are looking for a cost-effective way to improve both the look and function of their ride without the exorbitant cost of OEM parts. This upgrade is perfect for DIY enthusiasts who are comfortable with basic tools and potentially some minor wiring. However, it might not be suitable for those who demand flawless, OEM-level performance and longevity straight out of the box, or for individuals who are completely unfamiliar with automotive work and unwilling to hire a professional. For those seeking the absolute highest-quality components with guaranteed performance, OEM replacements or premium-tier aftermarket brands might be a more suitable, albeit much more expensive, alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Compatibility & Fitment: This is non-negotiable. Always double-check that the assembly is designed for your exact vehicle year, make, and model. Pay close attention to sub-model compatibility notes, such as the distinction between factory Halogen models and Xenon HID models. An improper fit will result in unsightly gaps, mounting issues, and improper alignment.
• Light Performance & Technology: Understand what you’re buying. Are the assemblies designed for halogen, LED, or HID bulbs? This product, the PIT66 Headlight Assembly Ford F150 2009-2014 Clear Lens Chrome Housing, is a halogen housing with an integrated LED DRL strip. Performance hinges on the quality of the reflectors and the lens clarity, which dictate the beam pattern’s sharpness and reach. DOT and SAE compliance stamps are also crucial indicators of legal road use and safety standards.
• Materials & Durability: The housing is typically made of ABS plastic, while the lens is polycarbonate. Look for claims of UV-protective coatings on the lens to prevent premature yellowing and heavy-duty, fully sealed housings to prevent moisture intrusion. As we discovered, the quality of the sealant used by the manufacturer is one of the most critical factors for long-term durability.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Is the installation “plug-and-play,” or does it require custom wiring? Many modern aftermarket lights with features like LED DRLs or “demon eyes” require splicing into your vehicle’s existing wiring. Also, consider the ease of bulb replacement and the availability of adjustment screws to properly aim the headlights after installation—a critical step for safety.

While the PIT66 Headlight Assembly Ford F150 2009-2014 Clear Lens Chrome Housing is an excellent choice for a visual upgrade, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: A Bright Look with a Few Shadows

Unboxing the PIT66 Headlight Assembly Ford F150 2009-2014 Clear Lens Chrome Housing was an immediately gratifying experience. The packaging was robust, with each assembly securely encased in foam to prevent any damage during transit—a detail confirmed by many users. Pulling them out, the first thing that strikes you is how clean and modern they look. The crystal-clear lens and bright, fine-chrome-plated interior reflector are a massive visual improvement over the dull, sandblasted OEM units they were replacing. They felt solid enough in hand, with the polycarbonate lens and heavy-duty plastic housing conveying a sense of decent quality. The integrated LED Daytime Running Light (DRL) strip along the bottom is the star of the show, promising a contemporary look similar to higher-end, modern trucks. However, a closer inspection revealed a few red flags. The sealant around the edge where the lens meets the housing looked a bit thin in places, a premonition of issues we’d later encounter. Furthermore, the complete absence of any installation instructions was a notable omission for a product that requires wiring. Despite these initial concerns, the aesthetic promise was undeniable.

Performance Under Pressure: A Deep Dive into the PIT66 Headlights

A new set of headlights is judged on more than just its looks. It has to be installed, it has to illuminate the road effectively, and it must withstand the elements. We put the PIT66 Headlight Assembly Ford F150 2009-2014 Clear Lens Chrome Housing through its paces, from the garage workbench to dark country roads and even an unforgiving automatic car wash. The results were a mixed bag, revealing a product that excels in form but falls critically short in function and durability.

Installation Experience: A DIYer’s Gamble

For anyone who has worked on their F-150 before, the physical process of removing the old headlights and bolting in the new PIT66 units is quite simple. It involves removing three bolts per side, and the housings slide right out. The main connectors for the high and low beams are plug-and-play, which is a relief. We found, as many users did, that the overall fitment was impressive. The assemblies lined up perfectly with the grille and fenders, leaving no unsightly gaps. One user aptly described the fit on his 2010 F-150 as fitting “like Cinderella’s glass slipper.” However, the smooth sailing ends there. The first hurdle we encountered was the mounting clips. These small metal clips on the guide pins are meant to snap into the truck’s frame, securing the light. Out of the box, they are simply too wide to fit. We had to resort to the same trick mentioned by several savvy customers: using pliers to gently squeeze the clips together to narrow their profile. A bit of WD-40 also helped them slide into place. This is a frustrating and unnecessary step that points to a lack of manufacturing precision.

