headlights April 11, 2010, 07:16:41 pm Yahoo Message Number: 111733The headlights on my '05 E-450 are pretty unremarkable. Night driving in marginal weather, something I try not to do often, leaves them wanting. Has anyone installed upgraded headlights (such as a HID bixenon conversion kit) on their LD? The stock halogen bulbs on my '05 are HB5, 9007. I could install fog lights, I know that would improve the situation too.bumper[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: headlights Reply #1 – April 11, 2010, 09:21:38 pm Yahoo Message Number: 111734In a "proper" HID configuration (factory HID setups), the headlamps are supposed to be projector style which allows for manufacturers to put inserts to get the correct beam cutoff (so you don't blind oncoming drivers), etc. That being said, I've seen HID conversion kits all over the internet for under 200 dollars that seem to work well. I would look for a kit that at least uses name brand ballasts and bulbs, I know there are many cheap china brand kits out there that won't last more than a year. You also might want to consider HID auxiliary driving lights instead, so that way the light dispersion will be correct. Hella also makes higher wattage low/high beam bulbs which work really well assuming your wiring harness can handle the extra current draw. It all really comes down to how much you want to spend!Quote The headlights on my '05 E-450 are pretty unremarkable. Night driving in marginal weather, something I try not to do often, leaves them wanting. Has anyone installed upgraded headlights (such as a HID bixenon conversion kit) on their LD? The stock halogen bulbs on my '05 are HB5, 9007. I could install fog lights, I know that would improve the situation too.bumper[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: headlights Reply #2 – April 11, 2010, 10:01:30 pm Yahoo Message Number: 111735Thanks Ken, I'm currently using a JLM H4 bixenon (hi-lo) 6000K, 35 watt conversion kit on my FJ Cruiser (puchased on Amazon for about $80), so am familiar with the "cheap" Chinese imports. Actually,
Re: headlights Reply #3 – April 11, 2010, 11:27:38 pm Yahoo Message Number: 111740Bumper, I would be totally tempted to throw a retrofit kit like you've got into the Ford. Unfortunately I've got an older G-van based LD and need to upgrade from the sealed beam junk lights before I can even contemplate an HID upgrade.But for 60 bucks it might be worth a try
Re: headlights Reply #4 – April 12, 2010, 12:27:37 am Yahoo Message Number: 111741In Europe, quartz/halogen lamps with 100W main beams and 75W low beams have been quite common for many years as after-market upgrades. I was amazed when I first came to the US (1968) how wimpy the headlights were. I was afraid to go over 40 mph at night for fear the wind would blow them out. There are a lot of "only to be used off-road" high wattage conversions out there. A fairly husky power wire would be needed to each light, but that could be pretty short if you put a relay in the circuit. You'd need relays anyway, because you wouldn't want to be pushing close to 20 amps through your headlight switch. If you don't have adjustable suspension levelling, good aiming would be critical, to avoid dazzling people coming towards you.
Re: headlights Reply #5 – April 12, 2010, 10:31:08 am Yahoo Message Number: 111745Ken, you said you have sealed beams. Many years ago(around 1980), I replaced my Dodge Van sealed beam headlights with Cibie Z-beams. The result was really amazing. I spent a good amount of time on aligning the lights, then drove. My lighted area increased dramatically and the sharp cutoff meant I was not dazzling oncoming drivers.Ken F. in OR
Re: headlights Reply #6 – April 13, 2010, 01:02:46 am Yahoo Message Number: 111758Ken - Thanks. I looked around, apparently the Z-beams are discontinued or something, regardless they are difficult to find and when available are very expensive (90 dollars a piece)! I think I'm going to pick up an IPF or Hella H4 headlight conversion kit and see how that goes.
