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Topic: headlight conversion NOT at Xtreme (Read 1304 times) previous topic - next topic

headlight conversion NOT at Xtreme

Has anyone had any body work done on their coach at Parliament Coach in Clearwater, Fl.. I'd love to have Xtreme do my conversion, but by the time I travel from Tampa to Nac, stay somewhere while the work is being done, then travel back, I've probably added another 1.5k to the price. Parliament does headlight upgrades on Prevosts and Bluebirds so I'm getting them to give me a quote on doing mine. Sure would like to have some idea of their track record.
Steve & Ginny Hill
96 U295 36'/Wrangler
Tampa

Re: headlight conversion NOT at Xtreme

Reply #1 –
my wife would NEVER be able to tolerate the fiberglass smell. I thought we were going to have to move when we had our gunite pool resurfaced with fiberglass
Steve & Ginny Hill
96 U295 36'/Wrangler
Tampa

Re: headlight conversion NOT at Xtreme

Reply #2 –
Steve,

You can get a Xtreme headlight upgrade at any good boat fiberglass shop near you.  Got to be a bunch in the Tampa area.

James Stallings will ship them the headlight panel fully assembled, gel-coated and ready to go.  The shop makes a vertical cut and horizontal cut on each side to remove the old lights.  They simply glass in the new panels, finish the joints and you are ready to go.

Any shop that can talk fiberglass work can understand James' instructions to install his headlight upgrade kit.  Just call him. 936.560.5888

No travel, no hotel (would not need one if at Xtreme) and no smell.
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: headlight conversion NOT at Xtreme

Reply #3 –
IIRC Foretravel will sell you the "kit" for their headlight conversion if you have a shop that can do fiberglass.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: headlight conversion NOT at Xtreme

Reply #4 –
Thanks, Rudy, and Michelle. That's good info.
Steve & Ginny Hill
96 U295 36'/Wrangler
Tampa

Re: headlight conversion NOT at Xtreme

Reply #5 –
I have had a couple of service encounters at Parliament (no body work) back when the Mitchell's ran the place. All was fine with courteous efficient work. The labor rate was high compared to Nacogdoches but that was more than made up by the savings over a trip to Texas.
This place is under new management now, I think, so things may be different.
No RV! Have hung up the keys.
In the past: 2016 Winnebago Era, 1994 Foretravel U240, 1995 Foretravel U240 (wide body), 1999 Foretravel 320, 36 Foot, 2003 Foretravel U320 38 foot,

Re: headlight conversion NOT at Xtreme

Reply #6 –
For what it may be worth, you can purchase the headlight conversion as a "kit" from FOT. I forget what I paid, but thought it quite reasonable. Includes the molded fiberglass panels, and all the associated hardware (including new, round, fog-lights). If you have a local trustworthy fiberglass shop, it's at least an option some are perhaps not aware of.
Chad & Judy
'98 U320 - Build #5315
Motorcade 16317
Wickenburg, AZ

Re: headlight conversion NOT at Xtreme

Reply #7 –
I just had some email correspondence with James Stallings, and he told me they have recently come up with a one-piece kit that has the lights already installed that just requires one horizontal cut and patch. It is shippable by truck.
Steve & Ginny Hill
96 U295 36'/Wrangler
Tampa

Re: headlight conversion NOT at Xtreme

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Steve & Ginny Hill –
I just had some email correspondence with James Stallings, and he told me they have recently come up with a one-piece kit that has the lights already installed that just requires one horizontal cut and patch. It is shippable by truck.

Are any pictures available?
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: headlight conversion NOT at Xtreme

Reply #9 –
DJ, James is supposed to be sending me some. I will post as soon as I get them.
Steve & Ginny Hill
96 U295 36'/Wrangler
Tampa

Re: headlight conversion NOT at Xtreme

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Steve & Ginny Hill –
DJ, James is supposed to be sending me some. I will post as soon as I get them.

Excellent! I keep thinking about getting the conversion done, but I'm still undecided about several details and so additional information is appreciated.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: headlight conversion NOT at Xtreme

Reply #11 –
Well, after all this, I think we've decided to just wait until we can get the coach to Nac, and let James do it. No doubt, he's the best. In the meantime, I'll try to figure out some way to make these headlights useable. I refuse to drive the coach at nite with these stock headlights. I simply can't see. What has anyone else done to improve the performance of their stock headlights?
Steve & Ginny Hill
96 U295 36'/Wrangler
Tampa

Re: headlight conversion NOT at Xtreme

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Steve & Ginny Hill –
Well, after all this, I think we've decided to just wait until we can get the coach to Nac, and let James do it. No doubt, he's the best. In the meantime, I'll try to figure out some way to make these headlights useable. I refuse to drive the coach at nite with these stock headlights. I simply can't see. What has anyone else done to improve the performance of their stock headlights?

Put inexpensive HID setups in my housings.  $35 both sides including the ballasts
"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: headlight conversion NOT at Xtreme

Reply #13 –
Steve, I agree the stock headlights are pretty sorry at night, I think they are like 91 ford Bronco assemblies, you might find some new lenses are needed if the old ones are cloudy. Also I think Phillips makes some brighter Bulbs that are direct fit. Be careful with changing the wattage of the bulbs so you don't overload the stock wiring. I'll drive mine at night on the interstate but 2 lane mountain back roads can get a little scary.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: headlight conversion NOT at Xtreme

Reply #14 –
Quote from: Steve & Ginny Hill –
Well, after all this, I think we've decided to just wait until we can get the coach to Nac, and let James do it. No doubt, he's the best. In the meantime, I'll try to figure out some way to make these headlights useable. I refuse to drive the coach at nite with these stock headlights. I simply can't see. What has anyone else done to improve the performance of their stock headlights?

My stock headlights are (barely) adequate--but they are adequate. Make sure the lenses aren't fogged, and polish or replace them if required. Install some high-quality halogen bulbs (not the silly "HID-look" blue bulbs). Finally, use the high beams whenever possible (without bothering other drivers). The "fog lights" also put out a lot of light--but be careful to aim them correctly.

I look forward to a headlight upgrade in the future, but I've done a significant amount of nighttime driving with my current lights and I'm able to successfully get by.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186