Seeking Advice Regarding Conversion to LED Head Lights

Curt,

Pretty sure Tom G. put 7" LED's on his car and he loves them.

I'd call him for the manufacturer and go from there. Might get a set to fit the Vader housings.

Larry

My headlights are also dimmer than I want and was thinking about LEDs as well.  Are there other parts, electrical or otherwise that have to be wired or is it a simple plug in exchange?

cuvee posted:

I've been looking at LED head lights for my Car. I have the older Vader 4X6 seal beam head lights (which I love). Has anyone changed to LEDs? Companies make High/Low bulbs in 4x6, 5x7 and 7 inch and many are DOT and SAE Appoved.  From what I've read they put out more light (Lumens?) and use Much less power, 40-60 Watts at 0.8 to 3 amps, and most to have the H4 plug. (I think I'm saying this right?) You guys that know about the Pantera Lighting Please Correct Me if I'm wrong! Not sure if this is a Direct Plug and Play for our Pantera?, as some of the Manufactures say you may need to flip the ground and the low beam wires? Many Big Rigs are starting to use these (again More light) Any thoughts, Pros or Cons!        

With an alternator voltage of about 13.5 volts, 0.8 to 3 amps are only 11 to 40 Watt, not 40 to 60. For 60 W it takes 4.5 amperes.

We must be careful, LED sellers say anything and whatever, they voluntarily confuse power consumption and "equivalent" power, but equivalent to what? They also often mix the luminous flux of one lamp and that of the two projectors or they add the flows of high beam and low beam.

It is very difficult to know exactly what you buy.

rene4406 posted:

cuvee posted:

I've been looking at LED head lights for my Car. I have the older Vader 4X6 seal beam head lights (which I love). Has anyone changed to LEDs? Companies make High/Low bulbs in 4x6, 5x7 and 7 inch and many are DOT and SAE Appoved.  From what I've read they put out more light (Lumens?) and use Much less power, 40-60 Watts at 0.8 to 3 amps, and most to have the H4 plug. (I think I'm saying this right?) You guys that know about the Pantera Lighting Please Correct Me if I'm wrong! Not sure if this is a Direct Plug and Play for our Pantera?, as some of the Manufactures say you may need to flip the ground and the low beam wires? Many Big Rigs are starting to use these (again More light) Any thoughts, Pros or Cons!        

With an alternator voltage of about 13.5 volts, 0.8 to 3 amps are only 11 to 40 Watt, not 40 to 60. For 60 W it takes 4.5 amperes.

We must be careful, LED sellers say anything and whatever, they voluntarily confuse power consumption and "equivalent" power, but equivalent to what? They also often mix the luminous flux of one lamp and that of the two projectors or they add the flows of high beam and low beam.

It is very difficult to know exactly what you buy.

rene4406...Thanks for Your input. I have seem a few of the LEDs that say they have 60 Watts. But they on "Ebay" don't give much info? 

A couple weeks a go I converted my daily driver (F150 Raptor) to LED's. Initially I I was looking at replacement headlights , but then read that LED bulbs were better than the aftermarket headlight offerings for my application. I purchased a pair of Crystalux XHP series bulbs, not cheap at $135, but they were a plug and play swap and provide significantly more and a whiter light than the oem bulbs.

Contact Scott at SACC or go on his websight. We've done his conversion  without issues. Other conversions won't put out the light so don't bother. We've done the sealed beam method both round & rectangular. Don't waste your time. Get into 2019. These cars are to valuable now-a-days, not to mention your life. You can easily out 'drive' your lights in a Pantera. Go with the best. 

Has anyone tried the Grote LED headlight?  I think they are 5X7. From what I read, they are the best on the market.

I would think the best would be 90mm Hella LED ECE light units but if I recall, they’re quite expensive. 

David,

Yes the Hella LED units are $325 each, but if you already have the quad eye lights using the 90mm projector, they take a H9 bulb that can be retrofit with an LED for $125/pair

I appreciate every ones input. I like the 4x6 Vader lights I have, and not interested in changing to something else. I'm sure with a little more research I'll find a 4x6 LED that work for me. If and when I do I'll Post my Find! 

