Headlights assemblies and bulbs
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Headlights assemblies and bulbs
I am looking into which LED bulbs to get for my headlights. I just replaced the old hazy stock ones with new oem style ones. The light output isn't that great. I know that CP Addict sells the Firewire LED bulb. Then I've heard others say that not all bulbs are good. Some keep the factory beam pattern, some don't. I don't want to spend $100 to find out they aren't any better the the halogens. I'm looking for some input on what's the best headlights assemblies. I know they have the OEM style (which I have), the reflector type, and projector type. I know Headlights Revolution has some nice bulbs, I just don't want to spend $200+ for a set of bulbs. I don't want to spend alot of $$$$ on assemblies either (especially since I just replaced mine). I'm looking for low cost but effective upgrade for my headlights. I'm open to HIDs or LEDs. I had HIDs in my last vehicle, and I liked them. I know they have more expensive halogens, but I don't really want halogen if I can help it.
Cargo Master
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You're highly unlikely to find an LED bulb that will plug into the OEM housing and harness, and provide a satisfactory result. The housings aren't designed with LED bulbs in mind. And even if you do find some that give you a reasonable result from the drivers seat, you're probably going to be annoying every other driver on the road, because the housing wasn't designed to work the LED bulbs. If you want to go LED, buy the aftermarket LED housings.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Mexico, Missouri
Install a headlight relay harness and the light output will surprise you. I've done all both my '95's and my '92. Its bright enough that with new headlight assemblies, I occasionally get flashed by even new vehicles.
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I will have too look into that. I just don't want the bulbs getting too hot that they melt the housing.
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What LED bulb did you use? Was the replacement housing the one with the clear lens or the one with the diffused lens (OEM)
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Hotshot
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The best headlights for our trucks are either OEM Ford or TYC replacements with a nice relay setup to provide full voltage to the a pair of quality Philips Xtreme or GE Nighthawk, or even Sylvania Xtravision, but not Silverstar or simiilar junk blue tinted hyper white ones.
There are no LED replacement bulbs currently on the market that are DOT approved or legal and that is for good reason. They have not yet come up with on that correctly works with the optics of a reflector housing to mimic the small area of a filament from a halogen bulb. They just create excessive glare with an unfocused beam pattern.
If the legitimate manufacturers ever come up with a legal bulb that is more in the 4000-5000k color range and not the cold 6000k color I might be interested. The color of OEM HID is nice but not the bluish white which sucks for inclement weather even if it is bright etc.
Out of curiosity I tried more than a few different LED headlight bulbs and none worked right.
There is great info here. https://www.danielsternlighting.com/
There are no LED replacement bulbs currently on the market that are DOT approved or legal and that is for good reason. They have not yet come up with on that correctly works with the optics of a reflector housing to mimic the small area of a filament from a halogen bulb. They just create excessive glare with an unfocused beam pattern.
If the legitimate manufacturers ever come up with a legal bulb that is more in the 4000-5000k color range and not the cold 6000k color I might be interested. The color of OEM HID is nice but not the bluish white which sucks for inclement weather even if it is bright etc.
Out of curiosity I tried more than a few different LED headlight bulbs and none worked right.
There is great info here. https://www.danielsternlighting.com/
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I did. I'll try again, but couldn't find any on Amazon. Also, I have the Eagle Eyes brand lens. I got them from NPD. I have heard good things about them also.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2009
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From: Tobyhanma, PA
I have a generic 9007 relay harness on my truck. Cant remember where I got it, probably Summit. They usually go for about $40.
I have seen some folks take apart the stock housing and fab in some projectors for hids. I'd like to look into that. Seemed to be alot of work but the result was nice and clean.
I have seen some folks take apart the stock housing and fab in some projectors for hids. I'd like to look into that. Seemed to be alot of work but the result was nice and clean.
Cargo Master
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Bronco Graveyard has a reasonably priced harness that's plug and play.
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I like the headlight relay. I thought the halogen lights cause the housings to become yellow due to the heat. Is that true? Do LEDs really reduce the load on your electrical system? Also, I thought LEDs would be fine as headlights if you adjust your headlights properly. Is that true.
Cargo Master
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I thought the halogen lights cause the housings to become yellow due to the heat. Is that true? Maybe, there's a number of factors that contribute to plastic headlight lenses yellowing over time.
Do LEDs really reduce the load on your electrical system? Yes, LED bulbs will pull less amperage to operate, than a Halogen will.
Also, I thought LEDs would be fine as headlights if you adjust your headlights properly. Is that true. With a properly designed housing, that will reflect the light pattern, and designed for the temperature range of the LED light, yes, they will work fine. I've never been pleased with any of them that I've tried in housings that were originally designed for halogen bulbs.
Do LEDs really reduce the load on your electrical system? Yes, LED bulbs will pull less amperage to operate, than a Halogen will.
Also, I thought LEDs would be fine as headlights if you adjust your headlights properly. Is that true. With a properly designed housing, that will reflect the light pattern, and designed for the temperature range of the LED light, yes, they will work fine. I've never been pleased with any of them that I've tried in housings that were originally designed for halogen bulbs.