Quick Headlight question

[Biggrey]

Hi folks. Great forum. New, early January Sport owner. Black on two tone.

Very happy so fa, very positive initial impressions. Traded from an Audi Q5 for more space. I think we gave up little or nothing, overall. Value for money appears very strong on the Ford, assuming you aren't brand oversensitive.

Question 1: I am keen to trade out headlamp bulbs to something stronger. Headlight power is my only real concern after our first month on the road. Am I correct that there are only two headlamps (each containing dual filament bulbs)?

Question 2: I've done basic web research on bulb options, including a couple recommended by members on this board. Could I have a couple of strong recommendations now, given more owners might have made this change with positive effect?

Thanks in advance folks, Biggrey.

 

[peterk9]

Hi folks. Great forum. New, early January Sport owner. Black on two tone.

Very happy so fa, very positive initial impressions. Traded from an Audi Q5 for more space. I think we gave up little or nothing, overall. Value for money appears very strong on the Ford, assuming you aren't brand oversensitive.

Question 1: I am keen to trade out headlamp bulbs to something stronger. Headlight power is my only real concern after our first month on the road. Am I correct that there are only two headlamps (each containing dual filament bulbs)?

Question 2: I've done basic web research on bulb options, including a couple recommended by members on this board. Could I have a couple of strong recommendations now, given more owners might have made this change with positive effect?

Thanks in advance folks, Biggrey.

Welcome to the Forum Biggrey.:wavey:
I have the HID's in mine but wasn't overly impressed withthem compared to the Philips X-treme Power bulbs I put in my previous Highlander. I was very happy with them. There have been post stating the 2013 HID lights are better.
If I had to replace regular bulbs today, I think I'd have a look at the Sylvania line that CTC carries. I am sure that there are plenty of others as well. I have also used PIAA bulbs and they were also good. The problem I found with these higher output ulbs is that their life expectancy is not that long.
According to my Owner's Guide (2011), the Explorer has 2 headlight bulbs, HB3.
Good luck.

Peter

 

[Matt228]

There is one headlight bulb, more commonly labeled as 9005.

There's a shield in the headlight housing that flips up when you turn on the brights.

I have a Kensun HID kit that I installed a couple weeks ago. Simple install and good results thus far.

 

[peterk9]

There is one headlight bulb, more commonly labeled as 9005.

There's a shield in the headlight housing that flips up when you turn on the brights.

I have a Kensun HID kit that I installed a couple weeks ago. Simple install and good results thus far.

I thought the flip up shield was only used on the HID lamp system.

Peter

 

[Matt228]

Nope. Mine didn't come with HIDs and that's how it works.

 

[wvusport]

I have the 8k HID in the headlights and fog lights. We purchased them off of coolbulbs.com

I had them in my 11 Explorer XLT and had the dealership take them out since my 13 Explorer Sport didn't come with them. They are well worth the money!

 

[peterk9]

I have the 8k HID in the headlights and fog lights. We purchased them off of coolbulbs.com

I had them in my 11 Explorer XLT and had the dealership take them out since my 13 Explorer Sport didn't come with them. They are well worth the money!

If it brightness you want then you should go with the 4300k or something in that area. With HID's, the lower the number the brighter the light. At 4300k you are as close to reproducing daylight as you can get.

http://besthidkit.com/hid/colour-temprature-k-vs-brightness

Peter

 

[RandyH2]

Another option would be to find a replacement bulb or assembly for the "fog" lights or driving lights that are low on the front bumper. Putting in a set of true driving lights would cost a bit more than replacing bulbs, but gives a different lighting option. If you drive on open roads a lot at night, dedicated driving lights are very nice to have. Ideally you can get them wired to your high-beams. Note that some models have an option for off-road/racing bulbs which may be illegal in some places. I've never heard of anyone getting in trouble for reasonable use of those lights on-road but yuor experience may vary.

 

[TuxBlack]

I installed a 4300k Morimoto Elite 9005 system from theretrofitsource.com and the quality of the kit along with the huge increase in light output were well worth the money. The cutoff is much better than expected from the stock projectors and it looks 100% OEM. The high beams light up the entire highway at night and though I've seen a lot of complaints about the new Explorers not throwing much light to the sides, after installing the kit, there is no shortage of that at all.

 

[RandyH2]

Those Morimoto lights sound great. Thanks for the info!

 

[Bryceb]

I installed a 4300k Morimoto Elite 9005 system from theretrofitsource.com and the quality of the kit along with the huge increase in light output were well worth the money. The cutoff is much better than expected from the stock projectors and it looks 100% OEM. The high beams light up the entire highway at night and though I've seen a lot of complaints about the new Explorers not throwing much light to the sides, after installing the kit, there is no shortage of that at all.

Did you get the 3Five or 5Five (35w or 55w)?
which harness ? Morimoto HD Relay or Standalone Canbus

Pretty sure this is going to be my next upgrade.

 

[TuxBlack]

Did you get the 3Five or 5Five (35w or 55w)?
which harness ? Morimoto HD Relay or Standalone Canbus

Pretty sure this is going to be my next upgrade.

I got the 3Five so heat wouldn't be a factor and they last longer. I also got the HD relay that connects right to the battery, etc. The improvement over stock and the quality of the kit is amazing. My girlfriend's Dad has a new 7 series BMW and I would bet these are brighter on both the low and high beam side. I'll get some pictures of the before/after difference soon.

 

[09STAdrenalin]

I just put 6000 HID in my STA, and the difference is absolutely incredible! Cost me about $250 for headlights/fog lights and install (lifetime warranty), and it was well worth it!

 

[Biggrey]

Adrenalin, as a fellow Ontarian - may I ask where you got that done? thanks BG

For others', thanks for the many responses.

 

[09STAdrenalin]

Adrenalin, as a fellow Ontarian - may I ask where you got that done? thanks BG

For others', thanks for the many responses.

Best place around - by far! This guy has the best installer (wont destroy your vehicle to get the job done), and he supplies HID to most places in Ottawa...

http://www.audiomotive.com/

I have been dealing with James (owner) for mods on my VW, and now on my STA, I really like dealing with them. Their work is also guaranteed - and he stands behind this (I have seen people come in for issues, and he gets things fixed no questions asked).