New HID headlight option for 02-05 coaches

Topic: New HID headlight option for 02-05 coaches (Read 1282 times) previous topic - next topic

New HID headlight option for 02-05 coaches

January 06, 2022, 09:06:51 pm

Hey everyone - first post!

I am currently on the hunt for an 03-05 34'-36' Foretravel (working with Jeff at MOT) and one of the things on my list of early upgrades is headlights. I know Xtreme does full front end conversions, but I wouldn't be interested in spending that much for a headlight upgrade. That being said, I stumbled across an in-between step which should be much nicer than just putting LED bulbs in OEM or aftermarket housings - as follows: Chevy Silverado (1999-2002) & Tahoe/Suburban (2000-2006) Headlight Pac –...

Based on reviews the Depo housings seem to be about the best of the aftermarket units, and you can get them with the stock halogen projectors for about $130 on Amazon. This solution takes them a step further and replaces the stock projectors with bixenon projectors and Morimoto XB35 HIDs. At $725 they aren't cheap, but it's a lot more reasonable than an Xtreme conversion. I might try the Depo lights with just a good halogen bulb like the Osram Night Breaker Lasers, but I know the quality of Morimoto HIDs so I might go for these from the start.

Hope this is new information and those of you with coaches in this age range find it useful. My hope is I will have found a coach by July of this year, so I'll be sure to report back once I have one and do the light upgrade!

Re: New HID headlight option for 02-05 coaches

Reply #1 – January 07, 2022, 10:40:10 am

The light conversion is mainly for the U series coaches up to 2001 because of the headlight location. In 2002 the lights were raised to a height that lets you see down the road.

Re: New HID headlight option for 02-05 coaches

Reply #2 – January 07, 2022, 12:54:30 pm

Crane man
Are you saying this conversion will be a plug and play on a 98 U 320? I can't see it being the same size?!

Re: New HID headlight option for 02-05 coaches

Reply #3 – January 07, 2022, 12:55:18 pm

Quote from: dicksop – January 07, 2022, 12:54:30 pm

Crane man
Are you saying this conversion will be a plug and play on a 98 U 320? I can't see it being the same size?!

No I am saying that the 2002 and up don't benefit as much as the 2001 and earlier because of their location being higher.

Re: New HID headlight option for 02-05 coaches

Reply #4 – January 07, 2022, 01:16:11 pm

I added HID bulbs and ballasts to my oem 2003 about six years ago. Works great.

Re: New HID headlight option for 02-05 coaches

Reply #5 – January 07, 2022, 01:19:34 pm

Yup, I know the '02-'05 coaches are better off than the earlier models with the low F-150/Bronco lights. The '02-'05 coaches use Silverado/Suburban lights, so these won't fit the earlier models.

That being said, I'm coming from towing a fifth wheel with a '20 F-450 which has the quad-beam LED headlights (which are amazing), and I know from personal experience the old Silverado lights weren't great. There are lots of aftermarket projector housings out there, but those projectors are all optimized for halogen lights... If you drop in a LED or HID bulb the beam pattern won't be ideal. This solution caught my attention because it had a proper HID projector unit and was a bixenon, so it gives you HID high beams as well.

Again I might try just a Depo or Spyder projector housing with better quality halogen blubs, but these give a true high/low beam HID option with the proper reflector for a lot less than an Xtreme conversion. I like the look of the Xtreme conversion, but being able to get the same light output for 1/10th the price is attractive to me

Re: New HID headlight option for 02-05 coaches

Reply #6 – January 07, 2022, 01:20:59 pm

Xtreme only used HID bulbs in their conversions for a brief period. One of the reasons for moving away from them was the delay and momentary darkness when switching between high and low beams. When I asked about improving visibility their first suggestion was to make sure they're aimed properly (turned out to be a good suggestion) and after that they suggested plug and play LED bulbs. No dog in this fight, just relaying tidbits from my convo with them.

LED Headlight Bulb Upgrade

Re: New HID headlight option for 02-05 coaches

Reply #7 – January 07, 2022, 01:42:25 pm

Bronco headlight projection conversion
Long read but lots of morimoto info. They make good stuff 👍👍
Aftermarket LED replacement bulbs may work for you but you may find yourself with a big NON DOT ticket. My test for headlights is to walk out in front of your coach with your retro lights installed and if they blind you they will blind every one else. I love projection headlights bur they are not made equally.
My morimoto do have one big flaw, they have such a great low beam cutoff that the street signs are not illuminated well.
Scott

Re: New HID headlight option for 02-05 coaches

Reply #8 – January 07, 2022, 02:14:09 pm

Exactly... Dropping in a LED or HID light source in a housing that is designed for halogen bulbs usually gives less than ideal results - and frequently will blind oncoming drivers.

