2017 HID Headlamp Update

[ExpeditionAndy]

Back in march I installed the 55W HIDs in my Limited EL. Several guys cautioned me not to use them because of higher heat, shorter bulb life etc. I did a lot of research online but I could not find anything that conclusively pointed to these issues other than that the 55W used a standard HID bulb but just put more current to it.

Fast forward to Sunday night. We were sitting in the drive thru line at Zesto's the local ice cream chain and I noticed that my driver's side headlamp was out. I turned the lights off and back on but no change. Monday morning I immediately reached out to XenonHIDs.com. They said to follow the troubleshooting procedure. Anyway in the back of my mind I kept thinking that I wanted to go with the 35W HIDs that's what I had in my 05 and they worked great plenty of light etc. So I ordered a set with the canbus ballast because it developed more lumens than the cheap ones.

The new system came in today and I installed it.

Before I post any pictures of the new install, I did make some interesting discoveries on the 55W system. I switched the ballasts, then igniters, and then bulbs from the side that was working and everything worked. Then I tried the individual components from the side that wasn't working and they worked. The only thing that I can think of is that one of the plugs must have been loose. Incidentally the double stick tape that held the ballasts to the side of the headlamp housing failed and both ballasts where hanging down on their wires.

I removed the 55W system components and installed the 35W system. The 35W system does not use separate igniters for the bulbs, they are built into the ballast. The ballast I mounted by using three small sheet metal screws that I coated with silicone and then drove them in being careful not to strip them. I used the same gray waterproof rubber duct tape to seal the opening where the wires pass through the housing. I checked the headlamps to make sure they were working and then I reinstalled them.

When it get's dark enough outside I'm going to take it for a ride to see if I notice a difference. I also raised the right hand headlamp up because it has always felt like it was pointing too low.

 

[jeff kushner]

I've GOT to tease you brother.....how much you into those headlights now???? Hmmmm????

I've got 35 bucks into my LEDS!

Relax brother, I'm just yanking at the chain hanging right in front of me!!

If I can't f*ck with my friend, who can I f with??

jeff

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Jeff its only money. Fortunately I returned the LEDs that I tried and didn't work for me for a full refund. I'll probably sell the 55W set eventually. so for right now I'm into it for about $225.

 

[chuck s]

Any thoughts on the GTR Lighting GEN 3 Ultra Series LED Headlight Bulbs - 9005 / HB3 for high beams?

-- Chuck

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Any thoughts on the GTR Lighting GEN 3 Ultra Series LED Headlight Bulbs - 9005 / HB3 for high beams?

-- Chuck

I tried two different sets of LEDs for the high beams but the problem was anything with a fan would not fit because it hit the edge of the opening and was at an angle so it would not go fit in the socket. I suspect but haven't tried it that some of the ones with the braided heat sink may fit if the the back isn't too tall.

 

[Bigbadbull]

I tried two different sets of LEDs for the high beams but the problem was anything with a fan would not fit because it hit the edge of the opening and was at an angle so it would not go fit in the socket. I suspect but haven't tried it that some of the ones with the braided heat sink may fit if the the back isn't too tall.

Try these https://www.theretrofitsource.com/led-lighting/led-bulbs/9005-morimoto-2stroke-51617.html
with 2 of these..
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/closeouts/closeouts/funky-housing-cap.html

Thats how I put in my leds.. Pretty easy.
The fans on the backs were rather large but with the caps that these come with and the funky housing covers I modified... nothing is permanent modified, just 2 large fast ties around the base of the funky caps at the normal housing.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Try these https://www.theretrofitsource.com/led-lighting/led-bulbs/9005-morimoto-2stroke-51617.html
with 2 of these..
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/closeouts/closeouts/funky-housing-cap.html

Thats how I put in my leds.. Pretty easy.
The fans on the backs were rather large but with the caps that these come with and the funky housing covers I modified... nothing is permanent modified, just 2 large fast ties around the base of the funky caps at the normal housing.

The problem that I have with the Projector headlamps is the bulb is offset so the fan hits the side of the round opening that the rubber dust caps attach to (speaking of the high beams).

For the low beams the LEDs I purchased didn't have the LEDs in the right location to focus the beam properly so I went with the HIDs and I'm happy with them.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

I just adjusted my headlamps up significantly higher and I have really good light throw now. It might be just a little high, but now I can see a clear cutoff line on houses as I drive through the neighborhood and I light up signs on the side of the road. I'm starting to be a lot more happier with the head lights on this Expedition.

 

[chuck s]

Looks like Sylvania Ultra halogens are the best quick fix. Like they were in my '07. Read several web article on light pattern problems with most LEDs.

