Finally got around to swapping out my stock headlight bulbs to these
YITA - 120W 12000LM LED Headlight Kit 9004 HB1 High/Low beams White 6000K bulbs (http://www.ebay.com/itm/YITA-120W-12000LM-LED-Headlight-Kit-9004-HB1-High-Low-beams-White-6000K-bulbs-/282004280935?hash=item41a8c3d667:g:5nYAAOSwJMhXDy~3)
Strictly speaking these aren't legal, but on our coaches with their low headlights, I'll take the chance.
They aren't straight plug n'play. The collar that secures the bulb into the socket won't fit around the cooling fan. I had to cut the collar down, split it, & stretch it over the bulb. Once in place it's secured with a hose clamp. Seems solid enough. Time will tell.
Total cost of the 'conversion' was less than $40. Ya gotta love that!!
I plan to get another set to do the inner lights. Also plan to wire in the low beams on the inners, which are high beam only right now.
Final analysis "These suckers are Bright!" No more driving by braille.
"I can see the light!" 8) Cheers Ric
Awesome, yes they are bright....Thanks for sharing. I plan to do ours when I get home.
Cheers
Ric,
Great job, writeup, and pictues; I am definitely planning to get a pair for mine.
As bright as these are, why do you want to add more of them? I am not sure what the wattage is on the OEM headlights, but I think I recall 45 watts each. These two new ones are 60 watts each, 120 watts for the pair. I think the formula for converting from watts to amps is divide the watts by the voltage. In this case, that would be 10 amps. If you added another set, that would be 20 amps you are drawing for the headlights, plus all of the other RV exterior lighting.
We know that the OEM headlights really suck the battery down big time. One of the reasons we switch to LEDs is to lower the power requirements. In this case, we are increasing the power drain, but are reaping a huge increase in visibility. The important thing, as our long-time guru used to say, DWMYH.
It looks like the light output is 360 degrees around the main axis. So the reflector is a very necessary component to achieving the great output.
Thanks for blazing a trail for the rest of us,
Trent
Are looking at these,, kid here in town has done several GM pickups with LED's,,
Most likely not "approved" by DOT or SAE or some other 3-letter federal agency, and therefore not legal in USA.
"We know that the OEM headlights really suck the battery down big time. One of the reasons we switch to LEDs is to lower the power requirements. In this case, we are increasing the power drain, but are reaping a huge increase in visibility. The important thing, as our long-time guru used to say, DWMYH."
If AMP draw is a worry, one could add relays to the headlights. When I was a FT tech, I did that when I tied the inner and outer headlights together, per customers request.Super easy to do. BTW, these bulbs will leave a spot in your sight, if you just glance at one. It's worse then a welder.They are super bright, but no heat to plastic surround due to the heat sink and small fans.
FYI, I have done a test on a 1157 bulb, it was 1.7 amp draw. A LED version, was .3 of a amp.And much brighter.
Yes, they are not DOT approved, but I see tons of cars running them.
Hi James
Chuck has it right, these aren't "approved". But like Chris said, I see alot of cars running similar.
I'll ask forgiveness later >:D
As for why add more, there is a shadow hole right about center. But I'll try these for awhile first.
You're right it might be too much amp draw, if run thru the switch. Might have to add relays as well.
The adventure continues. Cheers Ric 8)
We aren't supposed to get into political discussions about government policy, but I will say IMHO USA lighting regs are archaic.
+one! When it comes to safety, I will defer to my own judgement. Seeing better when driving at night overrides the fear of getting cited for equipment infringement, IMHO. Of course, part of being safe is to not blind oncoming traffic, so adjustment and testing is crucial for the best outcome. Also, the possibility of being cited is reduced if the results are not calling undo attention to themselves.
Don
I did my headlight upgrade for about 2,000 on my 1995 320SE. I believe that doing an upgrade legally is more expensive, however, creating a danger for others on the road by blinding them with cheap solutions morally was reason enough.
Have been using either hid or led replacements for years, have found the led wattage claims, are basically the equivalent of what a incandescent bulb would put out. In almost every case, the actual amperage draw of the led bulb is far less that the incandescent bulb it replaces. Added advantage of led, is that they produce full brightness at lower voltages.
For the record, Xtreme did our headlight upgrade at a cost that was considerably more than $2k... I don't like cheesy solutions as most anybody who has seen my mods and upgrades would likely attest. However, just because someone is pursuing alternate solutions does not mean that the outcome isn't possibly better than the so called professional legally sanctioned method. It depends on your skill set, how high your standards are, and how concienciously applied. When I build something, I never do it to code since I don't see why I should lower my standards ;). That said, if I don't feel motivated to expand my skill set, I have no problem with paying for competence... when I can find it. Xtreme being one of the too few professional operations who fit that bill. Some owners should definitely not tackle a project like this, one just has to hope that anybody contemplating such is aware of their limitations.
