LED vs HID 93 Mustang

Crigano · Jan 17, 2023

Looking for some feedback and recommendations on LED vs HID headlights.

I’ve seen some LED bulbs go for $30 or $60. I’ve seen HID headlight kits go for $160 to over $400.

If moving to a HID setup, is it worth the cost? I’ve read how you have to replace the headlight housing and install a HID specific housing so the light it focused and not all over the place.

Also, if going with LED bulbs is there a set that you all recommend?

I sometimes drive at night and I’ve replaced the bulbs with the best Sylvania bulbs (according to them) and still can’t see a damn thing (my headlight housing is new from LMR and clear (not smoked)).

Would like to know what setups you all have gone with. If you have pics and links, please share.

Thank you!

Potomus Pete · Jan 17, 2023

I like stock for a 93 Mustang. They were born that way, and led's cost too muck for the possible headache they could be......That's just my opinion especially with the cost versus quality.

nickyb · Jan 17, 2023

I got h.i.d. Headlights for about six years now. Got them on Amazon after reading a couple of the more then 5,000 reviews.
Back then they were $60 for the kit,all plug n play. I think they are kensun brand .

Crigano · Jan 17, 2023

nickyb said:
I got h.i.d. Headlights for about six years now. Got them on Amazon after reading a couple of the more then 5,000 reviews.
Back then they were $60 for the kit,all plug n play. I think they are kensun brand .

Are those HID lenses? I’ve heard the light goes all over the place if you put in hid bulbs and don’t have hid lenses. Makes people think your brights are on.

Crigano · Jan 17, 2023

Potomus Pete said:
I like stock for a 93 Mustang. They were born that way, and led's cost to muck for the possible headache they could be......That's just my opinion especially with the cost versus quality.

I just put the brightest Sylvania halogens I can get in my car. I still can’t see anything at night lol

nickyb · Jan 17, 2023

Regular one piece lenses, no problems seeing at night, a went with 10,000 cool white .

Rcdgl · Jan 18, 2023

Good thread. The headlights on my 89 Coupe are awful. Going to align them and see if that helps.

Was looking at the bright Sylvania lamps until the above review...

Crigano · Jan 18, 2023

Rcdgl said:
Good thread. The headlights on my 89 Coupe are awful. Going to align them and see if that helps.

Was looking at the bright Sylvania lamps until the above review...

I put the attached Sylvania bulbs in my car. Better then before but still not bright enough at night (IMO).

Potomus Pete · Jan 18, 2023

Maybe some people just can't see good at night. I know I can't see well at all. I run over curbs occasionally. I think I have cadaracts from the Florida sun. I really don't want to blind people either. I know I dont like to be blinded

Mustang5L5 · Jan 18, 2023

I can’t see well at night and in the rain. Sucks getting old.

LED texhnology is improving steadily, but it comes down to the various kits as how well the beam projects all depends on where the focal point is located vs the original bulbs. Some do it better than others.

Whichever way you go, crystal clear lenses will be better than diffuser style (stock) lenses.

TOOLOW91 · Jan 18, 2023

Potomus Pete said:
I like stock for a 93 Mustang. They were born that way, and led's cost too muck for the possible headache they could be......That's just my opinion especially with the cost versus quality.

The leds in my car and truck were 36 bucks . They work fine

FoxChasis · Jan 19, 2023

HID and LED are in everything that didn't come with them originally, unless the CONVERSION is done right. Swapping one of those "bulbs" into reflector housing is not a "conversion". That's a cheap-ass way to now say you got "brighter" lights. BFD. They're only brighter because the output of the bulb is higher than the original incandescent bulb. The light is still scattered all over the f'in place, just worse.

Crigano · Jan 21, 2023

Mustang5L5 said:
I can’t see well at night and in the rain. Sucks getting old.

LED texhnology is improving steadily, but it comes down to the various kits as how well the beam projects all depends on where the focal point is located vs the original bulbs. Some do it better than others.

Whichever way you go, crystal clear lenses will be better than diffuser style (stock) lenses.

Bought these from LMR last year. Would LED’s work ok with these? https://lmr.com/item/LRS-13008-KIT/87-93-Mustang-Deluxe-Headlight-Kit-With-Amber-Sidemarkers

TwoRockTwo · Jan 21, 2023

Crigano said:
Bought these from LMR last year. Would LED’s work ok with these? https://lmr.com/item/LRS-13008-KIT/87-93-Mustang-Deluxe-Headlight-Kit-With-Amber-Sidemarkers

Those are halogen housings, so No.
LED & HID bulbs aren’t made for halogen housings. A halogen housing can’t focus LED or HID by design. You need a projector to focus those types of bulbs. Otherwise you blind everyone.