-- Chuck

 

[NevadaGeo]

Thanks for this Andy. After the all the off-road I am doing (wintertime?), I will check my taping to see if things are still in place. So far, the 55W system is working great. But with summer here, there is limited use of my headlights. By dark time, I am listing for the ol' beddy bye.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Thanks for this Andy. After the all the off-road I am doing (wintertime?), I will check my taping to see if things are still in place. So far, the 55W system is working great. But with summer here, there is limited use of my headlights. By dark time, I am listing for the ol' beddy bye.

When I set up my HIDs I turned the plug around that plugs into the oval connector with the tab. I didn't realize that I could reverse the other end and still use the locking tab. Anyway, I didn't tape one and it came loose. So everything is working and it was my own fault.

The key here was that my lights were really pointed at the ground. Now that I threw caution to the wind and adjusted them, they are much better. As I said up there, I think I may have them just a little bit high, but before I adjust them down, I am going to drive around in traffic to see if I get flashed. If I do, I will back them down, if I don't I'll leave me as I have them now.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Looks like Sylvania Ultra halogens are the best quick fix. Like they were in my '07. Read several web article on light pattern problems with most LEDs.

-- Chuck

Chuck, the best fix was to replace the factory halogens with HIDs and that's what this thread is about. Along the way I tried LEDs but I couldn't find bright enough ones that I liked that had the LED chips in the right place to focus the light through the factory projectors, which is why I went HIDs. I would have liked to have used LEDs but the ones that I picked weren't very bright although they were the brightest that I could find in terms of lumens.

Now that I have my lights properly adjusted (or close) I suspect that the factory halogens would have been okay but no where near as bright as what I have now.

 

[CyberVinnie]

Hey Andy,
Just got back from my first road trip in my Expy (16.8 MPG @ 78 MPH when I could, a/c @ 70, two adults & three kids, big cargo carrier on top, and five bikes on the back -- not too shabby), and had my first extensive experience driving it at night. The halogens just aren't cutting it! Even my wife asked at one point, "Are your headlights on?"

Can you point me to the 35w HIDs you installed?

Thanks,
Vinnie

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Hi Vinnie,

Sounds like you got great mileage with that load! One thing that I found is from the factory, the headlamps are pointed at the ground and don't throw the lights very far, so even with the HIDs, you are going to have to raise them way up to get the kind of performance you want. Ask me how I know.

Here is the link to the site where I bought my HIDs. This is a very good company. https://www.xenonhids.com/9005-single-beam-full-xenon-hid-conversion-kit.html

I ordered the 9005 with the 5000K color it is the bright white color and it matched the LED fog lights (if that is important). I also went with the 35W Canbus ballasts and didn't get the cancellers or the relay kit. You don't really need it unless you want to install it. This picture is how I ordered them. When you go to that link, you will have to make the selections. These are the ones that I made:

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Here are my headlamps, normal low beams, and high beams. The truck is about 20' feet from the wall roughly in these pictures. The truck is pointing slightly down hill.

Low Beams:



High Beams:

 

[07xln]

Like Jeff I went with the leds and after trial and error I settled on a set that work great. I don't use my high beams ever so I left the stock bulbs for those. I've had nothing but issues with hids in the past so I went with leds. Cheaper to

Glad the hids are working for you

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Like Jeff I went with the leds and after trial and error I settled on a set that work great. I don't use my high beams ever so I left the stock bulbs for those. I've had nothing but issues with hids in the past so I went with leds. Cheaper to

Glad the hids are working for you

Thanks 07,

I had them on my 05 and they worked great. The only issue I had on the 05 was occasionally the left headlamp wouldn't come on and I tracked that down to the switch. I'd just turn it off and turn it back on and it would light. I really wanted LEDs just so I didn't have to deal with the ballasts and that was my first choice. Unfortunately I didn't find a set that had the lumens that I wanted that lined up in the reflector to produce a nice beam.

What did you wind up going with and do you know the lumen output? Did you have to cut a hole in the rubber dust cover for the fan?

 

[CyberVinnie]

Thanks for the link Andy. I am ordering tonight!

I have (factory) Xenon's in my Merc, and I really like the visibility -- they are so bright people occasionally flash me even on low beams even though they are aimed correctly.

Those are the factory halogen high beams in your pics, right?

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Thanks for the link Andy. I am ordering tonight!

I have (factory) Xenon's in my Merc, and I really like the visibility -- they are so bright people occasionally flash me even on low beams even though they are aimed correctly.

Those are the factory halogen high beams in your pics, right?

Use THANKS10 as a code to get an extra 10% off.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Thanks for the link Andy. I am ordering tonight!

I have (factory) Xenon's in my Merc, and I really like the visibility -- they are so bright people occasionally flash me even on low beams even though they are aimed correctly.

Those are the factory halogen high beams in your pics, right?

They are the factory projectors with the 35W HID bulbs. You will have to aim your projectors up because the factory position is pointing at the ground and not up where they need to be.