Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: "Irish" on March 19, 2019, 09:26:49 am
Title: Headlights
Post by: "Irish" on March 19, 2019, 09:26:49 am
Does anyone have the part number for the headlights used on 99 U270. The 4 rectangular lights Thanks David
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: D.J. Osborn on March 19, 2019, 10:02:09 am
I don't have part numbers, but they were used on full-size Ford pickups and Broncos in the mid-to-late 80s. If you search parts places for those then you should find some listings.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on March 19, 2019, 10:04:19 am
Great thanks Will do, looking at buying a coach and the lights are so yellowed, would not want to drive it home at night without changing them
I used this product on ours: worked slick, looked band new!
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Travelin' Man (RIP) on March 19, 2019, 11:15:39 am
I too use Eagle Eyes on my vehicles. They are well made, the fit is good, they don't leak and the light pattern is like OEM.
For you guys with the square headlights I have seen foil bubble insulation cut to fit and put over the headlights when the rig isn't being driven to protect from UV yellowing/hazing. They did look kinda cool besides.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on March 19, 2019, 11:54:04 am
You can polish the headlight lenses to almost new conditions. There are brighter bulb kits out there. They will help until you spring for a headlight conversion.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: D.J. Osborn on March 19, 2019, 12:16:05 pm
There are brighter bulb kits out there. They will help until you spring for a headlight conversion.
The brighter bulb kits are a two-edged sword. Unless the headlights have excellent beam control and are carefully adjusted the result can be lots of useless light blinding oncoming traffic--resulting in dangerous conditions!
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on March 19, 2019, 12:18:01 pm
...looking at buying a coach and the lights are so yellowed, would not want to drive it home at night without changing them
Good suggestions and advice above.
In addition, if at all possible, I would recommend you plan your trip home to avoid driving at night. The stock headlights on the U270 are at best only adequate. This is primarily due to the low mounting position. Faded yellow lenses and weak stock bulbs only exacerbate the problem. The first drive home in a newly purchased coach is always exciting and sometimes a bit scary. Totally unexpected problems can suddenly materialize. Best to be driving during daylight hours if anything out of the ordinary happens. If a overnight stop is required, arrive at the parking spot early so you can get positioned and set up before dark. Just my opinion...
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Doug W. on March 19, 2019, 12:22:24 pm
For you guys with the square headlights I have seen foil bubble insulation cut to fit and put over the headlights when the rig isn't being driven to protect from UV yellowing/hazing. They did look kinda cool besides.
Yep, I try to keep mine covered most times, it helps! I also run led bulbs, no problem with night driving and never get flashed. I think because they are mounted so low.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: jor on March 19, 2019, 12:45:21 pm
Quote
You can polish the headlight lenses to almost new conditions.
I agree. When I got this 270 the lenses were almost opaque. With a couple hours work they became clear. I also agree with Chuck's admonition regarding driving at night. I remember our first trip with our 320. I insisted on driving farther than our intended destination which drug us into the evening ours. No sweat, I'll just turn on the headlights. Are they on??? The road ahead, instead of being illuminated, had a couple of dull yellowish circles on the pavement directly in front of the rig.
My headlights look great now but I still don't drive at night. I expect those two yellow spots are now just a different color.
I put new headlights on our 300 which was easy. Much harder on the bus as there are two Roberson screws each on the bottom and top and the top ones are difficult to get a tool on. If they are rusted it is really hard. I say if you don't intend on driving at night just clean up the originals; if you do want to drive at night spend the bucks on the common headlight conversion.
Good luck. Hope you get it. jor
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Bob & Sue on March 19, 2019, 03:31:13 pm
I'm guessing we hold those headlight covers on with waterproof velcro??