Re: headlights Reply #7 – April 13, 2010, 11:43:54 am Yahoo Message Number: 111764--- "bumper" wrote:
Re: headlights Reply #8 – April 13, 2010, 01:06:40 pm Yahoo Message Number: 111771Tessa, It looks like the main thing this buys you is nice shiny, clear lens housings - - same bulbs. The clear lens, if yours is all cloudy, will get you a substantial amount of additional light to the road. If you haven't already, you might first try using plastic polish on Ciao's original headlight lenses. If this may bring them up to snuff if the cloudiness is only skin deep. I have my HID conversion kit for the LD on order, so will report back on how that works out. Also ordered a set of Hella FF75 fog lights that I'll convert to HID before installing. It looks like they'll fit right behind two of the four oval cut-outs at the bottom center of the bumper plastic on my '05.bumper From: teresadhill Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2010 8:40 AM To: lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com Subject: [LD] Re: headlights
Re: headlights - to Tessa Reply #9 – April 13, 2010, 02:00:53 pm Yahoo Message Number: 111772Quote "...Ciao's lights look old- She wants some snazzy, crystal clear, cateye headlights off Ebay - Will these work? http://tinyurl.com/y3m4qda ."""Tessa in TX '92 MB- Ciao Baby Tessa, check this out: Believe it or not, toothpaste does work. The headlight lenses I tried toothpaste on preferred the mint flavor.Chris
Re: headlights - to Tessa Reply #10 – April 13, 2010, 03:48:04 pm Yahoo Message Number: 111776Thanks Bumper and Chris, I did use the headlight restorer kit from Walmart, which they said is exactly what they use when they do it for you. It did help, but only temporarily. These lenses are OLD. I do like the idea of drilling the small hole, which your link mentioned Chris. There is a condensation problem and that would help. Those crystal cat-eye lenses would make Ciao look so snazzy though! It can't be that hard to install them, right?I'll let you know if I switch them out. In the meantime, I look forward to hearing, Bumper, how your HID kit works (and figuring out what that means exactly ).Tessa --- In lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com, "chorst_2000" http://tinyurl.com/y3m4qda ."""
Re: headlights - to Tessa Reply #11 – April 13, 2010, 11:19:14 pm Yahoo Message Number: 111792Tessa, Ordering new lights is a good idea, once the factory headlights yellow - you're always fighting a losing battle to keep them clear. But I would look around a bit more for a replacement headlamp - there are a lot of aftermarket lights with crummy reflectors
Re: headlights - to Tessa Reply #12 – April 14, 2010, 05:09:15 pm Yahoo Message Number: 111809Oh man! So I want "DOT approved"? What is scattered light exactly? Scattered would be better than "highly filtered" that I have now (and ugly). Of course, I don't want to blind oncoming traffic. They wouldn't be able to read my Streetglo reflective decals. Tessa
Re: headlights - to Tessa Reply #13 – April 14, 2010, 05:42:20 pm Yahoo Message Number: 111812I wouldn't necessarily put heavy stock
Re: headlights - to Tessa Reply #14 – April 15, 2010, 10:17:12 pm Yahoo Message Number: 111856Well then, how about this snazzy option:http://tinyurl.com/y6hbqjvIt does say "DOT approved"...Alright if I buy the "blue bulbs" for them?http://tinyurl.com/y84h8gpI know only enough to be dangerous, Tessa in TX '92 MB - Ciao Baby!
Re: headlights - to Tessa Reply #15 – April 15, 2010, 11:17:41 pm Yahoo Message Number: 111860Well, Yeah! But then you'd have to get those spinner hub caps and the neon under chassis effects lighting. Still working on how to re-valve Yonder's HWH levelers so I can bounce the front end (grin).bumper Yonder
Re: headlights - to Tessa Reply #16 – April 16, 2010, 12:14:25 am Yahoo Message Number: 111863Haha! I hear ya, Bumper. You're a fine one to talk, I'd say:HID before installing....bumper>> Actually, I'm learning all about this HID (High Intensity Discharge) stuff. The light given off is a different color based on the number: 5000k (white), 7000k (super white) 8000k (diamond blue), 10000k (brighter blue), 12000k (purple). And the bulbs are brighter, use less power, and last longer- awesome! Now, do you need a conversion kit only when you're installing *new* lights, like for fog lights? The bulbs are just unplug old bulb (Part #9007) & plug in the new bulb, right?I can just see it now... ahhhhAnd where DO I find those neon chassis-effects lights?? Bumper, seriously, I can't wait to see how your fog lights turn out- keep us posted. Tessa '92 MB--- "bumper" wrote:
Re: headlights - to Tessa Reply #18 – April 16, 2010, 02:04:01 am Yahoo Message Number: 111866Quote from: teresadhill""And where DO I find those neon chassis-effects lights??" I think if you ask any teen-age kid with a souped up Honda Coupe on the southwest side of Houston, they can tell you where to find them. ;^DSharon N. Crossville, TN
