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How to: Explorer LED Interior swap + Puddle Lamps DIY

Here is a side by side comparison of the stock bulb on the left and the Philips LED on the right:

temporary_zpsvu5ql8xo.jpg
 



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Far superior!! And the light diffusion is better!
 






Could be the photo/vehicle position but appears to narrow the light beam. My HID seems like it widened the pattern or just better use the pattern.
 






I was pretty close to the garage in that photo. I also may need to adjust the depth of the bulb in the housing, I have a dark spot about 20 feet out in front when I drive.
 






If its still relevant here is my conglomeration....

Headlights....
http://m.ebay.com/itm/161642725572?nav=SEARCH
(these are insane and put HIDS to shame! have a brand new extra set I will sell for a reasonable price. some modification to the rear of the bulb will need to be done if you want to use your rubber seal)

Fog lights/DRL....
http://store.ijdmtoy.com/20W-High-Power-CREELED-Fog-Lamp-Assemblies-p/70-760.htm

front map lights.....
http://store.ijdmtoy.com/9-SMD-T10-LED-bulbs-158-161-168-2825-2821-p/10-001.htm

vanity lights.......
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111347435547?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
(have 8 leftover if anyone needs some)

2nd row map lights.......
http://www.ebay.com/itm/310788108377?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

3rd row map light.....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/251341334129?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

cargo area light on the driver side.......
http://store.ijdmtoy.com/5W-CREE-High-Power-578-211-2-LED-Bulbs-p/10-108.htm

puddle lights which they included free licenses plate lights with the purchase.......
http://drivebright.com/home/shop/v4-extreme-led-puddle-light-pack-brightest/

Glove box.......
Forgot where I got it, but I'm pretty sure it was a side firing 6 smd led....
http://store.ijdmtoy.com/6-SMD-T10-LED-Bulbs-Foot-Area-Courtesy-Lights-p/10-297.htm


happy modding!!! big thanks to everyone who put in their time and write ups on this thread! I used them along with some of my own ingenuity to complete my setup!!


Hey guys,

I'm very interested in swapping my INTERIOR factory lights for LEDs. I have no idea which lights to buy and from where. And yes I have read through all the posts. I used the links quoted above and it said my '15 Limited is not compatible. I don't really have any experience with this stuff, but I imagine swapping bulbs out will be easy

If someone could link me to a site, and tell me the exact bulbs I need to purchase that would be great. As noted above, I have a '15 Limited V6 WITH moonroof.

Thanks!

EDIT: Interior lights! sorry
 






According to the Sylvania website the 2015 uses a 9005 bulb. If you go to eBay and search Philips 9005 LED you should find some. I can attest to the huge difference these bulbs make. Well worth it!
 






According to the Sylvania website the 2015 uses a 9005 bulb. If you go to eBay and search Philips 9005 LED you should find some. I can attest to the huge difference these bulbs make. Well worth it!

Thanks so much!

How many would I need of them?

Thanks!

EDIT: I'm looking to swap out my INTERIOR lights, not headlights! Sorry!
 






Hey guys,

I'm very interested in swapping my INTERIOR factory lights for LEDs. I have no idea which lights to buy and from where. And yes I have read through all the posts. I used the links quoted above and it said my '15 Limited is not compatible. I don't really have any experience with this stuff, but I imagine swapping bulbs out will be easy

If someone could link me to a site, and tell me the exact bulbs I need to purchase that would be great. As noted above, I have a '15 Limited V6 WITH moonroof.

Thanks!

EDIT: Interior lights! sorry
Looking at the 2014 and 2015 Owner's Guides, the interior lights are the same. The only thing that is different is that in the 2015 there seems to be an additional cargo area light. It is shown as a 578 (trademark). If I'm looking at the right part on fordparts.com, it is Part #: 13776. It really doesn't identify the bulb but it is located on the left panel where the 3rd row seat switches are.
 






Hey guys,

I'm very interested in swapping my INTERIOR factory lights for LEDs. I have no idea which lights to buy and from where. And yes I have read through all the posts. I used the links quoted above and it said my '15 Limited is not compatible. I don't really have any experience with this stuff, but I imagine swapping bulbs out will be easy

If someone could link me to a site, and tell me the exact bulbs I need to purchase that would be great. As noted above, I have a '15 Limited V6 WITH moonroof.

Thanks!

EDIT: Interior lights! sorry

When I get home tonight, I'll research what I would use if my wife's had sunroof and post for the community.
 












I apologize, I didn't read your post thoroughly.

For most of the lights you will need the common 194:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-x-HID-Wh...late-Lights-/181607121908?hash=item2a48a0c3f4

If you plan to do the puddle lights in the bottoms of the rear view mirrors you will need a 31mm Festoon bulb, one for each mirror:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-White-31...-3022-DC12V-/251597235512?hash=item3a945d2538

I believe the second row sunroof lights also use the 194. Third row light has a built in LED which requires moderate alterations to change to a white LED (I have a post on page 13 I believe, post 256, will show step by step how to swap everything) So in total you would need 6 194 bulbs to change map lights, second row lights, license plate lights, or 7 if you plan to modify your third row light as well. Two 31mm Festoon bulbs for puddle lights, and the cargo light is also a Festoon type but I don't recall the length. It would seem that even though it says 2015 isnt compatible the actual bulb type never changed in the 2015. Also keep in mind that some of these bulbs are not simply plug and play installation.
 






