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Topic: U300 sealed beam headlight downgrade? (Read 1564 times) previous topic - next topic

U300 sealed beam headlight downgrade?

I know this goes completely against the grain of everything this forum stands for, but is there a headlight "downgrade" kit from the yellowed plastic Ford pickup headlights to ordinary glass sealed beam headlights? I often read about folks on this forum installing headlight upgrade kits. I'd really really love to get rid of the Ford headlights. They're probably the part of my Foretravel I'm least satisfied with. I did a brief Google search but all I found was HID upgrade kits, which I really don't want either. I like ordinary glass sealed beam headlights like cars have had ever since the world was young. :) If all else fails I'll buy one of those plastic polishing kits and try to at least get the Ford headlights to work decently.
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)

Re: U300 sealed beam headlight downgrade?

Reply #1 –
Those polishing kits - They remove the UV protective coating on the plastic lens.  And tooth paste works well.

If I remember correctly, someone made a housing with a glass lens for the old Fords.  That would be the ticket.  Take a look at these:  http://www.autoanything.com/lights/74A5157A0A0.aspx  Sealed beam replacements that use a H4 bulb!!!  I think there are cheaper replacements out there.  And the yellow lens are not so bad, but I think some states frown on them.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: U300 sealed beam headlight downgrade?

Reply #2 –
Ford lenses made out of glass instead of plastic should work a lot better. As for yellow lenses, that's exactly what I want to get rid of. I'd like to be able to see where I'm going at night! hahaha

So toothpaste works better than the plastic polishing kit? Should I use an old toothbrush to polish the lenses or a wet rag or how should I do this? If the UV coating is removed will I have to polish the plastic lenses constantly or will they turn completely brown or what will happen? ...I really miss the old days when headlights were made of glass... (sigh)
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)

Re: U300 sealed beam headlight downgrade?

Reply #3 –
After a bit more Googling I discovered that the Australian Ford F150 "Bricknose" had sealed beam headlights, and those headlight buckets might fit in the same mounts as the US Bricknose F150 lights... hmmm... Don't we have a forum member down under?
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)

Re: U300 sealed beam headlight downgrade?

Reply #4 –
Just cleaned up the plastic lense on my friends C Coach and they have come up almost like new. Also did their Honda Odessy. I used all the stages as mentioned.It does work.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: U300 sealed beam headlight downgrade?

Reply #5 –

@Scott I hear where you are coming from but the originals lasted a pretty long time. You can replace them pretty cheaply (compared to an upgrade). Here are some for sale on Amazon. Amazon.com: 1987-1991 Ford Bronco & F150 F250 F350 F450 Pickup Truck (1988-91 F

I've done the polishing and they looked and worked great for a while but after about a year they were cloudy again. :(

see ya
ken

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
The selected media item is not currently available.ken & dori hathaway & Big Agnes
🍺1992 U300 GrandVilla WTBI #4150 FOT FBP 2011
✨6V-92TA DDEC Parlor Coach 350HP Series 92
🏁2011 Nissan XTerra Pro-4X

Re: U300 sealed beam headlight downgrade?

Reply #6 –
I saw these and can say I have considered them but have not done.  It may be worth the cost for the new ones (though I haven't done it yet).  I did do some polishing on mine once but was not satisfied.  Perhaps I just did not do it enough.  That is why I have considered changing them out.

Link on Ebay

87 91 Ford Bronco Pickup Truck F150 F250 Headlights Headlamps Pair Set | eBay


Best of Travels

Re: U300 sealed beam headlight downgrade?

Reply #7 –
I have replace  the cloudy lens on my ford pickup and now my honda accord tow car with aftermarket lens similar to these.  Extremely clear.  For me I will replace mine not rub them out.

Took 10-15 years to yellow.  If the replacements last that long I will be pleased
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: U300 sealed beam headlight downgrade?

Reply #8 –

I have used the 3m polishing kit but it did not last too long. I recently used this one from Phillips. Amazon.com: Philips HRK00XM Headlight Restoration Kit with UV Protection: It is supposed to last two years. It has a uv coating that you apply. Time will tell.

Mark

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
The selected media item is not currently available.
Mark and Tanya
Milton , Florida
US Navy Veteran (DV)
1999 U270 Special 40' CAI , 2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara

Re: U300 sealed beam headlight downgrade?

Reply #9 –
And then put in some decent high output bulbs then you will be OK.

Easy option:  https://www.sylvania.com/en-us/products/automotive/Pages/silverstar-ultra.aspx

Better:  http://www.piaa.com/store/c/21-Automotive-Bulbs.aspx

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: U300 sealed beam headlight downgrade?

Reply #10 –
Maybe I should leave the Ford headlights alone and concentrate on the auxiliary lights for seeing at night. The aux lights have glass lenses but they appear to be fog lights instead of driving lights. I could probably replace them with glass driving lights of the same size for a lot less than replacing the plastic Ford headlights.
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)

Re: U300 sealed beam headlight downgrade?

Reply #11 –
Here's an interesting aside on this headlight replacement thread. Last time I was at Foretravel I bought new tail light assemblies as the gasket on one of mine was torn. Anyhow, I opened the boxes while still in the lot and noted that Parts had given me headlight assemblies by mistake. I exchanged them for the correct parts and, out of curiosity, asked the price of the headlights. Hold onto your hats: $650!
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: U300 sealed beam headlight downgrade?

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Keith and Joyce –
And then put in some decent high output bulbs then you will be OK.

Easy option:  http://www.sylvania.com/en-us/products/automotive/Pages/silverstar-ultra.aspx

Better:  http://www.piaa.com/store/c/21-Automotive-Bulbs.aspx

Keith
but they do not work in sealed beams.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: U300 sealed beam headlight downgrade?

Reply #13 –
The reason I wanted to convert to sealed beams is because they're glass and they don't turn yellow / brown, and they're inexpensive and easily available. I don't really need high powered bulbs if the lenses are clear. The more they change stuff the more difficult and expensive it gets. Sealed beam bulbs worked great for generations but now we've got these cheap plastic headlights that cost a fortune and barely work.
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)