LED Headlights
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 427
Likes: 27
From: KY
LED Headlights
I got LED headlights several years ago and they have never worked very well. One is out and looking to see if there is a better replacement. Like to upgrade to something that works. I got the LED''s from a vender on the Forum and not sure who it was now.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 69
Likes: 26
From: Rockwall, TX
I have LEDs and while they're bright, they scatter light everywhere, indiscriminately. The light housings are terrible. I'm picking up a set of projectors from SharpLightInnovations.com to remedy the situation.
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Check with Sharp Lights Innovations, Vette Lights, and KnightDriveTV for products.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 1,033
Likes: 893
From: Nappytown MD
Do you have JUST LED bulbs in stock housings or did you buy actual new headlights? Stock housing won't work well, they were designed for Halogen bulbs-Most guys buy headlight LED replacements and most are anywhere from 500--650 bucks for real HID/LED lights that work as designed.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 427
Likes: 27
From: KY
All I know is that I have the replacement for stock. Been several years ago and i can't find what the order was. I had the local Dealership install them. I just went on Sharp Lighting website and a bit confused what I should get. I rarely drive at night, just need them to work properly.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 427
Likes: 27
From: KY
Thanks Red. What I got years ago never switched well and just poor quality. Looking at the website that looks like what I need. They say easy installed and seem like not much of a problem to install.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 1,183
From: Conyers Georgia
If you rarely drive at night like you stated then to me spending close to 700.00 is absurd. My vette sits in the garage and I do not drive at night. If aimed correctly the ones I have are just fine. I recently installed led's on my 2020 Impala. (worse lighting than the vettes) And they mount in a specific way. If you do not then yes, the light scatters. Aligned mine work great
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,937
Likes: 1,691
From: North Coast
The ones I went with were the Oracle direct replacements.
They are designed to have a cut off in a retro lens and can be indexed. Not all bulbs are designed to do this. They also are of the new Gen that are fan less.
The only issue was you need added resistance in the system for the head lamps to close. That is an easy fix as I took a relay and used an extension harness. I cut the harness in half put the relay in and plugged it in. Everything works perfectly.
prices are reasonable and my light is much better.
They are designed to have a cut off in a retro lens and can be indexed. Not all bulbs are designed to do this. They also are of the new Gen that are fan less.
The only issue was you need added resistance in the system for the head lamps to close. That is an easy fix as I took a relay and used an extension harness. I cut the harness in half put the relay in and plugged it in. Everything works perfectly.
prices are reasonable and my light is much better.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 688
Likes: 107
From: Long Beach SoCal
If you don't drive at night much and all you want are working lights, Is there any reason to not use original type lamps? Wouldn't they work 'normally' without issues? Or would this be too easy?.....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 1,183
From: Conyers Georgia
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,937
Likes: 1,691
From: North Coast
You know I really am not a LED fan. I avoided using them for years as they were not always well sorted or worked well. Once I got the C5 the first time at night it was horrible. Just a yellow glow is all I had. I had already upgraded the DLR turns to switch backs to avoid melting the housings again as I just replaced them. If you have not looked your original housings are likely melted.
So I checked at work and picked up all the other bulbs as they were not that expensive. I avoided the Head lamps. Well I read a post here where the relay solved the close issue and I found the corec bulbs so they were just plug and play and not blinding someone.
This is a worth while move if you take the time to learn more about the bulbs and needs for the car. Just plugging in any LED is not the way to do it.
If anything replace the DRLs and use LED as you will find the factory bulbs destroy the factory turn signals. I have seen C5 cars with the bulbs that have fallen out hanging by the wires.
So I checked at work and picked up all the other bulbs as they were not that expensive. I avoided the Head lamps. Well I read a post here where the relay solved the close issue and I found the corec bulbs so they were just plug and play and not blinding someone.
This is a worth while move if you take the time to learn more about the bulbs and needs for the car. Just plugging in any LED is not the way to do it.
If anything replace the DRLs and use LED as you will find the factory bulbs destroy the factory turn signals. I have seen C5 cars with the bulbs that have fallen out hanging by the wires.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 1,183
From: Conyers Georgia