LED headlight conversion

^^^^That's another forum with self-professed experts. Is there anyplace to check their bona-fides?

Looks like there's as much differing advice on there as on any other forum.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?380986-Better-Lights-For-My-Truck

Ask some Automotive lighting professionals. You will not like what they say regarding your LED intentions, but you don't ask a plumber to fix your computer either, and thats what asking this forum compared to that forum linked above, is doing.

But I done gone fixed my computer by wiggling that thingie in the back yesserie golly gee shucks.

This is the OP. Thanks for all the responses, though as usual on here, many conflicting views
I agree that LED replacement bulbs vary drastically based on brand and cost, both in quality and design.
After looking at the reflector in my stock headlamp housing, I can see how an LED bulb might not be focused causing problems for oncoming traffic in my low beams.
At this time, I can't afford to replace the complete headlamp housing assembly with ones designed for HID or LED lamps.
SO, I think I'll study the many LED bulbs and install a pair in my hi-beams as I won't have to worry about on coming traffic and I can get a good idea on how good they'll light up the road.
We'll see what happens, especially at night.

Much better, thank you.

Harvey51 wrote:

Have you any advice on adjusting headlights for the amateur? This explanation is hard for me to follow. I usually drive out to a flat country road in the dark and adjust by eye.

Here's a different pretty good article on aiming headlights. I don't know that it's especially much easier or harder to follow; they seemed roughly similar to me at a quick glance.

While you do need a broad flat area to do the aiming, it's not so essential that it be perfectly level as long as it's consistent and flat.

dangerbird wrote:
Before headlights became part of the body lines, New York State required properly adjusted headlights as part of the yearly vehicle inspection. We had alignment devices that suctioned onto the sealed beam headlights. A few moments with a phillips head screwdriver and you were done. I think a lot of the blinding brightness today is due more to improper adjustment than the brighter bulbs. Headlight alignment checks should be an inspection requirement again.
Carl

Have you any advice on adjusting headlights for the amateur? This explanation is hard for me to follow. I usually drive out to a flat country road in the dark and adjust by eye.

Keep in mind the after market LEDs may not generate enough heat to prevent ice from forming on those head lights

LED traffic lights have proven to have the same problem.

Landyacht, I'm not poking at you but what in the world led to that experiment with the manhole. Did you hit an open one?

I for one do not like the LED's in those new vehicles that have them. They blind me on narrow country roads and city streets with very little street lighting. JMHO.

whatimmadoboutmylegs wrote:

Gdetrailer wrote:

GordonThree wrote:
I always curse you guys running hid or led in a reflector style headlights. Very unfriendly move towards your fellow drivers. I don't flash, not worth getting in a headlight pissing contest.

Check a scrapper for the factory projection headlight assembly if you want to join the hid / led club. Alternately retrofit projector lenses can be had for most trucks.

Actually it is not HIDs or LEDs in THOSE folks lights..

Sorry, but you're wrong. I can spot HID/LED retrofits in a halogen reflector housing quite consistently. The weird hot spots and scattered light are a dead giveaway. Although the blue tinted halogens are annoying, cheap HID/LED retrofits are worse.

Most of the vehicles I have been abused by are "beater" vehicles.. If the owner bought real HIDs they would be worth more than the car..

Cheapo blue tinted bulbs cost $20, entry level HIDs tend to start around $150 and go up from there..

ONE EXAMPLE OF HID KITS

Most street racers and folks with lifted boulevard queens tend to spend money on things other than headlights..

Not to mention putting in HID into a stock housing they LOSE high beams (HID bulbs do not have the capability of high/low)..

Takes a special housing with a projector lens and a separate Xeon high beam/reflector OR in luxury cars with factory HID they have a special moving reflector/lens assembly to perform High/low beam functions.. That all costs money and makes retrofitting DONE RIGHT rather expensive.

Many of the oncoming cars I have encountered with the blue tinted lights often have high beams on and switch down to low as they approach.. No change in color just a slight bit less blinding.