LED Headlights, has anyone made the conversion? What are you using?

[KYBlueOval]

I made a similar LED inquiry some time back, but there was no response. So I'll try again.
I have Hella headlight glass that take a H4 bulb, but have not purchased bulbs yet, as I'd like to hear from others on their experience switching to LED Headlights.

If you converted to LED's and used H4 bulbs, could you please tell me what you used and are you satisfied with them? Any clearance/depth issues getting the LED bulb in the '57 headlight bucket?

Thanks
John

[Ford Blue blood]

John don't the H4 bulbs have a reflector on the front of the bulb?  I just don't remember for sure, the LEDs shoot straight out of the fixture.

[Ford Blue blood]

Just looked at H4 LED conversions.  See no reason why they won't work.  Love the LEDs in my MKZ!

[gasman826]

I put Delta Xenon in both of my '57s.  They produce the modern white light more similar to late models.  The glass lens has DOT molded into them.  They do not draw the amperage of the LEDs or OEM bulbs.  They are cheaper than LENs.  They provide a much improved light and don't blind oncoming traffic.  All headlights should be rewired to use relays.  I rewired both cars to relays.  Caution on installation:  the locating knobs on the back of the glass lens are not prominent as on OEM bulbs so a little extra care during install is required.  Another minor thing, the H4, glass adapters do not have the knobs for headlight aiming equipment.

Link is an example of eBay listing for Xenon:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/314297178871?epid=1317833065&hash=item492d925af7:g:3EwAAOSwiNNjrpv~&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA8Gze%2BsnmGIiO1lwIgbqV9EDiQCPDeVPPDcooG4%2FMqot3jPDOQ1%2FbvhPKDByfFoBBdhnojMgjnFTEy8EM9EKvwksysqbxwdNIxx3MP6L49qrdTZ0jnbtKGfUSMHNt%2BuRRnoGW0xB%2Feodp%2Fjjax%2FB7%2FpTeCirc%2FRzGvdcRt9HbqOqOANDNLDM18jvmPrOPLQ2hHE%2FBb99CFT%2F2JxAX7YJ7U89GS4PtVbL6APEUJzh8EYFyRHcKpzh3TK5xzs8aEJNoxhAv1GCVWmHI1dZaEKx2LhPut6otB5yZ7RnOIR0GUTYusKhHRR%2BPmEOQRHoE2HKcgw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8KNz9i4YQ

[1930artdeco]

Gasman, can your lights be focused and aimed like original ones? I just want to see a bit farther without blinding every car coming my way.

Thanks,

Mike

[KYBlueOval]

John don't the H4 bulbs have a reflector on the front of the bulb?  I just don't remember for sure, the LEDs shoot straight out of the fixture.

Bill, the Hella glass housing I have does have a reflector in front of the bulb. It's held in by two small metal tabs. Getting the reflector out is not a problem if it needs to go.

From what I've seen on the internet, the  H4 LED bulbs have the LED's on the "sides" of the bulb, and thus must be installed so the "sides" are facing to 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock, to get a wide beam, as opposed to a beam that shoots Up and Down.

I'm hoping to get some responses from first hand users/installers or information on knowledgeable sellers of LED Headlights and bulbs. There are literally 100's of LED Headlight bulbs available on the internet, and naturally, they all claim to be the best available. Confusing at best.

Gary, thanks for your input and advice. The Hella glass housings have the same issue with the locating knobs. If I go the Xenon route, I'll wire in relays.
John
 

[abe_lugo]

what is the part number for the LED H4 you guys are finding?

[KYBlueOval]

Abe, take a look at this site.   https://www.superbrightleds.com/   

They have several H4 LED bulbs.

John

[59meteor]

Since I don`t like modern looking, "high Tech" headlights on older cars, I have been looking into the Holley "RetroBright" headlights, which look normal, and require no altering to the factory wiring or the light socket itself. Also has a much lower draw on the electrical system. Pretty pricey though.

[KYBlueOval]

I like the look of the Holley headlights as well, but as you said they are a little pricey. I don't rule them out, but they are not near the top of my list of possible purchases.
Thanks
John

[Ford Blue blood]

John irrespective of the type you go with I strongly recommend you wire relays to provide power for the bulbs.  A short story......

A friend complained to me that his knob on his head light switch would get so hot it was hard to touch.  He had after market assemblies (H4s of some kind) wired directly through the head light switch and the dimmer switch.  The headlight switch was to the point it was ready to catch fire.  It was a Ron Francis assembly.  (Not to imply an inferior assembly, just improper use of the assembly.)  He decided to go with standard headlights after I replaced the switch and the dimmer.

[hiball3985]

Since I don`t like modern looking, "high Tech" headlights on older cars, I have been looking into the Holley "RetroBright" headlights, which look normal, and require no altering to the factory wiring or the light socket itself. Also has a much lower draw on the electrical system. Pretty pricey though.

I feel the same about the new type. I ended up using Halogen that are for early Mustangs that look more like old style and draw less amps then OEM type. They also FOMOCO script on them. Not as bright as LED but better then OEM and don't require relays. And the price was low. I got them from Scott Drake Mustang.

[KYBlueOval]

I understand the concern regarding increased amp draw, and the consequences.Because of that concern, I have relays on other cars, that have Halogen bulbs.
I lean towards using LED bulbs on the Ranchero because of the low amp draw. The LED bulbs I'm considering draw 1.6A (1600mA)/20watts. Watts divided by voltage equals amps.....as I recall. Rather low. The relay will add an extra layer of security, and I do not rule out the inclusion of a relay. I have plenty of relays, the hard part will be finding a location for the relay.Getting crowded under the dash!