Thinking on a headlight LED upgrade on my D100. Any suggestions on a brand and what issues if any are involved?
I assume that's got a pair of 7" round headlights.
The last I was looking at this stuff (about a year ago), there were still only two choices of good quality.
The ones made by Trucklite, and those made by JWSpeaker. There's a 3rd which IIRC, Peterson, may be a private label version that's not bad. But check that.
The places with lighting experts that stay up to date with this stuff are yes, DanielStern, and the other is Candlepower Forums.
Some alternation of the headlight buckets may be required to make room.
I would make sure they are "DOT approved" and not just "meets DOT specs"
That might be correct, but I'm not sure.
My recollection is that there is no certification or approval process for manufacturing. Not by DOT, not by SAE, or any regulatory agency.
Products are designed and tested by the manufacturer, and if they have any sense, also by an independent testing company to meet regulatory code.
The specs the lamps meet must then be identified by the lens markings.
Obviously false lens markings are illegal - that doesn't stop some aftermarket manufacturers - but those of repute (such as Hella) can be relied on.
Some performance specs, such as beam pattern, are relatively easy to check and at least some states include them in their motor vehicle codes.
If your headlights are not running on relays, adding the relays will make a huge difference in the headlight brightness. Relay kits can be bought pretty cheap. Gene
He's alread done that.
Just as an additional note to my HLs I am running the harness upgrade that Crackedback sells. With the halogens my lights now are pretty brite and the dash lighting the same. Pretty inexpensive upgrade and would recommend this to those who are looking for reliable lighting.
yes. A well made package.
Which lamps are you using? GE Nighthawk halogen sealed beams? or a HB2/H4 bulb and housing ?
Hella make a nice product with the option of 100 watt bulbs!
Their lamp quality is generally good but the lighting patterns range from OK to good.
I've found the hi beam to low beam seperation excessive on the ones marked DOT M (motorcycle). The ones sold now as "Vision Plus" are better, at least in 7" round.
Bosch also reportedly has some decent models but not commonly available.
Not impressed with Hella's bulbs.
Definately some better ones available from Philips, Narva and others.
Can pick up better light pattern and in the +30, +50 flavors more light without going to higher current demands. Trade off with the plus bulbs is shorter life span.
A couple threads of possible interest WRT H4 lamps
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...amp;p=4948264&viewfull=1#post4948264http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?392498-Interesting-headlight-bulb-test-results 
