After Market Headlights with an added "Twist"!

[Jstcruz]

After getting my after market headlights (Special thanks to a member for a great deal on them ) I wanted to add my own touch to them. I got this idea based on the new cars with the LEDs in them. Tell me what you think!

I "baked" the lights in the oven, seperated the lense from the housing and glued thin LED strips on the inside of the lense. I then used a good silicone caulking to reassemble them. When the lights are off they are nearly invisible!

 

[1996BLKBauer]

I like that, much better then the EBAY halos I see. Are they Multicolor LEDs?

 

[Jstcruz]

I like that, much better then the EBAY halos I see. Are they Multicolor LEDs?

They are white but seem like a cool white. Its the camera making them look blue.

 

[FIND]

That doesn't look too bad at all.

 

[01STrunner]

A very nice change from the halo lights that have become WAY overused in the last few months

 

[corkey]

i like it too, i think for me i would have went over the top of the headlight and down the side between the two pieces though,,

hmm, i just may look into that really, i have a source for some leds like these
but i will do mine in blue,,

 

[FloridaState]

Those look sweet! Do they have their own switch or do they automatically cut on?

Oh and do you mind letting me know where/how much those lights were? I've got this whole black and white theme going with my X and those would look pretty sick.

 

[Jstcruz]

Those look sweet! Do they have their own switch or do they automatically cut on?

Oh and do you mind letting me know where/how much those lights were? I've got this whole black and white theme going with my X and those would look pretty sick.

I have a switch near my headlight switch to turn them on and off independantly regardless of the other lights being on. The headlights you can find on Amazon.com, the leds i found at auto zone. Headlights are about $200 and the leds about $30.

 

[GRNMACHINE]

Nice addition to the nicest Explorer Cowl hood I have seen!

 

[Jstcruz]

Nice addition to the nicest Explorer Cowl hood I have seen!

Haha thanks man!

 

[1996BLKBauer]

Quick Question, are those the blacked out lights I keep seeing on EBAY lately? I am seriously considering buying a pair, but I am not sold on quality, and fitment. They seem to be the only other option besides stock, and halos, I just want a tone down the chrome reflectors, but I don't want a full on smoked look. So how do you like them?

 

[FIND]

There are two types of black headlights on e-bay. There is the type with the black reflector that is entirely cosmetic, and not really good for anything other than looks during the day, or projector retrofits, and there is this type, which has the chrome reflector on the back, but still doesn't quite make as good a beam pattern as your stock headlights. The fitment is very good on those, and they use the same type of mounting hardware as the stock headlights... though the quality is a bit lower.

The turn signal housings have a black back, so your turn signal bulbs and markers won't be as bright inside of them, as much less light is reflected out, but they are still plenty visible. I would estimate that they meet or exceed the minimum standards for forward signal lighting.

Anyway. They work quite well and look REALLY good. I would have never switched back to stock housings, except I really wanted better functionality. It isn't like those headlights aren't useable or anything, but they just don't compare to the beam pattern you get out of new OEM headlights, and I do a lot of driving in the middle of nowhere, so beam pattern is my first priority.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

There are two types of black headlights on e-bay. There is the type with the black reflector that is entirely cosmetic, and not really good for anything other than looks during the day, or projector retrofits, and there is this type, which has the chrome reflector on the back, but still doesn't quite make as good a beam pattern as your stock headlights. The fitment is very good on those, and they use the same type of mounting hardware as the stock headlights... though the quality is a bit lower.

The turn signal housings have a black back, so your turn signal bulbs and markers won't be as bright inside of them, as much less light is reflected out, but they are still plenty visible. I would estimate that they meet or exceed the minimum standards for forward signal lighting.

Anyway. They work quite well and look REALLY good. I would have never switched back to stock housings, except I really wanted better functionality. It isn't like those headlights aren't useable or anything, but they just don't compare to the beam pattern you get out of new OEM headlights, and I do a lot of driving in the middle of nowhere, so beam pattern is my first priority.

Thanks, that was a much better then believing the "100% OEM fitment", or "A GREAT WAY TO CUSTOMIZE YOUR VEHICLE" comments on ebay listings. I will for sure get a set now. I just wanted to make sure I am not wasting my money. Sorry for hijacking the thread.

 

[Jstcruz]

Like Find said, the light pattern on them isnt great, but they are the only aftermarket lights I have seen that I like. I might end up doing a projecter retrofit, but the 1-piece projecters dont look good in my opinion.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

Like Find said, the light pattern on them isnt great, but they are the only aftermarket lights I have seen that I like. I might end up doing a projecter retrofit, but the 1-piece projecters dont look good in my opinion.

I am in the same boat, I cannot stand any other aftermarket headlights. I am not too worried about the pattern, because I have extra lighting on my truck anyway, for those back roads and whatnot.

 

[FIND]

They do indeed look better than anything else you can get.

 

[inkjunkie]

Ford still has the headlights available...

 

[Jstcruz]

Bump
Id like to hear more opinions on the LED set up

 

[1996BLKBauer]

Still Really like them, almost want to steal your idea, but afraid of the baking part. Did you just wire them on a completely separate circuit? Or do they come on with something else?

 

[FIND]

Bump
Id like to hear more opinions on the LED set up

Obviously everyone is too blinded by the awesomeness to see their keyboard to enter replies.