Budget LED headlights
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2014
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From: NY/Canada border
How did you make out with your switchbacks?What brand did you go with? Mine are Alla. Over 2 years ago when I did them in my 2017 I had to use a Dremel type tool and grind a little bit away from the base to make them fit securely. I know of other forum members that did the same thing.
I was reminded of this when I swapped those same bulbs into my new 2019 last week. They never fell out in the old truck. They're in the 2019 now but they just don't securely snap in like I feel they should. Hopefully they remain in place like they did last time.
I was reminded of this when I swapped those same bulbs into my new 2019 last week. They never fell out in the old truck. They're in the 2019 now but they just don't securely snap in like I feel they should. Hopefully they remain in place like they did last time.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 410
Likes: 33
$40 Beamtechs sound a LOT better to me than $170 HR v4's, but are they comparable? Two sets of H13's correct?
I had read a few years ago about having to set depth of the bulbs to get the beam pattern right, is this still a thing? (Other than not using the two gaskets
)
Has anyone with an XL/STX required a resistor/harness for CANBUS or flickering issues? Fast turn signals?
I understand they need to be properly clocked, do they not only lock into one position or are the bulbs themselves adjustable irrespective of the locking tabs?
What happens when active cooling fails, kills the bulb or housing too? My lenses are already "peeling" at the upper corners.
ETA: Ordered two sets of the latest gen 10k lumen Beamtech H13s for my 2017 F-250 STX.
I had read a few years ago about having to set depth of the bulbs to get the beam pattern right, is this still a thing? (Other than not using the two gaskets
)Has anyone with an XL/STX required a resistor/harness for CANBUS or flickering issues? Fast turn signals?
I understand they need to be properly clocked, do they not only lock into one position or are the bulbs themselves adjustable irrespective of the locking tabs?
What happens when active cooling fails, kills the bulb or housing too? My lenses are already "peeling" at the upper corners.
ETA: Ordered two sets of the latest gen 10k lumen Beamtech H13s for my 2017 F-250 STX.
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How did you make out with your switchbacks?What brand did you go with? Mine are Alla. Over 2 years ago when I did them in my 2017 I had to use a Dremel type tool and grind a little bit away from the base to make them fit securely. I know of other forum members that did the same thing.
I was reminded of this when I swapped those same bulbs into my new 2019 last week. They never fell out in the old truck. They're in the 2019 now but they just don't securely snap in like I feel they should. Hopefully they remain in place like they did last time.
I was reminded of this when I swapped those same bulbs into my new 2019 last week. They never fell out in the old truck. They're in the 2019 now but they just don't securely snap in like I feel they should. Hopefully they remain in place like they did last time.
I used iBrightstar for 3157 Switchback Leds... I had to carve away the little nubs on each side of the bulb base. Now they fit and work great. Even the bulbs by themselves are super bright.
I had to change the settings in Forscan to eliminate the hyperflash.
Later this week I will upgrade the tail light and back up bulbs.
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From: Door Cty/Florida
Bruce
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2014
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From: NY/Canada border
I have Beamtechs for the Headlights and Fog, nice improvement over OEM Halogens, especially with the Bambi Mod on High Beam
I used iBrightstar for 3157 Switchback Leds... I had to carve away the little nubs on each side of the bulb base. Now they fit and work great. Even the bulbs by themselves are super bright.
I had to change the settings in Forscan to eliminate the hyperflash.
Later this week I will upgrade the tail light and back up bulbs.
I used iBrightstar for 3157 Switchback Leds... I had to carve away the little nubs on each side of the bulb base. Now they fit and work great. Even the bulbs by themselves are super bright.
I had to change the settings in Forscan to eliminate the hyperflash.
Later this week I will upgrade the tail light and back up bulbs.
I'm on my second go round with the LED switchover. I saved all of the bulbs from the 2017 I traded and put them all into the new 2019. So I'd been down the FORScan road before and it all went pretty smoothly.
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Sounds like multiple brands of switchback have the same ill fit issue. The only reason I'd switch is if someone found a brand that snapped right in without altering the base.
I'm on my second go round with the LED switchover. I saved all of the bulbs from the 2017 I traded and put them all into the new 2019. So I'd been down the FORScan road before and it all went pretty smoothly.