Re: headlights Reply #19 – January 30, 2013, 11:54:46 am Yahoo Message Number: 136505"I have my HID conversion kit for the LD on order, so will report back on how that works out. Also ordered a set of Hella FF75 fog lights that I'll convert to HID before installing. It looks like they'll fit right behind two of the four oval cut-outs at the bottom center of the bumper plastic on my '05."bumper This was posted three years ago and I was wondering how it turned out. Better headlights are always a good thing. Most folks I know who tried the inexpensive aftermarket HIDs have had nothing but problems with aiming and overall durability. Being that you are a better than average electrician, I'm hoping you figure out a better way. I tried Silverstar bulbs but was too impressed. I hesitate to install bulbs with a much higher wattage output in fear of melting the headlight housings. What my 2003 LD (and probably most LDs) needs is a upgraded headlight circuit that provides full voltage to the bulbs. Most modern vehicles have wiring that is barely adequate, as a cost cutting method, and do not get the full available output from the bulbs. Just upgrading the wiring (to 10-gauge) in our Jeep made a big difference, using the stock bulbs. To supplement the existing headlights, I installed a set of 100-watt driving lights, wiring them to only operate when the high beams are on. http://www.quadratec.com/products/97017_1500.htmOur 2003 LD's headlights have maintained their clarity, unlike many similar vintage LDs(keeping sunlight off the headlights make the difference) and have not needed refinishing yet. This is the kit I use for refinishing headlights http://www.amazon.com/3M-39008-Headlight-Restoration-System/dp/B001AIZ5HY Dull headlights can be cleaned up so that they look almost new, regaining much of the lost output. Unfortunately, they will never have the same optical qualities as a new housing. Once refinished, most headlight will continue deteriorating. the lens have an ultra-violet protective coating that slowly goes bad, requiring removal. The freshly exposed plastic is missing the protective coating, causing it to discolor even faster. In extreme cases, new housings are the cure.Larry As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: headlights Reply #20 – January 30, 2013, 03:54:36 pm Yahoo Message Number: 136513Larry, I remember looking at HID headlamps when you and I were shopping for electrical odds and ends a year ago. What sticks in my mind is according to the manufacturers' specs, an increase in brightness was directly proportional to a decrease in lifespan. In other words, a lamp that was twice as bright would burn out in half the time. There's no such thing as a free lunch. When that sank in, I shelved my plans to replace Skylark's headlamps. I always run with the headlights on for safety reasons, and I really don't want to be swapping them out every six months or so.Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: headlights Reply #21 – January 30, 2013, 04:35:08 pm Yahoo Message Number: 136514"What sticks in my mind is according to the manufacturers' specs, an increase in brightness was directly proportional to a decrease in lifespan. In other words, a lamp that was twice as bright would burn out in half the time. There's no such thing as a free lunch."Andy In my Cherokee, with an upgraded head-light wiring and using Silverstar bulbs, I get just about 200 hours per set. I worked nights for eight years and had a chance to keep track of the approximate hours per set. 200 hours @ 55 MPH equals 11,000 miles of night driving- this is with upgraded wiring, even, an even longer life with stock wiring. In the last year, many hours of night driving have you done in your LD? The original Silverstars, installed in our 2003 LD back in 2003, are still in service and we have done a lot of night driving (mostly going to LD Caravans). If upgrading the wiring to larger wires, I would expect a much shorter life in return for better light, something my old eyes can use and just about everyone else reading this. I'm not at all concerned about the decrease in bulb life or it's added cost. It's nothing when compared to a safer driving environment.Larry
Re: headlights Reply #22 – January 30, 2013, 06:26:39 pm Yahoo Message Number: 136520"I'm not at all concerned about the decrease in bulb life or its added cost. It's nothing when compared to a safer driving environment." Thanks for putting my fears to rest, Larry! Now the only question is whether it's worthwhile to replace the headlamps, given that I almost never drive at night. Hmmm.Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: headlights Reply #23 – January 30, 2013, 10:36:20 pm Yahoo Message Number: 136521"Wed Jan 30, 2013 9:54 am (PST) . Posted by:Larry" lw5315us "I have my HID conversion kit for the LD on order, so will report back on how that works out. Also ordered a set of Hella FF75 fog lights that I'll convert to HID before installing. It looks like they'll fit right behind two of the four oval cut-outs at the bottom center of the bumper plastic on my '05."bumper This was posted three years ago and I was wondering how it turned out."Larry, I got sidetracked with other projects. I bought all the stuff to do the job and that's pretty much where it sits - in the boxes (insert lots of guilt here). However, I did do the headlight HID conversion on my FJ Cruiser and modified the fog lights to HID as well. They have worked nicely for 3 years so far. Much brighter and better light quality than stock. Also broader beam spread (good for spotting deer off to the side of the road), and with a good low beam cut-off . . . though I did have to adjust them down a little to convince the other drivers that my low beams weren't high beams. Now, nobody flashes me. In terms of longevity, halogen lamps are supposed to be around 500 to 1000 hours, HID about 2000 or more, and LED 30,000 to 50,000 hours. All the lights on my Husky aircraft are LED, including strobes and nav lights . . . it fairly lights up the night, very impressive. LEDs will be the headlights of the future, no question.bumper
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