The second, more significant challenge is the wiring for the LED DRL strip. The LEDs are powered by a separate pair of wires (one red, one black) with no connector and, critically, zero instructions. This leaves the installer to guess where to source power. You have to splice these wires into an existing circuit that is active when the ignition is on. We chose to tap into the parking light circuit, which is a common solution. While not overly complex for someone with electrical experience, the complete lack of guidance is unacceptable for a consumer product. A simple diagram would have saved a lot of time and potential frustration. If you aren’t “handy,” as one user warned, you should definitely plan on getting some help for this part of the installation. For a product that seems targeted at the DIY market, this is a major oversight that makes the installation process more of a project than it needs to be.

Aesthetic Upgrade: A Modern Facelift for a Classic Truck

Once the installation hurdles are cleared and the lights are powered on, the visual transformation is stunning. This is, without a doubt, the single greatest strength of the PIT66 Headlight Assembly Ford F150 2009-2014 Clear Lens Chrome Housing. The truck instantly sheds years from its appearance. The clear, chrome design is bright and eye-catching, replacing the dull, cataract-like haze of the old units. The effect is particularly dramatic during the day when the LED DRL strip is active. It provides that sharp, white, linear accent light that has become a signature of modern high-end vehicles. It makes the F-150 look more aggressive, more premium, and far more current. Many users echoed our sentiment, with comments like “they look great!” and “My 2013 looks totally awesome!!!!” being extremely common. The special fine chrome plating inside the housing does an excellent job of catching the light, adding depth and sparkle. If your primary goal is to give your truck a cosmetic refresh and you value style above all else, these headlights deliver in spades. They are an undeniable aesthetic victory and a feature that really sets them apart in this price range.

Light Performance and Beam Pattern: Seeing Isn’t Always Believing

Unfortunately, the stellar looks conceal a deeply flawed and, frankly, unsafe lighting performance. After installing our preferred halogen bulbs (as none are included), we waited for nightfall to aim and test them. The results were profoundly disappointing. The internal reflectors, despite their bright chrome finish, produce a very scattered and poorly defined beam pattern. There’s no sharp, horizontal cut-off for the low beams, which is critical for illuminating the road without blinding oncoming traffic. Instead, the light is dispersed in a vague, blotchy pattern that creates dark spots directly in front of the truck. One user put it perfectly: “Headlights are garbage, look great but they don’t actually light up what’s in front of me.” This was precisely our experience. The brightness seems to be wasted, scattered up into the trees and off to the sides rather than focused down the road where you need it.

This problem is compounded by a woefully inadequate adjustment mechanism. While there is an adjustment screw, its range of motion is extremely limited. We found, as another frustrated user did, that we simply could not raise the beam high enough. No matter how many times we turned the screw, the beam remained aimed dangerously low, illuminating little more than 20-30 feet of pavement in front of the bumper. This makes driving at any speed over 30 mph a nerve-wracking experience, as you have almost no time to react to hazards on the road. The “ultra-wide-angle illumination” claimed in the product description seems to be a euphemism for an unfocused, ineffective beam. For a safety component, this level of underperformance is simply not acceptable. If you frequently drive on unlit roads, the poor visibility from these headlights could pose a serious risk.

Durability and Weather Sealing: The Achilles’ Heel

If the poor light output was a major flaw, the abysmal weather sealing is the fatal one. The claim of a “fully sealed, heavy-duty housing” with a “one-way vent” to dissipate moisture simply does not hold up to real-world conditions. The very first week after installation, following a moderate rainstorm, we noticed the dreaded sign: condensation forming inside the passenger-side lens. This wasn’t just a minor fogging that cleared up; it was visible moisture that persisted for days. This issue is, by far, the most common complaint among users. Review after review tells the same story: “the left headlight has been foggy for months,” “passenger side started holding moisture inside of it,” “First car wash after install caused condensation inside both units.” Some users even reported headlights filling with standing water. This constant moisture is not just unsightly; it will corrode the reflective chrome surfaces, damage bulb sockets, and can lead to premature bulb failure. We found the sealant bead to be inconsistently applied from the factory. While some owners might get lucky with a good set, the quality control is clearly lacking, making it a lottery whether your set will leak or not. Several users reported going through multiple replacement sets only to have the same fogging issue reappear. While one user had a positive experience with a seller sending a new pair, many others found themselves outside the return window with a faulty product. This single, pervasive issue undermines any and all of the product’s positive attributes and is the primary reason we cannot recommend it for long-term use. You can see the full feature set and user reviews to gauge the prevalence of this issue yourself.

