Looking for specific brand recommendations to replace the composite headlights on my 2002 E350. Would also like recommendations for LED bulbs.

For headlights, I'm leaning towards these:
I'm guessing all of the replacement headlights are probably made in the same factory in China and just branded differently. All of them seem to have the same quality/fit issues, but these seem to have better reviews than others. Anyone use another brand you would recommend?

For the LED bulbs, I'll probably give these a shot: https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...11&scc_id=1398

There are dozens if not hundreds of LED headlight bulbs on eBay and Amazon at price points between $20 and $200. Reviews are all over the board, as I think quality control is probably all over the board. Two thoughts on the bulbs I linked to: 1) Superbrightled is a fairly well-known company and provides a lifetime warranty on the bulbs. 2) The passive heat sink design seems like a better and longer-life solution than fans. Again, anyone use another brand you would recommend?

I'll see if I can get the LEDs adjusted to provide good lighting without blinding oncoming drivers. If not, I"ll go back to halogen bulbs.

And yes, I'm aware of Vantage Optics. They seem like great products, but definitely well beyond what I'm looking to spend on this project.

Thanks in advance.

 

Duplicate thread.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...endations.html

 

My bad -- rookie mistake, couldn't figure out how to delete on of the posts.

 

No harm, no foul - other thread has been removed.

 

I've seen and read more than a few alternatives to headlamp bulbs---over time I've come to the conclusion nothing really beats the sealed beam types. Any headlight that's NOT glass will discolor from the inside over time (high internal heat) and the outside surfaces very, very prone to clouding over if only from environmental causes.

One criticism of the LED's is they don't generate enough heat to keep ice from forming---if that's a concern its something else to consider.

If you chose to go that way the composite housings can be swapped out for the sealed-beam bulbs but you'd need the bezels along with a few parts--most of which you could grad from any DIY scrap yard. The header panel where the grill and headlights mount are all the same for any given year.

 

I replaced the sealed beams on my 2011 with hella (glass) lenses and osram HD4 bulbs which plug directly into the existing harness. This avoids all of the problems JWA mentions and I'm extremely happy with the results. The amount of usable light on low beam at highway speeds is just amazing.

Hella lenses are European spec lights and not DOT legal. My understanding is DOT requires a certain amount of light to spill skyward in order to light up overhead signs where European lights do not. From what I've read this really limits throw/beam pattern, etc., one can build into a traditional DOT lense. So a brighter bulb doesn't really net any more usable light except for pissing off and blinding other motorist. Keep in mind I'm no expert and based solely on what I've read so grain of salt and all.

 

That's an interesting observation BigJC----have known Hella are NOT DOT legal but never dug into why. Now that its mentioned when I install new Sylvania Silver Star H6054's roadside reflective signs are far, far more visible even on low beams.

Also NOT an expert but do notice how much more light is on the road with those bulbs.

HTH

 

Running the headlight power through a relay instead of through the stock system will brighten things up, and take a load off the aging system and headlight switch. Upgrading to something like the Sylvania Ultra headlights will make a very noticeable improvement, at the cost of more $ and shorter bulb life.

I can't answer your questions, just giving you some alternatives to achieving better lighting.