You wouldn’t ride around with your high beams on now, blinding everyone? Would you?

The difference between low beam and high beam on a halogen is the location of the filaments, just a few millimeters apart. That becomes the focal point in the halogen housing and determines the beam pattern high or low.

Now think for a second where the “filaments” are on a LED or HID bulb and you will realize why they can’t be focused properly. (And that is also why ALL LED & HID bulbs are illegal for use in a halogen housing, no DOT certifications)

Crigano · Jan 21, 2023

TwoRockTwo said:
Those are halogen housings, so No.
LED & HID bulbs aren’t made for halogen housings. A halogen housing can’t focus LED or HID by design. You need a projector to focus those types of bulbs. Otherwise you blind everyone.

You wouldn’t ride around with your high beams on now, blinding everyone? Would you?

The difference between low beam and high beam on a halogen is the location of the filaments, just a few millimeters apart. That becomes the focal point in the halogen housing and determines the beam pattern high or low.

Now think for a second where the “filaments” are on a LED or HID bulb and you will realize why they can’t be focused properly. (And that is also why ALL LED & HID bulbs are illegal for use in a halogen housing, no DOT certifications)

Thank you. I’ve read a bunch of articles which confirm what you’ve said. Do you know of any projector housings that I can purchase to replace these?

2000xp8 · Jan 21, 2023

IMO, clean original housings with factory style bulbs (you can change the color, but NOT the wattage) works best.
If you run a higher wattage halogen bulb and don't have the light connected to a relay i can pretty much guarantee you are going to melt the headlight switch.

As for switching the headlight housings themselves, i don't think i've ever seen an aftermarket set that looked right and didn't turn to crap after a short period of time.

Crigano · Jan 21, 2023

2000xp8 said:
IMO, clean original housings with factory style bulbs (you can change the color, but NOT the wattage) works best.
If you run a higher wattage halogen bulb and don't have the light connected to a relay i can pretty much guarantee you are going to melt the headlight switch.

As for switching the headlight housings themselves, i don't think i've ever seen an aftermarket set that looked right and didn't turn to crap after a short period of time.

Lol. Yeah, I haven’t really liked any that I’ve seen but not sure if there is a set out there that looks good.

FastDriver · Jan 21, 2023

I have LEDs from LASFit in mine and love them. They were $70/pair and went right into the stock housings. I have no idea how long they'll last, but I liked them so much that I put them in everything. I also bought some flip-up glasses that look goofy to wear, but if I'm in one of my cars at night, it's like 1 out of every 5 cars either has high-beams on or improperly adjusted HID/LEDs. Since I can adjust my headlights, I have done so and I don't catch flickering high beams from anyone else, and I can see the horizontal line of light that my fox emits. So, I disagree that they will blind everyone. The fox headlights were so terrible that apparently, even with the brighter output, they're still not bothering anyone. It IS a big f'in deal to be able to see at night.

If you don't want to do it that way, fine, but after actually having useful headlights for a change, I still recommend a conversion even at the expense of different housings... whatever it takes. I feel a lot safer than with stock style halogens.

Crigano · Jan 21, 2023

FastDriver said:
I have LEDs from LASFit in mine and love them. They were $70/pair and went right into the stock housings. I have no idea how long they'll last, but I liked them so much that I put them in everything. I also bought some flip-up glasses that look goofy to wear, but if I'm in one of my cars at night, it's like 1 out of every 5 cars either has high-beams on or improperly adjusted HID/LEDs. Since I can adjust my headlights, I have done so and I don't catch flickering high beams from anyone else, and I can see the horizontal line of light that my fox emits. So, I disagree that they will blind everyone. The fox headlights were so terrible that apparently, even with the brighter output, they're still not bothering anyone. It IS a big f'in deal to be able to see at night.

If you don't want to do it that way, fine, but after actually having useful headlights for a change, I still recommend a conversion even at the expense of different housings... whatever it takes. I feel a lot safer than with stock style halogens.

Awesome! I’ve read about those. The my look good. Thank you for the feedback!

AeroCoupe · Jan 23, 2023

Sylvania Silverstars on my Coupe and the light output is really good. Not as good as the LED from my 2020 F150 but apples and oranges. I did install relays for the low and high beam both and that helped immensly with the output. As 2000xp8 mentioned the headlight switch provides the power for the high and low beam directly to the head lights which was a bad idea from the factory but when you add a higher wattage bulb to the mix it has caused the switch to overhead and fail. Plenty of write ups on how to do this so use the search function.

HID conversion over on the Corral that turned out really well:

https://www.corral.net/threads/hid-retrofit-into-fox-housings-any-new-feedback.2509344/page-2

LED vs HID 93 Mustang

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