LED light kits have become popular as they add many benefits to the driver.
How to install LED bulbs is a question asked by many DIY car owners.
Every time a customer asks me how to install LED headlights on their vehicle I can see the fear in their eyes. Even the most adamant customers seem to have a level of fear discussing the process of converting halogen headlights to LED bulbs. Maybe it’s just a fear of vehicle electronics in general.
I understand the fear because there was a time where LED headlight conversion kits were overwhelming. As a standard, difficult wiring used to be a part of the process of changing your headlights to LED.
What are the benefits of LED headlights?
LED light kits have become popular as they add many benefits to the driver.
Before we go over how to install your new LED headlights, we should talk about the benefits of LED versus halogen.
For decades, halogen light bulbs have been the standard for most vehicle headlights. With the rise in popularity of LED, many drivers have found the benefits too good to pass up. The evidence of this can be seen on a short drive in the darkness. Those headlights that you’re cursing are the same LED lights that were gonna be fitting to your vehicle.
Benefits of LED headlights.
Improved night time visibility.
Longer lasting LED bulbs save money.
Easy to install and less frequent replacement versus halogen.
LED conversion kits are reasonably priced.
It’s worth mentioning that there are a few disadvantages to LED headlights. Most of these are associated with a higher up front cost. In my opinion though, the benefits of LED headlights outweigh the disadvantages.
Should you be afraid to install your own LED headlight kit?
In the age of technology we live in, changing your headlights to LED is not very hard. Most of the LED headlight conversion kits for sale in 2022 are plug and play.
A “plug and play” device is generally vehicle specific and are designed to jump off the factory wiring. With some information about the vehicle, you can buy a direct fit LED conversion kit. With this kit you can easily connect the LED headlight bulbs to your vehicle.
Here’s how to install the plug and play LED headlight conversion kits.
Step One-Purchase a bulb specific plug and play LED kit.
The first step in switching your headlights to LED is purchasing a suitable conversion kit. Xenon is the leader in automotive lightIng and they offer LED headlight kits that are easy to install.
For less than $100 you can Buy LED kits on Amazon for both the high and low beam headlights. You will have peace of mind knowing that these LED headlight kits are designed for your vehicle as long as you make the right choice. Just choose the option for your original bulbs. You also shouldn’t need a professional to install your LED headlights using one of these kits.
Step Two-Have or purchase tools to remove the headlight assembly.
Either use one you already have, or purchase a tool kit that’s designed for different types of fasteners. This step is going to be important when you start removing your headlight assemblies to install the plug and play LED lighting kit.
I can recommend this Mechmax brand mechanic tool kit off Amazon. It’s cheap and will get the job done. If you’re looking for a more permanent solution, check out this Crescent 180 piece mechanic tool set.
Step Three-Remove the headlight assembly from your vehicle.
Now that you have purchased the right LED headlight kit for your vehicle and have the tools you will need, it’s time to remove the headlight housings from your vehicle. This part is where the tool kit I recommended will come in play.
If you’re not sure how to remove the headlight assembly in your vehicle, YouTube or a service manual will be your friend. It’s not impossible to install LED headlights without removing the headlight assembly. It will however be a longer and more frustrating process.
Step Four-Remove the original halogen bulbs to install the new LED bulbs.
Removing the original Halogen bulb is the next step to installing your LED headlight bulbs. As I said before, every headlight assembly will be different depending on the original halogen bulb that was used in your make and model. Luckily, the plug and play LED kits come with everything you will need. Each kit comes with the necessary adapters to fit an LED bulb where that halogen used to go.
Step Five-Install the LED bulbs included in your headlight conversion kit.
Now that you have removed the old halogen bulb, it’s time to install the new LED bulbs. With the plug and play LED setups, you will be provided with any clips or fasteners to insert the LED bulb where the halogen once resided. Once the LED bulb is installed, it just needs to be connected to the headlights original connecter.
This YouTube video will help explain how to install LED bulbs.
https://youtu.be/ofN8_Sw8Y2M
Step Six-Reinstall headlight assembly with new LED bulbs.
Once you’ve taken the above steps to install an LED headlight conversion kit, you will need to reinstall the headlight housing. If you removed it, replacing the headlight should be straightforward. Just reverse the steps of removing the headlight.
Step Seven– Testing and adjusting the new LED headlights.
The final step to installing your LED headlight conversion kit is testing them. Unless you want to be that annoying driver that blinds traffic with your LED’s, adjusting them is a necessity.
One proven way to adjust your LED headlight bulbs is to point the car at a wall or the back of your garage. Once you aimed the headlights, you will want to make sure that the LED lights are positioned at 9 and 3 o’clock. This will ensure maximum brightness due to the reflectors in your headlight assembly. The following YouTube video will explain how to aim and align your LED hi u bulbs.
I’m John Green. I’m a 33 year old auto technician from Upstate New York. I have 18 years of experience as an automotive light duty and heavy duty truck mechanic. Cars, trucks and anything with moving parts are my passion in my professional life.
Aside from my life as a technician, I am also a seasoned investor and consider myself very financially literate. I use this other passion combined with my passion for cars, trucks and tools to look for ways to save money for my technician friends.
Raising my three girls and teaching them the proper way of life is my personal passion in life. If you want to know more, just ask! I’m on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube as well!