Don
Think many variables to this. Some reflectors lend themselves to led replacement, some do not. The design of the led [cobb, single, or multiple diodes] also contribute to the effectiveness of the light. I know that on my 295, tried 3 different led replacements before I found one that gave a good focused beam that did not shine too high and bother other drivers.
Jim C
Do you have the info on which LEDs you ended up with. I would love to take advantage of your trial and error experience, if you don't mind :)
Don,
When researching lighting upgrades, many of the ideas came from this site and really am thankful for that. I hope no one was offended and I would have been happy spending less money than I did doing all the work myself with a friend. I went to Daniel Stern for lighting recommendations, where I learned some lighting is not as good as people think which does in fact cause problems with safety and I was only pointing out this for the benefit of others. I am quite sure that most people here have skills way beyond mine and am thankful for that input. Legal and lawful are two different things, only ethical things concern me in the real world.
Rob
Now, did FT put a switch in so you could run the fogs without the mains? With the Airstream, going through the I-5 "fog belt" into Sacramento, we'd run no mains; Hella fogs/ markers and use (carefully) our roof spotlight. Had one yellow on the roadside and white on curbside. Perfect, never a Cop problem!
Hi All
Just to clarify, I do plan to have the headlights professionally re-aligned when I get back to civilization. ;D
I hate it when some idiot doesn't lower his brights. :o
That said, my main concern was our safety when driving at night, which I try hard not to do. After this last trip down out of Oregon in the snow, at night (because of the snow), I had to try something immediately. This was the most expedient solution.
Cheers Ric 8)
I'm currently working to replace my headlights with LED bulbs. I got these:
1 Set 120W 12000LM Cree Chips Car LED Headlight Kit Bulb Fog Light H4 H7 H8... (http://www.aliexpress.com/item/1-Set-120W-12000LM-Cree-Chips-Car-LED-Headlight-Kit-Bulb-Fog-Light-H4-H7-H8/32699001022.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.0.R6yVWx)
They're probably essentially all the same though...
Although I got the 9004 version the plugs were very flimsy and did not establish a nice and reliable (!) contact. So I cut off the 9004 connectors on both ends and used regular automotive crimp'n'plug connectors. When I installed them I noticed something very special about these LED bulbs and that's probably something to really watch out for when it comes to legal questions:
With all three wires connected the LED would always be in hi-beam mode with all four LED chips illuminated. It would definitely blind oncoming traffic. When I disconnected the hi-beam wire it went to lo-beam mode. I figured that the Foretravel wiring seems to pull the hi-beam wire to either 12V or ground (now that I think of it, probably the "ground" I measure there are the other bulbs). Anyway as some car manufactures switch the ground instead of the positive, the LED manufacturer probably just made it work both ways. For now I'll just leave the hi-beam wires disconnected. Probably a diode could help, but I have no idea where to get a single diode over here in Quartzsite ;)
With regards to current consumption I measured 3.6A on the old conventional bulbs. The new LEDs draw 1.6A in lo-beam mode. The current doubles in hi-beam as they illuminate all four LED chips instead of just two.
Here's a photo to compare the light output. LED on driver side, conventional bulb on passenger side.
(https://www.foreforums.com/imagecache.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Ffrbrd.com%2Fshare%2Fheadlights.jpg&hash=378897b5c0bd4ce745649bff43ea2742" rel="cached" data-hash="378897b5c0bd4ce745649bff43ea2742" data-warn="External image, click here to view original" data-url="http://frbrd.com/share/headlights.jpg)
cheers,
Matt
Wow the difference is pretty incredible.
I think it's interesting that many people need to modify the connection hardware in order to use a bulb that they feel is satisfactory. Has anyone used a direct plug-and-play alternative that they are happy with?
I'm not seeing a lot of GV owners comments about switching to LED. Are there alternatives for the early 90s GV owners.
Hi Matt
I experienced about the same increase in visibility on low beam, but still had high beam. Inner lights are still stock bulbs, wired high beam only. I'm going to try this out for awhile before changing out the inners. From the looks of them the ones you chose probably fit better, because of the round fan body. Did the locking collar fit over the fan?
James, with the exception of the locking collar these were plug n' play.
Cheers Ric
Well, I think part of the big difference in brightness is also the age of my original bulbs. They're probably 10 years or even older.
