LED Headlights

[petrel-TC]

My factory headlamps have always left much to be desired. Now that the lenses are beginning to haze up, I'm thinking it is time for an upgrade. I see that Maxxima has come out with a line of led replacement headlights that fit semi-trucks, has anyone had any experience with them?

Oops! I also see that GE has a product called Nighthawks that gets good reviews. Anyone tried those?

 

[40's rock]

I am trying a 5x7 led from rigid industries. It's been around awhile and gets good reviews....good price poInt also
https://www.rigidindustries.com/led-lighting?f[0]=field_product_family%3a5003

 

[samcrimm]

Petrel

I did an upgrade and I am super happy! Here is where we talked about lights.
http://www.truckconversion.net/forums/f104/fog-lights-7567/index2.html

 

[Bottomland4x4]

Anybody ever put an led light bar in between the tow hooks? Looking to add one for some auxiliary night lighting.

 

[bushpilot-TC]

I'm running Rigid dulley (6 LED per cube) - i use a relay and wired 'em to the factory driving lamps (really would like them to be on a sep switch).

calling them BRIGHT (and a good addition) would be a serious understatement.

I added a nice 13" bar on the new pickup truck too (really bright, and much cheaper than the Rigid's

 

[Bottomland4x4]

Yea I want to add a light bar like on your truck.

 

[Bob86ZZ4]

Check with David Dixon from Deep Space Lighting. He is the headlight expert as far as I can tell. I don't see anything on his web site for the Coronado. But that doesn't mean he wouldn't be able to help you. He is very accommodating. He goes by NukeE here I think? Great guy. He full times in a Showhauler Truck Conversion. Classic Shop - Deep Space Lighting

 

[petrel-TC]

David has been working on Coronado headlights for over a year. No success yet, I assume.

 

[bushpilot-TC]

you cold always try LED "bulbs" as replacements for the OEM Halogen's

These GTR's are highly rated - https://headlightrevolution.com/led-headlight-bulbs/gtr-lighting-ultra-series-led-headlight-bulbs/

 

[petrel-TC]

I would, but the housings are starting to haze a bit. In truth, David started this whole LED quest/obsession. He sold me an excellent set of LED fog lights to replace my factory lights. Now, I don't think I'll be content until all lights on the front end are replaced with bright white leds.

The coup de gras occurred last week when I drove my wife's new car in the dark. The stark clear white lights sure made the roadway ahead a whole lot easier to see than the warm yellow glow of my freightliner's headlights!

 

[bushpilot-TC]

I would, but the housings are starting to haze a bit. In truth, David started this whole LED quest/obsession. He sold me an excellent set of LED fog lights to replace my factory lights. Now, I don't think I'll be content until all lights on the front end are replaced with bright white leds.

The coup de gras occurred last week when I drove my wife's new car in the dark. The stark clear white lights sure made the roadway ahead a whole lot easier to see than the warm yellow glow of my freightliner's headlights!

the headlight hazing can be polished out.
and i certainly get it - the LED lighting & headlights on our 2017 super duty are nothing short of amazing

 

[petrel-TC]

Ok, so I have a new pair of JW Speaker 8700 Evolution 2 Dual burn lights, wiring adapters and complete new headlight bezels and light assemblies laying on my work bench. Since my existing headlight housings are hazed and the bezels are a bit worn, I figured I would swap them for the new ones and experiment on the old ones to see if I can get the JW Speakers to work. Worst case scenario, I will have all new factory headlights - Best case scenario i have all new led headlights...wish me luck!

 

[bushpilot-TC]

Man I hope those 8700 Evolution 2s work for you! I didn't realize the Coronado headlights were the same (7") size as Jeep Wranglers...thats nice you have a "standard" size headlight.

Ive been thinking about using LED "bulbs" in my Columbia - but they have a weather seal/hatch on the back that doesn't leave enough room for the heatsinks/fans - I have a friend that has mentioned he'd be willing to try and 3D Print me a larger cover.

 

[petrel-TC]

I did some reading on replacing the bulbs alone with LEDs. What I found was that in some instances the LED bulb may be DOT approved, but the LED bulb coupled with the old school housing may create a non-compliant output. Having been on the receiving end of what I believed to be non-compliant LED headlights (from oncoming vehicles), I figured I would go for complete housings to ensure compliance. I don't want to cause any discomfort to others or create an unsafe situation. In addition, my state inspection station cautioned me about being sure about compliance. It seems they are on the lookout for non-compliant lights.

Unfortunately, although JW Speakers are 7" housings, that is where the similarity ends. I will have to do some significant modifications (cut, fasten, and maybe epoxy) to the old housings to fit these new lights, and retain adjustment capability. I have already made arrangements with my local Freightliner dealer to have them properly aligned once installed.

 

[bushpilot-TC]

Im familiar w/ that problem - especially w/ HID bulb & ballast modifications - the beam or hot spot of the bulb is not in correct position for the reflector and so you get poor light placement and pattern.

The LED "bulbs" have better positioning (theyre not as long as a HID) and some better LEDs have adjustable (set screw) beam positioning.

 

[samcrimm]

Petrel,

I have been looking at these too, https://www.ebay.com/itm/Plank-Styl...liner+columbia&_from=R40&rt=nc&LH_TitleDesc=0

What does everyone think of these?
Thanks
Sam

 

[bushpilot-TC]

Petrel,

I have been looking at these too, https://www.ebay.com/itm/Plank-Styl...liner+columbia&_from=R40&rt=nc&LH_TitleDesc=0

What does everyone think of these?
Thanks
Sam

Daniel & I have discussed these (and others) - I dont know anyone thats using 'em (yet). I did see a pair on a truck the other day (during the day & the led tube/lines were on) - they looked strange but ok IMO, caught my eye cause they were unusual.

You can buy them cheaper (google) - I think Iowa 80 or someone had 'em for 200 bucks a pair.

I'll be going w/ something other than OEM once my repairs are complete.

 

[petrel-TC]

in the details it indicates that only the halos are LED. The main light source is still halogen?

They certainly are nice looking!

 

[petrel-TC]

Believe it or not, I'm still monkeying with these *^% headlights! Thought I could tear down one of the stock Grote headlight assemblies and install the JW speaker light into it, but the Grote assembly is all plastic, and the JW speaker light is all heavy cast aluminum. I don't believe there is any way to bond one to the other reliably.

I can't help but think that there are other Coronado owners who have encountered this problem. I even tried the truckers forum to no avail.

Apparently, older Coronados used sealed beam headlights, for which the JW speaker lights should be a direct replacement. Unfortunately, I cannot find any of the older sealed beam light housings.

 

[petrel-TC]

I thought the stock Grote headlights were flimsy, until I started cutting on them! I destroyed every bit in a new Dremel set to get these things cut apart and fitted! I don't know what type of plastic those things are, but they easily stand up to hammer blows and cut off wheels!

Since they are so damned tough I decided to use them as brackets for the new lights. They seem to have worked out, and the mounts are rock solid.

I have made arrangements with my local Freightliner dealer to check the headlight alignment with the alignment device in their inspection bay. Hopefully the stock brackets will adjust to aim the LEDs properly, otherwise it will be back to the drawing board! I don't want to be the guy blinding everyone!

I've attached the before and after photo for one side. I've also attached a photo of the completed(hopefully) project. Parts: Freightliner headlight bezels, Grote DRL/turn fixtures , JDM Led Switchback DRL/turn bulbs, JW Speaker 8700 headlights with no halo and "all on" high beam feature.