Updating driving lights

Topic: Updating driving lights (Read 900 times) previous topic - next topic

Updating driving lights

April 25, 2019, 02:50:47 pm

Does anyone know what parts are needed to update the front lights on a 99 U270 to be the same as the Xtreme conversion.
I assume that the old rectangular lights are removed and fiberglassed over, then three holes drilled on the next panel up.
Is this something that can be done without a trip to Texas?

Re: Updating driving lights

Reply #1 – April 25, 2019, 03:42:09 pm

Short answer, no. They will sell the fiberglass corners, but it is up to you to cut your corner out and put the new one in. You will have to find a boat repair to do the gel matching.
Do a search on headlight conversion and see what is involved.

Re: Updating driving lights

Reply #2 – April 25, 2019, 10:14:51 pm

You may think about upgrading the bulbs. I did in my 01 U270 and night driving was no issue and have yet to be flashed by oncoming traffic.

Re: Updating driving lights

Reply #3 – April 25, 2019, 10:32:15 pm

There are narrow tight beam "spot lights" led driving lights options out there. Last thing I want to do is blind head on traffic.

Re: Updating driving lights

Reply #4 – April 25, 2019, 11:59:55 pm

Actually Dave my answer is yes it can be done as you mention, take off the old lights and fibreglass it up and finish and drill out for the new set, glass in the back a frame made out of plywood to mount lights too and wire the new ones up. Simple.
I have seen it done on another unit and it looks like all the other conversions out there, and for a hell of a lot less too.
JohnH

Re: Updating driving lights

Reply #5 – April 26, 2019, 12:36:50 am

Another idea would be to just leave the stock headlights alone and put the new ones above the old ones and fool with the old ones later.

Re: Updating driving lights

Reply #6 – April 26, 2019, 09:33:46 am

Xtreme does much more than just cover over the old headlight holes and drill some new holes for a headlight conversion. For the last several years they have made a new front corner with bevels and recesses around the lights. It looks quite nice and it is functional.

Way more than simple.

Re: Updating driving lights

Reply #7 – April 26, 2019, 09:43:33 am

Quote from: John Haygarth – April 25, 2019, 11:59:55 pm

Simple.

John - "Simple" is a relative term. We don't all have your fabrication skills. For me, that would not be a Do-It-Yerself project. Just sayin'...

Re: Updating driving lights

Reply #8 – April 26, 2019, 12:55:28 pm

Roger I have seen personally what Rance does for this conversion and using the premade panels is for speed of the process and no more. When we watched him do one about 5 yrs ago he did the infill job as I mentioned but as they where talking about making a kit to sell so others could do it I guess brought about these pre made panels. The FT upgrade I previously mentioned was done by a large bodyshop in LA and was exactly like I mentioned. It does not have the total quality like Xtreme does but seems to fill the job.
Chuck, thank you for your comment regarding my skills but I doubt I would bother with doing this as I would gladly pay the fee to have Rance work on our coach again and it would give Ruth the chance to talk gardening again with him.
We already have the light upgrade courtesy of the PO 10 years ago.
JohnH

Re: Updating driving lights

Reply #9 – April 26, 2019, 01:22:21 pm

Quote from: Ghallid – April 25, 2019, 10:14:51 pm

You may think about upgrading the bulbs. I did in my 01 U270 and night driving was no issue and have yet to be flashed by oncoming traffic.

I'm interested in your comment, as I'd like to try that. Can you provide more details?

Chris

Re: Updating driving lights

Reply #10 – April 26, 2019, 04:30:30 pm

Golfer,if you go that route you just have to make sure your lenses can be cleaned if faded.

Re: Updating driving lights

Reply #11 – April 26, 2019, 06:38:45 pm

That is my coach in the picture above. I have seen Rance at work and even after 10 years in the composites world I learned a couple new tricks. He did our head lights, running lights, license place recess, rear tail, turn and stop lights and a high turn, tail and stop light pair as well. And our steps. Spent most of a month in NAC getting to know Rance, Xtreme and the city. All are great.

Re: Updating driving lights

Reply #12 – April 26, 2019, 07:17:43 pm

I just left Rance yesterday for some repair work and painting. He and everyone else that worked on my coach is amazing. I had two bay doors dinged on the bottom, one all the way through the door. I also had a square foot chunk missing from the rear fender. You simply cannot tell anything was repaired on the coach. It's perfect.

If I ever need any fiberglass or paint Xtreme will get my business.

Re: Updating driving lights

Reply #13 – April 26, 2019, 08:19:29 pm

The "problem" that I have with the Xtreme headlight conversion is that it uses a pair of 120mm projector headlights and a pair of 90mm projector headlights. The 90mm lights are now quite standard while the 120mm lights are rather rare. It would be far more flexible for us to choose the light source we wanted (such as HID or LED) if their conversion used four 90mm projector headlights.

Re: Updating driving lights

Reply #14 – April 26, 2019, 08:44:17 pm

They use pairs of 120 mm and 90 mm lamps because for many (including them and me) it looks better. If that bothers you they will do it with all 90 mm lamps

Re: Updating driving lights

Reply #15 – April 26, 2019, 08:54:16 pm

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – April 26, 2019, 08:44:17 pm

They use pairs of 120 mm and 90 mm lamps because for many (including them and me) it looks better. If that bothers you they will do it with all 90 mm lamps

Do they have their pre-made panels in the four-90mm projector headlight configuration?

Re: Updating driving lights

Reply #16 – April 26, 2019, 08:57:44 pm

I will call Xtreme and see what the price is for the panels and a set of 90mm lights.
I realize that their panels are raised to allow for the depth of the lights
Thanks DJ and everyone else for your input

Re: Updating driving lights

Reply #17 – April 26, 2019, 09:00:07 pm

Both lights take the same bulb GE-H9 and you can get led or hid for them.

Re: Updating driving lights

Reply #18 – April 26, 2019, 09:13:42 pm

Quote from: craneman – April 26, 2019, 09:00:07 pm

Both lights take the same bulb GE-H9 and you can get led or hid for them.

It would be far better to install a Hella light that was originally designed around an HID or LED light source. Retrofiting into a fixture that was designed for a halogen light source is a less-than-optimum solution.

Re: Updating driving lights

Reply #19 – April 26, 2019, 10:06:23 pm

When I had our headlights done (about 5 yrs ago) Rance had molds for a horizontal configurations and a diagonal set like a Nimbus. He made the panels when you told him what you wanted. He was so busy he almost never had time to make them ahead of time. He may be a bit ahead of it now based on how long it took to do Craneman's headlights and step. He can do anything you want. Some things quicker.

If you want to do this conversion save your money and do it when you can. Until then there are brighter bulbs for the rectangular headlights and limit night time driving.

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