I really don't think you'll ever find a real "plug and pray" solution as the LEDs usually need their own controller to work. Here're two photos showing the way they're installed. Note the small black controller box...
I would have loved to use better connectors as well as move the controller inside and extend the LED cables, but my resources are somewhat limited... ;)
(https://www.foreforums.com/imagecache.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Ffrbrd.com%2Fshare%2FLEDinstall1.jpg&hash=a7bb0335dd339c8cb27b3d47f7406c55" rel="cached" data-hash="a7bb0335dd339c8cb27b3d47f7406c55" data-warn="External image, click here to view original" data-url="http://frbrd.com/share/LEDinstall1.jpg)
some isolating tape to prettify it:
(https://www.foreforums.com/imagecache.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Ffrbrd.com%2Fshare%2FLEDinstall2.jpg&hash=402665e1234b10b994ea439b53d0f87a" rel="cached" data-hash="402665e1234b10b994ea439b53d0f87a" data-warn="External image, click here to view original" data-url="http://frbrd.com/share/LEDinstall2.jpg)
hm interesting, if you take them out of the housing, are all four LEDs lit or just two of them on lo-beam?
They did fit nicely inside the collar. The only problem I have is that the plastic of the collar rings is so brittle, some of the small inner ring parts fell out when I took out the original bulbs... Would be nice if I could get such collar rings in spare, does anyone have an idea of where to get non-brittle ones? I figure they're Ford Bronco headlights, but don't think they're built anymore ;)
Thanks Matt. As I told you in an email earlier, I finally got mine ordered to my address in Yuma.They did plug right into a standard plug on my race car, so they should work with the FT plug.
Wish I would have seen you when we passed through Quatzite, but I hope to see you in the NW this summer.Enjoyed our time in Ventura on the Rincon
Cheers brother
Mine:
YITA - 120W 12000LM LED Headlight Kit 9004 HB1 High/Low beams White 6000K... (http://www.ebay.com/itm/282004280935?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)
Hey Matt
Like Chris said the ones I used were plug & go, didn't need a separate controller. I think on high beam all 4 LEDs are on in each bulb. But I could be wrong
I can see from your pics the collars fit over the fans on the bulbs. No need to cut the collars down.
I had the same problem with the plastic housings, broken & crumbling. Age & heat takes its toll. I was able to piece these together but will replace the entire headlight when I get home.
1987-1991 Ford Bronco F150 F250 Truck Headlights Chrome Trim Headlamps Pair... (http://www.ebay.com/itm/131947004617?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)
Looks like these should work, think they come with new collars as well.
If you make it up to the nw look me up, tho by then I'll probably be up on Lopez Island.
Cheers Ric 8)
They do, I just got mine in last week. May install them tomorrow.
John
hm interesting, one never stops to learn. Seems like the new LEDs have the controller integrated in the bulb housing, what results in the bulb housing itself getting larger. I wonder how that affects the lifetime. Mine get very hot on hi-beam and still do get quite hot on lo-beam. I hope they last!
Cheers,
Matt
My coach is a different vintage, being 2003 with Chevy Silverado headlights.
I tried LED bulbs a couple of years ago, but found the oversized butt end interfered with steel braces FT had placed right behind the headlights. I couldn't use them, but put them into the fog lights on my MDX and am really impressed with the light output.
I then went to low cost HID (Xenon discharge) lamps. Wow, these are great. I liked them so much I bought a pair for the MDX.
Not so lucky in the MDX, although very bright, it appears the location and size of the plasma in the HID were not the same as the original filament, resulting in a fuzzy cutoff beam pattern. My guess is they don't play well with projector headlights. I went with Silverstar Ultras for the MDX.
All in all, I am 100% pleased with the HID lamps in the 2003 (Silverado) lights.
Hi Tom, remind me where you bought them again? Did you have to do any modifications when installing?
Ebay. I'll have to check and get back to you.
I'm interested also in your led experience with headlights. I would love to upgrade but without spending big coach bucks. I've got my hands full with "getting it right".
Amazon.com: YITAMOTOR 2 X Cree LED Headlight Kit 80W H4 9003 HB2 6400LM HID... (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017BDXSJS/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
I do not remember specific type I have put in coaches, but have had good luck with this brand.
You will have to find equivalent replacement for your coach.
jcus,
Since I was under the front of my coach(your old coach), changing out the headlights, the bulbs you had in them are HID, from "The HID Factory. I am going to use them as they do a good job of lighting the road.
