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Topic: Headlight Upgrade (Read 1562 times) previous topic - next topic

Headlight Upgrade

Hello All,
 We are planning on heading to Nacogdoches towards the end of the month primarily to have our windshields reworked . Thought it would be nice to see the factory/ MOT and do a little sight seeing before heading to Galveston to boot. We decide to have MOT do the work in spite of a slightly higher initial estimate after going into detail about project with both shops. Young Gentleman at Foretravel seemed to have less understanding about front bulkhead movement than myself where as the folks at MOT [former Foretravel techs] were very knowledgeable and went into great detail over the phone.
 Wanted to ask if anyone has any experience with headlight upgrade on a Grandvilla and if so would this be something to consider having MOT accomplish or should someone with limited fiberglass experience attempt at home?
 As always we very much appreciate all input from this amazing forum!                  Thanks.
Tom
1998 U320 40'

Re: Headlight Upgrade

Reply #1 –
Your 280 is s Grand Villa isn't it? What kind of headlight upgrades are available for them?
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit

Re: Headlight Upgrade

Reply #3 –
Tom:  You want Extreme or FOT to do any headlight conversion.  They are the best. 
Dan & Shirley Stansel
2002 U295 4020 AGDS Build#6054
Towing Buick Enclave & M &  G Braking
Emerald Bay, Lake Palestine, Texas
MC# 16650

Re: Headlight Upgrade

Reply #4 –
I believe MOT uses Xtreme paint and graphics for all of their fiberglass work so if you go through MOT it is done at Xtreme and you can't do any better than that. I wouldn't take on this conversion as your first fiberglass project.
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Headlight Upgrade

Reply #5 –
AT HOME ? ! ? ! ?
N O T !!!
Day after day, At Xtreme in early April, I watched Lance and his assistant update my front body panels to accommodate
 two 3 1/2" and two 4 1/2" glass lens halogen headamps.  There were MANY more stages than I had thought there would be.  That is not to say you could not make metal panels to fit within your old FG openings in order to mount four or more modern and efficient head lamps. 
Mogan David
1999 U295 36'

Re: Headlight Upgrade

Reply #6 –
Most headlight conversions are done on the 1st generation Unicoaches to improve nighttime driving illumination. A few of the 2nd generation Unicoaches have also done the upgrade mainly for looks, I think. A more modern look maybe?
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Headlight Upgrade

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Peter & Beth –
Most headlight conversions are done on the 1st generation Unicoaches to improve nighttime driving illumination. A few of the 2nd generation Unicoaches have also done the upgrade mainly for looks, I think. A more modern look maybe?
Actually have some difficulty seeing at night even with new high end halogen bulbs. This wouldn't be my first fiberglass project but I am far from expert . Have remodeled several bars including epoxy /marine varnish on the bar top . Several times have found myself repairing boat hulls.
  Have considered looking into a pair of LED fog light upgrades and angling them up around low beam territory? Is Foretravel the only place to find a decent kit for my headlights?    Thanks for all the input! 
Tom
1998 U320 40'

Re: Headlight Upgrade

Reply #8 –
The slant nose seem to have the headlights mounted much higher. The problem with the unicoaches (bus style) is some genius mounted the lights 1 foot off the ground!

There are other options. I know somebody here found lens replacements that worked well...he may have done HID.
1998 U270 34'

Re: Headlight Upgrade

Reply #9 –
Plus one on the first point! The difference on our 99' at night is like the difference between night and day between the original scheme and the Xtreme headlight upgrade... though for me, I could easily see doing it just for the facelift because I just love the way it looks. Even after a year and and a half, I still get a thrill coming back to the coach after an outing in the car and seeing it as we drive up.
On the second point, I believe I read that Xtreme will make a kit, but it might have been FOT that I am thinking of.
Don
Quote from: TAS69 –
Actually have some difficulty seeing at night even with new high end halogen bulbs. This wouldn't be my first fiberglass project but I am far from expert .
AND: Is Foretravel the only place to find a decent kit for my headlights?    Thanks for all the input! 
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Headlight Upgrade

Reply #10 –
Shortly before the earthen berm crunch to the right front of my Uni, the four HUGE Ford headlamp lenses had been restored at the local Sams Club.  They did an excellent job -- careful masking and prep -- two techs polishing the oxidized old plastic.  The UV-cured clear coat was what made it better than any do-it-yourself headlamp polishing kit. results were impressive and significantly improved night vision. With the FT having such large lamps, and FOUR of them, I thought Sams would charge me double.  They did not. 
Mogan David
1999 U295 36'

Re: Headlight Upgrade

Reply #11 –
I cleaned "restored" both lenses (they were yellow), adjusted the headlight and changed the light bulb.
Also added two more LED lights down under the bumper. I like driving at night. Now it is all clear. Sometimes i just run with the LED's on only.
Former 2003 GV U295 (6230) (2015 - 2025)
Former 94 GV U225 (2013-2016)

Re: Headlight Upgrade

Reply #12 –
Don, I am pretty sure it is FOT that has a kit.  Rance at Xtreme told me they never have enough time to make up headlight panels in advance.  Tht adds a few days to the job there while they make the panels for youe coach.  If they are doing other things on yours they fill in move to another coach while parts cure.

I'm glad Rance got a helper.  He was working mostly alone for the month we were there. Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Headlight Upgrade

Reply #13 –
Quote from: propman –
Also added two more LED lights down under the bumper.
@propman,
Any recommendation on LED lights?  What brand/type did you use?

I'm looking at this mod - trying to decide on possible units to replace the old factory fog lights.  The mounting point is so low that it is hard to find a light that would work effectively as a "driving light".  Even if the beam is aimed parallel to the ground, most of the light just strikes the ground  directly in front of the coach.  If you aim it any higher, it is blinding to oncoming drivers.

I modified our existing fog light switch so it works independent of the main headlight switch.  Since the old factory fog lights are so dim, I have been using them as "DRL's".
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Headlight Upgrade

Reply #14 –

This is what I have:
Amazon.com: KAWELL® Latest Off Road ATV 36W 6.6" 30 Degree 12LEDs Spot Beam...
You will,have to order two, only one in a box.
I give it B+ Because I know about this:
LED Lighting | Rigid Industries[0]=field_product_family%3a4258&f[1]=field_product_family%3a4265
&
LED Lighting | Rigid Industries[0]=field_product_family%3a4258&f[1]=field_product_family%3a4260

Expensive but i give A+  (My friends Jeep shop instals them all day long and they are very very good)

But what i have is more than enough for me.

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Former 2003 GV U295 (6230) (2015 - 2025)
Former 94 GV U225 (2013-2016)

Re: Headlight Upgrade

Reply #15 –
Thanks Everyone! We'll do the polish and adjust for now. As I have said before we simply could not afford to own this coach without our wonderful Forum!
Tom
1998 U320 40'