Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Headlights  (Read 1441 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Headlights

Reply #25 –
Quote from: Old phart phred –
such as ? All ears, I totally agree sometime you are going to HAVE to drive the coach at night, cause stuff happens.

Hella makes HID and LED assemblies. One place to see their products is at Rally Lights, Hella, TerraTrip, Hans, WRC, ZAMP
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Headlights

Reply #26 –
Quote from: D.J. Osborn –
Hella makes HID and LED assemblies. One place to see their products is at Rally Lights, Hella, TerraTrip, Hans, WRC, ZAMP
I used those on my '81 FTX and my '96 Monaco Sig. The light sockets were high enough to take advantage of the brighter lights. Unfortunately on my current '99 U320 brighter would not have been enough, they had to be higher.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Headlights

Reply #27 –
Quote from: John44 –
Our Avalon has HID lights and every time you turn the lights on they self align,part of the process with HID.

Yes,  I've noted that feature on my Avalon as well.  I considered this when installing HID lights but then realized automatic leveling was already in place courtesy of HWH. 
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Headlights

Reply #28 –
Quote from: craneman –
I used those on my '81 FTX and my '96 Monaco Sig. The light sockets were high enough to take advantage of the brighter lights. Unfortunately on my current '99 U320 brighter would not have been enough, they had to be higher.

Right.  I initially installed HID lights in the original light location and immediately knew they needed to be higher.  Pebbles in the road cast long shadows, very distracting.  Also with  so little angle between the road and the lights, adjustment was very finicky. 
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Headlights

Reply #29 –
Here are a few.  Once again, I would choose a name brand such as Speaker as opposed to generic Chinese projector knockoffs.

LED Projector Fog Lights | Universal LED Headlights
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Headlights

Reply #30 –

If you want to try playing with LED or HID lights, then I say go for it.  Might be a fun project.  As noted above, the low mounting position of the OEM headlights, and the design of the plastic Ford lens and reflector, will compromise the effectiveness of any simple "light bulb" upgrade.

If you don't plan on doing a lot of after dark driving, and just want to make the standard headlights a little brighter, then you might try the Hella bulb linked below.  It is a direct plugin replacement for the 9004 bulbs in the Ford headlights.  It is a little brighter (to my eye, at least) and throws the light a little ways farther down the road.  The beam pattern remains the same as with the stock bulb.  I have been using these bulbs for the past 4 years, and been happy with them.  Had only one burn out in that time, so they are pretty reliable.  I carry a couple spares, just in case.

Amazon.com: HELLA 9004 100/80W High Wattage Bulb, 12V: Automotive

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

Reply #31 –
I really wish Xtreme made their headlight retrofit kits with 90mm lights in the outer positions instead of the 120mm lights. Hella makes a variety of 90mm lights in HID and LED versions while the only Hella 120mm models I've been able to find are halogen models. At some point I will likely check with Xtreme to see if they will produce a different retrofit kit.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Headlights

Reply #32 –
Will do the research but a while back one of our members had a conversion done using the JW Speaker lights and was very pleased.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Headlights

Reply #33 –
Quote from: John44 –
Will do the research but a while back one of our members had a conversion done using the JW Speaker lights and was very pleased.
Yes. I remember that. The JWSpeaker headlights are great. I just personally didn't care for the final appearance of that setup on that coach.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Headlights

Reply #34 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
If you want to try playing with LED or HID lights, then I say go for it.  Might be a fun project.  As noted above, the low mounting position of the OEM headlights, and the design of the plastic Ford lens and reflector, will compromise the effectiveness of any simple "light bulb" upgrade.

If you don't plan on doing a lot of after dark driving, and just want to make the standard headlights a little brighter, then you might try the Hella bulb linked below.  It is a direct plugin replacement for the 9004 bulbs in the Ford headlights.  It is a little brighter (to my eye, at least) and throws the light a little ways farther down the road.  The beam pattern remains the same as with the stock bulb.  I have been using these bulbs for the past 4 years, and been happy with them.  Had only one burn out in that time, so they are pretty reliable.  I carry a couple spares, just in case.

Amazon.com: HELLA 9004 100/80W High Wattage Bulb, 12V: Automotive
I bought some 3300 lumen 9004 HID conversion kit for my GV which has the lights up higher, lacking a round-tuit. maybe a good evening project. Ordered them when it was very cold outside, stuck them in my toodo cabinet where they got buried.
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Headlights

Reply #35 –
Quote from: John44 –
Will do the research but a while back one of our members had a conversion done using the JW Speaker lights and was very pleased.
That was Forum member J. D. Stevens

Front Facad modifications?
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"