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: John44 on March 19, 2019, 04:42:48 pm
Wonder if any of these shops would do the fiberglass work and install blank pieces and then you just buy your own lights and install them,I can cut a hole and install lights but am not a body man.Would be a poor boy's conversion.Would check out JW speaker lights.Would save me some bucks so I could go ride with Dave and Brad next year.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Travelin' Man (RIP) on March 19, 2019, 08:27:07 pm
Wonder if any of these shops would do the fiberglass work and install blank pieces and then you just buy your own lights and install them,I can cut a hole and install lights but am not a body man.Would be a poor boy's conversion.Would check out JW speaker lights.Would save me some bucks so I could go ride with Dave and Brad next year.
Basically, you just need to remove the old lights and have that panel glassed in to be a blank. From there it's a question of the right size hole saw to cut openings for your new lights and dressing up the cutout. You can fit your choice of lights in the factory upper panel. JW Speaker lights seem to be high quality, it'll be up to you to fabricate mounting assemblies for them. I would go for either a really high quality light such as these, or HID lights from Audi (junkyard salvage) or similar. None of the aftermarkets come close to equalling the OEM quality of these.
This is how Xtreme and others did it originally. They went with an entire replacement panel to avoid the custom fitting on each job, and allow for more decorative scalloping around the lights etc. This is how I did mine, (the old way) and while it's a vast improvement on original, using aftermarket MotimoroHID, I wish I had used a better quality light. I haven't glassed in the lower panels, fit Lexan inserts for expediency. Need to glass these in, it's on the list. Entirely diy doable.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: steve31 on March 19, 2019, 09:19:57 pm
Agree with Chuck on driving at night if we can help it. We use the " Dr Pepper " travel plan. 10-2-4. On the road by 10, destination by 2, Cocktails at 4. Works for us.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: "Irish" on March 19, 2019, 11:32:24 pm
Are the 270 lights a sealed beam unit or can the bulbs inside the light be changed out, in which case it would be easy to upgrade the bulb at an auto parts store with brighter LED bulbs
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Chuck Pearson on March 19, 2019, 11:42:28 pm
Sure, for many reasons it's best to avoid traveling at night. Then comes the need to absolutely move....a flood, storm, need to get to the hospital or a thousand other possibilities. Most of the times, the way these things roll, will be not only at night but inclement weather. At that point, with stress, aging eyes, environmental conditions, you may wish you had more than the equivalent of a half dozen birthday candles lighting your way. Best to be proactive on life safety stuff.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on March 19, 2019, 11:47:42 pm
1. Are the 270 lights a sealed beam unit 2. Can the bulbs inside the light be changed out
1. No 2. Yes
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Old phart phred on March 20, 2019, 12:13:02 am
So, which is better led or hid, just guessing that the LEDs can't be compact enough for existing reflectors and get alot of beam scatter. What wattage for hid to be superior?
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Chuck Pearson on March 20, 2019, 12:30:54 am
Neither are optimal for retrofit into an Incadescant reflector assembly. Both have the ability to produce more lumens but much is scattered. Typically not a legal retrofit. Best to use proper assemblies purpose made for lighting element.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: John44 on March 20, 2019, 12:43:14 am
Our Avalon has HID lights and every time you turn the lights on they self align,part of the process with HID.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Old phart phred on March 20, 2019, 01:54:25 am
Neither are optimal for retrofit into an Incadescant reflector assembly. Both have the ability to produce more lumens but much is scattered. Typically not a legal retrofit. Best to use proper assemblies purpose made for lighting element.
such as ? All ears, I totally agree sometime you are going to HAVE to drive the coach at night, cause stuff happens.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: D.J. Osborn on March 20, 2019, 08:41:47 am
Hella makes HID and LED assemblies. One place to see their products is at Rally Lights, Hella, TerraTrip, Hans, WRC, ZAMP (http://www.rallylights.com)
I used those on my '81 FTX and my '96 Monaco Sig. The light sockets were high enough to take advantage of the brighter lights. Unfortunately on my current '99 U320 brighter would not have been enough, they had to be higher.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Chuck Pearson on March 20, 2019, 09:34:55 am
Our Avalon has HID lights and every time you turn the lights on they self align,part of the process with HID.
