[How-To] LED Headlight conversion
#1
[How-To] LED Headlight conversion
Got the idea to try these from this thread:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...lacements.html
Ordered a set from LifetimeLED (thanks for the link, Evan_P!)
9007 LED headlights
and got a shipping notification the same day, with the lights arriving maybe a week later. This is probably the easiest mod ever, all I used was a sawzall for the retainer rings.
Here's the box:
Heatsink and fan:
Stock bulb retainer is 1 3/4 long... not gonna work so I cut it down to size. 3/4 inch would be fine, I just happened to end up a fraction over that.
Twist the ring off the lamp module, put the cut-down retainer ring on, and reassemble:
Mount the driver modules (sorry, forgot that pic, but I just zip tied them nearby til I can get some small screws) and install the lamp modules.
Here's a shot with the lens off the housing... I need to buy new housings but for now I pulled them apart and cleaned them up a bit.
Here's a night shot on a country road. This is using the factory headlight housings. I wanted to do a video but even in Full HD mode my camera just couldn't capture an accurate video of the light patterns:
Amp draw on high beam, this is the DC common wire in the factory harness feeding the driver module, so this current is for driver and LED's combined. Of course the other headlight is the same:
Voltage at the factory harness connector, on high beam:
Heatsink temperature on high beam after about 20 minutes of sitting in the driveway with the engine idling:
I also had a picture of the driver module temperature but accidentally deleted it from my phone. The driver module was reading about 10 degrees cooler than the heat sink on the back of the lamp module.
As I read from others that have this setup, there ain't a lot of difference between high beam and low beam. 1 LED is lit for low beam, both for high, but the result is mostly that high beam makes the beam pattern in front of the truck *slightly* wider, no extra distance is gained. This is acceptable to me since the lows put out enough light already.
I've had these installed for 4 nights now, and have yet to be flashed by oncoming drivers.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...lacements.html
Ordered a set from LifetimeLED (thanks for the link, Evan_P!)
9007 LED headlights
and got a shipping notification the same day, with the lights arriving maybe a week later. This is probably the easiest mod ever, all I used was a sawzall for the retainer rings.
Here's the box:
Heatsink and fan:
Stock bulb retainer is 1 3/4 long... not gonna work so I cut it down to size. 3/4 inch would be fine, I just happened to end up a fraction over that.
Twist the ring off the lamp module, put the cut-down retainer ring on, and reassemble:
Mount the driver modules (sorry, forgot that pic, but I just zip tied them nearby til I can get some small screws) and install the lamp modules.
Here's a shot with the lens off the housing... I need to buy new housings but for now I pulled them apart and cleaned them up a bit.
Here's a night shot on a country road. This is using the factory headlight housings. I wanted to do a video but even in Full HD mode my camera just couldn't capture an accurate video of the light patterns:
Amp draw on high beam, this is the DC common wire in the factory harness feeding the driver module, so this current is for driver and LED's combined. Of course the other headlight is the same:
Voltage at the factory harness connector, on high beam:
Heatsink temperature on high beam after about 20 minutes of sitting in the driveway with the engine idling:
I also had a picture of the driver module temperature but accidentally deleted it from my phone. The driver module was reading about 10 degrees cooler than the heat sink on the back of the lamp module.
As I read from others that have this setup, there ain't a lot of difference between high beam and low beam. 1 LED is lit for low beam, both for high, but the result is mostly that high beam makes the beam pattern in front of the truck *slightly* wider, no extra distance is gained. This is acceptable to me since the lows put out enough light already.
I've had these installed for 4 nights now, and have yet to be flashed by oncoming drivers.
#2
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
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Looks pretty good. 30w of LED is roughly equivalent to 120w of halogen so there should be enough lamp power there. Did you compare the LED lamp to the halogen in terms of the physical location of the elements referenced from the mounting base? The depth of the element inside the reflector housing will affect the throw and beam width, if they are different that may explain why the LEDs don't throw as far and there may be a way to fine tune it with shims at the base for example.
P.S. It also looks like the LED bulb projects from 2 sides instead of 360 deg like a halogen so I would think you want the elements facing the sides of the reflector instead of the top and bottom like you have in the pic. Is it possible to rotate the element or is it keyed to the housing and only goes in 1 way?
