PIT66 LED DRL Headlights & Corner Lights Kit Review: A Modern Look Riddled with Installation Woes

There’s a certain pride that comes with keeping a classic truck on the road. For me, it’s a 2002 Ford F-150, a testament to an era of straightforward, tough-as-nails engineering. But time, as it does, takes its toll. The most glaring sign of its age wasn’t the paint or the interior, but the headlights. Yellowed, hazy, and oxidized, the original housings looked like tired, cataracts-ridden eyes. They didn’t just look bad; they were a genuine safety hazard. Night drives on country roads became a white-knuckle affair, with the dim, scattered beams doing little to pierce the darkness. This isn’t just my story; it’s the story of countless owners of late 90s and early 2000s Ford F-150s, Expeditions, and F-250s. Upgrading isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity for restoring both the truck’s appearance and its fundamental safety. The market is flooded with options, but the promise of the PIT66 LED DRL Headlights & Corner Lights Kit, with its modern black housing and slick LED strip, was too compelling to ignore.

Before You Buy: A DIYer’s Guide to Aftermarket Automotive Headlight Assemblies

An automotive headlight assembly is more than just a replacement part; it’s a key solution for safety, performance, and aesthetics. For trucks of a certain vintage, a new set of headlights can feel like winding the clock back a decade, erasing the effects of UV damage and road debris. The primary benefit is, of course, improved illumination. Modern reflector and projector technology, paired with clear polycarbonate lenses, can dramatically increase light output and create a more focused beam pattern, enhancing nighttime visibility and reducing driver fatigue. Beyond safety, these kits are one of the most impactful cosmetic upgrades you can make, instantly modernizing your vehicle’s front end with features like blacked-out housings and integrated LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs).

The ideal customer for a product like this is a hands-on vehicle owner, someone who is comfortable with basic tools and isn’t afraid to get a little grease under their fingernails. If you enjoy weekend projects and see a challenge like swapping hardware as part of the fun, you’re in the right place. However, if you expect a perfect, 15-minute, plug-and-play installation with zero modifications, aftermarket headlight kits in this price range might lead to frustration. For those who prioritize a flawless fit and finish above all else and aren’t on a tight budget, seeking out genuine OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) replacements or professional installation of high-end aftermarket brands might be a more suitable path.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Vehicle Compatibility & Fitment: This is non-negotiable. Double and triple-check that the assembly is designed for your exact year, make, and model, including any mid-generation refreshes (like the 2004 F-150 Heritage). Beyond the model, look at reviews for common fitment issues. Aftermarket parts, especially complex three-piece designs like this one, can sometimes have minor tolerance differences that require adjustment or modification for a factory-perfect alignment.
• Light Source & Performance: Understand what you’re buying. Does the kit include bulbs, or will you need to provide your own? What kind of DRLs does it have? While an LED strip looks modern, the actual headlight performance comes from the main bulb and the quality of the reflector housing. A poorly designed reflector can result in a dim or scattered beam, regardless of how powerful your bulb is. Always check if the assembly is DOT (Department of Transportation) and SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) approved, ensuring it meets federal standards for safety and performance.
• Materials & Durability: The lens should be made from high-quality, UV-coated polycarbonate to resist yellowing and hazing over time. The housing itself should be made from a durable plastic like ABS. Pay close attention to the sealing. A poorly sealed unit will be prone to internal condensation and fogging, which not only looks terrible but can also lead to premature bulb failure and corrosion of the reflective surfaces.
• Ease of Installation & Hardware: This is where many budget-friendly kits stumble. As we discovered, many require you to reuse clips, sockets, and retainers from your old, brittle factory lights. Be prepared for this reality. A truly “plug-and-play” installation is rare. Having to transfer hardware isn’t a deal-breaker for a seasoned DIYer, but it’s a crucial factor to be aware of before you have your truck’s front end disassembled in the driveway.

Considering these factors will help you set realistic expectations and choose the right headlight assembly for your needs and skill level.

While the PIT66 LED DRL Headlights & Corner Lights Kit is an excellent choice for a specific type of owner, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models for various trucks, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Sleek Looks and a Hint of Trouble

Unboxing the PIT66 LED DRL Headlights & Corner Lights Kit was genuinely exciting. The four main pieces (two headlight housings, two corner lamp housings) were well-packaged and arrived without a scratch. Pulling them from the foam, the first thing that strikes you is the visual appeal. The glossy black housing is deep and uniform, and the clear, flawless polycarbonate lens gives the assembly a premium look. Compared to the tired, sand-blasted OEM units, they felt like a time machine for the front of my F-150. The integrated LED DRL strip, though unlit, looked sharp and well-integrated into the design.

