[fulken]

I ordered Holley RETROBRIGHT LED SEALED BEAM 5X7 RECT. $199/each ($223)

I thought I would pay more for the glass lens and no wiring changes. I was wrong.

• The lens is a thin plastic. I was expecting a glass. This is the first disappointment.
• At the Holley web, the unit was a direct replacement for the 2003 GMC Safari. They are not. They require wiring changes. I wanted to keep minimum modification to maintain reliability. This is the 2nd disappointment.

Holley's return is slow. They took 2 weeks to reply my email. I am waiting for the refund now.

It looks like glass but, it is a thin plastic.

 

[copperhead]

Well that sucks, I hope you get your refund. I've said this before even as a fan of LED conversions/use for lots of other situations. JMO but LED headlight conversions are a solution looking for a problem. Headlights are usually only on when a vehicle is running, so any power saving isn't a reason for doing it and I haven't seen any definitive proof of any great visibility improvement. But I have read stories on the net about cost/performance/wiring/cold weather issues in many cases. YMMV.

 

[Mmusicman]

PLASTIC LENSES SUCK!
It's unfortunate.. these might have been decent otherwise

 

[augidog]

correct me if i'm wrong, but i think the plastic clone of a glass headlight probably doesn't have legit "DOT" & "SAE" underwriting.

also, if there's enough heat to require a robust heat-sink, then a thin plastic lens makes no sense. for the price, it absolutely should be glass. imo, of course.

 

[Mmusicman]

The plastic lenses on my 2000-LS are DOT approved

 

[ehbrown1]

Gotta love those "Exact Replacement" parts.

 

[MechBob]

Oh, where to start? O.K., first, the DOT and SAE do not "certify" anything. The way it works, a manufacturer "may" sent their lights in for testing, by them, or a independent lab.Having "DOT" or "SAE" stamped in something means nothing, is not required, and is sometimes used illegally. It is common, and normal, for quality products to be listed as DOT or/and SAE compliant. The FED Gov does set standards, on headlights, in new vehicles. They use SAE, this is for standard dimensions,mounting, connections, etc., and DOT for color of beam, brightness and pattern of beam. Yes, you can replace your lights with brighter, different color, different beam pattern, BUT this is where states and NHTSA come in, and you can be fined.
Yes, a quality LED package is better than halogen sealed beams, but retrofit, where you just put LED bulbs into factory housings, are way way worse, basically junk, a bright scattered beam that blinds oncoming drivers.
Now, for glass. Generally, only cheaper lamps use glass, anymore. It is cheaper and weaker. Polycarbonate is much stronger, and stands up better to impacts. The NHTSA and DOT have been pushing manufacturers for years to remove all glass from headlights, as a safety factor in accidents.
As far as heat, yes, the heat needs to be removed from the LED module/transformer, to make it last. They still generally run cooler than halogen sealed beams. Now this is the problem, there is no heat in the light beams themselves, so the lens runs cold. So much so that Hi end cars came with headlight heaters, because ice builds up on them. This became a obvious issue when snow plow manufacturers switched to LED lights, and they added heaters. It is now to the point if your truck, and most cars, come with factory LED headlights, they already have heaters built in.S0 much for "energy savings".
As far as the connections, yes, there are some odd ball vehicles, but, the OP's van must have the standard H6054 5x7 lamps, and these should plug right in, and be wired correctly, BUT they do sell quick adapters for 10 bucks.
OK, need more coffee----

 

[Slime]

LED conversions are great, if they are done correctly. It all depends on the bulbs AND the reflector inside the housing. I have LED bulbs in all my motorcycles and vehicles )except the Astro because it's not running yet ) A good quality LED bulb will put out a better quality light and pattern. I have a set in my low beams on my 96 Silverado with a 4 Hi kit. All 4 lights come on with the hi beam instead of just 2. They are from a company called Diode Direct and are american made and manufactured. Light output and pattern is great and they don't scatter light everywhere. That said, they don't have a single Hi/Lo bulb or I would have a set in my car. ( I have cheap LED bulbs in the car which are okay, but don't put out a ton of light and the Hi beam is useless, but I wanted to try a set ) I have a Cyclops LED in my 07 BMW 1200 GS low beam with similar results. The only issue with the bike is storing the ballast so you can install the cap to keep dirt out of the hosing. That being said, most LED bulbs if purchased for a specific vehicle will just plug into the stock plug. That's been my experience. I saw the Holly lights before, but didn't know how they would work out...especially at that price point. Once I get mine up and running I will see what can be used over the stock sealed beams.

 

[fulken]

I found an LED head light with a glass lens which does not need any adapters for electrical connection. Here is the link to the discussion.