HIDs? Or quit complaining about brightness?

[horsetaco]

Hi all! I own an 08 expedition ex-police car, and my headlight housings are toast - sundamaged from 18 years of existing and being treated like garbage. It's time to replace them, but I'm interested in going LED or HID, I'm just not sure of the process. I'm just after brighter headlights - do you guys have any recommendations?

 

[BigOleFordFan]

Well, if the 08's housings are anything like the ones on my 011, it was a simple process of removing 2 screws, pull out the housing, disconnect the wiring connector, and replace with the new ones...

However, you will likely be limited to using either Halogen (not recommended) or LED BULBS (not the linear wrapped strips like the newer models use), which you obviously have to install before installing the housings, and I doubt there are any HID type of setups for an 08....but I could be wrong

I did this swap, for the same reasons, and I will NEVER go back to halogens again...

Anyways, good luck, and welcome to da light !

 

[1111ExpyEL1111]

I have AUXITO LEDS in my 11 Expedition Limited. Love them!!!

 

[Jeff Morris]

Used these to replace the Hologens on my 2017 with projectors. Night and day difference (pun intended) .

Diode Dynamics Automotive LED Lighting - Off Road, Bulbs, Headlights, and more

Automotive LED lighting for cars and trucks including Elite Series Headlights, Stage Series Off Road Pod Lights, Rock Lights, HitchMounts, Vehicle Kits and More!

www.diodedynamics.com

 

[LexpeditionKy]

Hi all! I own an 08 expedition ex-police car, and my headlight housings are toast - sundamaged from 18 years of existing and being treated like garbage. It's time to replace them, but I'm interested in going LED or HID, I'm just not sure of the process. I'm just after brighter headlights - do you guys have any recommendations?

I have the 2012 Exped, should be the same. I used the matching OEM bulb size codes H13-9008 & 9145 for fog. Bought the Sylania bulbs for the headlights and fog lights from Walmart. Make sure you tie back the foam behind the headlights so it wont be against the aluminum cooling fans. You dont want the bulb to get hot and burn out or start a fire. The fog lights have zero conflict on the backside.

Even though the charts wont show this is a match, it is! The slit light pattern is exactly like the OEM bulbs. They do not blind other drivers. Even, bright white light. Incredible.

Note you need go get clear lenses by polishing or replacing. If not clear it could cause bad glare

 

[Ellison Brown III]

Well, if the 08's housings are anything like the ones on my 011, it was a simple process of removing 2 screws, pull out the housing, disconnect the wiring connector, and replace with the new ones...

However, you will likely be limited to using either Halogen (not recommended) or LED BULBS (not the linear wrapped strips like the newer models use), which you obviously have to install before installing the housings, and I doubt there are any HID type of setups for an 08....but I could be wrong

I did this swap, for the same reasons, and I will NEVER go back to halogens again...

Anyways, good luck, and welcome to da light !

Headlight Revolutions or Retrofit Source would be two resources to find a kit for early model vehicles.

Personally, I’ve found that either a correctly installed LED (circuit board should be oriented the same way the halogen bulb was in the housing) will project just as well as HID bulb for far less than a complete HID retrofit kit upgrade. But, it would look sweet.

Two examples:
97-03 F-150
Universal Kits

 

[abkirk]

On my 2013 expedition, I bought headlight revolution H13/9008: GTR Ultra 2.0 LED Bulbs. They are good on low beams, but the high beams suck.

 

[Hamfisted]

LED bulb beam patterns just suck, and blind oncoming traffic. HIDs have a more halogen like beam pattern, and if you get them in the 4000 temperature range they have a beam pattern and color very similar to the original halogens, only stronger throw. You won't be getting flashed constantly either.







.

 

[Adieu]

Just be aware that:
1) You need a projector housing for HID and preferably for LED too
2) Aftermarket housings last 3 years if parked outside. Not 13, not 10, not even 5.

 

[BigOleFordFan]

Just be aware that:
1) You need a projector housing for HID and preferably for LED too
2) Aftermarket housings last 3 years if parked outside. Not 13, not 10, not even 5.

1. No projectors here, no complaints, no blinding me-flashing, nottaproblemo...

2. My near-OEM housings are 3.5 years old, and look just as nice as they did when I installed them in mid-'21