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Author Topic: Led headlamps  (Read 915 times)

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Offline LongTimeFordMan

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Led headlamps
« on: March 10, 2017, 06:37:26 PM »
Does anyone have experience replacing the factory sealed beam headlights with reflector shells and led lamps?

I currently have sylvania "halogen" sealed beams and would like to switch to led to get more range.

I tried some replacement lamps with shells and the insertable lam0s crom the zone and they didnt project at all, just lit a big circle.

 Does anyone have experience with leds and what brands work and is there an improvement in distance?

I have thought about just adding some driving lights but dont want to drill any holes in the bumper, etc.

Red 1973 pinto wagon DD, SoCal desert car, Factory 4 speed, 3.40 gears, Stock engine, 14" rims and tires, 60 K original miles

Offline robertwwithee

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Re: Led headlamps
« Reply #1 on: March 11, 2017, 02:01:43 PM »
I had the same question and some thought they were great.  Food for thought though, they are not legal and do not direct light out to the best optical beam.  The reach might not be there but do provide more light.  It seems that vc-4000 are adjustable but are priced at $100 +.  The LED are great fog lights, not so much headlights to some.  Higher light spectrum 65k results in a blue light.  Lower is the yellow.

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Offline 65ShelbyClone

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Re: Led headlamps
« Reply #2 on: March 11, 2017, 04:40:31 PM »
It seems that generally speaking, putting LEDs in housings designed for incandescent bulbs is illegal and results in glare and/or poor beam pattern. For a while I would pass an oncoming car every morning that had LEDs in a halogen housing and every morning I would have to turn away (dangerous!) because the low beams were so bright.

Grote makes a 7" "sealed-beam" LED assembly that is apparently DOT legal. You're looking at $400-500 for a pair though.
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Offline LongTimeFordMan

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Re: Led headlamps
« Reply #3 on: March 11, 2017, 11:04:38 PM »
Thanks for the info..

I think i will stick to the sealed beams and just try to find a way to mount some driving lights to the bumper without drilling holes..
Red 1973 pinto wagon DD, SoCal desert car, Factory 4 speed, 3.40 gears, Stock engine, 14" rims and tires, 60 K original miles