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Topic: Headlight Upgrade  (Read 551 times) previous topic - next topic

Headlight Upgrade

 I have an 08' Nimbus that I'm wanting to do a headlight upgrade on. I want to keep the stock headlight orientation. All I want to do is bring the lights themselves up-to-date with the latest LED technology. Has anyone done this? And have any suggestions on which direction I should go with it. I haven't found a lot of information on the Internet about it.
Thanks,
Robert
2008 Nimbus 342
Build# 6464
ISM 500
Allison 4000 w/retarder
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Re: Headlight Upgrade

Reply #1 –
Robert IMO going with a modern projection headlight is a outstanding choice for you and all the on coming traffic that will have to be blinded by most NON DOT LED headlights.
Bronco headlight projection conversion
Not the kind of mount you need for yours but a great source to compare lights. Ultimately before you install, power up your new headlight and visually see how well the will work on your application and on the low beam setting walk out if front of them and see how you will be view by oncoming traffic. If there annoying to you they will be for the lower Honda civics.
I equally like my outstanding projection headlights as to how much i dislike most LED bright but worthless  aftermarket lights. Please chose wisely
Scott

Re: Headlight Upgrade

Reply #2 –
I recommend going to Rally Lights, Hella, TerraTrip, Hans, WRC, ZAMP and checking out their lights manufactured by Hella. They should have the appropriate replacements for your current assemblies and I believe they have excellent tech support that can help you make the proper selection.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Headlight Upgrade

Reply #3 –
Actually, FIRST STEP is to verify voltage at the headlights with the engine going (alternator voltage).

Small gauge wire/corrosion/poor connections CAN cost you Lumen!

Get voltage at the bulbs within .3 VDC of gauge reading and THEN upgrade.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Headlight Upgrade

Reply #4 –
If it's better lighting you're after, the first thing to do is make sure they're adjusted properly.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Headlight Upgrade

Reply #5 –
When I bought this coach this slipped by me. The first time after purchase I was checking oil on the generator and I nosed around some while I had it out. To my surprise the wire coming from both headlights was unsecured and sagging about a foot. Enough that the weight of the wire had pulled the right bulb about halfway out of its socket. After pushing it back in and securing the wires. I checked to see if the headlights even worked. They did but I haven't had a chance to test at night to determine the performance. I am assuming that it probably didn't leave the factory like that. I'm guessing somewhere along the way someone may have changed the bulbs to LEDs in a housing that's not designed for them. Hence all the loose wiring. If that is the case this setup will never work right. Headlight technology has come a long way since 2008 and I would like to catch up. I'm guessing the headlights in this coach were not one offs just for Foretravel. I'm trying to find out what they used so I can cross reference to a modern LED projection fixture.
2008 Nimbus 342
Build# 6464
ISM 500
Allison 4000 w/retarder
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Re: Headlight Upgrade

Reply #6 –
Following as I have an 08' Nimbus also.. haven't driven a bunch at night, but lights were lacking IMO...
Keith and Dawn Hudson #18766
Current- 1999 U295 DFGE 40ft. - Build #5405
Coach Name: 4BUS4US
Previous- 2008 Nimbus CE338: 40th Anniversary Edition- Build #6486. 
Toad: 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk

 "I know something about a lot of things..a lot about something's..and everything about nothing "

Re: Headlight Upgrade

Reply #7 –
I replaced our dim headlights with HID bulbs. I ran a large wire down from the always hot side of the ignition solenoid through the firewall, to a relay then over to the power supply and then to the bulbs. The color is about 4000K so not blue, just bright white. Polished the plastic lens so it's good now. I've been trying LEDs in other vehicles but not happy with the projection pattern. Low is now good with the highs excellent and reaching out much further.

I get an occasionally blink down but they are up pretty high. Makes a big difference at night. I put LEDs in the fog lights but have to put a dedicated switch as they only work with the headlights on.

H4 bulbs are always a good choice if they will fit as you can choose the wattage for low and high. 55 watts low and 100 watts high is excellent and as much wattage as the stock wiring will handle. In Europe, we would buy boat spotlight H4s as the 100 watt bulbs were not legal from auto parts stores. 130 watts for high are available. Euro bulbs seem to last longer.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Headlight Upgrade

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
I replaced our dim headlights with HID bulbs.

HID and LED bulbs can work well when used in a fixture designed to use them. When used in fixtures *not* designed to use them they generally produce lots of light that that generally goes in the wrong directions. I can't recommend them because they can distract other drivers. Please only use HID and LED bulbs in fixtures designed to use them!
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Headlight Upgrade

Reply #9 –
I had used LED bulbs in in the old Bronco headlights. I could see good but they didn't
work as they blinded the oncoming drivers. So I did the same as David and put in  semi
truck headlights. The work great and are DOT approved. I drive a lot at night in the winter
so I need good lights.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Headlight Upgrade

Reply #10 –
Quote from: oldguy –
I had used LED bulbs in in the old Bronco headlights. I could see good but they didn't
work as they blinded the oncoming drivers. So I did the same as David and put in  semi
truck headlights. The work great and are DOT approved. I drive a lot at night in the winter
so I need good lights.
This is exactly correct. With the projector conversion the reflector is only used as a mount for the projectors leaving the lens as the only used part. Hands down the Bronco headlight is at the very end of the spectrum and not on the good side. But with the projectors it's transformed to one level below laser beam head lights at 10K a set. Most defined light cutoff I've ever seen. DOT compliant low beams. Hi beams are not!  Reflector literally must be cut in half to install the 3" wide projector.

Re: Headlight Upgrade

Reply #11 –
Compared to a bus style Foretravel, GV headlights are close to the 54 inch limit above the ground. With any kind of improvement in brightness, oncoming cars are going to be annoyed. Stock is almost not driveable at night as it's black not very far from the front of the coach. The HID kit has a pretty good cutoff so it does not scatter the light as the OEM did. Our highs are very bright but I don't abuse oncoming vehicles.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)