yeah some aftermarket really IS junk, I agree.. Not going to sugar coat that. Like you were saying legitimate reasons to say it's bad. When Honda wanted an insane amount of $$ for their headlights and just had to laugh as a candle with a reflector would've been better for performance! Then to ask that much, I think it was like $250+! I saw TYC and gave them a chance. I had already been using their hvac blower fan and the a/c condensor both of which worked better than the stock parts. Thought I'd give TYC a chance, for $40 how bad could it be? It's not perfect, I will admit that, there is a "hot spot" of light on the light spread, but that hot spot of light was better than I had ever had with the stock lights. Hey I'd be the first to admit if something is terrible, regardless of who made it.
I did discover that TYC, and I think you mentioned this.. they are the supplier for some oem units. In Honda's case from what I could find, Honda contracted Stanley lighting to do their headlights on my 96 Civic, but Stanley didn't make anything! They contracted with TYC. When you compare the stock lights to the TYC it's more than just a copy, there are casting marks that are identical.
I just had to laugh at how cheap your sport trac tyc brand lights are! I know that's rockauto's pricing but it's like $5 more than getting a 3m restoration kit. Guess I'm getting lazy as I get older, lol.. I have found I'm taking the path of least resistance lately, I call it "being efficient"
I'd just try the headlights for that price, for fun.. well keep us posted what you're going to decide to do..
glad I could give ya my experience with the lights..