John
John, they were good. When I put them in, leds were not the quality they are now. because of their design, hids also seem to work better in more types of reflectors than leds. They are priced about the same. In any case, both types are far superior to the stock halogen bulbs
I installed the same bulbs, went to the auto wrecking yard and picked up 4 Headlight Bulb retainer rings ( 90's Fords with 9004 bulbs) for no charge or part# Dorman 42415 on e-bay $4 to $7 ea. Mine were also brittle and crumbling plus to big without cutting down length. No need to split these and use a hose clap as the original poster did as the bulb assembly comes apart to accommodate the proper size retainer ring. These are plug-and-play about a 10-minute job with the proper retaining rings. Just make sure that the 2 low beam LED lights are on top when you put the assembly back together.
Hey Doug
I finally received mine down in Yuma. How the heck did you discover that they come apart? This is great information. Even after studying your picture, it was hard to see how they come apart. Upon installing one, sure enough the FT plastic retainer fell apart in my hand. Other then that, they are plug and play. Hi / LO work fine
Thanks for the info on the low beam position. After installing one of them last night, I played with this adjustment a little, but couldn't find the sweet spot.
I do plan to adjust my outer headlights down.It appears the previous owner adjusted them way up. That was a common practice when I was a tech.
This same Ebay seller, also has LED interior bulbs. I have bought hundreds from him for other customers, always good quality, great service.
A 1076 LED is about $20.00 retail, you can get 20 delivered for about that amount.
4x Warm White BA15D 1076 13-SMD 5050 Car RV Marine Boat Interior LED Light... (http://www.ebay.com/itm/251950682007?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)
Picture is of LED installed in RF headlight, HI / LO
Cheers
Like everything else "vehicle lighting" is over the top. Not just LED headlights.................but LED brake/taillights and turn signals are wearing my eyeballs out before the brakes are even applied.
The "intensity" bar can't keep getting raised.
You can add me to the list of "enlightened" Foretravelers. I have not had a chance to turn the new LED's on after dark but they seem significantly better than the old bulbs. It took less than half an hour to make the swap. I only did the low beams but may do the high beams later.
Installed new eagle eyes with HID bulbs yesterday. Glad to have a fresh clear lens again. 😎
We are happy campers with ours. Polished the lenses, then added the LED's.I don't believe it to be too much for a oncoming car. Stood way back at night and looked.The lights are adjusted up some too.
If I have any issues with people giving me the brights, while on low beam, I'll adjust them down some.
Update. Didn't want to beat a dead horse, but finally got to road test the LED 's.....
Drove up to Phoenix this weekend, drove back at night. 100% better. Passed many cars on un-lite roads. No one flashed their brights back at me.So I think we are good.
Saw them on the back of aluminum polished doors on a semi trailer. looked awesome.
The brights light up the world. Don't plan to change the inner's with led's.
I'll just leave this right here.
Cheers
I added the projector lights a few months ago with the HID bulb. The light pattern had a dead spot in it and making the right hand round about to get on the freeway there was no light to see the shoulder. Bought new lights and bulbs and replaced yesterday. the pattern looks way better and I went with the LED on both drive and brights. The look is not as cool as the Halos but I can live with it if it works better.. the bulb is bright white 6500k I believe.. No tests yet but hope to get a good dark drive tonight for a few minutes.
What brand do you now have installed?
HEADLIGHT/HEADLAMP SMOKED TINT LENS+LED FOG LIGHT FITS 99-02 SILVERADO/TAHOE... (http://www.ebay.com/itm/381967659491?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)
9005 HB3 6000K 120W 12000LM 4-Sides LED High Beam Headlight Kit White Bulbs... (http://www.ebay.com/itm/262471601797?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)
120W 9005 HB3 LED Headlight Bulbs Car Head Light 6500K Fit Chevy Silverado... (http://www.ebay.com/itm/252505631631?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)
I will try and post a pic as soon as I find my phone cable
Drove into Justin's Diamond J Rv in Tucson a couple of nights ago. Come on it's just another 40 miles :facepalm:
Anyway first real test with the new lights. LEDs are way better than the originals. No one flashed their brights.
I will replace & rewire the inner hi beams, then should be good for awhile.
Cheers Ric 8)
I decided that IF, someone gave me the brights, I am not going to respond.They are pretty breathtaking on High Beam.....just say'in!
Hi Chris
Yup, as a friend of mine said ' You can fry the paint off the car ahead on brights.' :o
Accidentally hit this saguaro with my brights. >:D
After reading this thread I bought some overpriced LED bulbs from Amazon and had MOT stick them in while I was there this week.
