LEDs in headlights?
LEDs in headlights? Ok so I just installed some depo whistler modded headlights and now I am looking to improve on the output. I have looked and seen a few places that sell the kits to do LEDs in the headlights and they range from $40 to $200.
I was just wondering if anyone had any experience and could kind of point me towards ones that do well and ones to avoid.
Thanks.
I was just wondering if anyone had any experience and could kind of point me towards ones that do well and ones to avoid.
Thanks.
Copy & Paste Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 9,764
Likes: 208
From: Eastern MA
Don't bother with any of the drop-in LED Headlight "bulbs" they are not worth it. The beam pattern will be ruined and the extra lumen they tout will be useless (if they even reach their claims of output).
Get HIR Bulbs. You'll see a nice increase in output.
If you want brighter bulbs and want to stick with Halogen, look into HIR bulbs.
Stock
-- low: 9006
-- high: 9005
HIR
-- low: 9012
-- high: 9011
Might need slight trimming of a lock tab on the bulb for it to fit, but they will fit and still use the optics properly for a proper beam pattern with increased output.
See here on what to trim:
http://store.candlepower.com/mohirbuba.html
$18-$27 per bulb. Similar pricing compared to other higher output halogen bulbs.
These HIR 9011/9012 bulbs are noticeably brighter than Standard 9005/9006 Halogen bulbs.
Here is a Lumen Ratings comparison (same wattage):
Low Beam (55 watt)
-- STD 9006 -- 1000
-- HIR 9012 -- 1870
[87% increase in lumen output]
High Beam (65 watt)
-- STD 9005 -- 1700
-- HIR 9011 -- 2350
[38% increase in lumen output]
9011
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-H...11B1/203654601
http://store.candlepower.com/9011.html
http://www.autozone.com/collision-bo..._0_18268_8548/
9012
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-H...LLB1/203654603
http://store.candlepower.com/ph3rdge90h.html
http://www.autozone.com/collision-bo..._167897_18268/
Watch out for fakes on ebay.
Get HIR Bulbs. You'll see a nice increase in output.
If you want brighter bulbs and want to stick with Halogen, look into HIR bulbs.
Stock
-- low: 9006
-- high: 9005
HIR
-- low: 9012
-- high: 9011
Might need slight trimming of a lock tab on the bulb for it to fit, but they will fit and still use the optics properly for a proper beam pattern with increased output.
See here on what to trim:
http://store.candlepower.com/mohirbuba.html
$18-$27 per bulb. Similar pricing compared to other higher output halogen bulbs.
These HIR 9011/9012 bulbs are noticeably brighter than Standard 9005/9006 Halogen bulbs.
Here is a Lumen Ratings comparison (same wattage):
Low Beam (55 watt)
-- STD 9006 -- 1000
-- HIR 9012 -- 1870
[87% increase in lumen output]
High Beam (65 watt)
-- STD 9005 -- 1700
-- HIR 9011 -- 2350
[38% increase in lumen output]
9011
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-H...11B1/203654601
http://store.candlepower.com/9011.html
http://www.autozone.com/collision-bo..._0_18268_8548/
9012
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-H...LLB1/203654603
http://store.candlepower.com/ph3rdge90h.html
http://www.autozone.com/collision-bo..._167897_18268/
Watch out for fakes on ebay.
Thanks for the detailed post with links, can't ask for anything better than that. One question though, on the page showing me what to trim is it pointing to trimming the piece that locks into the headlight housing or the plug side where the wire plugs into the bulb? it is kind of hard to tell from that diagram.
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
Thanks for the detailed post with links, can't ask for anything better than that. One question though, on the page showing me what to trim is it pointing to trimming the piece that locks into the headlight housing or the plug side where the wire plugs into the bulb? it is kind of hard to tell from that diagram.
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
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Verdad Gallardo Copy & Paste Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 9,764
Likes: 208
From: Eastern MA
They've come up a couple times. I posted my thoughts in other threads.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/wiring-st...-option-3.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearanc...-lighting.html
You can put LED bulbs into the LMC Truck housings mentioned above in this thread. Just make sure the LED bulbs you get have the LEDs in a thin line in the same place/shape/orientation as the original bulb filament.
Looking at the video on the Late Model Lighting site, I can see the part number on the box and those are the LMC Truck Housings.
The LMC truck headlights are designed for 9006/9005 bulbs and on the Firebird you'll need the version with the straight connector. 9012/9011 will fit but you'll need to trim the bucket/holder on the car for the bulb to fit since it is right angle. You'll have to trim the bucket for LED too since they have wide heat sinks and fans at the back.
https://www.lmctruck.com/1973-87-che...csb-dual-150mm
Low Beam: 36-0302
High Beam: 36-0303
Fitting 9011 & 9012 bulbs
https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearanc...s-exist-2.html
If you get LED, get them in the original 9005/9006 size for the housings to avoid fitment issues.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/wiring-st...-option-3.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearanc...-lighting.html
You can put LED bulbs into the LMC Truck housings mentioned above in this thread. Just make sure the LED bulbs you get have the LEDs in a thin line in the same place/shape/orientation as the original bulb filament.
Looking at the video on the Late Model Lighting site, I can see the part number on the box and those are the LMC Truck Housings.
The LMC truck headlights are designed for 9006/9005 bulbs and on the Firebird you'll need the version with the straight connector. 9012/9011 will fit but you'll need to trim the bucket/holder on the car for the bulb to fit since it is right angle. You'll have to trim the bucket for LED too since they have wide heat sinks and fans at the back.
https://www.lmctruck.com/1973-87-che...csb-dual-150mm
Low Beam: 36-0302
High Beam: 36-0303
Fitting 9011 & 9012 bulbs
https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearanc...s-exist-2.html
If you get LED, get them in the original 9005/9006 size for the housings to avoid fitment issues.
Last edited by VIP1; Jan 3, 2023 at 01:04 AM.
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