Getcusome,

Thanks so much!

the only difference is just the second row map lights, everything else in my original post you can use.

sorry, installed the magna flow exhaust last night so that caused the delay.

from what the manual calls for i'd order.......

quantity 2 (comes as a pair), 2 for front map and the other two for the second row maps:
http://store.ijdmtoy.com/9-SMD-T10-LED-bulbs-158-161-168-2825-2821-p/10-001.htm

for the cargo/3rd row, you have to grind down the existing led and solder in a new one. the company that i purchased my puddle lights from will do it for you. i personally did it myself with the cobb panel in my original list of led's used.

here is the link for the price and procedure...
http://drivebright.com/home/shop/explorer-led-dome-light-upgrade-single-button-cargo-area/

the lower cargo light you can use the same one in my original post also. if you need anything else just let me know.
 






the only difference is just the second row map lights, everything else in my original post you can use.

sorry, installed the magna flow exhaust last night so that caused the delay.

from what the manual calls for i'd order.......

quantity 2 (comes as a pair), 2 for front map and the other two for the second row maps:
http://store.ijdmtoy.com/9-SMD-T10-LED-bulbs-158-161-168-2825-2821-p/10-001.htm

for the cargo/3rd row, you have to grind down the existing led and solder in a new one. the company that i purchased my puddle lights from will do it for you. i personally did it myself with the cobb panel in my original list of led's used.

here is the link for the price and procedure...
http://drivebright.com/home/shop/explorer-led-dome-light-upgrade-single-button-cargo-area/

the lower cargo light you can use the same one in my original post also. if you need anything else just let me know.

Perfect! Thanks for letting me know. Looking to purchase the bulbs today. And thanks for the 3rd row option because I have 0 experience with welding things.

Will follow up on what I decide to do.
 






Perfect! Thanks for letting me know. Looking to purchase the bulbs today. And thanks for the 3rd row option because I have 0 experience with welding things.

Will follow up on what I decide to do.


If you want your third row light done I'll do it if you send the LED you want, housing, and cover shipping.
 






2015 Explorer sport 3rd row Dome Light

Hello all - so I have been working on my Explorer sport and came into 2 situations

1st - Side Mirrors Puddle lights - they are a pain in the @#$@ to remove the sealant - i had to use a rotary tool n shave down the edges to swap the light to an LED bulb, followed by sealing it with tape and using a heat gun to shrink the excess tape and make it flush. it is working for now but im afraid over time the sealant may give and eventually have to change the puddle light as a whole - any suggestions ? ?

2nd - 3rd row dome light - easy to come off but the led is soldered onto the board any cheap replacements aside from
" http://www.daytimebrightlites.com/LED_Dome_Lights.html "
** here is an actual image of the unit pulled out **
hwk9qq.jpg




any and all help would be appreciated . thanks all
 






Welcome to the Forum jrojas447. :wavey:
Your thread has been merged with this existing one. There are a few posts about the 3rd row light here.

Peter
 






Hello all - so I have been working on my Explorer sport and came into 2 situations

1st - Side Mirrors Puddle lights - they are a pain in the @#$@ to remove the sealant - i had to use a rotary tool n shave down the edges to swap the light to an LED bulb, followed by sealing it with tape and using a heat gun to shrink the excess tape and make it flush. it is working for now but im afraid over time the sealant may give and eventually have to change the puddle light as a whole - any suggestions ? ?

2nd - 3rd row dome light - easy to come off but the led is soldered onto the board any cheap replacements aside from
" http://www.daytimebrightlites.com/LED_Dome_Lights.html "
** here is an actual image of the unit pulled out **
hwk9qq.jpg


any and all help would be appreciated . thanks all

Check out page 13, post number 256 for a detailed how to on soldering in a new LED to the second and third row lights.

Peterk9 maybe its time for a new sticky, many solved questions have been answered in this 17 page thread and its a lot to sift through.
 






Changed out my regular bulbs in the 2016 limited with sunroof and replaced them with leds. Took my modified 3rd row dome light and switched it to the 2016. They are the same still.

No resistors needed in the 2nd row light like I had to in the 2012 to get the 3rd row light to turn off.

Just waiting for the led puddle lights I ordered online.
 






Changed out my regular bulbs in the 2016 limited with sunroof and replaced them with leds. Took my modified 3rd row dome light and switched it to the 2016. They are the same still.

No resistors needed in the 2nd row light like I had to in the 2012 to get the 3rd row light to turn off.

Just waiting for the led puddle lights I ordered online.

Post some pics when it's all said and done! :thumbsup:
 



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