Yes, I've noted that feature on my Avalon as well. I considered this when installing HID lights but then realized automatic leveling was already in place courtesy of HWH.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Chuck Pearson on March 20, 2019, 09:37:54 am
I used those on my '81 FTX and my '96 Monaco Sig. The light sockets were high enough to take advantage of the brighter lights. Unfortunately on my current '99 U320 brighter would not have been enough, they had to be higher.
Right. I initially installed HID lights in the original light location and immediately knew they needed to be higher. Pebbles in the road cast long shadows, very distracting. Also with so little angle between the road and the lights, adjustment was very finicky.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Chuck Pearson on March 20, 2019, 09:48:11 am
Here are a few. Once again, I would choose a name brand such as Speaker as opposed to generic Chinese projector knockoffs.
LED Projector Fog Lights | Universal LED Headlights (https://www.theretrofitsource.com/assemblies/headlight-assemblies-universal.html)
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on March 20, 2019, 10:09:39 am
If you want to try playing with LED or HID lights, then I say go for it. Might be a fun project. As noted above, the low mounting position of the OEM headlights, and the design of the plastic Ford lens and reflector, will compromise the effectiveness of any simple "light bulb" upgrade.
If you don't plan on doing a lot of after dark driving, and just want to make the standard headlights a little brighter, then you might try the Hella bulb linked below. It is a direct plugin replacement for the 9004 bulbs in the Ford headlights. It is a little brighter (to my eye, at least) and throws the light a little ways farther down the road. The beam pattern remains the same as with the stock bulb. I have been using these bulbs for the past 4 years, and been happy with them. Had only one burn out in that time, so they are pretty reliable. I carry a couple spares, just in case.
Amazon.com: HELLA 9004 100/80W High Wattage Bulb, 12V: Automotive (https://www.amazon.com/HELLA-9004-100-80W-Wattage/dp/B00IKM3DGI/ref=asc_df_B00IKM3DGI/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312031441854&hvpos=1o5&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14679838090517905816&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1026834&hvtargid=pla-570741928303&psc=1)
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: D.J. Osborn on March 20, 2019, 10:30:55 am
I really wish Xtreme made their headlight retrofit kits with 90mm lights in the outer positions instead of the 120mm lights. Hella makes a variety of 90mm lights in HID and LED versions while the only Hella 120mm models I've been able to find are halogen models. At some point I will likely check with Xtreme to see if they will produce a different retrofit kit.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: John44 on March 20, 2019, 11:02:54 am
Will do the research but a while back one of our members had a conversion done using the JW Speaker lights and was very pleased.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: D.J. Osborn on March 20, 2019, 11:12:25 am
If you want to try playing with LED or HID lights, then I say go for it. Might be a fun project. As noted above, the low mounting position of the OEM headlights, and the design of the plastic Ford lens and reflector, will compromise the effectiveness of any simple "light bulb" upgrade.
If you don't plan on doing a lot of after dark driving, and just want to make the standard headlights a little brighter, then you might try the Hella bulb linked below. It is a direct plugin replacement for the 9004 bulbs in the Ford headlights. It is a little brighter (to my eye, at least) and throws the light a little ways farther down the road. The beam pattern remains the same as with the stock bulb. I have been using these bulbs for the past 4 years, and been happy with them. Had only one burn out in that time, so they are pretty reliable. I carry a couple spares, just in case.
Amazon.com: HELLA 9004 100/80W High Wattage Bulb, 12V: Automotive (https://www.amazon.com/HELLA-9004-100-80W-Wattage/dp/B00IKM3DGI/ref=asc_df_B00IKM3DGI/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312031441854&hvpos=1o5&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14679838090517905816&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1026834&hvtargid=pla-570741928303&psc=1)
I bought some 3300 lumen 9004 HID conversion kit for my GV which has the lights up higher, lacking a round-tuit. maybe a good evening project. Ordered them when it was very cold outside, stuck them in my toodo cabinet where they got buried.
Title: Re: Headlights
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on March 20, 2019, 11:16:58 am