Bronco Forge Team
Morimoto sells its Bronco light bars and ditch light kits in two performance tiers: HXB and NCS. Both use the same bracket and bar hardware, but the pods inside are built to different output levels, and the price gap between them is real. Here's what separates the two, with the actual lumen and pricing numbers.
In This Guide
What's the Difference Between HXB and NCS?
HXB is Morimoto's higher-output pod, built around Osram LEDs. NCS is the lower-cost tier, built to compete with pods from other brands at a lower price point.
Both are available in the same 2Banger, 4Banger, and BigBanger bar platforms, and both come in white or yellow output. The bracket, bar, and mounting hardware are identical between tiers. Only the pod inside changes.
How Much Brighter Is HXB Than NCS?
HXB puts out roughly double the raw lumens of NCS in the same bar size. In the 2Banger platform, NCS is rated at 10,800 raw lumens and HXB at 24,000. In the 4Banger platform, NCS sits at 16,200 and HXB at 36,000.
Throw distance follows the same pattern. Morimoto rates the BigBanger HXB spot beam at up to 800 meters of usable range. The NCS spot beam is shorter range, though Morimoto markets it as competitive with other brands' top-tier pods at a fraction of the cost.
How Much More Does HXB Cost?
HXB costs several hundred to over a thousand dollars more than NCS, depending on bar size. In the 2Banger platform, NCS runs about $2,443 and HXB about $3,283, a difference of roughly $840.
The gap widens in the 4Banger platform: NCS runs $3,080 to $3,120 depending on color, and HXB runs $4,300 to $4,350, a difference of about $1,220. In the BigBanger platform, NCS runs $3,729 to $3,929 and HXB runs $4,849, a difference of $920 to $1,120.
Is HXB Worth the Extra Cost?
For most Bronco owners running lights for trail visibility, camp setup, or general night driving, NCS gets the job done for meaningfully less money. The lumen difference matters most at speed, where a longer spot beam gives more reaction time to spot obstacles or animals.
If you're running desert trails at higher speeds or doing serious nighttime off-roading where throw distance changes how fast you can safely drive, the HXB premium buys real, measurable range. For slower technical trails and general use, that extra output goes mostly unused.
Does Beam Pattern Change the Comparison?
Yes. Both HXB and NCS come in combo, spot, and wide beam patterns, and the beam pattern you pick affects usable light more than the tier does. A wide beam floods the area close to the truck; a spot beam throws a narrow, focused beam far down the trail.
Picking the wrong beam pattern for how you drive matters more than picking between HXB and NCS. A spot beam in the wrong tier still outperforms a wide beam in the right tier for long-range visibility, and vice versa for close-range work.
Does This Apply to Ditch Light Kits Too?
Yes. Morimoto's 2Banger, 4Banger, and BigBanger ditch light kits use the same HXB and NCS pod technology as the roof-mounted bars, in the same white and yellow output options and the same beam pattern choices.
The same tradeoff applies: HXB costs more and throws farther, NCS costs less and still performs well for most driving conditions.
FAQ
What LEDs does the HXB pod use?
Osram LEDs. Morimoto uses Osram chips specifically in the HXB tier to hit its higher lumen and throw distance ratings.
Can I mix HXB and NCS pods on the same bar?
Each bar kit is sold as a matched set in one tier. Morimoto doesn't publish a mixed-tier configuration for the 2Banger, 4Banger, or BigBanger bars.
Do HXB pods draw more power than NCS?
Yes. In the 2Banger platform, HXB draws 288 watts stabilized against 162 watts for NCS. The gap is similar across the 4Banger and BigBanger platforms.
Is white or yellow output better for the Ford Bronco?
White output gives more overall brightness and works best for clear conditions. Yellow output cuts through rain, snow, and fog better, since the wavelength scatters less in bad weather.
Does upgrading from NCS to HXB later mean buying a whole new bar?
Yes. The pods are built into the bar as a matched kit, not sold as separate drop-in replacements, so switching tiers means buying the new tier's complete bar.
Whichever tier fits your budget and how you actually drive, both mount to the same Bronco hardware and hold up to the same use. Shop light bars and pod lights for the 2021–2026 Ford Bronco at Bronco Forge. Does NOT fit Ford Bronco Sport.