However, a closer inspection raised the first yellow flags. Flipping the main headlight housing over, the plastic mounting tabs and adjustment points felt noticeably thinner and more flexible than the factory units. This is a common trait in budget aftermarket parts, but it was a point of immediate concern, as these points bear the stress of alignment and road vibration. The kit includes the main housings and the corner lights, but as many users noted and we can confirm, it does not come with new main headlight bulbs or the smaller corner lamp bulbs. More importantly, it lacks the critical mounting hardware—the clips, pins, and sockets—that are essential for installation. This means you’re entirely dependent on salvaging these parts from your old, likely brittle, 20-year-old lights. It’s a cost-saving measure that immediately complicates what should be a straightforward job. You can see the full kit and its components here.

Performance Deep Dive: A Tale of Two Experiences

Our experience with the PIT66 LED DRL Headlights & Corner Lights Kit was a journey of highs and lows. It’s a product that excels in one area (aesthetics) while falling significantly short in others (installation and function). It truly is a case study in managing expectations and understanding the trade-offs inherent in the budget aftermarket parts world. To give you the full picture, we’ve broken down our extensive testing into three key areas that defined our time with this kit.

Installation: A Test of Patience and Your Parts Bin

Let’s be unequivocally clear: the installation of this kit is not for the faint of heart. The product description suggests an OE-standard replacement, but our experience was far from it. The process began simply enough by removing the grille and the old, faded headlight assemblies. This is where the smooth sailing ended. The first major hurdle, as anticipated, was the hardware. The new housings are essentially bare shells. You must carefully pry the metal retaining clips, the plastic adjustment bushings, and the bulb sockets from your original lights. If your truck has spent two decades in the sun, these plastic pieces will be incredibly brittle. We managed to break one of the original bushings during removal, sending us scrambling to find a replacement.

Once we had the hardware transferred, the next problem emerged: fitment. One user review mentioned the adjustable plastic pin on the back was too large and required trimming. We encountered the exact same issue. The pin was a few millimeters too thick to seat properly in the truck’s core support. We had to carefully file it down with a rotary tool to get the housing to sit flush. This is a modification that many buyers would be, justifiably, unwilling to perform. Furthermore, the clips that hold the adjustment screws are poorly designed. As another user noted, “the clips that the screws go through are terrible the screws slip through and releases the whole headlight.” We found this to be precisely the case. The metal is too flimsy, allowing the screw head to pop through under tension, making the crucial task of aiming the headlights a frustrating battle. Aligning the three separate pieces—the main headlight, the corner light, and the lower filler panel—to achieve even body gaps was an exercise in trial, error, and compromise. What should have been a 1-hour job stretched into a 3-hour ordeal, requiring tools and modifications well beyond a simple bolt-on affair. This installation process is the single biggest drawback and something any potential buyer must be prepared to face.

Aesthetic Upgrade vs. Real-World Light Performance

Once the installation battle was won, we stepped back to admire the results, and frankly, they were stunning. The PIT66 LED DRL Headlights & Corner Lights Kit is a cosmetic grand slam. The black housings gave our old F-150 a mean, modern facelift. During the day, the change is dramatic, making the truck look years younger. Firing up the LED DRL strips for the first time was the real “wow” moment. They are bright, crisp, and give the truck a presence it never had before. If your primary goal is to update the look of your truck for a very reasonable price, this kit delivers in spades. From ten feet away, it looks like a high-end, professional upgrade.

Unfortunately, the story changes dramatically when the sun goes down. The primary function of a headlight is to illuminate the road, and this is where the kit’s beautiful form fails in its function. We installed a brand new set of high-quality halogen bulbs, but the light output was profoundly disappointing. Several user reviews lamented this, with one stating, “even with an expensive bulb replacement… I still can not see at night. They simply are too dark.” Our testing confirmed this. The issue isn’t the bulbs; it’s the internal reflector optics. The beam pattern lacks a sharp, defined cutoff, scattering light upwards and to the sides rather than focusing it down the road. There were noticeable dark spots in the beam, and the overall brightness felt significantly lower than even the old, hazy OEM units we had replaced. For anyone living in rural areas or driving on poorly lit roads, this is not just an inconvenience; it’s a serious safety compromise. The stunning daytime look comes at the cost of nighttime visibility, a trade-off that is difficult to recommend. It seems the design prioritizes aesthetics far above optical engineering, a critical flaw you can investigate further by checking its design specifications.

Build Quality and Long-Term Durability Concerns

The overall build quality of the PIT66 LED DRL Headlights & Corner Lights Kit is consistent with its budget price point. The polycarbonate lenses are clear and appear to be of good quality, which is crucial for preventing the rapid yellowing that plagued the original units. The main housing is made of a standard ABS plastic that feels adequate, if a bit less robust than the factory part. The major point of weakness, which we identified during both unboxing and installation, is the mounting infrastructure. The plastic used for the mounting tabs and, most critically, the adjustment points is inferior. One reviewer shared photos of “inferior plastics on the mounts” that had “failed miserably,” and based on our hands-on experience, we can see why. The plastic is too pliable and feels brittle, raising serious concerns about how it will hold up to years of engine vibration and temperature cycles.

