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Harley Davidson headlight upgrade
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 764
Likes: 1
From: Gulfport/Biloxi, MS
You can upgrade your wiring harness to supply closer to battery voltage to the bulbs but that is all I would do. Some people go with higher wattage bulbs, but those tend to heat up the terminals and melt the housing. Additionally, there are mods to make the high and low beams active at the same time which can also overheat the bulb. In short, the 9008 bulb design leaves MUCH to be desired with respect to being heavy duty. Another thing you will not want to do (In my opinion) is go with Sylvania silverstars. The wattage is the same as stock but yet they talk about increased light output. For some reason this makes no sense. If you look closely, the bulb is coated, instead of being clear. This acts like a 'filter' and only allows whiter light to be emitted. While yes, it "looks" brighter, actually it isn't. Additionally, in inclement weather, and night driving, you want light more on the yellow side as it helps with perception. In other words, keep the stock bulbs in there, or go with clear replacements if you ever need to. Dont upgrade the wattage, and if you want, get a headlight harness to up the voltage. The 9008 bulbs like battery voltage. Don't even get me started on HID retrofit kits... Those are not designed for the housing and while yes, it may *seem* like they light up better, you are just blinding oncoming traffic. Filament headlight housings are designed for filament lightbulbs, NOT HID. Now of course, I am probably going to get a bunch of people angry, but oh well.... 
hahah
hahahYou are wrong!!! They make HID bulbs so that must mean they HAVE TO BE OK!!!! YOU DONT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT!!!!!...... J/K... Ive always had the same belief as you on HID's in reflector housings and still believe this to be true; however, I installed HID's in mine a few months ago and I dont dislike them as much as I thought I would. At first the light seemed 10x better and it was easier to drive at night, but once I got use to them they arent such an improvement. I think the biggest reason I noticed a large improvement is because my passenger side bulb socket was corroded before the conversion and it made that light so dim it was practically not on. The only reason I installed them is because I sell alot of them and it just looks better to be useing something I sell.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 226
Likes: 1
From: TX
bosshoss...
Were you able to find that diagram in order to cut out the header panel?
Anyone out there have that diagram to install the 07' headlights in an
99'-04'???
Please email me at jlanger70@yahoo.com
Were you able to find that diagram in order to cut out the header panel?
Anyone out there have that diagram to install the 07' headlights in an
99'-04'???
Please email me at jlanger70@yahoo.com
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,104
Likes: 5
From: West Tx
haha. It really is a shame that the HID kits don't have the required assembly to be a full on retrofit into traditional reflector headlights because I would be all for better lighting. The 05+ lighting is junk if you drive at night frequently. I find I use my auxiliary lights often (when there no traffic of course) in order to see where I am going. Shoot, the lights in our Explorers stomp all over the lights in the F-350. Those turn night into day. At any rate, while HID systems are nice, aftermarket kits don't change the assembly to allow for a distinct cut off, and glare oncoming drivers like crazy... At least the ones I have seen do. NOW, if they would only design an HIR kit, then hmmm that might be worth looking into, but oh well. I guess I'll stick with the worst bulb design ever...
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,104
Likes: 5
From: West Tx
http://www.puredieselpower.com/Tech/...Conversion.pdf
^ There is a link with pictures for whoever was looking for it!
^ There is a link with pictures for whoever was looking for it!
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 226
Likes: 1
From: TX
bosshoss...
Can you possibly email the whole article to me at jlanger70@yahoo.com
I would love to see what it has to say about it.
And of course the pictures to use as a template.
Can you possibly email the whole article to me at jlanger70@yahoo.com
I would love to see what it has to say about it.
And of course the pictures to use as a template.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Lower Hudson Valley, N.Y.
...The 05+ lighting is junk if you drive at night frequently. I find I use my auxiliary lights often (when there no traffic of course) in order to see where I am going. Shoot, the lights in our [fill in your favorite vehicle that you can actually see from at night] stomp all over the lights in the F-350...
Later...
Brewster...
New User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Lower Hudson Valley, N.Y.
I hope I didn't screw anyone up with this.
Later...
Brewster...
New User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Ok so I have a question on this subject. I have a 2005 XL f-250 and i'd like to upgrade from my sealed beam headlights currently on it. I also want to go with the harley lights. But being a 2005, would I still need to do any trimming for them to fit? I plan on using this upgraded wiring harness Upgraded Headlight Harness for 05 up Ford With 9008 Bulbs to convert for the 9008 bulbs, but all I really want to know is if I can just order the oem Harley lights and simply bolt them in? Thanks in advance for any light you can shed on my question.
You Keep What You Kill
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,902
Likes: 2
From: Huntersville, NC
Ok so I have a question on this subject. I have a 2005 XL f-250 and i'd like to upgrade from my sealed beam headlights currently on it. I also want to go with the harley lights. But being a 2005, would I still need to do any trimming for them to fit? I plan on using this upgraded wiring harness Upgraded Headlight Harness for 05 up Ford With 9008 Bulbs to convert for the 9008 bulbs, but all I really want to know is if I can just order the oem Harley lights and simply bolt them in? Thanks in advance for any light you can shed on my question.
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