New Headlights !

[billt460]

My old 1991 F-150 had really yellow, dim headlights. They're the original Halogen bulb type. I restored the lenses to like new condition, and it sits in the garage, so it's only exposed to UV light when I drive it.

I had read that Halogen bulbs can dim with age. I don't know if that's true or not. You don't notice gradual deterioration. But they never really seemed to be very bright. Especially out here on these desert roads in the dead of night. Even driving with the brights on, the road was poorly illuminated.

So I took a chance and looked high and low for a set of good rated LED bulbs that would fit my ageing Ford, that would be a "plug and play" easy swap out. I settled on these from Auxito. They came in the mail today, and I just finished installing them.

I installed one, then turned on the lights, and the difference is unbelievable! In a direct comparison, the old bulb looked like a yellow incandescent flashlight with a dying battery. The new LED was brilliant blue white.

I then installed the other one, and the change was really profound. I can't wait until dark to go for a ride and see how much better I'll be able to see. With the older bulbs I was over driving the beam at anything over 50 MPH. Even with the brights on.

If anyone is driving an older vehicle with ageing halogen lights, give these new LED replacements a shot. They're a huge improvement. And they didn't take all of 10 minutes to change out, and they fit perfectly.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FN3S5RCV?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

 

[johnmyster]

Sigh.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

They are whiter brighter but as @johnmyster will add or link may be a LOT of excess glare to affect others coming at you. We see some things differently but in this case I would tend to agree with him.

The headlights in your old truck have probably the iest beam pattern available. The 9004 bulbs are just horrendous like safety hazard bad. I had them in a '94 Explorer. I ended up putting a set of Hella H4 Halogen 4x6 glass lights on bottom of bumper. Those with halogen bulbs at least worked properly.

Try them against a wall, 30 feet back, if you have a big halo of light anywhere up, they are causing a big amount of glare. The 9004 bulb is dual filament, 1 high and 1 low to try and increase high beam but still poor reflector and beam pattern on both. I would be hunting for a full newer replacement assembly or if there is a retro fit kit to make them the 7x6 glass or other version.

Something like this mounted to bumper under lights- lights can be replaced with Hella H4 or other newer LED assemblies that are aimed correct like JW Speaker.

I actually cringe at the thought of the LED's in your headlights and we know where I fall on the extra light (aimed correctly) band camp.

 

[JeffKeryk]

I put LEDs is my 2001 Tundra. There was no light projection down the road. I went back to stock. Hope you have better luck.

 

[martinq]

Please adjust your headlights appropriately. I'm sure with your new dazzle you will be at risk of blinding / distracting oncoming traffic. Thank you.

 

[Cujet]

I am a huge fan of Beamtech LED's. Not only do they work perfectly in halogen housings, but their better offerings have adjustable clocking, to tune the cutoff and beam spread. Chosen properly, they do not glare or bother oncoming drivers on low beam. Yet provide a great and smooth beam pattern with sharp OEM cutoff.

And on high beam...

 

[billt460]

I'm up well before daylight. I'll reserve comment on this whole glare deal until I take it for a ride later. I have to gas it up, so that will provide me an opportunity to take it for a good long excursion. I'm looking forward to it.

 

[billt460]

Well I just returned from my late night fill up. I took a good long ride afterward, and I have to say I couldn't be more pleased. If it's because my old lights were that bad, or that these are that good. But most likely it's a combination of both. Anyway it's a massive improvement!

But the difference is as I said, very profound. As far as "glare", I'm not seeing it. And doubt that oncoming drivers are either. I passed plenty of oncoming cars, (one of which was a cop), and nobody flashed me. The light pattern against my closed garage door from 40 or 50 feet back showed a distinct cut off just to the left, that also showed right at about the centerline of the road.

So if there is any "light leakage" across the centerline, I can't see it, nor can any oncoming traffic.... Now, the high beams are another story. They literally flood the entire road with light. As they should. Which is why you can be ticketed if you fail to dim them for oncoming traffic. Regardless of what type of bulb you have in your socket.

I would describe the high beams almost exactly as Cujet's posted picture shows. So overall this was a fast, easy, cost effective improvement. Especially for anyone who lives in a rural environment that lacks street lights, or other urban lighting.

It's a simple "plug and play" swap out, that doesn't require changing out expensive assemblies, mounting additional lights, splicing into wiring, or struggling to modify existing sockets to fit oversize bulbs.

These particular bulbs have a very good customer satisfaction rating, which was one of the reasons I chose them. They're about to get another one.

 

[97prizm]

I put LEDs is my 2001 Tundra. There was no light projection down the road. I went back to stock. Hope you have better luck.

Have you ever tried a hid swap with oem components? Might be worth a look.

 

[Cujet]

may be a LOT of excess glare to affect others coming at you.

I actually cringe at the thought of the LED's in your headlights and we know where I fall on the extra light (aimed correctly) band camp.

The Beamtech guys do a great job shielding the low beam LED emitter. So the cutoff is inherent in the bulb and not the housing. Rotate the unit a few clicks left or right, while powered to adjust the cutoff angle properly. Then adjust the headlight aim properly and there is very little light outside of the pattern. They absolutely will not annoy oncoming drivers done this way. In fact my OEM 2024 F150 LED's are far worse with regard to glare than any of the Beamtech setups I've done.

They produce a great product. The issue is knowing which one to purchase as their lower priced offerings are not worth the effort.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

The Beamtech guys do a great job shielding the low beam LED emitter. So the cutoff is inherent in the bulb and not the housing. Rotate the unit a few clicks left or right, while powered to adjust the cutoff angle properly. Then adjust the headlight aim properly and there is very little light outside of the pattern. They absolutely will not annoy oncoming drivers done this way. In fact my OEM 2024 F150 LED's are far worse with regard to glare than any of the Beamtech setups I've done.

They produce a great product. The issue is knowing which one to purchase as their lower priced offerings are not worth the effort.

There is a large difference between many headlights and the absolutely poor beam pattern and design of the early '90's Fords with 9004 bulb.

I have no issues with the better LED's depending on vehicle and lights. I have some in some some vehicles, twisted to align, beam pattern and cutoff verified. Also no issue with HID, they are in other vehicles also verified for algnment. I had a set of H4 HID in my Sequoia, they had a good cutoff shield and operated on a magnet to move the capsule into alignment for high beam.

 

[Oillover]

I had read that Halogen bulbs can dim with age.

You are correct.

IMHO, the majority of folks with headlight issues (that aren't cloudy/hazy plastic lenses) would benefit greatly from a set of replacement halogen bulbs.
Not only are they cheaper than LED, they maintain the OEM beam pattern, while being easy to oncoming drivers.