Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Headlights: Attaining Enlightenment (Read 5027 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Headlights: Attaining Enlightenment

Reply #20 –
Wow the difference is pretty incredible.

I think it's interesting that many people need to modify the connection hardware in order to use a bulb that they feel is satisfactory.  Has anyone used a direct plug-and-play alternative that they are happy with?

Re: Headlights: Attaining Enlightenment

Reply #21 –
I'm not seeing a lot of GV owners comments about switching to LED. Are there alternatives for the early 90s GV owners.

Re: Headlights: Attaining Enlightenment

Reply #22 –
Hi Matt
I experienced about the same increase in visibility on low beam, but still had high beam. Inner lights are still stock bulbs, wired high beam only. I'm going to try this out for awhile before changing out the inners. From the looks of them the ones you chose probably fit better, because of the round fan body. Did the locking collar fit over the fan?
James, with the exception of the locking collar these were plug n' play.
Cheers Ric

Re: Headlights: Attaining Enlightenment

Reply #23 –
Well, I think part of the big difference in brightness is also the age of my original bulbs. They're probably 10 years or even older.

I really don't think you'll ever find a real "plug and pray" solution as the LEDs usually need their own controller to work. Here're two photos showing the way they're installed. Note the small black controller box...

I would have loved to use better connectors as well as move the controller inside and extend the LED cables, but my resources are somewhat limited... ;)



some isolating tape to prettify it:

Re: Headlights: Attaining Enlightenment

Reply #24 –
Quote from: Turtle –
Hi Matt
I experienced about the same increase in visibility on low beam, but still had high beam. Inner lights are still stock bulbs, wired high beam only. I'm going to try this out for awhile before changing out the inners. From the looks of them the ones you chose probably fit better, because of the round fan body. Did the locking collar fit over the fan?
James, with the exception of the locking collar these were plug n' play.
Cheers Ric

hm interesting, if you take them out of the housing, are all four LEDs lit or just two of them on lo-beam?

They did fit nicely inside the collar. The only problem I have is that the plastic of the collar rings is so brittle, some of the small inner ring parts fell out when I took out the original bulbs... Would be nice if I could get such collar rings in spare, does anyone have an idea of where to get non-brittle ones? I figure they're Ford Bronco headlights, but don't think they're built anymore ;)

Re: Headlights: Attaining Enlightenment

Reply #25 –
Quote from: Turtle –
Hi Matt
I experienced about the same increase in visibility on low beam, but still had high beam. Inner lights are still stock bulbs, wired high beam only. I'm going to try this out for awhile before changing out the inners. From the looks of them the ones you chose probably fit better, because of the round fan body. Did the locking collar fit over the fan?
James, with the exception of the locking collar these were plug n' play.
Cheers Ric

Thanks Matt. As I told you in an email earlier, I finally got mine ordered to my address in Yuma.They did plug right into a standard plug on my race car, so they should work with the FT plug.
Wish I would have seen you when we passed through Quatzite, but I hope to see you in the NW this summer.Enjoyed our time in Ventura on the Rincon
Cheers brother

Mine:

YITA - 120W 12000LM LED Headlight Kit 9004 HB1 High/Low beams White 6000K...



Re: Headlights: Attaining Enlightenment

Reply #26 –
Hey Matt
Like Chris said the ones I used were plug & go, didn't need a separate controller. I think on high beam all 4 LEDs are on in each bulb. But I could be wrong
I can see from your pics the collars fit over the fans on the bulbs. No need to cut the collars down.
I had the same problem with the plastic housings, broken & crumbling. Age & heat takes its toll. I was able to piece these together but will replace the entire headlight when I get home.

1987-1991 Ford Bronco F150 F250 Truck Headlights Chrome Trim Headlamps Pair...

Looks like these should work, think they come with new collars as well.

If you make it up to the nw look me up, tho by then I'll probably be up on Lopez Island.

Cheers Ric 8)

Re: Headlights: Attaining Enlightenment

Reply #27 –
They do, I just got mine in last week.  May install them tomorrow.

John

Re: Headlights: Attaining Enlightenment

Reply #28 –
hm interesting, one never stops to learn. Seems like the new LEDs have the controller integrated in the bulb housing, what results in the bulb housing itself getting larger. I wonder how that affects the lifetime. Mine get very hot on hi-beam and still do get quite hot on lo-beam. I hope they last!

Cheers,
Matt

Re: Headlights: Attaining Enlightenment

Reply #29 –
My coach is a different vintage, being 2003 with Chevy Silverado headlights.

I tried LED bulbs a couple of years ago, but found the oversized butt end interfered with steel braces FT had placed right behind the headlights.  I couldn't use them, but put them into the fog lights on my MDX and am really impressed with the light output.

I then went to low cost HID (Xenon discharge) lamps.  Wow, these are great.  I liked them so much I bought a pair for the MDX. 

Not so lucky in the MDX, although very bright, it appears the location and size of the plasma in the HID were not the same as the original filament, resulting in a fuzzy cutoff beam pattern.  My guess is they don't play well with projector headlights.  I went with Silverstar Ultras for the MDX.