I'm on my second go round with the LED switchover. I saved all of the bulbs from the 2017 I traded and put them all into the new 2019. So I'd been down the FORScan road before and it all went pretty smoothly.
No big deal, 5 seconds with a pocket knife and they snapped right in
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2018
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FWIW, I found my leveled 2017 F-250 CCSB 6.2L STX 4x4 w/ 35's with half tank on level ground to have a headlight centerline (dot in center of top lamp) of 47 1/4". My halogen OEM headlights are VOR style and were aimed at 49" @ 25'. 1 turn clockwise on driver's side and 1 1/4 turn clockwise on passenger side brought the aim down to even with centerline and even from left / right. I brought them both down another 1 1/4 turn for a DOT recommended (for VOR @ this centerline height) height of about 2" below centerline with stock halogen bulbs. Down about 3 5/8" @ 25' from initial starting point. I will drop in the 10k lum Beamtechs later this week hopefully. I was constantly getting flashed from oncoming.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2014
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From: NY/Canada border
FWIW, I found my leveled 2017 F-250 CCSB 6.2L STX 4x4 w/ 35's with half tank on level ground to have a headlight centerline (dot in center of top lamp) of 47 1/4". My halogen OEM headlights are VOR style and were aimed at 49" @ 25'. 1 turn clockwise on driver's side and 1 1/4 turn clockwise on passenger side brought the aim down to even with centerline and even from left / right. I brought them both down another 1 1/4 turn for a DOT recommended (for VOR @ this centerline height) height of about 2" below centerline with stock halogen bulbs. Down about 3 5/8" @ 25' from initial starting point. I will drop in the 10k lum Beamtechs later this week hopefully. I was constantly getting flashed from oncoming.
I've still got the tape marks on the garage door from last year's adjustments. Will have to see where the truck sits now with no load. Hasn't been a priority as I've only driven the truck once after dark in the 12 days I've had it.
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2018
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Installing them now, super easy after snorkel removal. They aren't even hard to turn in 80 deg. temps. Only thing is, I'm not sure if I should re-orient the Beamtechs to match the stock Sylvania bulbs, or leave as-is for perfect 90 deg. "filament" orientation. I suppose straight up/down is my best bet since they are likely more prone to artifacting than halogen.
The stock filament orientation is like this:
/ /
/ /
Maybe this is what makes a housing VOL / VOR?
The stock filament orientation is like this:
/ /
/ /
Maybe this is what makes a housing VOL / VOR?
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Installing them now, super easy after snorkel removal. They aren't even hard to turn in 80 deg. temps. Only thing is, I'm not sure if I should re-orient the Beamtechs to match the stock Sylvania bulbs, or leave as-is for perfect 90 deg. "filament" orientation. I suppose straight up/down is my best bet since they are likely more prone to artifacting than halogen.
The stork filament orientation is like this:
/ /
/ /
The stork filament orientation is like this:
/ /
/ /
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 410
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Installed them side-to-side, 9/3, etc. As they came packaged actually. The stock H13's are not oriented this way.
Pretty sweet! I had to raise the driver's side 1/2 turn to even things out again. May bring both up 1/4 turn for about 1/2"- 3/4" below centerline.
Pretty sweet! I had to raise the driver's side 1/2 turn to even things out again. May bring both up 1/4 turn for about 1/2"- 3/4" below centerline.
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Thanks....
Bought a 2019 F350 over this past weekend and was very disappointed in the stock headlights. Coming from vehicles that all had LED or HID lights the stockers on the F350 were lacking. I did a bunch of research and found this thread. I have ordered the LED's for the headlights, fogs lights, backup lights, and license plate that were suggested in the thread. Just wanted to say thanks and I look forward to getting them all installed.
Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 1,357
From: NY/Canada border
Bought a 2019 F350 over this past weekend and was very disappointed in the stock headlights. Coming from vehicles that all had LED or HID lights the stockers on the F350 were lacking. I did a bunch of research and found this thread. I have ordered the LED's for the headlights, fogs lights, backup lights, and license plate that were suggested in the thread. Just wanted to say thanks and I look forward to getting them all installed.