LR4 Halogen Bulb Upgrading - Highly Recommended

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Finlayforprez

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2011
Posts
3,401
Reaction score
92
The HID lights need to be driven with balast to power them on and then to regulate the flow of electricity so the light output stays uniform. Simply swapping in the HID bulb just won't work.

Rob
Rob is right... In addition, the actual HID upgrade will void your electrical warranty. I even asked the dealership and they HIGHLY recommend I do not try to install it. Plus, I wouldn't even try it myself, as I feel the CV bulb gives a great output. So, if you want to replace it with an HID kit, you can, but be very careful as it will void part of the electrical warranty.

I don't know of anyone who actual did the conversion on this list?

-David.
 

Finlayforprez

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2011
Posts
3,401
Reaction score
92
Holy crap! I just ordered the H11 and H7's for replacement. I'm going to need some help. I was able to find the youtube video of the guy changing out the bulbs but I think that was an LR3. Is it the same for the '11 LR4? They should be here by the weekend. I am going to change the Low, High, and Fogs.
Hello LRNewbie,

Great! The LR3 video is actually much more complicated - it's easier in the LR4. Once you get them let us know if you have any questions... I did my low and high beams and fog lights and it was easy.... Drop me a link if you need extra help. I think we are all experts by now! :) hehe!

Good luck
-David.
 

LRnewbie11

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2011
Posts
188
Reaction score
1
Ok great. Thanks everybody. That answers my question. I wasn't really thinking about the HID conversion I just wasn't sure what was involved etc. I will post once I receive them so that I can get them installed.
 

Finlayforprez

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2011
Posts
3,401
Reaction score
92
Ok great. Thanks everybody. That answers my question. I wasn't really thinking about the HID conversion I just wasn't sure what was involved etc. I will post once I receive them so that I can get them installed.
Good luck, LRnewbie11!

Just a few pieces of advice:

1) after you unclip the four clips at the top of the grill, you have to pull forward and sort of shimmy the bottom clips out. There are no bottom clips on the LR4, like there were in the LR3 video. Don't be afraid to apply pretty strong pressure, as you will need it to pull off the grill. It took a bit of force to pull it off, but it's not bad.

2) the tabs that hold the light down may need a little shimmying to get them up out of locked position, but I found using a screwdriver or pliers with a cloth easy. You basically line up the holes (make sure you hold the light unit) and it pops right out. Take a look at the tabs, as the light comes loose not when they are all the way up, but rather go down a little till the button park matches the hole. Then you just unplug the main cable and set the light on a towel. I actually opened my tailgate and used that to work.

3) The lights are held in NOT by the metal tab things like the LR3 video, there are no metal wires that need to be snapped in. Basically you just turn the old bulbs and pull them out. The new ones fit into the slot and turn to lock - very simple! Just make sure you wear gloves and I handled the bulb with a dust-free microfiber towel. Although, you can basically get the bulb into the low and high beam slots just holding the base of the bulb.

4) The fog light I found a bit tricker in some ways as you have to work in a smaller space. The fog light caps pop off by sliding your finger (though it kinda hurts) in the front and then just pulling off with even pressure. There are metal tabs, and I did have 1-2 of these pop off, but they pop back on easily. Once you take the fog light body-colored covers off, you can then access the fog light.

5) I think this is VERY important... Take some masking or duct tape and tape up the hole around the fog light... You will see what I mean. If you lose a screw, it seems to fall into the front bumper and I have no idea how to get it back.

6) Once you tape up the holes, use a long hexagonal (star) screwdriver and take the three screws out in order and remember the order in which they go back. There are 4 holes, but only 3 screws. Once the screws come out, the bulb pops out and you can easily change the bulb. There is really only one way in which it fits in, but it's a little different than the low beam. I put it back (without the screws) and just made sure it worked before putting the unit all back together. Just be sure to put the screws back in the same order. Then you can just pop the fog light cover back on.

