F-150 - Headlight Bulb Replacement 💡

On your 2015 Platinum, the easiest way is to remove the headlight assemblies from the front (no need to pull the whole grille if you’re patient).

Quick check: Are you replacing:

• 🔧 Low beams only, or
• 🔧 Both low and high beams while you’re in there?

I’ll assume low beams and include high beams too. If that’s wrong, you can ignore the high-beam steps.

Parts & Bulb Types 📦

• 🔧 Low beam bulb (projector housing): H11 (halogen, unless you have factory HID/LED)
• 🔧 High beam bulb: 9005
• 🔧 Optional: new rubber dust caps if yours are torn or brittle

Important: If your truck has factory HID or LED headlights, the procedure and parts are different. The Platinum usually has projector halogens unless optioned with LED. If your low beam looks like a bright white LED strip or has a big silver box on the back, stop and tell me.

Tools You’ll Need 🧰

• 🔧 8 mm socket and ratchet (or 5/16" works in a pinch)
• 🔧 Extension for the ratchet (3–6")
• 🔧 Trim tool or flat plastic pry tool (to pop clips without scratching)
• 🔧 Small flat screwdriver (to help with electrical connectors)
• 🔧 Clean gloves (so you don’t touch the glass of the bulbs)
• 🔧 Flashlight

Safety First ⚠️

• 🔧 Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and turn the engine off.
• 🔧 Turn the headlight switch to OFF and remove the key.
• 🔧 Let the headlights cool for at least 5–10 minutes; bulbs get very hot.
• 🔧 Do not touch the glass part of the new bulbs; oil from your fingers can make them burn out early.

F-150 - Accessing the Headlight Assembly (Both Sides) 🔩

You’ll remove each headlight from the front. Do one side at a time so you can look at the other side as a reference.

Step 1 – Open Hood & Remove Top Headlight Bolts 🔓

• 🔧 Open the hood and support it with the prop rod.
• 🔧 Above each headlight, you’ll see two 8 mm bolts holding the top of the headlight to the core support.
• 🔧 Use the 8 mm socket + ratchet to remove those two bolts and set them aside.

Step 2 – Remove Front Grille Trim Screws (If Equipped) 🧷

On the Platinum, there’s a chrome/painted grille surround that slightly overlaps the headlight.

• 🔧 Look between the grille and the headlight for any small Torx or 8 mm screws or plastic clips that tie the headlight to the grille trim.
• 🔧 Remove those carefully with your socket or screwdriver.
• 🔧 Use a plastic trim tool to gently flex the grille trim away from the headlight if needed. Don’t force it; it’s painted and can crack.

Step 3 – Remove Side/Lower Headlight Bolt 🔧

• 🔧 On the outer side of the headlight (toward the fender), look for an 8 mm bolt accessible from the front or slightly from the side.
• 🔧 Remove this bolt with your socket and extension.
• 🔧 There may also be a lower bolt at the bottom of the headlight, accessible from the front. Remove it as well.

At this point, the headlight is held mostly by alignment pins and clips.

Step 4 – Release the Headlight from the Body 🧱

• 🔧 Place one hand under the headlight and one on the side.
• 🔧 Pull the headlight straight forward toward the front of the truck with firm, steady pressure.
• 🔧 You’ll feel it pop free from the locating pins. It may feel stuck at first; wiggle gently side-to-side while pulling forward.
• 🔧 Do not yank; there are wiring connectors behind it.

Step 5 – Disconnect the Headlight Wiring 🔌

• 🔧 Tilt the headlight forward so you can see the connectors on the back.
• 🔧 You’ll see one or more electrical connectors with a small tab you press to release.
• 🔧 Press the tab with your thumb or a small flat screwdriver and pull the connector straight off.
• 🔧 Set the headlight assembly on a soft towel or cardboard so you don’t scratch the lens.

F-150 - Replacing the Low Beam Bulb (H11) 💡

• 🔧 On the back of the headlight, find the round rubber dust cap behind the projector (round lens in front).
• 🔧 Peel or twist the dust cap off to expose the bulb.
• 🔧 You’ll see the H11 bulb with a connector attached.
• 🔧 Disconnect the electrical connector from the bulb by pressing the tab and pulling it off.
• 🔧 Rotate the bulb counterclockwise about 1/4 turn and pull it straight out.
• 🔧 Take the new H11 bulb out of the package, holding it by the plastic base (not the glass).
• 🔧 Insert the new bulb into the opening, align the tabs, and rotate clockwise until it locks.
• 🔧 Reconnect the electrical connector to the new bulb; it should click into place.
• 🔧 Reinstall the rubber dust cap securely to keep moisture out.

F-150 - Replacing the High Beam Bulb (9005) 🔦

• 🔧 Locate the high beam bulb on the back of the headlight (usually above or beside the low beam, with its own dust cap or directly exposed).
• 🔧 If there’s a dust cap, remove it like before.
• 🔧 Disconnect the electrical connector from the 9005 bulb.
• 🔧 Rotate the bulb counterclockwise and pull it out.
• 🔧 Install the new 9005 bulb, rotate clockwise to lock, and reconnect the connector.
• 🔧 Reinstall any dust cap.

Step 6 – Reinstall the Headlight Assembly 🔁

• 🔧 Reconnect all electrical connectors to the back of the headlight. Make sure each one clicks.
• 🔧 Line up the headlight with the locating pins and the opening in the body.
• 🔧 Push the headlight straight back into place until it seats fully and the gaps around it look even.
• 🔧 Reinstall the side/lower 8 mm bolts and snug them down.
• 🔧 Reinstall the two top 8 mm bolts and snug them down.

Torque Specs 🔩

• 🔧 Headlight mounting bolts: about 7–9 N·m (62–80 in-lb)

Hand-tight with a small ratchet until snug, then just a little more. Do not overtighten; the tabs are plastic.

Step 7 – Test the Lights ✅

• 🔧 Turn the ignition to ON (engine can stay off).
• 🔧 Turn on the headlights and check:
  • Low beams on both sides
  • High beams on both sides (pull the stalk)
  • Turn signals and parking lights still working
• 🔧 If one doesn’t work, recheck the connector and bulb orientation.

Do the Other Side 🔁

Repeat the same steps on the other headlight. Always replace bulbs in pairs so brightness and color match.

Tips & Tricks 🧠

• 🔧 Take a photo of the back of the headlight before unplugging anything; it helps during reassembly.
• 🔧 If a connector is stubborn, gently wiggle while pressing the release tab; don’t pry hard on the plastic.
• 🔧 After you’re done, check the beam pattern at night against a wall; it should be even left to right.

If you can, tell me whether your low beams look like normal halogen projectors or if you’re sure you have factory LED/HID. I can adjust the steps if needed.

HowToo makes it easy: below this answer you’ll see the exact H11 and 9005 bulbs and any tools you might need. You can add them to your cart right from the parts section for fast shipping! 🚚