Ford F-250 Super Duty Tail Lights

Maintenance Tips for Ford F-250 Super Duty Tail Light

If you ever need a good reason why you should take care of the tail lights in your Ford F-250 Super Duty, imagine driving your truck with the tail lights turned off in an unlit road at night. It's a scary thought, isn't it? But a failing tail light in times where you need it the most is not that far-fetched if it is not properly cared for. And given that tail lights are not that difficult to maintain in the first place, there's really no excuse for you not to do so. Regular care and maintenance of the Ford F-250 Super Duty tail lights will help keep malfunctions at bay as well as keep them looking brand new. In this guide, we've listed down some additional maintenance tips you can use for your tail lights.

• Proper cleaning is key.

It's a no-brainer that cleaning the tail lights on a regular basis is the best way to keep them in good condition, but many truck owners do not know how do it properly. For starters, it is recommended to clean the tail lights by hand as automatic car washes are not that thorough in cleaning the individual parts of your vehicle. It is also not advised to use brushes or cleaning cloth or sponge with a rough texture as these can leave scratches on the tail light lens surface.

• Keep an eye out for rust.

While most tail light assemblies are made of plastic materials, they still have metal components that are vulnerable to rust. Metal contacts in the wiring and mounting bolts, particularly those found in aftermarket tail lights, tend to be magnets for rust, so make sure that these parts are always clean and dry. And if you notice any rust spots, don't hesitate to clean them up immediately.

• Scratched or cloudy tail lights? Get a headlight restoration kit.

So-called headlight restoration kits contain mild abrasive compounds that gently remove the damaged surface of tail light lenses, restoring them to their original appearance without damaging the lens. These kits, which can usually be found in most auto parts retailers as well as in online shops, often come with instructions so even a newbie would have no trouble using them correctly.

• The Ford F-250 Super Duty is the ideal workhorse since it is specifically designed for hauling cargo, towing trailers, and off-road driving.
• Although they are built to last, Ford components like the Ford F-250 Super Duty tail light can still fail due to a number of reasons.
• The most common causes of Ford F-250 Super Duty tail light failure include a busted fuse, worn-out bulbs, bad socket, broken wires, and faulty control switch.
• The price of an aftermarket Ford F-250 Super Duty tail light is anywhere between $10 and $370.

The Ford F-250 Super Duty is the ideal workhorse as it boasts of adequate space, exceptional towing capabilities, and superior horsepower and torque ratings. It's a heavy-duty pickup that is built for the off-road and daily hauling.

Aside from power and performance, the Ford F-250 Super Duty is also built to last. It is composed of several parts and accessories that are made with superb durability. But despite that, F-250 Super Duty components can still fail due to a number of reasons. One part that you should inspect from time to time is your Ford F-250 Super Duty tail light.

Your Ford F-250 tail light assembly is made up of several electric components. If one of these parts fails, it can cause your tail light to stop working, which is a major safety concern.

Busted tail light fuse

The first thing that you should inspect when you have a bad tail light is the fuse. It can be found in the fuse panel inside the vehicle or in the main fuse box under the hood. If you notice any signs of damage to your tail light fuse, it is likely the part that’s preventing the tail light from working properly. The simple solution to this problem is to replace the fuse with a new one.

Worn-out bulbs

There’s also the possibility that the bulb in your Ford F-250 tail light is already worn out. Obviously, bulbs have a fixed lifespan. They will start showing signs of wear or completely stop working after several years of use. In some cases, though, moisture that seeps into the tail light can cause the failure of the bulbs. Be sure to make a thorough inspection before replacing your faulty tail light bulb.

Bad socket

Usually, the socket can go bad because of corrosion and result in the failure of your F-250 tail light. If the tail light lens has a small crack sustained from a minor car accident, water can pass through it especially when you are driving under heavy rain. Over time, the water or moisture can lead to rust and corrosion buildup.

Broken wires

The tail light not working can be caused by lack of electricity. If you have damaged or broken wires, the tail light bulb won’t be able to receive the electrical power it needs to light up. Check the wires along the tail light circuit to see if there are wires that need to be replaced.

Faulty control switch

You can turn both the headlight and tail light on by using the switch on the dash. If this part fails to activate your vehicle’s tail light, it may be time to replace it. But before diverting your attention to the control switch, make sure that you have inspected the other components of your tail lights to confirm if everything else is functioning correctly.

Available as a single part or in sets, the cost of an aftermarket Ford F-250 Super Duty tail light is anywhere between $10 and $370. This part is offered in various colors or finishes and may be paired with a halogen or LED light bulb depending on your choice.

Looking for specific Ford F-250 parts? Make sure to shop at CarParts.com. If you are searching for 2004 Ford F-250 Super Duty tail lights, for example, our website’s vehicle selector can make it easy for you to find the components you need by simply plugging in your vehicle’s year, make, and model.

Whether you are replacing a busted pair or migrating to a fancy LED setup, installing a new set of tail lights in the Ford F-250 Super Duty could be a bit of a challenge. But if done properly, it could save you time and money than if you brought your truck to the auto repair shop.

In this guide, we'll share some simple tips on how to install the Ford F-250 Super Duty tail light.

Tip #1: Don't forget to check the fuse as well.

If you are replacing a busted tail light, consider checking the fuses as well. A blown fuse may be the cause of your old tail light's early demise, and the problem will only be carried over to your new set of tail lights. With the ignition off, pull out the tail light fuse from its box in the side kick panel with a pair of pliers. The piece of metal inside the fuse should be intact; if not, the fuse is blown and must be replaced.

Tip #2: Buy spare bulbs and fuses.

It's not uncommon for tail light bulbs and fuses to fail during installation, so make sure to have some extra units on hand as replacement in case one goes bad. Even if the installation turned out to be hassle-free, having some spare bulbs and fuses in the dash might prove to be of great help later on.

Tip #3: Make sure that your new tail lights are street-legal.

Different states have laws that strictly regulate the type of tail lights you can use in your car, so be sure that your new set of lights is compliant with the laws in your area. You can usually find these regulations posted on the website of the Department of Transportation in your state.

Tip #4: Test the lights before bolting the assembly back into place.

This will ensure that everything works, especially if you are installing aftermarket lights, and save you time and hassle in disassembling due to a faulty installation. Test the brake light first, followed by the turn signal and the backup lights. If any of these lights do not work, check the connections again.