I didn't get out of there until after 6:00 and planned to drive a couple of hours before stopping. Driving after dark was so pleasurable with the new LEDs that I drove until about midnight before stopping. They are about as good as those on my Escalade and I didn't think anything would be as good as them. Not one car called for the dims and most of the trip was on two lane.
What was the part number of the bulbs you got from Amazon as I think I want to go that route??
Speedbird 1
I stuck one passenger side in then realized they weren't all going to be that easy and I didn't have time to mess with it before leaving for Nach. The left side was harder to install than the right. I think it hit something in the headlight assembly. I didn't watch him put them in.
4x4TruckLEDs XHP50 Series 12,000 Lumen CREE LED Headlight Conversion Kit (9006 / HB4) Amazon.com: 4x4TruckLEDs XHP50 Series 12,000 Lumen CREE LED Headlight... (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D6IXCC0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_Ldy4Bwz2jFGOC)
4x4TruckLEDs XHP50 Series 12,000 Lumen CREE LED Headlight Conversion Kit (9005 / H10 / 9040 / 9045 / 9145 / HB3) Amazon.com: 4x4TruckLEDs XHP50 Series 12,000 Lumen CREE LED Headlight... (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D6IXCWU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_Cc3qP3NGcaKpe)
Some of the bases are large and will not fit without taking the light assembly apart ( on mine as they are aftermarket light assemblies)
Rick,
We have the same year coach, am I correct in that the light assembly used in the 2002 is GM...same ones used in Chevy Tahoe 2002-2003? Anyone know for sure?
dave
Just purchased LED's for the inside high beams as the outside Hi/Lo beams are HID's already. Will be installing this week.
John
http://www.automotivelightstore.com/90044000.aspx
Sorry DKE I just saw this. I think I looked at a 2000 Chevy and it was 9005 and 9006 as I recall.
Hello,
I changed my halogens out with the led's and now one inner and one out one work. I checked the plugs with a tester and don't have power. I went to the relay (?) that is by the entrance door and removed the relay and nothing changed (???). I had all 4 headlights working before I went to work on them. I tried to read the owners manual and it says the fuse box is on the bed frame. I checked that out and don't see any fuses for headlights or any other items that one would expect (ie wipers, etc). I suspect there is a fuse somewhere that I blew but can not find it. I have a 1996 295. Could there be something else?
In front of the passengers feet is a removable panel and there are circuit breakers behind that panel
FWIW,
I think I finally figured out why my headlights were not working. It was the pigtail (wire and plug) for the 9004 bulb. I replaced it and it came right on. But that was after I found the circuit breaker, bought another and changed it out to no avail. I was getting a little frustrated. I really like the LED's. They are considerably brighter. The plastic lens does not get hot either like the halogens. Best of travels.
Can someone please confirm that the 2001 U320 has Ford headlights, and uses FOUR 9004 bulbs??
The question being that the 9004 bulb is a TWO filament bulb, High and Low beam.
Speedbird 1.
Looking at pictures of the 2001- 320, I'd say those are Ford headlights. Same as my 2000-270 and they use the 9004 bulb.
LEDs are definitely brighter.
I wouldn't go back. Ric 8)
I don't think FT wired the low beam on the inside lights. They came from ford with the dual filament though.
Thank you all,
They, FT. seem to have used 9004's for all 4 of the headlights and that accounts for the capped off wire that I see under there.
Strange way to do it, but, who knows the reasons????
Speedbird 1.
Any easy plug and play options for 2003 u295 ( Silverado fitting) originals are pitiful!
See reply 53, I believe this is what you need....I have 2002, if I am correct 2002 and 2003 coach have same headlight assembly...so you would need 9005 & 9006 bulb. My wife's Tahoe is same year as your coach....have these bulbs in the Tahoe...she is very happy with the upgrade....substantial improvement....good luck.
Be Safe
see ya
dave
Do a forum search for my post from two years ago. I bought a pair of HID lamps and ballasts on eBay for $20. They are fantastic.
Only caveat is that I liked them so much I also bought a pair for my MDX. Not so happy there. I believe the plasma spot was too big to properly focus in the projection lights. Also, one went flacky after 18 months.
But I am very happy with the results in my FT.
I fitted my expensive ($100+) LEDs from 4x4truck via Amazon yesterday and the difference is amazing. I fitted the Left side and then compared with the Right which now looked like Glowworms in a couple of jars!!
I needed to get four of the shorter retaining rings and they came from E-bat at about $4ea.
A wonderful transition and now I can burn the paint off of street crossings!!
Speedbird 1.