Grand Villa Headlight Replacement

Topic: Grand Villa Headlight Replacement (Read 2933 times) previous topic - next topic

Grand Villa Headlight Replacement

November 22, 2016, 09:29:51 pm

As reported earlier in another thread, I ordered some new (reproduction) headlight units for our '93 GV U280. The original units were faded, fogged and cracked, which allowed moisture to accumulate inside the lens. In other words, totally shot.

I ordered the replacements on eBay. They arrived quickly (free shipping) in perfect shape. Based on my experience, I recommend this vendor. The lights appear to be excellent reproductions of the OEM Ford units, made in Taiwan by Eagle Eyes.

Headlights Headlamps w/ Chrome Trim Pair Set for 87-91 Bronco F-Series Truck...

Re: Grand Villa Headlight Replacement

Reply #1 – November 22, 2016, 09:31:35 pm

Installation is fairly simple. Remove the wiring plug from the headlight, and the bulb holder from the turn signal. My lights were held in by 4 screws - 2 big ones above and below the turn signal socket and two small ones on the other end of the unit. BEFORE you remove the retaining screws, make careful visual note (or take photos) of how the light units are positioned, in relation to the mounting brackets. This will help you get the new ones back in the same correct position.

The light unit comes out the front of the mounting hole. You need to turn it sideways and kind of twist it as it comes out the hole. Take the unit to your bench, and compare it to the new ones. My old lights had been "trimmed". Part of the mounting tabs had been cut off - but I'm not sure why. I tried the new lights with all mounting tabs intact, and they go into place and fit fine, so I did not cut anything off. I did need to remove the two mounting studs from above and below the turn signal socket. They are too short to work in this application. The large retaining screws used by Foretravel utilize the holes left when you remove the studs.

The new lights go back into the mounting holes pretty easily. Take your time finding the correct angle to twist and turn going in the opening - don't scratch your new lenses! Once in place, you can look at how the retaining screws fit, and what adjustment might be needed to get the units straight in the hole. You will have drill the holes for the small screws once you have the units square in the hole. Mine lined up pretty well - only needed a couple extra washers on the small screws to get everything straight. The turn signal bulb and the wiring harness fit back on the new unit perfectly.

As you can see, the new lights look a lot better than the old ones. As soon as I get them aimed, I will report on what the beam pattern looks like. I know they will be a lot brighter.

Re: Grand Villa Headlight Replacement

Reply #2 – November 22, 2016, 09:33:29 pm

When I removed my old lights, I found there were white plastic spacers on the large retaining screws. It is important to put these back where you found them when securing the new lights. The spacers are vital to holding the light square in the mounting hole. I recommend putting the large screws (with spacers and washers, if any) in place first, and snug them down. Then stand out in front of the coach and make sure the units are sitting straight in the hole. Then drill the holes for the small screws (I used a Dremel tool) and put them in. (see photos of white spacers)

While inspecting the old lights, I discovered that the turn signals are separate pieces bolted to the headlight housing. Since mine were still in good shape, I took them off and will keep them for spares in case the new ones ever get damaged.

I was surprised to find bulbs in the new headlight units. They are standard wattage HB1 9004 bulbs - nothing special. I removed them and will keep them for spares. In their place, I installed a set of Hella 100/80W "off-road" bulbs that I had been using in the old light units. They add a bit of extra illuminating power to the headlights, and do not seem to bother other drivers. May not be technically legal, though, so it might be safer to just use the standard bulb.

Re: Grand Villa Headlight Replacement

Reply #3 – November 22, 2016, 10:37:21 pm

Excellent documentation from Chuck, as usual. I replaced the lights in my 95; paid quite a bit more though. Really improved the look. Nice job.
jor

Re: Grand Villa Headlight Replacement

Reply #4 – November 23, 2016, 12:37:13 am

Thanks for writing this up Chuck. It's on my project list.

Went to add this listing to my wish list on ebay and it wouldn't take. Took a while to figure out I already had them on my wish list!

see ya
ken

Re: Grand Villa Headlight Replacement

Reply #5 – November 23, 2016, 08:20:11 am

Nice job Chuck, thanks for your excellent instructions makes the job simple.

Re: Grand Villa Headlight Replacement

Reply #6 – November 23, 2016, 12:39:10 pm

Great job....as you stated defiantly make sure you put the white spacer in correctly. When I did mine I put the wrong spacer in the wrong hole and then realized my headlight were WAY OFF. A quick swap back and the headlights no longer pointed at the ground 4 feet in front of the coach lol

Re: Grand Villa Headlight Replacement

Reply #7 – November 24, 2016, 07:26:52 pm

Looks great,I am looking forward to making this upgrade!

Re: Grand Villa Headlight Replacement

Reply #8 – November 25, 2016, 10:21:21 am

I have used Eagle Eyes as replacements for OEM on a few occasions and been extremely satisfied with their quality and price.

Re: Grand Villa Headlight Replacement

Reply #9 – November 25, 2016, 10:27:25 am

That really helped out the front look. I'll put that on my Too Do list.

Re: Grand Villa Headlight Replacement

Reply #10 – November 25, 2016, 11:08:14 am

The '99 U320 of mine uses the same lights, only 4 of them and it appears much harder to work on them. I will find out when I change them. If it improves the looks as much as your GV I will be happy.