All in all, I am 100% pleased with the HID lamps in the 2003 (Silverado) lights.

Re: Headlights: Attaining Enlightenment

Reply #30 –
Hi Tom, remind me where you bought them again? Did you have to do any modifications when installing?

Re: Headlights: Attaining Enlightenment

Reply #31 –
Quote from: gracerace –
Quote from: Matt_frbrd –
hm interesting, one never stops to learn. Seems like the new LEDs have the controller integrated in the bulb housing, what results in the bulb housing itself getting larger. I wonder how that affects the lifetime. Mine get very hot on hi-beam and still do get quite hot on lo-beam. I hope they last!

Cheers,
Matt
[/qu

Mine are not hot at all, even after 15 min. You can hold onto them.
Chris

Re: Headlights: Attaining Enlightenment

Reply #32 –
Quote from: rbark –
Hi Tom, remind me where you bought them again? Did you have to do any modifications when installing?


Ebay. I'll have to check and get back to you.

Re: Headlights: Attaining Enlightenment

Reply #33 –
Quote from: jcus –
pm sent.
I'm interested also in your led experience with headlights. I would love to upgrade but without spending big coach bucks. I've got my hands full with "getting it right".

Re: Headlights: Attaining Enlightenment

Reply #34 –
Amazon.com: YITAMOTOR 2 X Cree LED Headlight Kit 80W H4 9003 HB2 6400LM HID...
 I do not remember specific type I have put in coaches, but have had good luck with this brand.
You will have to find equivalent replacement for your coach.
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Headlights: Attaining Enlightenment

Reply #35 –
Quote from: jcus –
Amazon.com: YITAMOTOR 2 X Cree LED Headlight Kit 80W H4 9003 HB2 6400LM HID...
 I do not remember specific type I have put in coaches, but have had good luck with this brand.
You will have to find equivalent replacement for your coach.

jcus,
  Since I was under the front of my coach(your old coach), changing out the headlights, the bulbs you had in them are HID, from "The HID Factory.  I am going to use them as they do a good job of lighting the road.

John
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Headlights: Attaining Enlightenment

Reply #36 –
Quote from: John  and Stacey –
jcus,
  Since I was under the front of my coach(your old coach), changing out the headlights, the bulbs you had in them are HID, from "The HID Factory.  I am going to use them as they do a good job of lighting the road.

John
John, they were good. When I put them in, leds were not the quality they are now. because of their design, hids also seem to work better in more types of reflectors than leds. They are priced about the same. In any case, both types are far superior to the stock halogen bulbs

Re: Headlights: Attaining Enlightenment

Reply #37 –
Quote from: Turtle –
Finally got around to swapping out my stock headlight bulbs to these

YITA - 120W 12000LM LED Headlight Kit 9004 HB1 High/Low beams White 6000K bulbs

Strictly speaking these aren't legal, but on our coaches with their low headlights, I'll take the chance.
They aren't straight plug n'play. The collar that secures the bulb into the socket won't fit around the cooling fan. I had to cut the collar down, split it, & stretch it over the bulb. Once in place it's secured with a hose clamp. Seems solid enough. Time will tell.
Total cost of the 'conversion' was less than $40. Ya gotta love that!!
I plan to get another set to do the inner lights. Also plan to wire in the low beams on the inners, which are high beam only right now.
Final analysis "These suckers are Bright!" No more driving by braille.
"I can see the light!" 8)  Cheers Ric

I installed the same bulbs, went to the auto wrecking yard and picked up 4 Headlight Bulb retainer rings  ( 90's Fords with 9004 bulbs) for no charge or part# Dorman 42415 on e-bay $4 to $7 ea.  Mine were also brittle and crumbling plus to big without cutting down length. No need to split these and use a hose clap as the original poster did as the bulb assembly comes apart to accommodate the proper size retainer ring. These are plug-and-play about a 10-minute job with the proper retaining rings. Just make sure that the 2 low beam LED lights are on top when you put the assembly back together.

Re: Headlights: Attaining Enlightenment

Reply #38 –
Hey Doug
I finally received mine down in Yuma. How the heck did you discover that they come apart? This is great information. Even after studying your picture, it was hard to see how they come apart.  Upon installing one, sure enough the FT plastic retainer fell apart in my hand. Other then that, they are plug and play. Hi / LO work fine
Thanks for the info on the low beam position. After installing one of them last night, I played with this adjustment a little, but couldn't find the sweet spot.
I do plan to adjust my outer headlights down.It appears the previous owner adjusted them way up. That was a common practice when I was a tech.
This same Ebay seller, also has LED interior bulbs. I have bought hundreds from him for other customers, always good quality, great service.
A 1076 LED is about $20.00 retail, you can get 20 delivered for about that amount.

4x Warm White BA15D 1076 13-SMD 5050 Car RV Marine Boat Interior LED Light...

Picture is of LED installed in RF headlight, HI / LO

Cheers

Re: Headlights: Attaining Enlightenment

Reply #39 –
Like everything else "vehicle lighting" is over the top.  Not just LED headlights.................but LED brake/taillights and turn signals are wearing my eyeballs out before the brakes are even applied.

The "intensity" bar can't keep getting raised.