Morimoto makes really good stuff, and this solution caught my eye because they actually replace the halogen projector in the Depo lights with a proper HID projector - and a bixeon one at that. If this really is a true bixenon projector then there will be no delay when switching from low/high beams because it will be an optic change in the projector unit itself. One of my cars has bixenon projectors and you can hear a mechanical "click" when you switch from low to high beams. This video is a good explanation of bixenon projectors: https://youtu.be/MLkAOTPE4OA

And here's a link to the Morimoto HID projectors they install in the Depo lights (notice they are DOT approved): Bi-xenon: Morimoto Mini H1 8.0 HID Projectors PR011

Knowing Morimoto stuff this solution should provide a great and legal drop-in replacement for '02-'05 Foretravel owners. Like I said, this is probably the way I'll go - when I finally find the right coach

Re: New HID headlight option for 02-05 coaches

Reply #9 – January 07, 2022, 02:15:10 pm

Quote from: dsd – January 07, 2022, 01:42:25 pm

you may find yourself with a big NON DOT ticket.

If I find myself driving at night something went wrong in my plans. At that point I'm just looking to get off the road for the night. Here's to hoping they go after the Honda Civics with loud exhaust and underglow first

Re: New HID headlight option for 02-05 coaches

Reply #10 – January 07, 2022, 03:47:29 pm

Quote from: Elliott – January 07, 2022, 02:15:10 pm

If I find myself driving at night something went wrong in my plans. At that point I'm just looking to get off the road for the night. Here's to hoping they go after the Honda Civics with loud exhaust and underglow first

I Have a set of morimoto HID dedicated for the bronco and yes there is a delay. The H2 LED projectors are brilliant and on hi beam (not DOT compliant) they are incredible. Low beams are DOT compliant. I enjoy driving at night especially like on Hwy 95 from Reno to Vegas. Ive become a headlight snob! Blinding lights piss me off, there is no reason, but it will cost more money.

Re: New HID headlight option for 02-05 coaches

Reply #11 – January 07, 2022, 03:54:00 pm

Quote from: gtb75 – January 07, 2022, 01:19:34 pm

That being said, I'm coming from towing a fifth wheel with a '20 F-450 which has the quad-beam LED headlights (which are amazing)

NOT FOR APPOSING TRAFFIC I hate those Ford F450 blinding light coming at me or behind me. Hate casting a shadow on the street signs ahead of me from ford behind me. TOO high!!! Probably great for the driver
Scott

Re: New HID headlight option for 02-05 coaches

Reply #12 – January 07, 2022, 04:26:44 pm

With all due respect, and not to get off topic, the Quad-Beam lights on my truck are a DOT legal factory option - they even have auto high beams. My truck isn't lifted and I've never been flashed once, even when towing.

Also there will be no delay switching to high beams with the bi-xenon H1 projectors in these Depo lights. Again, same light source but removing an optical shade/visor. See the following video of the 7.0 version where the driver turns on the high beams and there is an instantaneous change: https://youtu.be/w9JmIyfqb-k?t=103

And here's another video of the 8.0 version showing the change from low to high beam: https://youtu.be/h2uiPFjSr5s?t=261

Re: New HID headlight option for 02-05 coaches

Reply #13 – January 07, 2022, 05:01:12 pm

Quote from: gtb75 – January 07, 2022, 04:26:44 pm

With all due respect, and not to get off topic, the Quad-Beam lights on my truck are a DOT legal factory option - they even have auto high beams. My truck isn't lifted and I've never been flashed once, even when towing.

Also there will be no delay switching to high beams with the bi-xenon H1 projectors in these Depo lights. Again, same light source but removing an optical shade/visor. See the following video of the 7.0 version where the driver turns on the high beams and there is an instantaneous change: https://youtu.be/w9JmIyfqb-k?t=103

And here's another video of the 8.0 version showing the change from low to high beam: https://youtu.be/h2uiPFjSr5s?t=261

I Never said they weren't DOT legal. They just aren't dot compliant. Not against you, just painfully difficult on everyone else. DWMYH I did say I'm a Headlight Snob. If I'm seven feet above the level ground, too blinding is simply too blinding. May be all those other trucks were just overloaded

Re: New HID headlight option for 02-05 coaches

Reply #14 – January 07, 2022, 07:56:58 pm

My '03 with depot lights and led bulbs

Keith

Re: New HID headlight option for 02-05 coaches

Reply #15 – January 07, 2022, 08:03:27 pm

Thanks for the photos - very nice

I assume the Depo projectors were a big improvement over the OEM GM lights? And I have the chrome version of those AmeriLite LED turn signals on my Amazon wish list already. Did you need resistors to fix any "fast blink" issues or were they plug-and-play?