Re: Grand Villa Headlight Replacement

Reply #11 – November 25, 2016, 12:57:18 pm

That is sweet! We needed a turn signal fitting last year and the junkyard only sold the whole fitting; the lenses were more trashed than ours. I may have missed something, do the new ones come with fresh electrical harnesses?

Re: Grand Villa Headlight Replacement

Reply #12 – November 25, 2016, 01:57:15 pm

Yippee!
I have a '87 F250 and the headlights are trashed.... THANKYOU!

Re: Grand Villa Headlight Replacement

Reply #13 – November 25, 2016, 05:04:28 pm

Quote from: mike leary – November 25, 2016, 12:57:18 pm

I may have missed something, do the new ones come with fresh electrical harnesses?

No. What you see in the photos in the 1st post is all you get. Your existing wiring harness will hook right up to the new light units.

Re: Grand Villa Headlight Replacement

Reply #14 – January 31, 2017, 04:52:52 pm

Just like Christmas....Two(2) pair of Eagle Eyes arrived today.

John

Re: Grand Villa Headlight Replacement

Reply #15 – June 11, 2020, 04:26:39 pm

Doing mine tomorrow........stand by!

Re: Grand Villa Headlight Replacement

Reply #16 – June 11, 2020, 04:44:41 pm

I did mine last year and the work great, just make sure you adjust them. I was amazed by n how well the new adjustment help 👍😎

Re: Grand Villa Headlight Replacement

Reply #17 – June 11, 2020, 08:19:52 pm

Here's how I did mine. The headlight housings came from eBay, everything else from Amazon. The headlight bulbs are led with cooling fans on them. Sure look cool, I try not to drive at night. We will see how they do.

Re: Grand Villa Headlight Replacement

Reply #18 – June 11, 2020, 09:36:11 pm

Quote from: MT Ted – June 11, 2020, 08:19:52 pm

Here's how I did mine. The headlight housings came from eBay, everything else from Amazon. The headlight bulbs are led with cooling fans on them. Sure look cool, I try not to drive at night. We will see how they do.

Headlights look terrific. So do the bottom fog lights. Where did you get them? Part number? Cost? Installation tips? Our fog lights need work. Yours are really bright.

Thanks,

Pierce

Re: Grand Villa Headlight Replacement

Reply #19 – June 11, 2020, 09:45:25 pm

Here is one idea on doing the fog lights - similar to Ted's.

What did you do to your coach today IV

Re: Grand Villa Headlight Replacement

Reply #20 – June 12, 2020, 10:50:09 am

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – June 11, 2020, 09:45:25 pm

Here is one idea on doing the fog lights - similar to Ted's.

What did you do to your coach today IV

Thanks Chuck. I went to Alibaba.com and Banggood.com to see what they offered. They have a lot of direct factory sales and prices are excellent. I just have to take some measurements and see what will fit. Might be nice to have a couple of driving lights on the roof.

Pierce

Re: Grand Villa Headlight Replacement

Reply #21 – June 12, 2020, 11:06:43 am

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – June 12, 2020, 10:50:09 am

Might be nice to have a couple of driving lights on the roof.

Do you still have the OEM spotlight on the roof? If so, you can replace it with a much more powerful unit. Link below to installation of upgraded spotlight. For off-highway or off-road driving (strange campgrounds at night) it adds immensely to the total illumination available on our coach.

I could drive very comfortably at night using only my LED aux lights (fog lights) plus the roof LED spotlight.

Exercise your systems (Reply #12 and following replies)

Re: Grand Villa Headlight Replacement

Reply #22 – June 12, 2020, 11:23:06 am

Another good idea. The pictures look good but they must have discontinued the products as the links don't work. I like the idea of being able to aim them.

Here are a couple I found:

4inch 18w led work light bar spot beam driving lamp 12v 1500lm white for...

20w Multifunctional Manufacturer 12v Led Work Light - Buy Manufacturer 12v...

Pierce

Re: Grand Villa Headlight Replacement

Reply #23 – June 12, 2020, 06:42:15 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – June 12, 2020, 11:06:43 am

I could drive very comfortably at night using only my LED aux lights (fog lights) plus the roof LED spotlight.

I did it with the Airstream without LEDs, mostly when in the fog along I-5 in northern California. Cops NEVER pulled me over! Should I decide to do that with this coach, I'd re-wire the switching so I could run just foggers and roof spot.. I'd also have to move the switch and toggle from up above to move the spot around on the fog line and shut down should oncoming be bothered

Re: Grand Villa Headlight Replacement

Reply #24 – June 12, 2020, 09:14:40 pm

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – June 11, 2020, 09:36:11 pm

Headlights look terrific. So do the bottom fog lights. Where did you get them? Part number? Cost? Installation tips? Our fog lights need work. Yours are really bright.

Thanks,

Pierce

Ive tried and tried to get it to load from amazon, Im just not computer savy enough to make it work. The fog lights sold on amazon from Bunker Industries. Part #1230ofc2-fs-frd*2. The aluminum backing on these lights is some scrap 1/8" aluminum that I had laying around. I cut to fit the light openings. Then I painted with some rustolium off white paint. I soldered the tiny little wires on the lights to the existing 2 wires from the old lights. I even left the old Hella resistor looking things under the dash installed. It all works great. Keep in mind I still need to aim all 4 of these lights.

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