Replacement LED Headlights
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2016
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Replacement LED Headlights
I have been looking at the LED replacement headlights as an inexpensive way to increase the light output of the OEM headlights. Has anybody installed them? Do they really increase the light output/do they light up the road better? Any thoughts, views, opinions are more than welcome.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 6
From: Georgia
It's hard to imagine you can get any brighter than the 2016 OEM lights without blinding oncoming drivers if your lights are properly aimed.
If it's a problem with long distance lighting then get some driving lights. Just remember, driving lights should be wired via a relay so they only come on with high beams.
For really cheap, make sure you're actually getting 14+ volts at the lights with the engine running.
If it's a problem with long distance lighting then get some driving lights. Just remember, driving lights should be wired via a relay so they only come on with high beams.
For really cheap, make sure you're actually getting 14+ volts at the lights with the engine running.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 24,322
Likes: 5,132
From: 0,0,1
I run LED headlights. With LEDs you get less of a spotlight effect and more of a light up everything effect. This has helped me tremendously to see road/street signs when driving at night. For some states with vehicle inspections you might get nailed for having them and fail inspection. So keep all of the old parts in case you have to temporarily swap the original bulbs back in to get your inspection sticker.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 6
From: Georgia
I run LED headlights. With LEDs you get less of a spotlight effect and more of a light up everything effect. This has helped me tremendously to see road/street signs when driving at night. For some states with vehicle inspections you might get nailed for having them and fail inspection. So keep all of the old parts in case you have to temporarily swap the original bulbs back in to get your inspection sticker.
In other words, if they meet FMVSS 108 regulations states can't fail you.
Ok, they can fail you if they are ignorant, but you can't be fined if stopped.
That said, there are a lot of scams out there selling lights cheap that aren't legal.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,992
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From: Virginia
I never have anything good to say about these extra bright headlights, that's why I haven't commented on this thread. What about the people like me who have regular headlights? I am starting to hate to drive at night.
But it dawned on me after a few comments about the LED's, that they must be the same difference as the new led flashlights versus the old time flashlights with the yellow light. I do like the led flashlights for broad close up work, but they do not work well when you have to look way down inside a pipe or dark hole.
Then that led to this train of thought; If I had bright led headlights lighting up the front of my vehicle, then my eyes might adjust to this brighter light, and everyone else's bright lights may not bother me so much. Sort of like driving with your headlights on during the daytime. Someone could probably have their high beams on during the day, and they would not bother people so much because of the high ambient light.
Maybe this is the solution? Everyone get led's and then we don't bother each other so much? Maybe the government can step in a make it a law like the did the digital tv, and give us all vouchers for led replacement headlights
But it dawned on me after a few comments about the LED's, that they must be the same difference as the new led flashlights versus the old time flashlights with the yellow light. I do like the led flashlights for broad close up work, but they do not work well when you have to look way down inside a pipe or dark hole.
Then that led to this train of thought; If I had bright led headlights lighting up the front of my vehicle, then my eyes might adjust to this brighter light, and everyone else's bright lights may not bother me so much. Sort of like driving with your headlights on during the daytime. Someone could probably have their high beams on during the day, and they would not bother people so much because of the high ambient light.
Maybe this is the solution? Everyone get led's and then we don't bother each other so much? Maybe the government can step in a make it a law like the did the digital tv, and give us all vouchers for led replacement headlights
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 24,322
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From: 0,0,1
More Turbo
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 642
Likes: 12
I run LED headlights. With LEDs you get less of a spotlight effect and more of a light up everything effect. This has helped me tremendously to see road/street signs when driving at night. For some states with vehicle inspections you might get nailed for having them and fail inspection. So keep all of the old parts in case you have to temporarily swap the original bulbs back in to get your inspection sticker.
Pictures would be massively helpful too
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: 0,0,1
A 97 expedition uses a 9007 lamp, not a 9005, so that might be your fitment problem.
Not much to tell, the LEDs are a direct swap for the 9007 lamps. I went with this style because of their slim design. Since the heat sinks are flexible the original bulb retaining ring fits over the LED, unlike the LEDS that have the fat heat sinks built into their bases. The LED pigtail plugs directly into the original headlamp connector. The whole swap took me about 15 minutes, and I wasn't rushing.
2015 80W 9600LM Cree LED Headlight Kit 9007 HB5 Hi/Lo Beam 6000K White Bulb Pair | eBay
Not much to tell, the LEDs are a direct swap for the 9007 lamps. I went with this style because of their slim design. Since the heat sinks are flexible the original bulb retaining ring fits over the LED, unlike the LEDS that have the fat heat sinks built into their bases. The LED pigtail plugs directly into the original headlamp connector. The whole swap took me about 15 minutes, and I wasn't rushing.
2015 80W 9600LM Cree LED Headlight Kit 9007 HB5 Hi/Lo Beam 6000K White Bulb Pair | eBay
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More Turbo
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 642
Likes: 12
A 97 expedition uses a 9007 lamp, not a 9005, so that might be your fitment problem.
Not much to tell, the LEDs are a direct swap for the 9007 lamps. I went with this style because of their slim design. Since the heat sinks are flexible the original bulb retaining ring fits over the LED, unlike the LEDS that have the fat heat sinks built into their bases. The LED pigtail plugs directly into the original headlamp connector. The whole swap took me about 15 minutes, and I wasn't rushing.
2015 80W 9600LM Cree LED Headlight Kit 9007 HB5 Hi/Lo Beam 6000K White Bulb Pair | eBay
Not much to tell, the LEDs are a direct swap for the 9007 lamps. I went with this style because of their slim design. Since the heat sinks are flexible the original bulb retaining ring fits over the LED, unlike the LEDS that have the fat heat sinks built into their bases. The LED pigtail plugs directly into the original headlamp connector. The whole swap took me about 15 minutes, and I wasn't rushing.
2015 80W 9600LM Cree LED Headlight Kit 9007 HB5 Hi/Lo Beam 6000K White Bulb Pair | eBay
This is the style of 9005 LED bulb I tried:
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=182366748442&alt=web
The problem I encountered with mine were that the vertices (corners) of each LED panel stuck out further than the seal, and stopped it from going into the housing. This doesn't occur for the same style of 9006 LED fog lights on our stock housings.
Anyway, do you have pictures of how well yours perform?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 24,322
Likes: 5,132
From: 0,0,1
I tried several times but I can't get a good picture with a camera phone. I'd probably need something closer to a professional camera that can make the colors more defined. All I got were big splotches.
More Turbo
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 642
Likes: 12
It might not be the most ideal photo shoot, but anything is better than nothing to at least get us in the ballpark on what to expect.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,778
Likes: 287
From: Down SOUTH
Old thread resurrected :
what is the best LED to replace 9007 bulbs in a 96 F350 Truck ?
im not changing my NEW OEM headlamp assemblies.
I’m no fan of aftermarket assemblies.
Im wanting 5000k white color to match some LED driving lamps.
what is the best LED to replace 9007 bulbs in a 96 F350 Truck ?
im not changing my NEW OEM headlamp assemblies.
I’m no fan of aftermarket assemblies.
Im wanting 5000k white color to match some LED driving lamps.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 599
Likes: 0
From: Tucker, GA
As poorly as the Super Duty lights perform I'm surprised there isn't more discussion around this. My truck is only four years old and I can't tell if the lights are on or not. One resource I'm using to look into lighting upgrades is Headlight Revolution. They at least test stuff.
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