What Other Users Are Saying

Our findings are strongly corroborated by a chorus of customer feedback that paints a very clear picture. The sentiment is sharply divided between those who are initially thrilled with the appearance and those who are ultimately let down by functional failures. On the positive side, praise for the product’s looks is nearly universal. One owner stated, “What a nice design. This product is better than the factory setup. My 2013 looks totally awesome!!!!” Another highlighted the ease of the physical install, noting it took only “30 minutes of installation and it was easy.” These comments reflect the immediate “wow factor” the headlights provide.

However, the negative feedback is more frequent and focuses on critical failures. The most prominent complaint, by a wide margin, is the weather sealing. One user’s experience is tragically common: “I ordered the set in November… installed in December and they looked great! …then we got lots of rain in January… and the left light started to leak.” Another simply warns, “Don’t waste your money!!! Second set of these, Driver side on both sets fogged.” Beyond the leaks, the lack of instructions and poor light output are also major points of contention. As one DIYer noted, “There are ZERO instructions. If you aren’t ‘handy’ don’t buy them without some help.” This consistent feedback confirms that while the PIT66 Headlight Assembly Ford F150 2009-2014 Clear Lens Chrome Housing succeeds as a cosmetic part, it fails as a durable, functional piece of safety equipment.

How Does the PIT66 Headlight Assembly Compare to Alternatives?

When evaluating the PIT66 Headlight Assembly Ford F150 2009-2014 Clear Lens Chrome Housing, it’s helpful to look at what other well-regarded aftermarket brands offer for different popular vehicles. This provides context on quality, features, and brand reputation in the broader market.

1. Nilight Silverado Tahoe Suburban C/K Replacement Headlight Chrome Housing

Nilight is a household name in the aftermarket lighting world, known for producing affordable and generally reliable products. This assembly for classic Chevy trucks represents a standard OEM-style replacement. Unlike the PIT66, it doesn’t add flashy modern features like LED DRLs. Instead, it focuses on being a direct, durable replacement that restores factory appearance and performance. Customers who choose a Nilight product are typically prioritizing function and reliability over cutting-edge style. For a truck owner who just wants their headlights to work properly and not leak, a brand with a more established track record for quality control like Nilight might be a safer, if less exciting, choice.

2. AS Toyota Tundra/Sequoia Headlights 2007-2013

This assembly for the Toyota Tundra and Sequoia is another example of a direct, OEM-style replacement. It aims to perfectly replicate the fit, finish, and function of the original factory lights. Like the Nilight, it eschews extra features in favor of core performance. The key selling point here is a precise fit and reliable sealing, addressing the primary failure point of the PIT66 model. A buyer considering this type of product for their Tundra is likely not trying to modernize its look but is instead seeking a dependable, no-fuss solution to yellowed or damaged original headlights, prioritizing long-term, weather-proof performance.

3. AmeriLite 2013-2015 Altima Projector Headlights Chrome Pair

The AmeriLite assembly for the Nissan Altima represents a step up in lighting technology compared to the PIT66’s reflector design. This unit features a projector lens for the low beam. Projector headlights are superior because they use a lens to focus light into a much sharper, more controlled beam with a distinct cutoff, which significantly improves nighttime visibility and reduces glare for oncoming drivers. While the PIT66 offers a stylistic upgrade with its LED DRL, the AmeriLite offers a true performance upgrade. A customer choosing this AmeriLite product for their Altima is specifically looking for better, safer lighting performance in addition to a refreshed look.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy the PIT66 Headlight Assembly?

After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the PIT66 Headlight Assembly Ford F150 2009-2014 Clear Lens Chrome Housing is a conditional and hesitant one. If your sole priority is to achieve a dramatic, modern cosmetic upgrade for your F-150 for the lowest possible price, and you are willing to accept significant risks, then this product delivers an impressive visual punch. The DRLs look fantastic, and the fit is surprisingly precise. However, we cannot in good conscience recommend it for the average truck owner.

The functional shortcomings are simply too severe to overlook. The dangerously poor light output and limited adjustment make night driving less safe, and the rampant, well-documented issues with moisture intrusion suggest a product that is not built to last. It is a classic case of style over substance. You may love the look for a few weeks or months, but there is a very high probability you will be dealing with fogged-up, ineffective headlights after the first major storm. For a critical safety component, that’s a gamble not worth taking. We recommend buyers either invest in a more reputable brand or consider applying an additional layer of silicone sealant themselves before installation to mitigate the inevitable leaks. If you’ve weighed the pros and cons and still feel the aesthetic upgrade is worth the risk, you can check the latest price and availability for the PIT66 Headlight Assembly here.