P.S. It also looks like the LED bulb projects from 2 sides instead of 360 deg like a halogen so I would think you want the elements facing the sides of the reflector instead of the top and bottom like you have in the pic. Is it possible to rotate the element or is it keyed to the housing and only goes in 1 way?
#3
Looks pretty good. 30w of LED is roughly equivalent to 120w of halogen so there should be enough lamp power there. Did you compare the LED lamp to the halogen in terms of the physical location of the elements referenced from the mounting base? The depth of the element inside the reflector housing will affect the throw and beam width, if they are different that may explain why the LEDs don't throw as far and there may be a way to fine tune it with shims at the base for example.
P.S. It also looks like the LED bulb projects from 2 sides instead of 360 deg like a halogen so I would think you want the elements facing the sides of the reflector instead of the top and bottom like you have in the pic. Is it possible to rotate the element or is it keyed to the housing and only goes in 1 way?
P.S. It also looks like the LED bulb projects from 2 sides instead of 360 deg like a halogen so I would think you want the elements facing the sides of the reflector instead of the top and bottom like you have in the pic. Is it possible to rotate the element or is it keyed to the housing and only goes in 1 way?
The LED's are keyed into the housing, just like the halogens were. Clocking them 90° might be interesting. The way they are now, the top LED is lit on low beam, which causes the top of the housing to reflect the light downwards. Highbeam lights both diodes and I think that might be where most of the light from the second LED goes (upwards, not bad if you need to read highway signs) but I'll have to verify that with the 'ol eyeball method.
#5
Alright well here's how the LED modules compare to plain Sylvania 9007 series halogens. It don't look like it, but the 2 are actually lined up center to center in the pics, it's just that the heatsink on the LED throws the depth perception off and maked it appear closer.
High beam LED
Low beam LED
Side by side. Low beam LED is facing halogen bulb.
High beam LED
Low beam LED
Side by side. Low beam LED is facing halogen bulb.
#7
Oh you're welcome eagle. All y'all are welcome. I do what I can to help out around here, so that I might get the same help in return when I need it. I don't mind taking time to post pics, share experiences, or offer advice. It's what forums are for!
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#9
Yes I am. I have a better camera now and have also swapped to aftermarket clear headlight housings. I'll take some pictures and maybe attempt another video.
As far as durability, I haven't done anything to the system since I installed it except for once a few weeks ago after I went mudding I checked to see if the fans were still working, which they were. There was some concerns about the fans that I read in other reviews, but they hardly move any air (and they never have), I bet everything would be fine even if they did fail but it doesn't matter since the entire setup is lifetime warranty anyway.
As far as durability, I haven't done anything to the system since I installed it except for once a few weeks ago after I went mudding I checked to see if the fans were still working, which they were. There was some concerns about the fans that I read in other reviews, but they hardly move any air (and they never have), I bet everything would be fine even if they did fail but it doesn't matter since the entire setup is lifetime warranty anyway.
#11
#12
Hey guys, I didn't forget about y'all. I'll get some pictures when I'm out one night after this rain blows out of here. Been pouring on and off all week and although I tried to take a few pictures tonight it wasn't happening because the roads are soaked and the glare from the water makes it look like I'm one of those people that freakin' blind oncoming traffic. Not the case... I've had these for what, six months now? Still ain't been flashed once!
#14
Hey guys, I didn't forget about y'all. I'll get some pictures when I'm out one night after this rain blows out of here. Been pouring on and off all week ...............I'm one of those people that freakin' blind oncoming traffic. Not the case... I've had these for what, six months now? Still ain't been flashed once!
Anyway, do those LED lamps use the reflector of the lamp housing to reflect the light? My 89 F250's reflectors are gone and they give not much light out. IF those bulbs don't need the housing reflector, I will get them!
#15
Yea, where did all the rain come from! I'm flooded now... pond went up 3' and is over flowing over night!
Anyway, do those LED lamps use the reflector of the lamp housing to reflect the light? My 89 F250's reflectors are gone and they give not much light out. IF those bulbs don't need the housing reflector, I will get them!
Anyway, do those LED lamps use the reflector of the lamp housing to reflect the light? My 89 F250's reflectors are gone and they give not much light out. IF those bulbs don't need the housing reflector, I will get them!
The LED's do use the reflective portion of the housings, as without them they would just shine up and down relative to vertical, and not project forward at all. I'll try and get some pictures.