Replacement LED Headlights
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2018
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From: San Diego
Replacement LED Headlights
Hello all... I think I did it again. I've researched myself into stagnation 
I am restoring a 1972 F100 Custom 240cc I6
Have any of you replaced your headlights with LEDs and regretted it? What is the best bang for buck? Are they truly "drop in," or do those little "*may require slight modification for fitment disclaimers" true?
I fear I'm stuck at this point and would appreciate any info from people who have actually done it. Plan is headlamps, first, then indicators and tail.
thanks in advance
I am restoring a 1972 F100 Custom 240cc I6
Have any of you replaced your headlights with LEDs and regretted it? What is the best bang for buck? Are they truly "drop in," or do those little "*may require slight modification for fitment disclaimers" true?
I fear I'm stuck at this point and would appreciate any info from people who have actually done it. Plan is headlamps, first, then indicators and tail.
thanks in advance
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
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From: NorCal
I think the best bang for the buck is a headlight harness system which provides full voltage and clean current to the headlamps... cost is only about $30.
If that doesn't suit your tastes then upgrade sealed beams to halogens, or halogen to replacement headlights with H4 bulbs or European spec headlamps from Hella. Even with changeable bulbs the headlamp buckets may need to be clearanced to provide room for the relatively large rubber seal.
Some issues with LEDs is of course the initial cost, the aforementioned clearancing of the buckets,... and the lack of heat they generate which is sometimes a bad thing because they won't or don't melt built up snow and ice.
Welcome to FTE.
If that doesn't suit your tastes then upgrade sealed beams to halogens, or halogen to replacement headlights with H4 bulbs or European spec headlamps from Hella. Even with changeable bulbs the headlamp buckets may need to be clearanced to provide room for the relatively large rubber seal.
Some issues with LEDs is of course the initial cost, the aforementioned clearancing of the buckets,... and the lack of heat they generate which is sometimes a bad thing because they won't or don't melt built up snow and ice.
Welcome to FTE.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
I think the best bang for the buck is a headlight harness system which provides full voltage and clean current to the headlamps... cost is only about $30.
If that doesn't suit your tastes then upgrade sealed beams to halogens, or halogen to replacement headlights with H4 bulbs or European spec headlamps from Hella. Even with changeable bulbs the headlamp buckets may need to be clearanced to provide room for the relatively large rubber seal.
Some issues with LEDs is of course the initial cost, the aforementioned clearancing of the buckets,... and the lack of heat they generate which is sometimes a bad thing because they won't or don't melt built up snow and ice.
Welcome to FTE.
If that doesn't suit your tastes then upgrade sealed beams to halogens, or halogen to replacement headlights with H4 bulbs or European spec headlamps from Hella. Even with changeable bulbs the headlamp buckets may need to be clearanced to provide room for the relatively large rubber seal.
Some issues with LEDs is of course the initial cost, the aforementioned clearancing of the buckets,... and the lack of heat they generate which is sometimes a bad thing because they won't or don't melt built up snow and ice.
Welcome to FTE.
and the welcomes I do need to go LED, as that is the end-game, and I don't want to do it twice. This truck will eventually be converted to electric, so the maximum amount of battery draw efficiency is pretty critical. Power pulls and weight all need reducing
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From: San Diego
The plan is a 3-phase high-torque AC induction motor drive and controller and Li Ion or LiPo or FeLiO4P storage system
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2015
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From: Lind, WA- Eastern WA
Daizee, are you planning on a motor placed per each rear wheel, or a tranny driven by one the motor?
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Junior User
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From: San Diego
to do a motor on more than one wheel, you'd need more than one controller, and then the ability to coordinate "or talk" to one another... and that's complexity reaching beyond my mechanical, and financial capabilities.
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Cross-Country
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Hello Daizee, I put truck-lite brand led's in my 68 F 100. They dropped in with out a problem. I really do like them, all though they are costly. The brightness is of no comparison to conventional head lights! Power draw is extremely low 9 v- 33 v 1.8 A ( low beam ) 3.6 A (high beam). The styling is a bit modern and is one of the features I was not fond of ( kind of flat on the profile) but that I am getting used to it. Also they are made in USA and thats a big plus for me. The quality seems very durable and rugged, made to last I believe. Got them from amazon. I hope this helps you out some, good luck, JIM.....
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2018
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From: San Diego
Hello Daizee, I put truck-lite brand led's in my 68 F 100. They dropped in with out a problem. I really do like them, all though they are costly. The brightness is of no comparison to conventional head lights! Power draw is extremely low 9 v- 33 v 1.8 A ( low beam ) 3.6 A (high beam). The styling is a bit modern and is one of the features I was not fond of ( kind of flat on the profile) but that I am getting used to it. Also they are made in USA and thats a big plus for me. The quality seems very durable and rugged, made to last I believe. Got them from amazon. I hope this helps you out some, good luck, JIM.....
I agree with you... I was hoping to keep a "stock-ish" look, but it seems those options don't rate well. Appreciate the info... I'm going to give 'em a look 
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Junior User
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From: San Diego
I did watch a bunch as part of my research into it. The problem was that the ones where I was kinda impressed, the "review" wasn't exactly unbiased.
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2018
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From: San Diego
I forgot to ask: Did you mean they weren't as bright? or the LED were way brighter?
