Hello All,
We are planning on heading to Nacogdoches towards the end of the month primarily to have our windshields reworked . Thought it would be nice to see the factory/ MOT and do a little sight seeing before heading to Galveston to boot. We decide to have MOT do the work in spite of a slightly higher initial estimate after going into detail about project with both shops. Young Gentleman at Foretravel seemed to have less understanding about front bulkhead movement than myself where as the folks at MOT [former Foretravel techs] were very knowledgeable and went into great detail over the phone.
Wanted to ask if anyone has any experience with headlight upgrade on a Grandvilla and if so would this be something to consider having MOT accomplish or should someone with limited fiberglass experience attempt at home?
As always we very much appreciate all input from this amazing forum! Thanks.
Your 280 is s Grand Villa isn't it? What kind of headlight upgrades are available for them?
I like this one:
A different approach to improving the Ford headlights on Unihomes (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=22291.msg169158#msg169158)
Tom: You want Extreme or FOT to do any headlight conversion. They are the best.
I believe MOT uses Xtreme paint and graphics for all of their fiberglass work so if you go through MOT it is done at Xtreme and you can't do any better than that. I wouldn't take on this conversion as your first fiberglass project.
AT HOME ? ! ? ! ?
N O T !!!
Day after day, At Xtreme in early April, I watched Lance and his assistant update my front body panels to accommodate
two 3 1/2" and two 4 1/2" glass lens halogen headamps. There were MANY more stages than I had thought there would be. That is not to say you could not make metal panels to fit within your old FG openings in order to mount four or more modern and efficient head lamps.
Most headlight conversions are done on the 1st generation Unicoaches to improve nighttime driving illumination. A few of the 2nd generation Unicoaches have also done the upgrade mainly for looks, I think. A more modern look maybe?
Actually have some difficulty seeing at night even with new high end halogen bulbs. This wouldn't be my first fiberglass project but I am far from expert . Have remodeled several bars including epoxy /marine varnish on the bar top . Several times have found myself repairing boat hulls.
Have considered looking into a pair of LED fog light upgrades and angling them up around low beam territory? Is Foretravel the only place to find a decent kit for my headlights? Thanks for all the input!
The slant nose seem to have the headlights mounted much higher. The problem with the unicoaches (bus style) is some genius mounted the lights 1 foot off the ground!
There are other options. I know somebody here found lens replacements that worked well...he may have done HID.
Plus one on the first point! The difference on our 99' at night is like the difference between night and day between the original scheme and the Xtreme headlight upgrade... though for me, I could easily see doing it just for the facelift because I just love the way it looks. Even after a year and and a half, I still get a thrill coming back to the coach after an outing in the car and seeing it as we drive up.
On the second point, I believe I read that Xtreme will make a kit, but it might have been FOT that I am thinking of.
Don
Shortly before the earthen berm crunch to the right front of my Uni, the four HUGE Ford headlamp lenses had been restored at the local Sams Club. They did an excellent job -- careful masking and prep -- two techs polishing the oxidized old plastic. The UV-cured clear coat was what made it better than any do-it-yourself headlamp polishing kit. results were impressive and significantly improved night vision. With the FT having such large lamps, and FOUR of them, I thought Sams would charge me double. They did not.
I cleaned "restored" both lenses (they were yellow), adjusted the headlight and changed the light bulb.
Also added two more LED lights down under the bumper. I like driving at night. Now it is all clear. Sometimes i just run with the LED's on only.
Don, I am pretty sure it is FOT that has a kit. Rance at Xtreme told me they never have enough time to make up headlight panels in advance. Tht adds a few days to the job there while they make the panels for youe coach. If they are doing other things on yours they fill in move to another coach while parts cure.
I'm glad Rance got a helper. He was working mostly alone for the month we were there. Roger
@propman,
Any recommendation on LED lights? What brand/type did you use?
I'm looking at this mod - trying to decide on possible units to replace the old factory fog lights. The mounting point is so low that it is hard to find a light that would work effectively as a "driving light". Even if the beam is aimed parallel to the ground, most of the light just strikes the ground directly in front of the coach. If you aim it any higher, it is blinding to oncoming drivers.
I modified our existing fog light switch so it works independent of the main headlight switch. Since the old factory fog lights are so dim, I have been using them as "DRL's".
This is what I have:
Amazon.com: KAWELL® Latest Off Road ATV 36W 6.6" 30 Degree 12LEDs Spot Beam... (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J4HAXE8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s01)
You will,have to order two, only one in a box.
I give it B+ Because I know about this:
LED Lighting | Rigid Industries (http://www.rigidindustries.com/led-lighting?f)[0]=field_product_family%3a4258&f[1]=field_product_family%3a4265
&
LED Lighting | Rigid Industries (http://www.rigidindustries.com/led-lighting?f)[0]=field_product_family%3a4258&f[1]=field_product_family%3a4260
Expensive but i give A+ (My friends Jeep shop instals them all day long and they are very very good)
But what i have is more than enough for me.
Thanks Everyone! We'll do the polish and adjust for now. As I have said before we simply could not afford to own this coach without our wonderful Forum!