headlight upgrade

[dieseldon]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07XL7LLVS?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_titlehttps://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07XL7LLVS?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_titlehttps://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07XL7LLVS?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_titleTap on a clip to paste it in the text b

So, I thought I'd pass this along for those of you who haven't invested large quantities of money into your headlights already.

 Keeping in mind that mine are severly faded stock lens's with stock halogen bulbs, I think we all know how pathetic and dangerous that combo is!

I started off with machine polishing with meguires #2 mirror glaze fine cut cleaner, about a 10 min.job, then clearcoat with spraymax 2k, (optional), but polish job will be much clearer and last longer. I always have to chuckle when I see people chucking their headlights because they're dull! They'll be better than new when you're done!

Next I searched for the best bulb money can buy. I just happened to come across these on amazon, and for the price ($39) and reviews I decided to take a chance, Fahren, 60 watt, 12000 lumens LED's, I know what you're thinking, flickering, scattered light and no high beam, well you'd be wrong, these things are actually pretty dang amazing, they really are 300% better/brighter than stock! Beam is adjustable and has a pretty good cutoff, doesn't blind on coming traffic. And high beam actually kinda works. So far the best lights I've personally ever had, just hoping they last a good while.

Maybe not quite as good as some high dollar projector HID setups but again, $39!!!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07XL7LLVS?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

     

 

[dripley]

I did mine a year or so ago but used new clear housings. Never tried them in fluted stock housings after so many people blinding everybody. The results have been good for me.

[Sycostang67]

I may have to give those a try.  I plan on going back to OEM housings soon, tired of playing with the aftermarket units that are only marginally better or much worse.  

[dieseldon]

Here's some pics, I'd share more and close ups of my headlights but I guess I need to figure out this dang phone or this forum or?? I cannot upload pics larger than 2.0 mb's for some reason, irritating as crap!

Do I need to figure out how to compress? Thumbnail? Get a older phone, pre android 10? Photo sharing app? Tutorial from grandkids?

Only thing that's a little disconcerting are those vertical lines in the peripheral vision, but I really don't notice or bother me. Main thing is I can see the road like never before!

[Mopar1973Man]

Even my LEDs in my 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 are great too. The biggest thing that makes a good cut of is a good reflector. Being the 1996 Dodge had a cracked lens and filling with water hence why I replaced my headlight housings. I'll admit the housing I've got are OK but I would not say they are great the pattern is good but too much scattered light personally. Now HID's still win the battle being it covers 5 times as much ground on high beam vs. the LED's. So my 1996 Dodge with LEDs only cover the standard area and not much more. HID in the 2002 Dodge cover way more ditch area on both sides and a total of 50 feet vertical at 1/2 mile. LEDs don't even come close. 

 

Now comparing both above with hazed lens and halogen. Still day and night difference. Halogen bulbs are just a mere 860 lumens roughly. The LEDs I got are 2,000 per blub. Then the HID bulbs are 4,000 a bulb.

Edited December 2, 2020 by Mopar1973Man

[Blueox01]

Neat lights, I'll have to see if they're available else where other than on Commiezon.

[Tractorman]

@dieseldon, I couldn't tell if your photos were showing low beam and high beam separately, or were they all just low beam?   Maybe you could shed some light on that (ha! ha!).

 

Thanks,

 

- John

[dripley]

How do they look when you stand about 75' in front of vehicle?

[dieseldon]

I'll have to try to take more pics, like I said I'm having trouble uploading pic's for some reason. Is above 2 mb's too large?? Which accounts for 99% of my pics.

If you look closely you can see the blue high beam on dash. Forth pic is high beam, fifth low...  I need to stop on a dark road or somewhere and take some obvious hi vs lo.

[Tractorman]

Oops, I overlooked the high beam indicator.  I am not seeing a lot of difference in distant light output when switching to high beam.  Maybe your upcoming photos will show that better.  

 

- John

[dieseldon]

Yeah, it's hard to catch the difference, the lo is pretty bright but it goes from hitting the road in front of you to shining up a bit, not dramatic.

[Tractorman]

I have experimented with a couple of LED headlight bulbs, but so far they aren't outperforming my halogen Sport head light setup.  I was fortunate enough to get good reflectors when I purchased the Sport headlight package a few years ago.  I may not get the lumen capabilities that the LED's offer, but my halogens light the roadway as they should - both low and high beams.  I use GE NIGHT HAWK XENON 9007NHX lamps as recommended by Danie Stern (Daniel Stern Lighting).

 

- John

[dieseldon]

Like I said, stock lens's- $39 , lights the road better than anticipated, very pleased that I can actually see in front of me.

If money was no object, if I drove for a living, if I needed to see a mile in front of me, I'd probably pursue a different set-up.

[Sycostang67]

I just ordered new housings and them fancy LED bulbs.  We'll see if I like them or if I have a new mortal enemy.  

[IBMobile]

These are 9007 blubs so are they being used in sport head lamp housings?   I thinking about replacing my none sport headlight lights (9004 blubs)   

[dripley]

42 minutes ago, IBMobile said:

These are 9007 blubs so are they being used in sport head lamp housings?   I thinking about replacing my none sport headlight lights (9004 blubs)   

Mine are the 9004 with an after market cear lense. They do not reach any further on ow beam but the light is better, i can aim them up more and really light the road. But l figure thats blinding anyone coming at me. I despise that when l am the one having to stare into that light. What good are bright headlights when the man coming at you cant see poop!

[dieseldon]

Sycostang67, nothing to worry about! I personally guarantee you're going to love those bulbs so much, and if you don't or they ever fail over the lifespan of your vehicle I'll have amazon double your refund, and a coupon voucher for a free medium soft drink of your choice from McDonald's, just mention diesel Don if they give you any guff!

 

 Driply, just a suggestion, don't stare into the light. P.S. it's better to give than receive.

😉😇

[dripley]

1 hour ago, dieseldon said:

 

 

 Driply, just a suggestion, don't stare into the light. P.S. it's better to give than receive.

😉😇

Don, l know you meant that with the best intention. But when l am having to look at the white line on the right side of the road because someones headlghts are blinding me l worry for both of us because l have no idea where they are and can barely see where l am. I like my LED's but have them aimed so as not blind on coming traffic. To many folks out there today that only give a damn about what they can see. 

[dieseldon]

I know what you're saying, I was speaking in jest, I have mine aimed right were my original one's were and after a week of driving I haven't been flashed yet and from what I can tell when I'm behind someone they're not shining in their rearview mirror.

 On the other hand my son has some brand x bulbs in some clear brand x Len's and is getting flashed, he also happens to be a police officer and is in the process of exploring other options.

 But to your original point, yes there are some real jackass's out there and I don't want to be one either.

[dieseldon]

Here's a few more pics, this street was very dark, there's two pics of me standing in front of truck, the one you can see part of my finger is high beam, not much difference there, but the lo does shine more on ground in front of truck, nothing dramatic.  There's a before polishing pic of light