converted XLT to LED

[18XLT]

So I have a 2018 XLT - I recently put in Hikari Ultra LEDs after reading a lot on here.

I love the way they look.
I think the output is certainly better than the factory halogens.
I noticed when I’m far away from the car that there’s a large dark spot in front of the car.
It isn’t noticeable while driving, but see the attached photo.
If i turn the fog lights on, it fills this space - is this normal for those of you who have done this?

I checked, my LED strips on the Hikari are at 3:00 and 9:00.
Up against a wall, the pattern seems totally fine.
I don’t remember if this gap or black spot was there with the factory lights or not! ‍

 

[armoredsaint]

make sure you blind everyone on the road

 

[18XLT]

I had somebody else drive it and I drove in front of it - it seemed normal with no blinding effect.

 

[sjwhiteley]

I’m interested in a good set of LEDs, so may look into these. Back to your point, I don’t see a problem, as long as the distance vision/lighting is fine. Do you need that area lit while driving at anything above 20mph? I would say not.

As you noted, putting the fogs on lights that area. That’s what I do, currently - highway driving fogs off, back roads, fogs on (lights up the side of the road into the brush and trees nicely).

 

[18XLT]

I just wanted to make sure that wasn’t super unusual, to have that area right in front of the car be dark

if anybody else has LEDs and could share a photo, I’d appreciate it!

 

[wakeboarder]

It’s not the same angle, but I think I have similar dark spots with LED’s on my XLT.

 

[Lou Hamilton]

Did you just swap out bulbs or the entire housing? Keep in mind that the halogen housings are designed for halogen bulb light spread. When you simply replace the bulbs, you will often have dead, or dark, spots.

 

[Soliyou]

I just wanted to make sure that wasn’t super unusual, to have that area right in front of the car be dark

if anybody else has LEDs and could share a photo, I’d appreciate it!

Yes this is normal - even halogen reflectors would have some distance before the light beam is visible on the ground.

 

[Donn Brink]

What Hikari led headlamp did you purchase ? Looking to get a set for my 19 xlt. Thanks !

 

[Rezolution]

Yes it's normal to have the dark spots, I have the same setup. You will have even worse dark spots if you turn the high beams on as it disables the fogs. Do you know the lights will also flicker like crazy if your auto start stop turns your engine off while you're stopped?

 

[18XLT]

Thank you guys for the responses
Just needed some validation lol


The next problem I’m dealing with is condensation in one of my lights

#fail #facepalm

I must have not put one of the rubber gaskets back on tight enough

if I fix it, will this eventually dry up on its own?

 

[18XLT]

I used these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B077B7GJ5J?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

[AKentPhoto]

Do you know the lights will also flicker like crazy if your auto start stop turns your engine off while you're stopped?

Not that I would ever condone putting bulbs that put out 2x-10x the light output into the same housing, it sounds like you could use some capacitors. The LEDs should be using significantly less power than a halogen ever would. Maybe there is a quick dip in voltage as the engine turns off? This sounds weird...

Nice! You did the right thing and got projectors. I thought the cutoff looked too good to be reflectors...

if you plug the holes that were causing the condensation a nice sunny day should take care of it. Unless of course there is moisture getting in somewhere else, ie around the edge of the housing somewhere. Did you replace the housings or are the oem?

 

[18XLT]

OEM housings. I just replaced the bulbs.

 

[Soliyou]

if I fix it, will this eventually dry

Yes, try to leave it overnight, it can dry by itself since these headlights are ventilated.

if it doesn’t, open the rubber cover and park it in a well ventilated area for couple of hours.

 

[AKentPhoto]

If it doesn’t, open the rubber cover and park it in a well ventilated area for couple of hours.

If its really being pesky you can try a hair drier...

 

[sjwhiteley]

I used these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B077B7GJ5J?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Do they have an external box? If so, how did you deal with that?
Are they the correct fitment? HB3/9005? I have now come to distrust the Amazon compatibility thing AND the manual (of course, I could just go have a look, but it's a bit pesky to get at. The fogs I ordered were wrong - they are actually H8 bulbs).

 

[Scottorama]

Do they have an external box? If so, how did you deal with that?
Are they the correct fitment? HB3/9005? I have now come to distrust the Amazon compatibility thing AND the manual (of course, I could just go have a look, but it's a bit pesky to get at. The fogs I ordered were wrong - they are actually H8 bulbs).

There are youtube videos for this activity. Watch them and it should answer most your questions on how to install them.

 

[stricnine]

The light housings have the bulb size stamped on them.

even if the rubber gaskets are installed correctly, our lights are prone to moisture. It’s normal. It’s actually mentioned and covered in the owners manual.

 

[BWSTL]

I put in the Hikari Ultras - HB3 for the lows and HB11 for the Hi. I purchased the lower cost Hikari 2019 New Gen H11 for the fogs. I think the dead spot is the same but LED is brighter/crisper so you notice more. The Stock halogens were pathetic in terms of brightness. As mentioned before throw on the fogs to illuminate the dead spot.

I also replaced the puddle lights and license plate lights with LEDs. Not sure I care if I do the reverse light conversion but I have the bulbs if I get itchy to round out the conversion.