The assemblies claim to be fully sealed, waterproof, and dust-proof. Out of the box, the seals appear to be properly applied. However, the true test of a seal is time and weather. Given the other corners cut in the manufacturing process, we have reservations about their long-term integrity. It would not be surprising to see owners report issues with internal fogging or condensation after a few seasons of rain and car washes. While the 1-year manufacturer warranty offers some peace of mind, the labor involved in removing and replacing a failed unit makes this a significant gamble. This is a product built to a price, and durability feels like the area where the most compromises were made.

What Other Users Are Saying

Our findings are strongly corroborated by the wider community of users who have installed this kit. The sentiment is remarkably consistent: a love for the aesthetics paired with deep frustration over the installation and performance. On the positive side, a common refrain is similar to one user’s comment: “Look way better than my old oem yellowed out ones.” Another stated, “So far these are pretty great for the price. They look amazing and feel like a good quality build.” These comments capture the initial excitement and visual payoff that the kit provides.

However, the negative feedback is specific and widespread, focusing on the same issues we encountered. The hardware problem is a constant theme, with one owner noting, “I had to use the old hardware from my old lights to make these work.” The fitment challenges are also frequently mentioned, with one user saying they “had to use my old headlight bushings so it could fit.” The most concerning feedback, however, relates to the two most critical aspects: durability and safety. One user provided photographic evidence of failed plastic mounts, calling them “inferior,” while another gave the product a 1-star review “Just for the looks,” before explaining, “I still can not see at night. They simply are too dark.” This blend of feedback paints a clear picture: you get a visual upgrade, but it comes with significant and predictable baggage.

Head-to-Head: The PIT66 Kit vs. The Competition

While the PIT66 LED DRL Headlights & Corner Lights Kit is tailored for a specific range of Ford trucks, it’s helpful to see how it compares to other popular aftermarket options for different vehicles. This context helps clarify its position in the market as a budget-focused, aesthetic-first upgrade.

1. Auto Dynasty LED DRL Headlight Lamps Silverado

The Auto Dynasty kit for Chevy Silverado models occupies a similar space in the market as the PIT66 kit. It offers a modern, multi-piece design with LED DRLs to update the look of early 2000s trucks. Generally, users find the fitment on these kits to be slightly better than what we experienced with the PIT66, though some hardware transfer is still often required. If you’re a GM truck owner looking for a similar visual upgrade, this Auto Dynasty option is a direct competitor, likely offering a comparable balance of improved looks and potential installation quirks.

2. HWSTAR 7 Inch LED Headlights Round DOT Approved

The HWSTAR headlights represent a completely different approach. These are universal 7-inch round LED units designed for vehicles like Jeep Wranglers, classic cars, and some commercial trucks. Unlike the PIT66’s aesthetic focus, the HWSTAR’s primary selling point is raw performance. These are full LED projectors that deliver vastly superior light output and a sharp, modern beam pattern. Someone would choose this over the PIT66 kit if their vehicle uses this standard size and their absolute top priority is maximum nighttime visibility, not a specific factory-style cosmetic update.

3. AS Toyota Tundra Sequoia Headlights

This headlight assembly from AS for the Toyota Tundra and Sequoia is a closer comparison to the PIT66. It’s a vehicle-specific, OE-style replacement that aims to restore factory looks and performance without necessarily adding flashy DRLs or blacked-out housings. A buyer would choose this option if their goal is simply to replace old, faded headlights with a clean, clear, and reliable equivalent. It prioritizes function and a factory-correct appearance over the aggressive, customized styling of the PIT66 kit, making it a safer, more conservative choice for a daily driver.

Final Verdict: A Flawed Gem for the Patient and Style-Conscious DIYer

The PIT66 LED DRL Headlights & Corner Lights Kit is a product of profound compromises. On one hand, it offers an undeniable and spectacular aesthetic transformation for an aging Ford truck at an incredibly attractive price point. The black housings and LED DRLs can single-handedly make a 20-year-old vehicle look a decade younger. However, this stunning visual upgrade is shackled to a frustrating and demanding installation process that requires modification, parts salvaging, and significant patience. More critically, the poor optical performance results in a downgrade in nighttime visibility, which is a serious safety concern.

So, who is this for? We can only recommend this kit to a very specific type of owner: the dedicated DIY enthusiast who is working on a project or show truck, where daytime looks are paramount and nighttime driving is infrequent. You must be comfortable modifying parts, have a bin of spare hardware, and view the installation challenge as part of the project. If you are a daily driver who relies on your truck for safe transportation in all conditions, the poor light output makes this a difficult product to endorse. It’s a classic case of form over function. If you fit the profile and are ready for the challenge, you can check the latest price and get started on your truck’s transformation.