I just noticed there is a Pair of 4X6 Vader Head lights with H4 bulbs For Sale on Ebay. If anyone is interested? and No there not mine! lol

cuvee posted:

I appreciate every ones input. I like the 4x6 Vader lights I have, and not interested in changing to something else. I'm sure with a little more research I'll find a 4x6 LED that work for me. If and when I do I'll Post my Find! 

The Crystalux XHP come in a H4 bulb pattern and have great reviews.

For TBerg or anyone with a stock sealed beam unit, Bill Moore replaced his stock headlights with Vision X Vortex 7" LED headlights and is very happy with them. I have been in Bill's car with them on and concur they are a great not inexpensive upgrade.

Thank you, I will look into them.

I've been considering switching to LED headlights as well, but just can't quite picture a speaker-style headlight in my Pantera. I know I'll never see it when it's not on, and it's so bright when it's on I'll never see the 'speaker' design anyway, but still looking for a more traditional style.

Vision X Vortex 7" Round LED Headlamp - $748

https://www.amazon.com/Vision-...p-Halo/dp/B00UZF9YK2 

VCm35 7" LED Headlight Kit - $289

https://vintagecarleds.com/sho...h-led-headlight-kit/

7 Inch Cree LED Headlights with White Halo Ring - $100

https://www.amazon.com/Headlig...ngler/dp/B01CCGC8SQ/ 

GE Lighting 69821 Nighthawk LED 7-Inch Round Replacement Headlamp - $289 each

https://www.amazon.com/GE-Ligh...ement/dp/B00BQX2BT8/ 

Bear Claw 2 PCS 105W 7" Round LED Headlight - $90

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MFAVYSP/ 

Model 8700 Evo 2 Dual Burn LED Headlights - $397

https://www.jwspeaker.com/prod...model-8700-evo-2-db/ 

Anzo® 881035 - 7" Round Chrome LED Headlights - $410

https://www.carid.com/anzo/7-r...ghts-mpn-881035.html

Vintage Car LED Headlights - $269

https://vintagecarleds.com/sho.../vc3500-classic-kit/

Peterson 7 Inch Round LED Headlight - $350

http://www.4ws.com/great-white...d-headlight-kit.html

Grote 90941-5 - 7" Round Chrome LED Headlight - $249

https://www.carid.com/grote/7-...ght-mpn-90941-5.html

Here's a useful article:

https://betterautomotivelighti...d-headlight-is-best/

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but just a sampling of some different LED headlight options.  Anyway, lots of options available for better lighting.

Gath, thanks for posting that link to the video.  Has anyone used the Vintage Car Led’s?   I don’t believe they are DOT certified.  How important is that?   I would guess somewhat significant from a legal perspective but not sure.  There were some VW owners using them.  They look more appropriate for an OEM look than some of the other lights that are DOT approved.

Check out Dapper Lighting :

https://www.dapperlighting.com/

Their LED headlamps are very popular in the Hot Rod/Street Rod community.

Thanks David.

https://www.headlightexperts.c...sion-kit/category/2/

another option. I am going to go with these when the time comes

There are so many resellers now, I recommend anyone do some independent research and read off site reviews of companies that you intend to purchase from.

Just as a follow-up, I went with the Vintage Car LED's VC5000 ULTIMATE 7 INCH LED HEADLIGHT KIT

• Color:

  6000Kelvin (Pure White)

• Lens Option:

  German Hella H4 Lens Upgrade

They weren't cheap, but they work great!  I think they have a newer version of this headlight available now.

Thanks for the info Garth.  I first heard about Vintage Headlights through my Hagerty Drivers club publication.

I recently bought part a headlamp conversion kit from Toyota, part #81110-60P70. They're not installed yet, but have great reviews.

Richard O.

Forgot to add everything is about $40 to $60 depending on where you buy.

@opiecars posted:

I recently bought part a headlamp conversion kit from Toyota, part #81110-60P70. They're not installed yet, but have great reviews.

Richard O.

That kit is the one that was mentioned in POCA by one of the owners from the Arizona chapter.  It uses halogen lights.  It seems like a great deal.