I hope this helps - let me know if you need more specific directions. Are you planning on changing out the side LEDs??? If so, you may want to wait till you get those so you can do everything at once. I ordered mine and will install them on Saturday. I can't wait! :)

-David.
 

tim-in-ca

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2010
Posts
82
Reaction score
0
Well ... I just sprung for the entire headlight "conversion kit" I orderd the H11 and H7 CVs and the another post's LED recommendation for the front running lights. I'll install one side and see if I can capture a difference with old and new sides on with pix. Here's what I just ordered from Amazon :


Fog and Low Beams - 2x Philips H11 CrystalVision Ultra Headlight Bulb, Pack of 2

Running Lights - 2x Putco White 194 Type 360-Degree High Intensity LED Premium Replacement Bulb - Single Bulb

High Beams - Philips H7 CystalVision Ultra Headlight Bulb, Pack of 2
 

baobay

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2011
Posts
667
Reaction score
8
Well ... I just sprung for the entire headlight "conversion kit" I orderd the H11 and H7 CVs and the another post's LED recommendation for the front running lights. I'll install one side and see if I can capture a difference with old and new sides on with pix. Here's what I just ordered from Amazon :


Fog and Low Beams - 2x Philips H11 CrystalVision Ultra Headlight Bulb, Pack of 2

Running Lights - 2x Putco White 194 Type 360-Degree High Intensity LED Premium Replacement Bulb - Single Bulb

High Beams - Philips H7 CystalVision Ultra Headlight Bulb, Pack of 2

That's it Tim!
It's good you got them all at one time so you'll need to do this only once not 4 times like I did. You will be happy after you see the difference.
George
 

Finlayforprez

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2011
Posts
3,401
Reaction score
92
That's it Tim!
It's good you got them all at one time so you'll need to do this only once not 4 times like I did. You will be happy after you see the difference.
George
Yes, he was smart to get everything at once. I'm in the same boat, baobay, as this will be my fourth time taking the headlights out.

I just got the LEDs yesterday, so I will be changing them out on Saturday.

Once I am all done, I will take a picture.

Hope you are having better weather out there in MA! I'm back in SF and it's sunny and beautiful.

-David
 

baobay

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2011
Posts
667
Reaction score
8
Yes, he was smart to get everything at once. I'm in the same boat, baobay, as this will be my fourth time taking the headlights out.

I just got the LEDs yesterday, so I will be changing them out on Saturday.

Once I am all done, I will take a picture.

Hope you are having better weather out there in MA! I'm back in SF and it's sunny and beautiful.

-David

weather is improveing slowly. Hoping to have a nice sunny weekend so I can wash the beast.
 

Finlayforprez

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2011
Posts
3,401
Reaction score
92
Well ... I just sprung for the entire headlight "conversion kit" I orderd the H11 and H7 CVs and the another post's LED recommendation for the front running lights. I'll install one side and see if I can capture a difference with old and new sides on with pix. Here's what I just ordered from Amazon :


Fog and Low Beams - 2x Philips H11 CrystalVision Ultra Headlight Bulb, Pack of 2

Running Lights - 2x Putco White 194 Type 360-Degree High Intensity LED Premium Replacement Bulb - Single Bulb

High Beams - Philips H7 CystalVision Ultra Headlight Bulb, Pack of 2
That's awesome, Tim! As baobay said, those are all the correct bulbs. It would be awesome if you can take a comparison photo showing the difference in lighting.

Best of luck and let us know if you have any questions about the installation. I'm doing my LED side lights on Saturday.

Cheers, David
 

Finlayforprez

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2011
Posts
3,401
Reaction score
92
weather is improveing slowly. Hoping to have a nice sunny weekend so I can wash the beast.
Hope you get some sunshine! I'm planning to wash mine on Saturday or Sunday. Last time I washed my LR4, I surprised my neighbor and washed her mini afterward, wow, that thing is tiny!!! So easy to was compared to the LR4.

Though, I have a pretty good system down for washing it, though the rims can be a pain in the butt!

Have a good day!
 

Latest posts

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
36,272
Posts
218,121
Members
30,498
Latest member
Dandavies9
Top