Re: New HID headlight option for 02-05 coaches

Reply #16 – January 07, 2022, 08:06:02 pm

Quote from: gtb75 – January 07, 2022, 08:03:27 pm

Thanks for the photos - very nice

I assume the Depo projectors were a big improvement over the OEM GM lights? And I have the chrome version of those AmeriLite LED turn signals on my Amazon wish list already. Did you need resistors to fix any "fast blink" issues or were they plug-and-play?

The head lights were on it when I bought it, I added the turn signals, plug and play and I installed them

Keith

Re: New HID headlight option for 02-05 coaches

Reply #17 – January 07, 2022, 08:15:41 pm

Perfect! I am on the fence between black and chrome, so it's nice to see the black units on a coach. Guess it'll come down to what color the coach I end up with is. I try to avoid driving in the dark with my RV (currently an Open Range fifth wheel), but I want to be able to see in front of me and around me if I need to. I will be putting the brightest LEDs I can find in the "docking lights" on the sides in case I ever have to do a night arrival!

Re: New HID headlight option for 02-05 coaches

Reply #18 – January 08, 2022, 03:16:32 am

Halo projection E-bay have worked great for over 5 years now very affordable

Re: New HID headlight option for 02-05 coaches

Reply #19 – January 08, 2022, 06:54:45 am

Some great information in this thread. I had no idea the headlights on my coach were Chevy.
@opelgt327 Can you give a little more information on your setup? Were they plug and play?

Re: New HID headlight option for 02-05 coaches

Reply #20 – January 08, 2022, 10:39:25 am

I haven't looked into this in quite a while I went on eBay and I saw now they have the same headlights but their LED would be very interested in trying those next . And yes the wiring was pretty straightforward

Re: New HID headlight option for 02-05 coaches

Reply #21 – January 08, 2022, 11:11:21 am

As long as this is turning into a headlight resource thread, here are some links I've collected for direct replacements.

For '02-'05 coaches it's pretty easy to upgrade:

Depo chrome housings: Amazon.com: DEPO 335-1119PXAS Replacement Headlight Set (This product is an...
Depo black housings: Amazon.com: DEPO 335-1119PXAS2 Replacement Headlight Set (This product is an...

Spyder housings with dual projectors and halos: Amazon.com: Spyder Auto Chevy Silverado 1500/2500/3500, Chevy Suburban...

For the '95-'01 coaches the best direct replacement option I found was "Aussie" headlight conversion with JW Speaker LED sealed beam replacements - as follows:

Aussie headlight conversion: Aussie Headlight swap

JW Speaker LED sealed beam replacements: Amazon.com: 12-24V DOT/ECE LED RHT High & Low Beam Heated Headlight with...

Again, I don't have a Foretravel yet but I hope to have one by summer! Hopefully MOT gets an '03-'05 in the 34'-36' range sometime in the next 6-7 months - I'm watching daily. That all being said, good lighting is obviously important to me so I'll probably end up going with the Depo HID swap in my first post in this thread.

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

Re: New HID headlight option for 02-05 coaches

Reply #22 – January 08, 2022, 11:44:21 am

Quote from: gtb75 – January 08, 2022, 11:11:21 am

Again, I don't have a Foretravel yet but I hope to have one by summer! Hopefully MOT gets an '03-'05 in the 34'-36' range sometime in the next 6-7 months - I'm watching daily. That all being said, good lighting is obviously important to me so I'll probably end up going with the Depo HID swap in my first post in this thread.

I will agree with you on this. Morimoto lights are outstanding. Yes they cost more But as with many things in life you get what you pay for. Ive only researched for several hours and can conclude this. Also The technical support about made me send back my led2 projectors because they didn't come with installation plugs and I would not cut the plugs to install.

Looking forward to your new adventure and to comparing lights possibly down at Q.
Nothing like actually having them side by side to compare.

Again no matter what you end up with if you can't stand out in front of them like oncoming traffic and look at the front of your coach the cut off line isn't up to par. There is a difference. Safe travels
Scott

Re: New HID headlight option for 02-05 coaches

Reply #23 – January 08, 2022, 12:01:51 pm

I just have to throw this out there as I recently replaced the stock bronco/f150 lights in my smashed 95 u295. After a few trips, and plenty of miles in the dark, I was not all that concerned with lack of light. I could not imagine spending the money or time on the conversion to the higher set lights. I could see upgrading the reflectors and bulbs but agree with OP that the cost of the upgrade at xtreme or even DIY is kind of nuts. I also understand we are talking about 2 different models of FT.

I did consider, and wondered. Could one not just leave the factory set of lights on 95-01' and add a new set of lights up higher? Is there a limit on how many headlights you can run?

Re: New HID headlight option for 02-05 coaches

Reply #24 – January 08, 2022, 12:10:31 pm

So I drive entirely too much after dark and being able to see tire carcasses at 70mph is advantageous to me. The F150 headlight bucket is so pathetic it uses prisms to help correct its flaws. A lot has changed since 1991, but they still are at the bottom of the spectrum

Affiliate Notice